<div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div class="gmail_default"><h1><a name="m_-7434017354339818765_OLE_LINK9"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="2">President’s Notebook<br>National Federation of the Blind<br>Mark A. Riccobono<br></font></a><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="2"><a href="mailto:officeofthepresident@nfb.org" target="_blank" style="font-weight:normal">officeofthepresident@nfb.org</a><br>410-659-9314<br></font></h1><p class="MsoNormal"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif"><u></u> <u></u></font></p><p class="MsoNormal"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif">Dear Federation Family,<u></u><u></u></font></p><p class="MsoNormal"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif"><u></u> <u></u></font></p><p class="MsoNormal"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif">I send this notebook with a significant appreciation for the importance of our chosen family here in this movement. Thank you to the many among you who have checked in, provided support, and offered me grace in the past three weeks. I want you to know that I am back in the saddle and working to catch up.<u></u><u></u></font></p><p class="MsoNormal"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif"><u></u> <u></u></font></p><p class="MsoNormal"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif">As always, the information flow will steadily increase between now and our national convention in July. See below for other convention-specific updates.<u></u><u></u></font></p><p class="MsoNormal"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif"><u></u> <u></u></font></p><p class="MsoNormal"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif">Speaking of convention, you have likely heard rumbling that our main hotel is already full during some nights of the convention. This is, in fact, the case. John Berggren is working closely with the Rosen team to make additional arrangements and clarify policies. It seems as though demand for attendance at our convention is on the rise, and you all are doing a great job mobilizing interest. Please know we will be doing our part to make sure the resources are available in Orlando to accommodate all who want to be at our annual business meeting and family reunion.</font><span style="font-family:tahoma,sans-serif"> </span></p><h2><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="2">Critical Actions:<u></u><u></u></font></h2><h3><b><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="2">May Presidential Release:<u></u><u></u></font></b></h3><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:0.25in"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif"><span style="color:black;border:1pt none windowtext;padding:0in;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial">The </span><a href="https://nfb.org/resources/publications-and-media/presidential-releases" target="_blank"><span style="border:1pt none windowtext;padding:0in;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial">May Presidential Release</span></a><span style="color:black;border:1pt none windowtext;padding:0in;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial"> is scheduled for Wednesday, May 1, at 8:00 p.m., eastern. Each Presidential Release Live includes a question-and-answer session. These questions can be about recent activities or common questions members have about being in the organized blind movement. Please submit questions early to </span><a href="mailto:cdanielsen@nfb.org--questions" target="_blank"><span style="border:1pt none windowtext;padding:0in;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial">cdanielsen@nfb.org.</span></a><span style="color:black;border:1pt none windowtext;padding:0in;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial"> </span><a href="https://nfb-org.zoom.us/j/91678124399" target="_blank"><span style="border:1pt none windowtext;padding:0in;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial">Zoom ID 916 7812 4399</span></a><span style="color:black;border:1pt none windowtext;padding:0in;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial">.<u></u><u></u></span></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:0.25in"><span style="color:black;border:1pt none windowtext;padding:0in;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif"><u></u> <u></u></font></span></p><h3><b><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="2">Distinguished Educator of Blind Students Award:<u></u><u></u></font></b></h3><p style="margin-left:0.25in"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif">The deadline to submit applications for the Distinguished Educator of Blind Students Award is May 1, 2024. Go to <a href="https://nfb.org/programs-services/scholarships-and-awards/distinguished-educator-blind-students-award" target="_blank">https://nfb.org/programs-services/scholarships-and-awards/distinguished-educator-blind-students-award</a> for information and to submit an application.</font><span style="font-family:tahoma,sans-serif"> </span></p><h2><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="2">Convention:</font></h2><h3><b><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="2">Grant from National Association of Blind Veterans:<u></u><u></u></font></b></h3><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:0.25in"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif">The National Association of Blind Veterans is offering a grant for first-time convention attendees who are veterans. If you have questions about this grant, please reach out to Vernon Humphrey at <a href="mailto:mr_president@nabv.org" target="_blank">mr_president@nabv.org</a>. Please share this message with your members who are vets.</font><span style="font-family:tahoma,sans-serif"> </span></p><h2><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="2">News:</font></h2><h1 style="margin-left:0.25in"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="2">Department of Justice ADA Title II Website Accessibility Final Rule:<u></u><u></u></font></h1><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:0.25in"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif">Earlier this month, the United States Department of Justice released the final rule regarding the Americans with Disabilities Act Title II website accessibility regulations. On April 10, the Federation published <a href="https://nfb.org/about-us/press-room/national-federation-blind-applauds-us-department-justice-web-and-mobile-content" target="_blank">our official statement on the release of the rule</a>, which can be read in its entirety on the <a href="https://nfb.org/programs-services/advocacy/policy-statements" target="_blank">Policy Statements page</a> of our website.</font><span style="font-family:tahoma,sans-serif"> </span></p><h1 style="margin-left:0.25in"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="2">April Legislative Update:<u></u><u></u></font></h1><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:0.25in"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif">Throughout the month of April, we have gained a total of four new cosponsors across two of our bills in the House. First, the Websites and Software Applications Accessibility Act (H.R. 5813) gained Jamie Raskin of Maryland and Colin Allred of Texas. Second, the Medical Device Nonvisual Accessibility Act (H.R. 1328) gained André Carson of Indiana and also Colin Allred of Texas. Way to go Indiana, Maryland, and Texas! Keep up the great work.</font><span style="font-family:tahoma,sans-serif"> </span></p><h3><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="2"><b>Advocate and Track with Us: Report Web Inaccessibility:</b><b><span style="line-height:21.4667px"><u></u><u></u></span></b></font></h3><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:0.25in"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif"><span style="color:black">Your advocacy makes a difference. The National Federation of the Blind tracks and reviews many platforms, websites, software, and products for accessibility. Given the vast number of inaccessible apps and websites, it is vital that we work together to report issues, educate companies, and help make many more products and services accessible. Learn about self-advocacy for accessibility and tracking inaccessibility: </span><a href="https://nfb.org/programs-services/center-excellence-nonvisual-accessibility/self-advocacy-toolkit-and-tracking-form" target="_blank">https://nfb.org/programs-services/center-excellence-nonvisual-accessibility/self-advocacy-toolkit-and-tracking-form</a>.</font><span style="font-family:tahoma,sans-serif"> </span></p><h3><b><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="2">Catch Up on Content and Share on Social Media:<u></u><u></u></font></b></h3><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:0.25in"><span style="color:black;border:1pt none windowtext;padding:0in;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif">Highlights, news, and stories are available in the most recent <i>Braille Monitor</i>, <i>Future Reflections</i>, <i>Nation’s Blind Podcast</i>, and <i>Voice of the Nation’s Blind Blog</i>. The following are National Federation of the Blind publications for you to access and share with Federationists. These articles and episodes are great to share on affiliate and division social media to create discussions on various topics.<u></u><u></u></font></span></p><ul type="disc" style="margin-top:0in"><li style="margin-left:0.5in;color:black;line-height:14.95px"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif"><a href="https://nfb.org/images/nfb/publications/bm/bm24/bm2404/bm2404tc.htm" target="_blank"><span style="line-height:18.4px;border:1pt none windowtext;padding:0in;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial">April <i>Braille Monitor</i></span></a><span style="line-height:18.4px;border:1pt none windowtext;padding:0in;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial"><u></u><u></u></span></font></li><li style="margin-left:0.5in;color:black;line-height:14.95px"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif"><a href="https://nfb.org/resources/publications-and-media/nations-blind-podcast" target="_blank"><i><span style="line-height:18.4px;border:1pt none windowtext;padding:0in;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial">Nation's Blind Podcast</span></i><span style="line-height:18.4px;border:1pt none windowtext;padding:0in;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial"> episode, “Not Letting the Flood of Doubt Win</span></a><span style="line-height:18.4px;border:1pt none windowtext;padding:0in;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial">”</span><span style="line-height:18.4px;border:1pt none windowtext;padding:0in;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial"><u></u><u></u></span></font></li><li style="margin-left:0.5in;color:black;line-height:14.95px"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif"><span style="line-height:18.4px;border:1pt none windowtext;padding:0in;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial">Blog article<i>, “</i></span><a href="https://nfb.org/blog/project-bold-fostering-inclusion-through-immersion-and-observation" target="_blank"><span style="line-height:18.4px;border:1pt none windowtext;padding:0in;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial">Project BOLD: Fostering Inclusion through Immersion and Observation</span></a><u><span style="line-height:18.4px;color:blue;border:1pt none windowtext;padding:0in;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial">”</span></u></font> </li></ul><h3><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="2"><b>Do You Have a Favorite Kernel Book Story?</b>:<b><u></u><u></u></b></font></h3><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:0.25in"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif"><span style="color:black;border:1pt none windowtext;padding:0in;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial">The National Federation of the Blind's Kernel Book series highlights the stories of blind people and goes beyond sentimentality and misconceptions—to the very "kernel" of blindness. They are a great way to have philosophy discussions with members. Read and share the </span><a href="https://nfb.org/resources/jacobus-tenbroek-library/collections/kernel-books" target="_blank"><span style="border:1pt none windowtext;padding:0in;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial">Kernel Books online</span></a><span style="color:black;border:1pt none windowtext;padding:0in;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial"> series. Let us know which story you recommend the most by emailing us at </span><a href="mailto:communications@nfb.org" target="_blank"><span style="border:1pt none windowtext;padding:0in;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial">communications@nfb.org</span></a><span style="color:black;border:1pt none windowtext;padding:0in;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial"> and share why it is your favorite.</span></font><span style="font-family:tahoma,sans-serif"> </span></p><font face="tahoma, sans-serif"></font><h2><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="2">Dates to Keep in Mind:<u></u><u></u></font></h2><p class="MsoNormal"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif">(all times eastern)<u></u><u></u></font></p><ul type="disc" style="margin-top:0in"><li style="margin-left:0in;line-height:14.95px"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif"><a name="m_-7434017354339818765__Hlk150162423"><span style="line-height:18.4px">May 1: Deadline for </span></a><a href="https://nfb.org/programs-services/scholarships-and-awards/distinguished-educator-blind-students-award" target="_blank"><span style="line-height:18.4px">Distinguished Educator of Blind Children Award</span></a><span style="line-height:18.4px"> nominations<u></u><u></u></span></font></li><li style="margin-left:0in;line-height:14.95px"><span style="line-height:18.4px"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif">July 3-8: National Convention; Orlando, Florida<u></u><u></u></font></span></li></ul><p class="MsoNormal"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif"><u></u> <u></u></font></p><p class="MsoNormal"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif">Introduction to the Organized Blind Movement<u></u><u></u></font></p><ul type="disc" style="margin-top:0in"><li style="margin-left:0in;color:black;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif">Wednesday, May 8, 8:00 p.m.<u></u><u></u></font></li><li style="margin-left:0in;color:black;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif">Wednesday, August 7, 8:00 p.m.<u></u><u></u></font></li><li style="margin-left:0in;color:black;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif">Wednesday, November 6, 8:00 p.m.<u></u><u></u></font></li></ul><p class="MsoNormal"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif"><u></u> <u></u></font></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:tahoma,sans-serif">The National Federation of the Blind knows that blindness is not the characteristic that defines you or your future. Every day we raise the expectations of blind people, because low expectations create obstacles between blind people and our dreams. You can live the life you want; blindness is not what holds you back.</span><br></p><h2><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="2"><u></u> <u></u></font></h2><p class="MsoNormal"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif"><u></u> <u></u></font></p><p class="MsoNormal"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif"><u></u> <u></u></font></p><p class="MsoNormal"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif"><u></u> <u></u></font></p><p class="MsoNormal"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif"><u></u> </font></p></div></div></div></div>