<div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div><div class="gmail_default"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4"></font></div><h1 style="margin:0in"><a name="m_2247952834401723323_m_8359275318630735264_OLE_LINK9"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4"><span class="gmail_default" style="font-family:tahoma,sans-serif;font-size:large"></span>President\u2019s 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"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4"><u></u> <u></u></font></p><p class="MsoNormal"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4">Dear Federation Family,<u></u><u></u></font></p><p class="MsoNormal"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4"><u></u> <u></u></font></p><p class="MsoNormal"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4">We have been so jazzed after our time together in New Orleans that we jumped right back into the Federation work. We were too busy to get you a notebook last week, but we are back with plans for the future.<u></u><u></u></font></p><p class="MsoNormal"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4"><br></font></p><p class="MsoNormal"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4">It may feel like the middle of summer outside, but fall is well underway in the Federation. The schedule has been set for the fall with plans to attend as many conventions as I can and for people to represent me at the others. By my count we have thirty-one affiliate conventions this fall, stretching from the middle of August to the middle of December. There are also a number of other affiliate-building activities; meetings at our national headquarters, including the kickoff for our 2025-2026 Kenneth Jernigan Leadership-in-Service Program; and our participation in other events like the quadrennial General Assembly of the World Blind Union, where Pam Allen and I will represent the Federation.<u></u><u></u></font></p><p class="MsoNormal"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4"><u></u> <u></u></font></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br></p><p class="MsoNormal"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4">If you have not already taken time to do so, please complete the survey regarding our 2025 National Convention. Your feedback is extremely helpful.<u></u><u></u></font></p><p class="MsoNormal"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4"><u></u> <u></u></font></p><p class="MsoNormal"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4">Here\u2019s hoping you have a wonderful week.<u></u><u></u></font></p><p class="MsoNormal"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4"><u></u> </font><span style="font-family:tahoma,sans-serif;font-size:large"> </span></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">Next 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 <a href="https://nfb.org/resources/publications-and-media/presidential-releases" target="_blank">August Presidential Release #551</a> recording for chapter meetings will be available on August 1. There will not be a Presidential Release Live event in August. The next live Presidential Release will be scheduled for September. More details coming soon. Reminder: the Presidential Release for Chapters is part of the chapter meeting agenda. It is recommended to play with enough time for discussion among members afterward. If there are questions from members that cannot be answered by the chapter president, please send the questions to <a href="mailto:communications@nfb.org" target="_blank">communications@nfb.org</a> to incorporate in the live events Q&A session or via another communication.<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">National Convention Highlights:<u></u><u></u></font></b></h3><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:0.25in"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4">Thanks again to our members, sponsors, exhibitors, and everyone who made #NFB25 a success. The convention highlights will be posted at <a href="http://nfb.org/convention" target="_blank">nfb.org/convention</a>. Access the following highlights, which are now available:<u></u><u></u></font></p><ol start="1" type="1" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-top:0in"><li class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:10pt;margin-left:15px"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4"><a href="https://nfb.org/resources/speeches-and-reports/banquet-speeches/creativity-persistence-and-hope-reclaiming-our" target="_blank">2025 Banquet Speech, "Creativity, Persistence, and Hope: Reclaiming Our Stories through the Organized Blind Movement" (HTML)</a><u></u><u></u></font></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:10pt;margin-left:15px"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/live/dopoXEDUzS8?t=5349s" target="_blank">2025 Banquet Speech, "Creativity, Persistence, and Hope: Reclaiming Our Stories through the Organized Blind Movement" (YouTube)</a><u></u><u></u></font></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:10pt;margin-left:15px"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4"><a href="https://nfb.org/resources/speeches-and-reports/presidential-reports/2025-presidential-report" target="_blank">2025 Presidential Report (HTML)</a><u></u><u></u></font></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:10pt;margin-left:15px"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/live/vehnFSymJ80?t=129s" target="_blank">2025 Presidential Report (YouTube)</a><u></u><u></u></font></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:10pt;margin-left:15px"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4"><a href="https://nfb.org/resources/speeches-and-reports/resolutions/2025-resolutions" target="_blank">2025 Resolutions</a><u></u><u></u></font></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:10pt;margin-left:15px"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/@NationsBlind/streams" target="_blank">General Sessions and Board of Directors Meeting on YouTube</a><u></u><u></u></font></li></ol><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:0.25in"><b><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4"><u></u> </font></b><b><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4"><span class="gmail_default"></span></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">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>. Reminder: please use the terms 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">Suggested idea for Blind Equality Achievement Month: Please consider organizing an event for White Cane Awareness Day on October 15 with the White Cane Awareness Day Proclamation template. The template is available to print or share digitally. Fill in the details of your local area and identify a city council member or mayor to sponsor the proclamation. Please note that the event can also take place the weekend before or after October 15 if needed.<u></u><u></u></font></p><ul type="disc" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-top:0in"><li class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:10pt;margin-left:15px;line-height:14.95px"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4"><a href="https://www.nfb.org/programs-services/meet-blind-month/white-cane-awareness-day-proclamation" target="_blank">White Cane Awareness Day Proclamation (HTML)</a><u></u><u></u></font></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:10pt;margin-left:15px;line-height:14.95px"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4"><a href="https://nfb.org/images/nfb/documents/word/white-cane-awareness-day-proclamation-final.docx" target="_blank">White Cane Awareness Day Proclamation (Word)</a><u></u><u></u></font></li></ul><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">New Podcast Coming Soon:<u></u><u></u></font></b></h3><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:0.25in"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4">As announced at national convention we will soon be releasing <i>Walking Alone and Marching Together</i>, a podcast series that brings to life the history of the National Federation of the Blind from 1940 to 1990 based on the comprehensive book of the same name. <a href="https://nfb.org/resources/publications-and-media" target="_blank">Check out the trailer now on our Publications page.</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"><b><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4">Transformation to Competitive Integrated Employment Act Introduced in Congress:<u></u><u></u></font></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:0.25in"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4">On Thursday, July 24, Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Steve Daines (R-MT), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), and Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) introduced S. 2438, the Transformation to Competitive Integrated Employment Act. Then, on Friday, July 25, Representatives Bobby Scott (D-VA-3) and Pete Sessions (R-TX-17) introduced a companion bill, H.R. 4771. This is wonderful news, and it\u2019s now time to contact your senators and representatives to request they cosponsor this legislation so we can once and for all abolish subminimum wages for disabled Americans!<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">Letter Urging Congress to Make Permanent the Medicare Telehealth Benefits:<u></u><u></u></font></b></h3><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:0.25in"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4">On Tuesday, July 22, we sent a <a href="https://nfb.org/programs-services/advocacy/policy-statements/letter-urging-congress-keep-medicare-telehealth" target="_blank">letter to all members of Congress urging them to make permanent the Medicare Telehealth benefits</a> that are set to expire on September 30, 2025. This letter is to fulfill Resolution 2025-07 that was passed at the national convention earlier this month in New Orleans. The full letter can be read on our <a href="https://nfb.org/programs-services/advocacy/policy-statements" target="_blank">Policy Statements page</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">Where the Blind Work Webinar:<u></u><u></u></font></b></h3><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:0.25in"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4">Join the National Federation of the Blind for the \u201cWhere the Blind Work Webinar: Frontline Professionals.\u201d Taking place on July 31, 8:00-9:00 p.m., Eastern, via Zoom, this informative discussion will feature a panel of blind frontline workers sharing insights into their typical workdays, how they advocate for job accommodations, and the techniques they use to be successful at work. Our panelists are:<u></u><u></u></font></p><p style="margin:0in 0in 0in 0.5in;line-height:16.96px"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4"><u></u>·<span style="font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-variant-alternates:normal;font-size-adjust:none;font-kerning:auto;font-feature-settings:normal;font-stretch:normal;line-height:normal"> </span><u></u>Elizabeth Moyer, Teaching Assistant, Chimes, Maryland<u></u><u></u></font></p><p style="margin:0in 0in 0in 0.5in;line-height:16.96px"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4"><u></u>·<span style="font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-variant-alternates:normal;font-size-adjust:none;font-kerning:auto;font-feature-settings:normal;font-stretch:normal;line-height:normal"> </span><u></u>Tom Tebockhorst, Concession Stand Attendant, Target Field/Center, Minnesota<u></u><u></u></font></p><p style="margin:0in 0in 8pt 0.5in;line-height:16.96px"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4"><u></u>·<span style="font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;font-variant-alternates:normal;font-size-adjust:none;font-kerning:auto;font-feature-settings:normal;font-stretch:normal;line-height:normal"> </span><u></u>Terry Hall, Switchboard Operator, Magellan Solutions,</font><b><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4">2025 NABS Mid-Atlantic Student Seminar:</font></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:0.25in"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4">There\u2019s still t</font><span style="font-family:tahoma,sans-serif;font-size:large"> </span><span style="font-family:tahoma,sans-serif;font-size:large">New York</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:0.25in"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4"><a href="https://nfb.org/programs-services/employment/where-the-blind-work-webinars-registration" target="_blank">Register for the Where the Blind Work Webinar</a>. Registration closes on July 30 at 5 p.m., Eastern.<u></u><u></u></font></p><p class="MsoNormal"><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"><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">Federal Employees Impacted by Layoffs:<u></u><u></u></font></b></h3><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:0.25in"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4">We know that federal employees with disabilities have been disproportionally affected by recent reductions in the federal employment workforce, and we are doing all we can to help our blind colleagues. If you are aware of blind federal workers impacted by the government layoffs, please encourage them to submit the <a href="https://nfb.org/programs-services/employment/general-interest-form" target="_blank">Employment Interest Form</a> to receive announcements about career opportunities.<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"><u></u> </font></p><h2 style="margin:0in"><a name="m_2247952834401723323_m_8359275318630735264__Hlk183426075"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4">Dates to Keep in Mind:<u></u><u></u></font></a></h2><p class="MsoNormal"><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 style="margin:0in;color:black;line-height:16.8667px;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial"><a name="m_2247952834401723323_m_8359275318630735264__Hlk204603904" style="color:rgb(34,34,34)"><span style="line-height:18.4px"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4">January 26-29, 2026: Washington Seminar<u></u><u></u></font></span></a></li><li style="margin:0in;line-height:16.8667px"><span style="line-height:18.4px"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4">July 3-8, 2026: National Convention; Austin, Texas<u></u><u></u></font></span></li></ul><p class="MsoNormal"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4"><u></u> <u></u></font></p><p class="MsoNormal"><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 style="margin:0in;color:black;line-height:16.8667px;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial"><span style="line-height:18.4px"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4">Wednesday, November 5<u></u><u></u></font></span></li></ul><p class="MsoNormal"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4"><u></u> </font></p><p class="MsoNormal"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4"><u></u> <u></u></font></p><h2 style="margin:0in"><span style="font-weight:normal"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4">The National Fe<span class="gmail_default" style="font-family:tahoma,sans-serif;font-size:large"></span>deration 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><h2 style="margin:0in"><span style="font-weight:normal"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4"><u></u> </font></span></h2><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4"><br></font></div><div dir="ltr" class="gmail_signature"><div dir="ltr"><div><div><br></div></div></div></div></div></div>
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