<div><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;line-height:21.4667px"><a name="m_-3843480166639098980_m_-8598771210459736130_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;line-height:21.4667px"><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;line-height:21.4667px"><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;line-height:21.4667px"><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;line-height:21.4667px"><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-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><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">Welcome to a busy November after an extremely productive Blind Equality Achievement Month. Obviously, top of mind today is the November 5 elections and ensuring all blind voters have the opportunity to cast a private and independently verifiable ballot. Please remember to promote <a href="http://www.nfb.org/vote" target="_blank">http://www.nfb.org/vote</a><span style="color:rgb(70,120,134);text-decoration-line:underline">.</span> See below for the reminder about our Election Day activities and follow-up data collection.<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">I hope that each of you are encouraging your chapter presidents to review our Presidential Release in advance and use it as a source of dialogue at chapter meetings. I have revised the format based upon your feedback and want to make sure that it is truly helping to build at the local level.<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">One final reminder that I need for our affiliate presidents to complete our <a href="https://nfb.org/all_presidents_meeting" target="_blank">RSVP form</a> for our 2025 retreat. The deadline is Sunday evening and we will start formulating plans next week based upon the response. Thank you to those who took the time to do this already.<u></u><u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:small"><span style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif"><u></u> <u></u></span></p><h2 style="margin:0in;font-size:14pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;line-height:21.4667px">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"><a name="m_-3843480166639098980_m_-8598771210459736130__Hlk181625698"><b>Bay Bridge Run—Last Call for Runners/Walkers:</b></a><span style="font-size:18pt;line-height:27.6px"><u></u><u></u></span></h3><span style="font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:small"></span><span style="font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:small"></span><p style="margin:0in 0in 0in 0.25in;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">We need your help. We need just five more walkers/runners for our Bay Bridge event to have a tent to help spread our message at the end of the event in Maryland. Virtual participation is allowed so we can participate from all around the country. The National Organization of Parents of Blind Children invites you to join us for the Bay Bridge Run on November 10. It’s not too late to register and join Team NFB Dreamers for this 10k walk/run as we bridge the gap between blind people and our dreams. Please visit </span><a href="https://nfb.org/BayBridge" target="_blank"><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:18.4px;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">https://nfb.org/BayBridge</span></a><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:18.4px;font-family:Arial,sans-serif"> to learn more and to register. You can also find our </span><a href="https://nfb.org/get-involved/ways-give/bay-bridge-run/bay-bridge-run-participant-toolkit" target="_blank"><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:18.4px;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">Participant Toolkit</span></a><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:18.4px;font-family:Arial,sans-serif"> for use in your fundraising efforts. If you have any questions or need assistance registering, please contact Rachel at </span><a href="mailto:rheld@nfb.org" target="_blank"><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:18.4px;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">rheld@nfb.org</span></a><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:18.4px;font-family:Arial,sans-serif"> or 410-659-9314, extension 2423.<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><h3 style="margin:0in 0in 0in 0.25in;line-height:18.4px;font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;font-weight:normal"><b>Upcoming Presidential Release:</b><u></u><u></u></h3><p style="margin:0in 0in 0in 0.25in;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">The National Federation of the Blind Presidential Release chapter version is now available. The chapter version is intended to be played during each chapter meeting throughout the month. </span><a href="https://nfb.org/resources/publications-and-media/presidential-releases" target="_blank"><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:18.4px;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">Access the chapter version and live details</span></a><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:18.4px;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">.<u></u><u></u></span></p><p style="margin:0in 0in 0in 0.25in;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"><u></u> <u></u></span></p><p style="margin:0in 0in 0in 0.25in;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">The next Presidential Release Live will be Monday, November 11, at 7:30 p.m., eastern. Zoom details are below. <u></u><u></u></span></p><p style="margin:0in 0in 0in 0.25in;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">Presidential Release Live Zoom:<u></u><u></u></span></p><p style="margin:0in 0in 0in 0.25in;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;line-height:16.8667px"><a href="https://nfb-org.zoom.us/j/99284657783" target="_blank"><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:18.4px;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">Via Zoom Meeting ID is 992 8465 7783</span></a><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:18.4px;font-family:Arial,sans-serif"><u></u><u></u></span></p><p style="margin:0in 0in 0in 0.25in;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">One tap mobile: +13017158592,,99284657783#<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><h2 style="margin:0in;font-size:14pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;line-height:21.4667px">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>Election Information on NFB-NEWSLINE®:<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-family:Arial,sans-serif">We have added the All Politics Now publication to our Breaking News Online Category on NFB-NEWSLINE. Additionally, we have implemented a candidate search option for the 2024 presidential and vice-presidential candidates. The searches are done across top newspapers, breaking news, international outlets, and magazines. To access this information via telephone, select option 1 from the main menu, then option 5 for the 2024 candidate searches. If using the NFB-NEWSLINE mobile app, go to the Information Sources tab, select "All Publications," and then "Candidate 2024 Searches." For subscribers using Web News on Demand, choose "Publications Organized Alphabetically" and select “2024 Candidate Searches.”<u></u><u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:small"><span style="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>Blind Voters Survey and Election Day Hotline:<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-family:Arial,sans-serif">Our online Blind Voters Survey is available, and we encourage anyone who has already voted to complete it so that your experiences, whether positive or negative, can be documented. There are three versions of the survey depending on how you voted: </span><a href="https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/VDJGSS8" target="_blank"><span style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif">Voted in person</span></a><span style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif">, </span><a href="https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/VYYJDXT" target="_blank"><span style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif">voted absentee</span></a><span style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif">, or the </span><a href="https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/7J3G7FH" target="_blank"><span style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif">Spanish language survey</span></a><span style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif"> (which includes both in-person and absentee voting options). Our Election Day Hotline will be operational on Tuesday, November 5. The hotline number is 877-632-1940.<u></u><u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:small"><span style="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>Letter to the US Department of Education:<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-family:Arial,sans-serif">Earlier this year, the United States Department of Education announced that it would be dismantling the Digital Accessibility Unit. On Wednesday, October 30, we sent a </span><a href="https://nfb.org/programs-services/advocacy/policy-statements/letter-us-secretary-education-regarding-dismantling" target="_blank"><span style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif">letter to the Department of Education</span></a><span style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif"> to communicate our displeasure and frustration with this decision. The letter can be read in its entirety on the </span><a href="https://nfb.org/programs-services/advocacy/policy-statements" target="_blank"><span style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif">Policy Statements page</span></a><span style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif"> of our website.<u></u><u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:small"><span style="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>Letter Regarding the Accessibility of Electric Vehicle Charging Stations:<u><u></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-family:Arial,sans-serif">In September, the United States Access Board published a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) regarding the accessibility of electric vehicle charging stations. We sent our </span><a href="https://nfb.org/programs-services/advocacy/policy-statements/comments-proposed-rule-regarding-accessibility" target="_blank"><span style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif">comments to the Access Board</span></a><span style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif"> on Friday, November 1. While we were, in general, very supportive of their proposals to ensure the accessibility of the charging stations, we also encouraged them to make sure that nonvisual accessibility was a priority. Our comments can be read in their entirety on the </span><a href="https://nfb.org/programs-services/advocacy/policy-statements" target="_blank"><span style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif">Policy Statements page</span></a><span style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif"> of our website.<u></u><u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:small"><span style="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>Communication with Uber Regarding Self-Identification for Riders with Guide Dogs:<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-family:Arial,sans-serif">On October 31, I sent an </span><a href="https://nfb.org/blog/rideshare-advocacy-unlawful-implementation-self-identification" target="_blank"><span style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif">email to Uber regarding their unlawful implementation of self-identification for riders who use guide dogs</span></a><span style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif">. In short, we believe this could increase the discrimination that guide-dog users experience and provide no way for the platform to terminate those drivers who illegally refuse to transport riders with guide dogs. The full email was posted to our </span><i><a href="https://nfb.org/blog" target="_blank"><span style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif">Voice of the Nation’s Blind Blog</span></a></i><span style="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: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>2025 Washington Seminar Registration:<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-family:Arial,sans-serif">For 2025, we are trying something new with regard to the Washington Seminar. We are asking that all attendees complete a registration form, so that we can keep those who are attending better informed about the events taking place that week. There is no fee associated with registration for the Washington Seminar, and the form is quick and easy to complete. It can be found on our </span><a href="https://nfb.org/programs-services/advocacy/washington-seminar" target="_blank"><span style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif">Washington Seminar page</span></a><span style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif"> along with many other helpful pieces of information about the 2025 Washington Seminar.<u></u><u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:small"><span style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif"><u></u> <u></u></span></p><h2 style="margin:0in;font-size:14pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">Reminders:<span style="font-family:Aptos,sans-serif"><u></u><u></u></span></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>Hotel Contract Review Training:<u><u></u><u></u></u></b></h3><p style="font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:small;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:0in;margin-left:0.25in"><span style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif">Ever wondered about what you need to be looking for when reviewing contracts with our hotels for conventions and other venues? Want to be sure you understand hotel attrition policies and hold harmless clauses? We have a training coming up on December 17 at 8:00 p.m. eastern for you. Please mark your calendars with the following Zoom information: Join Zoom Meeting<span style="color:rgb(51,51,51)"><br></span></span><a href="https://nfb-org.zoom.us/j/7733076440?pwd=RSs1M1ZYcWk5WVFOdEFIOEF5UkpmZz09&omn=95782327506" target="_blank"><span style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif">https://nfb-org.zoom.us/j/7733076440?pwd=RSs1M1ZYcWk5WVFOdEFIOEF5UkpmZz09&omn=95782327506</span></a><span style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:rgb(51,51,51)"><u></u><u></u></span></p><p style="font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:small;margin-left:0.25in"><span style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif">Meeting ID: 773 307 6440<br>Passcode: 72632<br>One tap mobile<br>+13092053325,,7733076440#,,,,*72632#<u></u><u></u></span></p><h2 style="margin:0in;font-size:14pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">Dates to Keep in Mind:<span style="font-family:Aptos,sans-serif"><u></u><u></u></span></h2><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:small"><span style="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"><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:18.4px;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">November 6: Introduction to the Organized Blind Movement at 8:00 p.m.<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">November 7: Call for Presidents interested in National Youth Programs at 8:00 p.m.<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">November 10: Bay Bridge Run<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">December 17: Hotel Contract Review Training at 8:00 p.m.<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">December 19 and 22: Chapter Presidents Calls at 8:00 p.m.<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">February 3, 2025: Great Gathering-In<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">February 3-6, 2025: Washington Seminar<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 8-13, 2025: National Convention; New Orleans, Louisiana<u></u><u></u></span></li></ul><h2 style="margin:0in;font-size:14pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;line-height:21.4667px"><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:18.4px;font-weight:normal"><u></u> <u></u></span></h2><h2 style="margin:0in;font-size:14pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;line-height:21.4667px"><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:18.4px;font-weight:normal">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></span></h2><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:small"><u></u> <u></u></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:small">Mark A. Riccobono, President<br>National Federation of the Blind <br>200 East Wells Street, Baltimore, MD 21230<br>410-659-9314 | <a href="mailto:Officeofthepresident@nfb.org" target="_blank"><span style="color:blue">Officeofthepresident@nfb.org</span></a><u></u><u></u></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:small">Please engage with me through <a href="https://riccobono.personal.ai/messaging/profile" target="_blank"><span style="color:blue">Riccobono Personal AI</span></a><br>Mastodon: @President@nfb.social <br>Pronouns: he, him, his</p></div></div></div>
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