<div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div class="gmail_default"><h1 style="margin:0in"><p class="MsoNormal"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4"><a name="m_-5396633017262872174_m_-5693269748046394480_OLE_LINK9">Presid ent’s Notebook</a><b><span></span></b></font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4">National Federation of the Blind<span></span></font></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span lang="DE"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4">Mark A. Riccobono<span></span></font></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4"><b><a href="mailto:officeofthepresident@nfb.org" target="_blank"><span lang="DE">officeofthepresident@nfb.org</span></a></b><b><span lang="DE"><span></span></span></b></font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4">410-659-9314<span></span></font></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4"> <span></span></font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4" style="font-weight:normal">Dear Federation Family,<span></span></font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4" style="font-weight:normal"> <span></span></font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4" style="font-weight:normal">I hope that everyone has recovered and is
still on a convention high from the outstanding movement building we did in
Orlando. Things are moving forward at a rapid pace here at our national office.
This week, we are involved in a number of celebrations for the Americans with
Disabilities Act, which will also afford us opportunities to advance our
priorities.<span></span></font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4" style="font-weight:normal"> <span></span></font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4" style="font-weight:normal">Please also take a minute to complete the
2024 Convention survey so that we can capture your feedback and
reflections. <span></span></font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4"><span style="font-weight:normal"> </span><span></span></font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4">Stay cool and keep building.<span></span></font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4"> <span></span></font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4">Critical Actions:<span></span></font></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4" style="font-weight:normal">Upcoming: Presidential Release:<span></span></font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4" style="font-weight:normal">The National Federation of the Blind <a href="https://nfb.org/resources/publications-and-media/presidential-releases" target="_blank">Presidential Release #540</a> is scheduled for Tuesday,
August 1, at 8:00 p.m., eastern. Mark your calendar. <a href="https://nfb-org.zoom.us/j/97910080432" target="_blank">Zoom Meeting ID
979 1008 0432</a>. Please submit questions to <a href="mailto:cdanielsen@nfb.org" target="_blank">cdanielsen@nfb.org</a> with
#PR540 in the subject line.<span></span></font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4"><span style="font-weight:normal"> </span><span></span></font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4">News:<span></span></font></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4"><b>National Convention Highlights:</b><span></span></font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4" style="font-weight:normal">Thanks again to our members, sponsors,
exhibitors, and everyone who made #NFB24 a success. A post-convention survey is
being sent out soon. We are excited for your feedback. The convention
highlights will be posted at <a href="http://nfb.org/convention" target="_blank">nfb.org/convention</a> by July 31. Access the following
highlights, which are now available:<span></span></font></p>
<ul style="margin-top:0in" type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4" style="font-weight:normal"><a href="https://nfb.org/resources/speeches-and-reports/banquet-speeches/dignity-respect-and-determination-momentum-blind" target="_blank">2024 Banquet Address: “Dignity, Respect, and
Determination: The Momentum of the Blind People's Movement</a>”<span></span></font></li>
<li class="MsoNormal"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4" style="font-weight:normal"><a href="https://nfb.org/sites/nfb.org/files/08-2024/2024_banguet_speech.mp3" target="_blank">2024 Banquet Address: “Dignity, Respect, and
Determination: The Momentum of the Blind People's Movement” (audio)</a><span></span></font></li>
<li class="MsoNormal"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4" style="font-weight:normal"><a href="https://nfb.org/resources/speeches-and-reports/presidential-reports/2024-presidential-report" target="_blank">2024 Presidential Report</a><span></span></font></li>
<li class="MsoNormal"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4" style="font-weight:normal"><a href="https://nfb.org/resources/speeches-and-reports/resolutions/2024-resolutions" target="_blank">2024 Resolutions</a><span></span></font></li>
<li class="MsoNormal"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4"><span style="font-weight:normal"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/@NationsBlind/streams" target="_blank">General Sessions and Board of Directors Meeting on YouTube</a> </span><span></span></font></li>
</ul>
<p class="MsoNormal"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4"><b>NFB-NEWSLINE<sup>®</sup> Service
Disruption Update:</b><span></span></font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4" style="font-weight:normal">Earlier this month, NFB-NEWSLINE
experienced server disruptions affecting online services and file reception
from publishers. Most services are restored, but we are actively working to
restore the Amazon Alexa skill, and we are updating newspapers in collaboration
with their publishers. For assistance accessing NFB-NEWSLINE, contact customer
service at 866-504-7300 or email <a href="mailto:nfbnewsline@nfb.org" target="_blank">nfbnewsline@nfb.org</a>. You can obtain the most up-to-date
status of our system recovery by calling 410-609-7081.<span></span></font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4"><span style="font-weight:normal"> </span><span></span></font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4"><b>NABS Mid-Atlantic Student Seminar:</b><span></span></font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4" style="font-weight:normal">Register for the National Federation of the
Blind National Association of Blind Students Mid-Atlantic Regional Seminar, to
be held August 16-18. Hosted by the Maryland Association of Blind Students
(MDABS), and held at the Jernigan Institute, it will be an opportunity to
immerse yourself in a transformative experience with engaging workshops,
skill-building activities, and networking opportunities. Please direct
questions to MDABS President Qualik Ford at <a href="mailto:qford@bism.org" target="_blank">qford@bism.org</a>. Registration, ending on August 2, is
required at <a href="https://nabslink.org/civicrm/event/info?id=4&reset=1" target="_blank">Mid-Atlantic Seminar Registration Form</a><span></span></font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight:normal"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4"> </font></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4"><b>Special Note: The NFB of NJ is proud
to sponsor three students attending and we hope about this seminar during our State Convention General Session.</b><span></span></font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4"> <span></span></font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4"><b>Dare to Be Remarkable Conference</b><span></span></font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4"><span style="font-weight:normal">Mark your calendars for November 11-13 for
the National Federation of the Blind 2024 <a href="https://nfb.org/programs-services/education/dare-be-remarkable" title="https://nfb.org/programs-services/education/dare-be-remarkable" target="_blank">Dare to
Be Remarkable</a> conference, a three-day national conference held at the
Jernigan Institute for education and rehabilitation professionals who work with
blind students and adults to be. Registration is $400 until October 5 and $500
beginning on October 6. More registration details are coming soon. Please
direct all inquiries to the conference organizers Edward Bell, at <a href="mailto:ebell@latech.edu" target="_blank">ebell@latech.edu</a> or
318-257-4554, or Anil Lewis, at <a href="mailto:alewis@nfb.org" target="_blank">alewis@nfb.org</a> or 410-659-9314, extension 2374.</span><span></span></font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4"> <span></span></font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4"><b>NFB Comments on Problems with EAC’s Voter
Registration Process:</b><span></span></font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4"><span style="font-weight:normal">Last Friday, we submitted <a href="https://nfb.org/programs-services/advocacy/policy-statements/comments-eac-accessible-digital-form-filler-tool" target="_blank">comments to the Election Assistance Commission</a> regarding
its national voter registration form. We reported problems with the
accessibility of the associated pdf along with the handwritten signature
requirement.</span><span></span></font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4"> <span></span></font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4"><b>Blind Americans Return to Work Act:</b><span></span></font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4"><span style="font-weight:normal">On June 28, Congressman Pete Sessions
(Texas) introduced the Blind Americans Return to Work Act in the House of
Representatives. Congressman Kweisi Mfume (Maryland) was the lead cosponsor,
and the bill number is H.R. 8878. As a reminder, the Blind Americans Return to
Work Act will eliminate the SSDI earnings cliff by instituting a two-for-one
phaseout for any income earned above the substantial gainful activity
threshold. Since introduction, the bill has already gained a second cosponsor
in Representative Donald Davis of North Carolina. Please be sure to call or
email your member in the House and ask them to cosponsor H.R. 8878, the Blind
Americans Return to Work Act.</span><span></span></font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4"> <span></span></font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4"><b>Social Security Administration Kiosks:</b><span></span></font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4"><span style="font-weight:normal">On July 8, the Social Security
Administration announced that it now had ADA-compliant kiosks available in most
of their local offices. These new kiosks are “designed to enhance accessibility
and ease of use for all visitors, particularly those who are blind or have low
vision.” One of the new kiosks was available in the exhibit hall during our
national convent</span>io<span style="font-weight:normal">n.</span><span></span></font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4"> <span></span></font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4"><b>Donated Services Reminder:</b><span></span></font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4" style="font-weight:normal">Just a reminder to turn in your donated
services forms and to please remind those in your affiliate to do the same. We
are tracking less hours this year than last and this impacts our annual
financials, which influence donors. Please take a few minutes to follow up.
Questions can be directed to Belinda Hooks at extension 2508. <a href="https://nfb.org/get-involved/donated-services-form" target="_blank">Submit
your NFB donated services form here</a>. <span></span></font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4"><span style="font-weight:normal"> </span><span></span></font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4">Dates to Keep in Mind:<span></span></font></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4">(all times eastern)<span></span></font></p>
<ul style="margin-top:0in" type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4" style="font-weight:normal"><a name="m_-5396633017262872174_m_-5693269748046394480__Hlk150162423">February 3,
2025: Great Gathering-In</a><span></span></font></li>
<li class="MsoNormal"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4" style="font-weight:normal">February 3-6, 2025: Washington Seminar<span></span></font></li>
<li class="MsoNormal"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4" style="font-weight:normal">July 8-13, 2025: National Convention; New Orleans, Louisiana<span></span></font></li>
</ul>
<p class="MsoNormal"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4"><span style="font-weight:normal"> </span><span></span></font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4">Introduction to the Organized Blind
Movement<span></span></font></p>
<ul style="margin-top:0in" type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4" style="font-weight:normal">Wednesday, August 7, 8:00 p.m.<span></span></font></li>
<li class="MsoNormal"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4"><span style="font-weight:normal">Wednesday, November 6, 8:00 p.m.</span><span></span></font></li>
</ul>
<p class="MsoNormal"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4"> <span></span></font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4"> </font></span></p></h1></div></div></div></div>