<div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div class="gmail_default" style=""><h1 style="margin:0in"><a name="m_-666683746141407474_OLE_LINK9" style=""><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" style="" size="4">President’s Notebook<u></u><u></u></font></a></h1><h1 style="margin:0in"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4">National Federation of the Blind<u></u><u></u></font></h1><h1 style="margin:0in"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4">Mark A. Riccobono<u></u><u></u></font></h1><h1 style="margin:0in"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4"><a href="mailto:officeofthepresident@nfb.org" target="_blank">officeofthepresident@nfb.org</a><u></u><u></u></font></h1><h1 style="margin:0in"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4">410-659-9314<u></u><u></u></font></h1><p class="MsoNormal" style=""><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4"><u></u> <u></u></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style=""><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4">Dear Federation Family,<u></u><u></u></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style=""><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4"><u></u> <u></u></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style="font-family:tahoma,sans-serif;font-size:large">I just got back from taking my mom to San Francisco. It is fun to utilize the advancements that have been made because of the collective action of the Federation. During our time there we took a ride in a Waymo vehicle, and it reminded me how important it is that we were pioneering accessibility with the autonomous vehicle industry more than fifteen years ago. I had a number of other meetings to discuss engagement with the blind community in emerging technologies. Stay tuned for ways that you can participate.</span><br></p><p class="MsoNormal" style=""><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4"><u></u> <u></u></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style=""><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4">Finally, thank you to those who have taken time to write to me about both the importance of having a message from our President at every chapter meeting and the opportunities to evolve the format. Your thoughtfulness is deeply appreciated. For those of you who have not taken the time to share your thoughts, please know that the door is always open.<u></u><u></u></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style=""><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4"><u></u> <u></u></font></p><h2 style="margin:0in"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4">Critical Actions:<u></u><u></u></font></h2><h3 style="margin:0in 0in 0in 0.25in;line-height:18.4px;font-weight:normal"><b><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4">Upcoming Presidential Release:<u></u><u></u></font></b></h3><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:0.25in"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4">The National Federation of the Blind <a href="https://nfb.org/resources/publications-and-media/presidential-releases" target="_blank">Presidential Release #541</a> is scheduled for Tuesday, September 3, at 8:00 p.m., eastern. Mark your calendar. <a href="https://nfb-org.zoom.us/j/91333399714" target="_blank">Zoom Meeting ID 913 3339 9714</a>. Please submit questions to <a href="mailto:cdanielsen@nfb.org" target="_blank">cdanielsen@nfb.org</a> with #PR541 in the subject line.<u></u><u></u></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style=""><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4"><u></u> <u></u></font></p><h2 style="margin:0in"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4">News:<u></u><u></u></font></h2><h3 style="margin:0in 0in 0in 0.25in;line-height:18.4px;font-weight:normal"><b><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4">Rideshare Rally in San Francisco:<u></u><u></u></font></b></h3><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:0.25in"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4">The National Federation of the Blind announced an upcoming Rideshare Rally at the Lyft and Uber headquarters on October 15 in San Francisco, California. Join our demonstration to protest rideshare discrimination against blind people using guide dogs and white canes. Please let us know if you are interested in attending this demonstration by submitting the <a href="https://nfb.org/programs-services/advocacy/rideshare-rally-interest" target="_blank">Rideshare Rally Interest Form</a>. Please note: the exact location and rally route will be shared in the coming weeks with recommended lodging for those traveling to San Francisco. More details coming soon.<u></u><u></u></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:0.25in"><b><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4"><u></u> <u></u></font></b></p><h3 style="margin:0in 0in 0in 0.25in;line-height:18.4px;font-weight:normal"><b><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4">Blind Equality Achievement Month Planning:<u></u><u></u></font></b></h3><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:0.25in"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4">Remember history. Advance equality. Celebrate accomplishments. The National Federation of the Blind celebrates the organized blind movement during October each year. Chapters across the country organize local outreach events. Submit your events, activities, and celebrations to <a href="mailto:web@nfb.org" target="_blank">web@nfb.org</a>, so they can be posted on <a href="https://nfb.org/blind-month" target="_blank">https://nfb.org/blind-month</a>. If you need items or ideas, check out <a href="https://nfb.org/civicrm/mailing/view?id=2378&reset=1" target="_blank">the free literature resources and White Cane Awareness Day Proclamation</a>. Reminder: please use Blind Equality Achievement Month, Blind Month, or #BlindMonth when referring to and promoting activities.  <u></u><u></u></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:0.25in"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4"><u></u> <u></u></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:0.25in"><b><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4">Promote Voting Resources<u></u><u></u></font></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:0.25in"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4">The National Federation of the Blind works to provide information and resources regarding accessible voting. A great opportunity for affiliates, chapters, and members is to host a voter registration drive over the next couple of months to share the voting resources. You can find the resources at <a href="https://nfb.org/vote" target="_blank">https://nfb.org/vote</a>. Share the importance of voting and the voting resources on social media, during chapter meetings, and at state conventions.  <u></u><u></u></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:0.25in"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4"><u></u> <u></u></font></p><h3 style="margin:0in 0in 0in 0.25in;line-height:18.4px;font-weight:normal"><b><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4">Dare to Be Remarkable Conference:<u></u><u></u></font></b></h3><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:0.25in"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4">Register 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 for education and rehabilitation professionals who work with blind students and adults. The conference will be held from November 11-13 at the National Federation of the Blind Jernigan Institute. We also invite you to submit your presentation proposals for this event. The deadline to submit proposals is September 20.<u></u><u></u></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:0.25in"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4">Registration is $400 until October 5 and $500 after October 6. Register on our website, <a href="https://nfb.org/programs-services/employment/dare-be-remarkable" target="_blank">Dare to Be Remarkable Conference</a>.<u></u><u></u></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:0.25in"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4"><u></u> <u></u></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:0.25in"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4">Please direct all inquiries to the conference organizers, Edward Bell (<a href="mailto:ebell@latech.edu" target="_blank">ebell@latech.edu</a> or 318-257-4554) or Anil Lewis (<a href="mailto:alewis@nfb.org" target="_blank">alewis@nfb.org</a> or 410-659-9314, extension 2374).<u></u><u></u></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:0.25in"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4"><u></u> <u></u></font></p><h3 style="margin:0in 0in 0in 0.25in;line-height:18.4px;font-weight:normal"><b><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4">Access Technology Affordability Act (H.R. 3702/S. 1467):<u></u><u></u></font></b></h3><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:0.25in"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4">In the last couple of weeks, we have gained three new cosponsors on the Access Technology Affordability Act (H.R. 3702/S. 1467) in the House. Representative Judy Chu of California, Representative Jerry Carl of Alabama, and Delegate James Moylan of Guam have all joined in support of the bill. We now have a total of ninety-eight cosponsors on the Access Technology Affordability Act in the House of Representatives. We are so close to that milestone one hundred cosponsor mark, so please keep calling and emailing your representatives and urge them to cosponsor the Access Technology Affordability Act, H.R. 3702.<u></u><u></u></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:0.25in"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4"><u></u> <u></u></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:0.25in"><b><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4">Braille Calendars<u></u><u></u></font></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:0.25in"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4">The American Action Fund for Blind Children and Adults produces over eight thousand Braille calendars each year, and they are given free to any blind or deafblind persons in the United States. These pocket calendars are great for the office, home, or your travel bag. You can order up to three Braille calendars via <a href="https://actionfund.org/resources/braille-calendars" target="_blank">the online form at actionfund.org</a> or by sending an email to <a href="mailto:calendars@actionfund.org" target="_blank">calendars@actionfund.org</a>.<u></u><u></u></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:0.25in"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4"><u></u> <u></u></font></p><h3 style="margin:0in 0in 0in 0.25in;line-height:18.4px;font-weight:normal"><b><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4">Advanced PDF Tagging Techniques – Forms:<u></u><u></u></font></b></h3><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:0.25in"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4">The upcoming CENA event, Advanced PDF Tagging Techniques: Forms, will happen on Tuesday, August 27, from 2:00-3:30 p.m., eastern. Join CENA to learn how to make fillable forms accessible to screen readers. Register today at <a href="https://nfb.org/form/accessibility-boutique-reg" target="_blank">https://nfb.org/form/accessibility-boutique-reg</a>.<u></u><u></u></font></p><p class="m_-666683746141407474MsoListParagraph" style="margin:0in 0in 0in 0.25in"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4"><u></u> <u></u></font></p><p class="m_-666683746141407474MsoListParagraph" style="margin:0in 0in 0in 0.25in"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4"><u></u> <u></u></font></p><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" style="" size="4"></font><h2 style="margin:0in"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4">Dates to Keep in Mind:<u></u><u></u></font></h2><p class="MsoNormal" style=""><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4">(all times eastern)<u></u><u></u></font></p><ul type="disc" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-top:0in"><li class="m_-666683746141407474MsoListParagraph" style="margin:0in;line-height:16.8667px"><a name="m_-666683746141407474__Hlk150162423"><span style="line-height:18.4px"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4">February 3, 2025: Great Gathering-In<u></u><u></u></font></span></a></li><li class="m_-666683746141407474MsoListParagraph" style="margin:0in;line-height:16.8667px"><span style="line-height:18.4px"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4">February 3-6, 2025: Washington Seminar<u></u><u></u></font></span></li><li class="m_-666683746141407474MsoListParagraph" style="margin:0in"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4">July 8-13, 2025: National Convention; New Orleans, Louisiana<u></u><u></u></font></li></ul><p class="MsoNormal" style=""><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4"><u></u> <u></u></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style=""><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4">Introduction to the Organized Blind Movement<u></u><u></u></font></p><ul type="disc" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-top:0in"><li class="m_-666683746141407474MsoListParagraph" style="margin: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" size="4">Wednesday, November 6, 8:00 p.m.<u></u><u></u></font></li></ul><p class="MsoNormal" style=""><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4"><u></u> <u></u></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style=""><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4"><br></font></p><h2 style="margin:0in"><span style="font-weight:normal"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4">The National Federation of the Blind advances the lives of its members and all blind people in the United States. We know 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. Our collective power, determination, and diversity achieve the aspirations of all blind people.<u></u><u></u></font></span></h2><p class="MsoNormal" style=""><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4"><u></u> <u></u></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style=""><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4"><u></u> <u></u></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style=""><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" style="" size="4"><u></u> </font></p></div></div></div>