<div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div class="gmail_default" style="font-family:tahoma,sans-serif;font-size:large"><h1 style="margin:0in;font-size:14pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><a name="m_2045756583368813655_m_-1076407465942887176_OLE_LINK9"><span style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif">President’s Notebook<u></u><u></u></span></a></h1><h1 style="margin:0in;font-size:14pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif">National Federation of the Blind<u></u><u></u></span></h1><h1 style="margin:0in;font-size:14pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif">Mark A. Riccobono<u></u><u></u></span></h1><h1 style="margin:0in;font-size:14pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><a href="mailto:officeofthepresident@nfb.org" target="_blank">officeofthepresident@nfb.org</a><span style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif"><u></u><u></u></span></h1><h1 style="margin:0in;font-size:14pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif">410-659-9314<u></u><u></u></span></h1><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:small"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><u></u> <u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:small"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">Dear Federation Family,<u></u><u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:small"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif"><u></u> <u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:small"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">Now that the fever of the eclipse has passed, we can settle into the normal business of April. </span><span style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif;font-size:12pt">Let me take a moment to thank those of you who have personally reached out to me during the past week regarding the unexpected passing of my father. The support from each of you means more than I could ever convey in words. The depth of the Federation family never surprises but it does always humble me. I am honored to be part of this community with you.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:small"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif"><u></u> <u></u></span></p><h2 style="margin:0in;font-size:14pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">Critical Actions:<u></u><u></u></h2><h3 style="margin:0in 0in 0in 0.25in;line-height:18.4px;font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;font-weight:normal"><span><b>April Presidential Release:<u></u><u></u></b></span></h3><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:0.25in;font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:small"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">The </span><a href="https://nfb.org/resources/publications-and-media/presidential-releases" target="_blank"><span style="font-size:12pt">April Presidential Release chapter version</span></a><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif"> is available for chapter meetings. Please note the podcast format is now updated. The next live presidential release is scheduled for Wednesday, May 1, 2024, at 8:00 p.m., eastern. Zoom TBD.</span><u></u><u></u></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:small"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif"><u></u> <u></u></span></p><h2 style="margin:0in;font-size:14pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">News:<u></u><u></u></h2><h3 style="margin:0in 0in 0in 0.25in;line-height:18.4px;font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;font-weight:normal"><b>Need Your Help with the Museum:</b><b><span style="font-size:11pt;line-height:16.8667px"><u></u><u></u></span></b></h3><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:0.25in;font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:small"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">The Museum Campaign is still looking to expand its list of prospects and potential contributors. As you review your contacts, please identify anyone you think would be interested in hearing more about the museum project, or who has the capability to pledge $10,000 or more. Affiliate presidents can expect an initial or follow-up call from Rachel Held to discuss your suggestions in the coming weeks. If you have any questions or suggestions, please contact Rachel at 410-659-9314, extension 2423, or </span><a href="mailto:rheld@nfb.org" target="_blank"><span style="font-size:12pt">rheld@nfb.org</span></a><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">.</span><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif"><u></u><u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:small"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><u></u> <u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:0.25in;font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:small"><span style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif"><b><span style="font-size:12pt">2024-2025 NFB Teachers of Tomorrow Cohort—Applications Now Open:</span></b></span><br><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">Teachers of Tomorrow is an immersive professional development program that connects teachers of blind and low-vision students to the lived experiences of blind people. The program will equip the participants with knowledge of the skills and attitudes that can help blind students thrive in school and beyond. Please encourage teachers of blind students in your affiliate to apply for this opportunity, and help circulate the application information to any university programs that prepare teachers of blind students where you have contacts. For more information visit </span><a href="https://nfb.org/programs-services/education/teachers-tomorrow" target="_blank"><span style="font-size:12pt">https://nfb.org/programs-services/education/teachers-tomorrow</span></a><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">. The application period will end on May 3, 2024.<u></u><u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:0.25in;font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:small"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif"><u></u> <u></u></span></p><h3 style="margin:0in 0in 0in 0.25in;line-height:18.4px;font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;font-weight:normal"><b>Where the Blind Work Webinar:<u></u><u></u></b></h3><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:0.25in;font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:small"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">Thursday, April 18, 2024, 8:00-9:00 p.m., eastern, via Zoom</span><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif"><u></u><u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:0.25in;font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:small"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">The National Federation of the Blind champions cultural and economic equity in society. We firmly uphold the belief that blind people possess the inherent ability to pursue our career aspirations. Join us for an enlightening discussion featuring an impressive panel of blind entrepreneurs who constantly trailblaze the path to professional success. Our panelists are:<u></u><u></u></span></p><p style="margin:0in 0in 0in 0.75in;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;line-height:15.5467px"><u></u><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:16.96px;font-family:Symbol">·<span style="font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-variant-alternates:normal;font-kerning:auto;font-feature-settings:normal;font-stretch:normal;font-size:7pt;line-height:normal;font-family:"Times New Roman"">         </span></span><u></u><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:16.96px;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">Shelby Ball, BEP Owner and Operator, Georgia<u></u><u></u></span></p><p style="margin:0in 0in 0in 0.75in;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;line-height:15.5467px"><u></u><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:16.96px;font-family:Symbol">·<span style="font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-variant-alternates:normal;font-kerning:auto;font-feature-settings:normal;font-stretch:normal;font-size:7pt;line-height:normal;font-family:"Times New Roman"">         </span></span><u></u><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:16.96px;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">J.J. Meddaugh, Owner and Operator of AT Guys, Michigan<u></u><u></u></span></p><p style="margin:0in 0in 0in 0.75in;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;line-height:15.5467px"><u></u><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:16.96px;font-family:Symbol">·<span style="font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-variant-alternates:normal;font-kerning:auto;font-feature-settings:normal;font-stretch:normal;font-size:7pt;line-height:normal;font-family:"Times New Roman"">         </span></span><u></u><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:16.96px;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">William Ruffin, BEP Owner and Operator, Maryland<u></u><u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:0.25in;font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:small"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif"><u></u> <u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:0.25in;font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:small"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">Register at </span><a href="https://nfb.org/programs-services/employment/where-the-blind-work-webinars-registration" title="https://nfb.org/programs-services/employment/where-the-blind-work-webinars-registration" target="_blank"><span style="font-size:12pt">Where the Blind Work Webinar</span></a><span style="color:rgb(70,120,134);text-decoration-line:underline"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">.</span></span><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif"><u></u><u></u></span></p><h1 style="margin:0in;font-size:14pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:16pt"><u></u> <u></u></span></h1><h3 style="margin:0in 0in 0in 0.25in;line-height:18.4px;font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;font-weight:normal"><b style="font-size:12pt">Discriminatory Driver’s License Requirements in Job Applications:</b><br></h3><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:0.25in;font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:small"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">Many employers illegally require driver’s licenses in job applications when driving is not an essential function of the job. To combat this, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) needs as many charges of discrimination as possible before they can file suit on behalf of blind people. Federal law requires that we file a charge of discrimination with the EEOC before any further action can be taken. If you have been discriminated against in this manner, please contact the EEOC. To start the process, you can schedule your intake interview with the EEOC at </span><a href="https://publicportal.eeoc.gov/Scheduling/login" target="_blank"><span style="font-size:12pt">https://publicportal.eeoc.gov/Scheduling/login</span></a><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">. Please contact our legal program coordinator, Sanho Steele-Louchart, with any questions. Sanho can be reached at </span><a href="mailto:legal@nfb.org" target="_blank"><span style="font-size:12pt">legal@nfb.org</span></a><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif"> and at 410-659-9314, extension 2440.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:small"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><u></u> <u></u></span></p><h3 style="margin:0in 0in 0in 0.25in;line-height:18.4px;font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;font-weight:normal"><b>Letter Regarding Accessible Vote-by-Mail Sent to 253 Texas Counties:<u></u><u></u></b></h3><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:0.25in;font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:small"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">On July 27, 2023, the United States District Court for the Western District of Texas San Antonio Division held that Bexar County violated Title II of the ADA by providing only a paper absentee ballot that was inaccessible to blind people. This case was brought by the National Federation of the Blind of Texas, the Coalition of Texans with Disabilities, and three blind voters. The Court ordered Bexar County to provide a remote, accessible, vote-by-mail system that would grant blind voters the same opportunity provided to voters without disabilities. On March 29, 2024, the National Federation of the Blind sent a </span><a href="https://nfb.org/programs-services/advocacy/policy-statements/letter-sent-253-texas-counties-regarding-remote" target="_blank"><span style="font-size:12pt">letter to the other 253 counties in Texas</span></a><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif"> reminding them of their legal obligation to provide blind voters an accessible way to privately and independently mark an absentee ballot. The letter can be read on the </span><a href="https://nfb.org/programs-services/advocacy/policy-statements" target="_blank"><span style="font-size:12pt">Policy Statements page</span></a><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif"> of our website.</span><span style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif;font-size:12pt"> </span></p><p style="margin:0in 0in 0in 0.25in;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif"><u></u> <u></u></span></p><span style="font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:small"></span><span style="font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:small"></span><span style="font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:small"></span><span style="font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:small"></span><h2 style="margin:0in;font-size:14pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">Dates to Keep in Mind:<u></u><u></u></h2><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:small"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">(all times eastern)<u></u><u></u></span></p><ul type="disc" style="margin-bottom:0in;font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:small;margin-top:0in"><li style="margin:0in;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;line-height:16.8667px"><a name="m_2045756583368813655_m_-1076407465942887176__Hlk150162423"><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:18.4px;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">April 15: Deadline for </span></a><a href="https://nfb.org/programs-services/scholarships-and-awards/dr-jacob-bolotin-awards/application-information" target="_blank"><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:18.4px">Bolotin Award</span></a><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:18.4px;font-family:Arial,sans-serif"> nominations<u></u><u></u></span></li><li style="margin:0in;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;line-height:16.8667px"><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:18.4px;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">May 1: Deadline for </span><a href="https://nfb.org/programs-services/scholarships-and-awards/distinguished-educator-blind-students-award" target="_blank"><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:18.4px">Distinguished Educator of Blind Children Award</span></a><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:18.4px;font-family:Arial,sans-serif"> nominations<u></u><u></u></span></li><li style="margin:0in;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;line-height:16.8667px"><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:18.4px;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">July 3-8: National Convention; Orlando, Florida<u></u><u></u></span></li></ul><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:small"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif"><u></u> </span><span style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif;font-size:12pt">Introduction to the Organized Blind Movement</span></p><ul type="disc" style="margin-bottom:0in;font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:small;margin-top:0in"><li style="margin:0in;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;color:black;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">Wednesday, May 8, 8:00 p.m.<u></u><u></u></span></li><li style="margin:0in;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;color:black;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">Wednesday, August 7, 8:00 p.m.<u></u><u></u></span></li><li style="margin:0in;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;color:black;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">Wednesday, November 6, 8:00 p.m.</span></li></ul></div><br clear="all"><div><div dir="ltr" class="gmail_signature"><div dir="ltr"><div style="color:rgb(34,34,34)"><br></div></div></div></div></div></div>