[NFBofAlaska] News from NFB of Alaska President

Tue Apr 20 06:40:43 UTC 2021

Greetings NFB Family and Friends,

We, the Alaska Affiliate board hope you are doing well and that you are
enjoying the warmer weather. Please read the following announcement as there
are a lot of important dates coming up. Though long, there is something for
everyone. 

*         On Wednesday, April 21, beginning at 7:00 PM the NFB of Alaska
All-State monthly meeting will take place.  Jeff Wolfe, from Seward, will
talk about emergency preparedness and first aid. He works for the Seward
fire department and Katie Lester assures us that he will provide worthwhile
information. Here is the information to participate. 

Bonnie Lucas is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.

Topic: NFB All State Meeting

Time: 7:00 

Join Zoom Meeting

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87422712687?pwd=UmJjSkM3aEdSOFlVYWJiRTgwSUd4Zz09

Meeting ID: 874 2271 2687

Passcode: 255025

One tap mobile

+12532158782,,87422712687# 

*         If you are someone who has been thinking about opening a
first-time case with Alaska DVR or you have been a client in the past, now
is the time to call Megan Schiele at 269-2077 and get the ball rolling with
services from Alaska DVR. 

*          The 2021 National convention is free again this year and will be
held "Anywhere and Everywhere. You are invited to register. To vote, you
must have registered by May 31. Voting is a regular occurrence at our
National conventions as the National Board positions at large are two-year
terms. For the record, registration was seamless and according to a
first-time attendee from last year, "I got a lot out of it." If you need
help, please let me know.

News:

Attend the Next Presidential Release on May 3-Captioning and Spanish
Available:

*         The next Presidential Release of the National Federation of the
Blind will be delivered on Monday, May 3, at 8:00 p.m. eastern. After the
remarks there is an opportunity for questions. Submit questions in advance
to  <mailto:cdanielsen at nfb.org> cdanielsen at nfb.org and put PR505 in the
subject line, or call 410-659-9314, extension 2473. Closed captions and
Spanish interpretation will be available. Mark your calendars! Zoom details
will be available soon. You can also access the live stream on your favorite
Amazon device by asking Alexa to play Nation's Blind.

S. 1 and Accessible Voting:

Monday of last week (April 12) we sent out a legislative alert regarding
some of our concerns with S. 1, the For the People Act. These concerns are
in the areas of accessible in-person voting and accessible vote-by-mail.
Specifically, we are asking that Congress make two amendments to the
legislation: the first would require that at least two accessible
ballot-marking devices are in each polling place and are actively and
specifically offered to voters with and without disabilities; the second
would ensure that states maintain the requirements for accessible voting
mandated in the Americans with Disabilities Act and the Help America Vote
Act. I also wrote an
<https://thehill.com/blogs/congress-blog/politics/548596-changing-the-world-
one-ballot-at-a-time> op-ed on this topic that was published in The Hill on
Friday, April 16. I encourage you to read it. 

Distinguished Educator of Blind Students Award-Deadline May 1:

Every year, the National Federation of the Blind Distinguished Educator of
Blind Students Award recognizes an outstanding teacher of blind students.
The education of blind children is one of our highest priorities. Please
help us recognize dedicated and innovative teachers who provide quality
education and meaningful experiences and opportunities for their blind
students.
<https://nfb.org/programs-services/scholarships-and-awards/distinguished-edu
cator-blind-students-award?q=programs-services%2Fscholarships-and-awards%2Fd
istinguished-educator-blind-students-award> Learn more about Distinguished
Educator of Blind Students Award and nominate an individual by May 1. 

Latest Blog Posts: Read about Audio Descriptions and Fundraising:

The Voice of the Nation's Blind Blog highlights personal experiences and
stories of blind people. Read and share one of the recent articles below:

*
<https://nfb.org/blog/pork-chops-taste-good-bacon-tastes-good-why-i-am-advoc
ate-audio-description> "'Pork Chops Taste Good, Bacon Tastes Good!' Why I Am
an Advocate for Audio Description" by Everette Bacon

Nation's Blind Podcast Episode on Diversity and Inclusion:

The Nation's Blind Podcast highlights different themes related to blindness,
independent living, and news from the National Federation of the Blind.
Hosts Anil and Melissa talk with Colin Wong, who co-chairs the Diversity and
Inclusion Committee of the Federation. Access
<https://nfb.org/sites/nfb.org/files/2021-04/nations_blind_podcast_diversity
_equity_and_inclusion_01.mp3> April 14, 2021 - Diversity and Inclusion in
the National Federation of the Blind or subscribe and listen by searching
for Nation's Blind Podcast in your podcast client.

Give $20 Convention Drawing:

Each year, thousands of Federation members and friends make donations to
fund our great programs. Your continued support is needed. When you
participate in the
<https://nfb.org/civicrm/mailing/url?u=20749&qid=5147870> Give $20 campaign
you will be entered into the Give $20 convention drawing (formerly known as
the Kenneth Jernigan convention drawing) AND help our work to change lives
for blind people across the country.

How to Contribute and Qualify:

Please note: The drawing is for individuals and is not intended for
contributions by divisions, state affiliates, or chapters.

You must specify a fund in order to be entered into the drawing. You can do
this by using our
<https://nfb.org/civicrm/contribute/transact?reset=1&id=45> Give $20
online donation form or writing in the memo if giving by check. Choose one
of the following funds: Kenneth Jernigan Fund, SUN Fund, White Cane Fund, or
the tenBroek Fund. Your donation will be counted for the drawing regardless
of which fund you designate.

*          <https://nfb.org/civicrm/contribute/transact?reset=1&id=45>
Donate online now.

*         Donate via phone by calling our donation line at 410-659-9314,
extension 2282.

Send a check to Attention: Give20, National Federation of the Blind Jernigan
Institute, 200 East Wells Street, Baltimore, MD 21230. Be sure to have "Give
20" and the fund you are donating to in20" and the fund you are donating to
in the memo. Thank you for your support!

Dates to Keep in Mind:

(all times eastern)

*	May 1:
<https://www.nfb.org/programs-services/scholarships-and-awards/distinguished
-educator-blind-students-award> Distinguished Educator of Blind Children
Award nominations deadline
*	May 3: Presidential Release LIVE, 8:00 p.m. 
*	May 7:  <https://nfb.org/programs-services/nfb-bell-academy> NFB
BELLR Academy application deadline (for session one)
*	May 10:  <http://www.nfb.org/eq> NFB EQ application deadline
*	June 1: Presidential Release LIVE, 8:00 p.m. 

July 6-10: NFB National Convention, anywhere and everywhere

We hope to see you on Wednesday night when you can come and join on Zoom to
learn more about the NFB and particularly about first aid and more! 

Warmest Regards,

Bonnie Lucas
President
National Federation of the Blind of Alaska
Cell: 907-301-6808

Email: lucas.bonnie at gmail.com <mailto:lucas.bonnie at gmail.com> 

Web: alaskanfb.org <https://alaskanfb.org/> 
The National Federation of the Blind knows 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. You can live the life you want;
blindness is not what holds you back.

[Delegate-BML]

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