<div dir="auto"><a name="m_5568259730418564741_OLE_LINK9" style="font-family:-apple-system,sans-serif"><b><span style="font-size:14.0pt">President\u2019s Notebook</span></b></a><br></div><div><div class="gmail_quote gmail_quote_container"><div lang="EN-US" link="#467886" vlink="#96607D" style="word-wrap:break-word"><div class="m_5568259730418564741WordSection1">
<p class="MsoNormal"><span><span><span><b><span style="font-size:14.0pt">National Federation of the Blind<u></u><u></u></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span><span><span><b><span style="font-size:14.0pt">Mark A. Riccobono<u></u><u></u></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span><span><span></span></span></span><a href="mailto:officeofthepresident@nfb.org" target="_blank"><span><span><span><b><span style="font-size:14.0pt">officeofthepresident@nfb.org</span></b></span></span></span><span><span><span></span></span></span></a><span><span><span><b><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><u></u><u></u></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span><span><span><b><span style="font-size:14.0pt">410-659-9314<u></u><u></u></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span><span><span><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><u></u> <u></u></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" dir="auto"><b style="font-family:-apple-system,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:11.0pt">Staff Leadership Transition:</span></b><br></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span><span><span><span style="font-size:11.0pt">We recently announced that Anil Lewis, executive director of Blindness Initiatives, will be retiring
from his staff position to accept an executive leadership role with an agency serving blind people. We support this transition as an important opportunity for Anil to bring his experience, expertise, and Federation philosophy to this new professional chapter.
Read the full announcement: </span></span></span></span><a href="https://nfb.org/about-us/press-room/national-federation-blind-announces-staff-leadership-transition" target="_blank"><span><span><span><span style="font-size:11.0pt">National
Federation of the Blind Announces Staff Leadership Transition</span></span></span></span><span><span><span></span></span></span></a><span><span><span><span style="font-size:11.0pt">.<u></u><u></u></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" dir="auto"><span><span><span><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><u></u> </span></span></span></span><b style="font-family:-apple-system,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:11.0pt">Removing Barriers to Work for Disabled Americans Act, H.R. 8884:</span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span><span><span><span style="font-size:11.0pt">The Removing Barriers to Work for Disabled Americans Act, H.R. 8884, was passed by the House on
Thursday, July 23. This bill authorizes the Social Security Administration to conduct demonstration projects within the Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) program. One of those demonstration projects could be a version of the Blind Americans Return
to Work Act. H.R. 8884 has been transmitted to the Senate, where it must also be passed before it is able to be signed into law by the president. Senator Eric Schmitt of Missouri, the sponsor of the Senate version of the bill, is hoping to move the already-passed
House bill through the Senate via unanimous consent. In order for the bill to pass the Senate via unanimous consent, we need to get every senator on board with this legislation. For that, we need your help. Please contact the offices for both of your US senators
and ask them to support the Removing Barriers to Work for Disabled Americans Act, H.R. 8884.<u></u><u></u></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" dir="auto"><span><span><span><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><u></u> </span></span></span></span><b style="font-family:-apple-system,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:11.0pt">Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services Relocated:</span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span><span><span><span style="font-size:11.0pt">In August, the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS) was officially
relocated to the Department of Health and Human Services. This restructuring comes as a result of the executive order to eliminate the Department of Education. From what we have learned, we believe that OSERS is being moved in its entirety. This means that
there should be no reduction in programs or services offered by OSERS. While this is not the outcome we would have liked, it is also not the worst thing that could have happened in the restructuring of the Department of Education. We will continue to monitor
the situation and keep you informed of any changes. <u></u><u></u></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span><span><span><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><u></u> <u></u></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span><span><span><b><span style="font-size:11.0pt">Letters to AI Companies Regarding the Accessibility of the Products Produced by their Platforms:<u></u><u></u></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span><span><span><span style="font-size:11.0pt">Over the past two weeks, we have been sending letters to the top AI companies in the country (Anthropic,
Google, Meta, Microsoft, OpenAI, and xAI), urging them to ensure that their AI-assisted coding tools are nonvisually accessible. We further have insisted that these companies train their AI models to produce only accessible content. These letters were sent
as part of our execution strategy for </span></span></span></span><a href="https://nfb.org/resources/speeches-and-reports/resolutions/2026-resolutions#16" target="_blank"><span><span><span><span style="font-size:11.0pt">Resolution
2026-16</span></span></span></span><span><span><span></span></span></span></a><span><span><span><span style="font-size:11.0pt">;
the </span></span></span></span><a href="https://nfb.org/programs-services/advocacy/policy-statements/letter-anthropic-regarding-their-ai-platforms" target="_blank"><span><span><span><span style="font-size:11.0pt">letter
to Anthropic</span></span></span></span><span><span><span></span></span></span></a><span><span><span><span style="font-size:11.0pt">
can be read in full on our </span></span></span></span><a href="https://nfb.org/programs-services/advocacy/policy-statements" target="_blank"><span><span><span><span style="font-size:11.0pt">Policy
Statements page</span></span></span></span><span><span><span></span></span></span></a><span><span><span><span style="font-size:11.0pt">.<u></u><u></u></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span><span><span><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><u></u> <u></u></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span><span><span><b><span style="font-size:11.0pt">Join Team NFB for Philadelphia Race Weekend:<u></u><u></u></span></b></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span><span><span><span style="font-size:11.0pt">Make your miles matter by running with Team NFB during Philadelphia Race Weekend and help create
a world of opportunity for blind people. Whether you are an experienced runner or taking on a new challenge, your participation will help support programs and advocacy that expand access, independence, and opportunity.<u></u><u></u></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span><span><span><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><u></u> <u></u></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span><span><span><span style="font-size:11.0pt">Philadelphia Race Weekend Events:<u></u><u></u></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span><span><span><span style="font-size:11.0pt">\u2022 Philadelphia Marathon \u2013 Sunday, November 22<u></u><u></u></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span><span><span><span style="font-size:11.0pt">\u2022 Philadelphia Half Marathon \u2013 Saturday, November 21<u></u><u></u></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span><span><span><span style="font-size:11.0pt">\u2022 Rothman Orthopaedics 8K \u2013 Saturday, November 21<u></u><u></u></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span><span><span><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><u></u> <u></u></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span><span><span><span style="font-size:11.0pt">Team members will receive fundraising support such as toolkits and contribution pages, race-day
camaraderie, and the opportunity to make a meaningful impact while achieving their personal running goals.<u></u><u></u></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span><span><span><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><u></u> <u></u></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span><span><span><span style="font-size:11.0pt">To learn more or register, please contact Rachel Held at
</span></span></span></span><a href="mailto:rheld@nfb.org" target="_blank"><span><span><span><span style="font-size:11.0pt">rheld@nfb.org</span></span></span></span><span><span><span></span></span></span></a><span><span><span><span style="font-size:11.0pt">
or 410-659-9314, extension 2423.<u></u><u></u></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span><span><span><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><u></u> <u></u></span></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span><span><span><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><u></u> <u></u></span></span></span></span></p>
<span></span><span></span><span></span>
<p class="MsoNormal"><a name="m_5568259730418564741__Hlk216694561"></a><a name="m_5568259730418564741__Hlk183426075"><span><b><span style="font-size:14.0pt">Dates to Keep in Mind:<u></u><u></u></span></b></span></a></p>
<span></span>
<ul style="margin-top:0in" type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal"><span><span style="font-size:11.0pt">October 27: Virtual Career Fair;
</span></span><a href="https://nfb.org/programs-services/employment" target="_blank"><span><span style="font-size:11.0pt">nfb.org/employment</span></span><span></span></a><span><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><u></u><u></u></span></span></li></ul>
<ul style="margin-top:0in" type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal"><span><span style="font-size:11.0pt">November 3: Election Day; Blind Voter Survey for mid-term elections, plan to submit your experience at
</span></span><a><span><span style="font-size:11.0pt">nfb.org/vote</span></span><span></span></a><span><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><u></u><u></u></span></span></li></ul>
<ul style="margin-top:0in" type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal"><span><span style="font-size:11.0pt">November 18-20:
</span></span><a href="https://nfb.org/programs-services/employment/dare-be-remarkable" target="_blank"><span><span style="font-size:11.0pt">Dare to Be Remarkable</span></span><span></span></a><span><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><u></u><u></u></span></span></li><li class="MsoNormal"><span><span style="font-size:11.0pt">July 2-7, 2027: National Convention; Austin, Texas<u></u><u></u></span></span></li><li class="MsoNormal"><span><span style="font-size:11.0pt">July 3-8, 2028: National Convention; Chicago, Illinois<u></u><u></u></span></span></li><li class="MsoNormal"><span><span style="font-size:11.0pt">July 2-7, 2029: National Convention; Chicago, Illinois<u></u><u></u></span></span></li></ul>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><u></u> <u></u></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span><span style="font-size:11.0pt">Introduction to the Organized Blind Movement Calls<u></u><u></u></span></span></p>
<ul style="margin-top:0in" type="disc" dir="auto">
<li class="MsoNormal"><span><span style="font-size:11.0pt">Wednesday, November 4</span></span><span style="font-family:-apple-system,sans-serif;font-size:11pt"> </span></li></ul>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt">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></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><u></u> <u></u></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" dir="auto"><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><u></u> </span><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;font-size:11pt">Mark A. Riccobono, President</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif">
National Federation of the Blind <br>
<a href="https://www.google.com/maps/search/200+East+Wells+Street,+Baltimore,+MD+21230?entry=gmail&source=g">200 East Wells Street, Baltimore, MD 21230</a><br>
410-659-9314 | </span><a href="mailto:Officeofthepresident@nfb.org" target="_blank"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:blue">Officeofthepresident@nfb.org</span></a><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif"><u></u><u></u></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif">Pronouns: he, him, his<u></u><u></u></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif"> <u></u><u></u></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://nfb.org/" target="_blank"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:#0563c1;text-decoration:none"><img border="0" width="210" height="76" style="width:2.1875in;height:.7916in" id="m_5568259730418564741_x0000_i1028" src="https://nfb.org/images/nfb/images/email/2/nfblogo.png" alt="National Federation of the Blind"></span></a><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif"><u></u><u></u></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif"> <u></u><u></u></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif">
</span><a href="http://www.facebook.com/nationalfederationoftheblind" target="_blank"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:#0563c1;text-decoration:none"><img border="0" width="23" height="23" style="width:.2395in;height:.2395in" id="m_5568259730418564741_x0000_i1027" src="https://nfb.org/images/nfb/images/email/2/facebook.png" alt="Facebook"></span></a><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif"> </span><a href="https://twitter.com/NFB_Voice" target="_blank"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:#0563c1;text-decoration:none"><img border="0" width="23" height="23" style="width:.2395in;height:.2395in" id="m_5568259730418564741_x0000_i1026" src="https://nfb.org/images/nfb/images/email/2/twitter.png" alt="Twitter"></span></a><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif"> </span><a href="https://www.youtube.com/NationsBlind" target="_blank"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:#0563c1;text-decoration:none"><img border="0" width="23" height="23" style="width:.2395in;height:.2395in" id="m_5568259730418564741_x0000_i1025" src="https://nfb.org/images/nfb/images/email/2/youtube.png" alt="Youtube"></span></a><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif"><u></u><u></u></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif"> <u></u><u></u></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif">The National Federation of the Blind is a community of members and friends who believe in the hopes and dreams of the nation\u2019s blind. Every day we work together
to help blind people live the lives they want. <u></u><u></u></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif"> </span><u></u><u></u></p>
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