<div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div class="gmail_default" style=""><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:small;line-height:14.95px"><a name="m_8393577182609708915_OLE_LINK9"><b><span style="font-size:14pt;line-height:21.4667px;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">President’s Notebook<u></u><u></u></span></b></a></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:small;line-height:14.95px"><b><span style="font-size:14pt;line-height:21.4667px;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">National Federation of the Blind<u></u><u></u></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:small;line-height:14.95px"><b><span style="font-size:14pt;line-height:21.4667px;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">Mark A. Riccobono<u></u><u></u></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:small;line-height:14.95px"><a href="mailto:officeofthepresident@nfb.org" target="_blank"><b><span style="font-size:14pt;line-height:21.4667px;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:blue">officeofthepresident@nfb.org</span></b></a><b><span style="font-size:14pt;line-height:21.4667px;font-family:Arial,sans-serif"><u></u><u></u></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:small;line-height:14.95px"><b><span style="font-size:14pt;line-height:21.4667px;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">410-659-9314<u></u><u></u></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:small;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:12pt;margin-left:0.25in;line-height:14.95px"><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:18.4px;font-family:Arial,sans-serif"><u></u> <u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:small;margin-bottom:12pt;line-height:14.95px"><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:18.4px;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;margin-bottom:12pt;line-height:14.95px"><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:18.4px;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">It is hard to believe that March is almost here. It has been a great start to 2025 for the Federation, and this is largely due to your outstanding efforts to organize at the local level. Keep up the great work.<u></u><u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:small;margin-bottom:12pt;line-height:14.95px"><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:18.4px;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">I am looking forward to our best national convention ever, this summer in New Orleans. I welcome your suggestions about excellent program items for the general sessions. Please note that registration will open later this week.<u></u><u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:small;margin-bottom:12pt;line-height:14.95px"><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:18.4px;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">Finally, many of you have written to us about Innosearch AI. As you may know, we had them on the NFB’s <i>Access On</i> podcast, and I am in the process of planning a meeting with the executives of the company. We do not have a formal partnership with them. If that changes, I will let you know. We are hopeful that they will have a strong presence at the convention and that we will have a strong working relationship going forward. Stay tuned on Innosearch AI and theration.<u></u><u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:small;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:12pt;margin-left:0.25in;line-height:14.95px"><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:18.4px;font-family:Arial,sans-serif"><u></u> <u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:small;line-height:14.95px"><b><span style="font-size:14pt;line-height:21.4667px;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">Critical Actions:<u></u><u></u></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:small;margin-left:0.25in;line-height:14.95px"><b><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:18.4px;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">Mark Your Calendar: Presidential Release Live on March 6:<u></u><u></u></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:small;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:12pt;margin-left:0.25in;line-height:14.95px"><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:18.4px;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">The next Presidential Release Live will be Thursday, March 6, at 8:00 p.m., Eastern. Zoom details are below. Attend to get the latest updates on the movement, ask questions, and hear important perspectives on the organized blind movement.<u></u><u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:small;margin-left:0.25in;line-height:14.95px"><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 class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:small;margin-left:0.25in;line-height:14.95px"><a href="https://nfb-org.zoom.us/j/91752100862" target="_blank"><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:18.4px;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:blue">https://nfb-org.zoom.us/j/91752100862</span></a><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:18.4px;font-family:Arial,sans-serif"><u></u><u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:small;margin-left:0.25in;line-height:14.95px"><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:18.4px;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">One Tap Mobile: +13017158592,,91752100862# US (Washington, DC)<u></u><u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:small;margin-left:0.25in;line-height:14.95px"><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:18.4px;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">Zoom ID:<b> </b>91752100862<b><u></u><u></u></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:small;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:12pt;margin-left:0.25in;line-height:14.95px"><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:18.4px;font-family:Arial,sans-serif"><u></u> <u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:small;line-height:14.95px"><b><span style="font-size:14pt;line-height:21.4667px;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">News:<u></u><u></u></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:small;margin-left:0.25in;line-height:14.95px"><b><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:18.4px;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">Federal Workers Impacted by Recent Layoffs:<u></u><u></u></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:small;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:12pt;margin-left:0.25in;line-height:14.95px"><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:18.4px;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">We know that federal employees with disabilities have been disproportionately affected by recent reductions in the federal workforce and we are doing all we can to help our blind colleagues. If you are a federal worker impacted by the government layoffs and are interested in information on career opportunities through the National Federation of the Blind Employment Initiatives, please submit the </span><a href="https://nfb.org/programs-services/employment/general-interest-form" target="_blank"><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:18.4px;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:blue">Employment Interest Form</span></a><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:18.4px;font-family:Arial,sans-serif"> to receive announcements regarding career opportunities.</span><span style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif;font-size:12pt"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:small;margin-left:0.25in;line-height:14.95px"><b><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:18.4px;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">Upcoming Presidential Release Recording for Chapters:<u></u><u></u></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:small;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:12pt;margin-left:0.25in;line-height:14.95px"><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:18.4px;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">The next National Federation of the Blind Presidential Release chapter version will be published on Friday, February 28. The chapter version is intended to be played during each chapter meeting throughout the month and used for discussion among members. </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;color:blue">Access the chapter version and live details</span></a><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:18.4px;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">.</span><span style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif;font-size:12pt"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:small;margin-left:0.25in;line-height:14.95px"><b><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:18.4px;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">Submit Nominations for Distinguished Educator of Blind Students Award:<u></u><u></u></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:small;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:12pt;margin-left:0.25in;line-height:14.95px"><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:18.4px;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">The education of blind children is one of the National Federation of the Blind's highest priorities. Please help us recognize dedicated and innovative teachers who provide quality education and meaningful experiences and opportunities for their blind students. Nominate a teacher, counselor, or administrator of programs for blind students. </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;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:blue">Learn more about the Distinguished Educator of Blind Students Award</span></a><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:18.4px;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">.</span><span style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif;font-size:12pt"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:small;margin-left:0.25in;line-height:14.95px"><b><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:18.4px;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">Submit Nominations for Blind Educator of the Year Award:<u></u><u></u></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:small;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:12pt;margin-left:0.25in;line-height:14.95px"><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:18.4px;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">The </span><a href="https://nfb.org/programs-services/scholarships-and-awards/blind-educator-year-award" target="_blank"><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:18.4px;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:blue">Blind Educator of the Year Award</span></a><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:18.4px;font-family:Arial,sans-serif"> pays tribute to a blind teacher whose exceptional classroom performance, notable community service, and commitment to the organized blind movement merit national recognition. Submit nominations to the committee chairperson, Robin House, via email at </span><a href="mailto:robin@mindsrealm.net" target="_blank"><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:18.4px;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:blue">robin@mindsrealm.net</span></a><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:18.4px;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">. Letters of nomination must be accompanied by a copy of the nominee’s current résumé and supporting documentation of community and Federation activity.<u></u><u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:small;margin-left:0.25in;line-height:14.95px"><b><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:18.4px;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">Jacobus tenBroek Disability Rights Law Symposium:<u></u><u></u></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:small;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:12pt;margin-left:0.25in;line-height:14.95px"><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:18.4px;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">The Jacobus tenBroek Disability Rights Law Symposium is the largest disability rights law symposium in the world and will be held from Thursday, March 20, through Friday, March 21, right here in the Jernigan Institute. In-person registration is open through March 7 and virtual registration will stay open until March 14. Fees are $200 for in-person attendance, $150 for virtual attendance, and a discounted rate of $25 for students.<u></u><u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:small;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:12pt;margin-left:0.25in;line-height:14.95px"><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:18.4px;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">Registration for in-person attendance: </span><a href="https://nfb.org/civicrm/event/register?reset=1&id=616" target="_blank"><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:18.4px;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:blue">https://nfb.org/civicrm/event/register?reset=1&id=616</span></a><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:18.4px;font-family:Arial,sans-serif"><u></u><u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:small;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:12pt;margin-left:0.25in;line-height:14.95px"><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:18.4px;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">Registration for virtual attendance: </span><a href="https://nfb.org/civicrm/event/register?reset=1&id=617" target="_blank"><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:18.4px;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:blue">https://nfb.org/civicrm/event/register?reset=1&id=617</span></a><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:18.4px;font-family:Arial,sans-serif"><u></u><u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:small;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:12pt;margin-left:0.25in;line-height:14.95px"><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:18.4px;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">More information about the symposium can be found at </span><a href="https://nfb.org/programs-services/legal-program/jacobus-tenbroek-disability-law-symposium" target="_blank"><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:18.4px;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:blue">Jacobus tenBroek Disability Law Symposium | National Federation of the Blind</span></a><span style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif;font-size:12pt"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:small;margin-left:0.25in;line-height:14.95px"><b><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:18.4px;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">Blind Americans Return to Work Act:<u></u><u></u></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:small;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:12pt;margin-left:0.25in;line-height:14.95px"><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:18.4px;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">The Blind Americans Return to Work Act, H.R. 1175, was introduced in the House on February 10. We will be issuing a legislative alert to all listservs on Tuesday, February 25, urging all National Federation of the Blind members to contact their United States representative and urge them to cosponsor the.</span><b><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:18.4px;font-family:Arial,sans-serif"> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:small;margin-left:0.25in;line-height:14.95px"><b><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:18.4px;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">Recent Press Releases to Share:<u></u><u></u></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:small;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:12pt;margin-left:0.25in;line-height:14.95px"><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:18.4px;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">Please read and share the following press releases:<u></u><u></u></span></p><ul type="disc" style="font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:small;margin-bottom:0in;margin-top:0in"><li class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:12pt;margin-left:0.25in;line-height:14.95px"><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:18.4px;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">“</span><a href="https://nfb.org/about-us/press-room/national-federation-blind-commends-introductions-blind-americans-return-work" target="_blank"><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:18.4px;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:blue">National Federation of the Blind Commends the Introductions of Blind Americans Return to Work Act</span></a><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:18.4px;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">”<u></u><u></u></span></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:12pt;margin-left:0.25in;line-height:14.95px"><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:18.4px;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">“</span><a href="https://nfb.org/about-us/press-room/statement-national-federation-blind-harmful-stereotyping-blind-people-political" target="_blank"><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:18.4px;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:blue">Statement from the National Federation of the Blind on the Harmful Stereotyping of Blind People in Political Discourse</span></a><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:18.4px;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">”<u></u><u></u></span></li></ul><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:small;margin-bottom:12pt;line-height:14.95px"><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:18.4px;font-family:Arial,sans-serif"><u></u> </span><a name="m_8393577182609708915__Hlk183426075"><b><span style="font-size:14pt;line-height:21.4667px;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">Dates to Keep in Mind:</span></b></a></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:small;margin-left:0.25in;line-height:14.95px"><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:18.4px;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">(all times Eastern)<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><ul type="disc" style="font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:small;margin-bottom:0in;margin-top:0in"><li class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:15px;line-height:14.95px"><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:18.4px;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">February 28: Deadline to register for IEP Advocacy Academy</span><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:18.4px;font-family:Arial,sans-serif"><u></u><u></u></span></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:15px;line-height:14.95px"><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:18.4px;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">March 20-21: Jacobus tenBroek Disability Law Symposium, registration deadline is March 7<u></u><u></u></span></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:15px;line-height:14.95px"><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:18.4px;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">May 16-17: Diabetes Action Network; Baltimore, Maryland; registration coming soon<u></u><u></u></span></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:15px;line-height:14.95px"><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:18.4px;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">July 8-13: National Convention; New Orleans, Louisiana<u></u><u></u></span></li></ul><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:small;margin-left:0.25in;line-height:14.95px"><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:18.4px;font-family:Arial,sans-serif"><u></u> <u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:small;margin-left:0.25in;line-height:14.95px"><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:18.4px;font-family:Arial,sans-serif"><u></u> <u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:small;margin-left:0.25in;line-height:14.95px"><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:18.4px;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">Introduction to the Organized Blind Movement<u></u><u></u></span></p><ul type="disc" style="font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:small;margin-bottom:0in;margin-top:0in"><li class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:15px;line-height:14.95px"><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:18.4px;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">Wednesday, May 7<u></u><u></u></span></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:15px;line-height:14.95px"><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:18.4px;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">Wednesday, August 6<u></u><u></u></span></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:15px;line-height:14.95px"><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:18.4px;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">Wednesday, November 5</span></li></ul><div style=""><font face="Arial, sans-serif"><span style="font-size:16px"><br></span></font></div></div></div></div>