[NFBofSC] Information From President Riccobono

Tue Aug 4 01:37:58 UTC 2020

President’s NotebookNational Federation of the BlindMark A. Riccobono
officeofthepresident at nfb.org410-659-9314

Dear Fellow Federationists,

The dog days of summer are here, but the work of the Federation has not slowed down.

I want to call your attention to the fact that the August Presidential Release <https://www.nfb.org/sites/www.nfb.org/files/2020-07/PR496%20August%202020.mp3>
is
out. You will note that the September release will be live on the first of September.

There are a number of staff positions available at the Federation headquarters. Some positions are posted and others are yet to come.  If you are looking to join a dynamic movement in full-time employment, please submit a cover letter and resume for one of the positions posted at https://www.nfb.org/about-us/career-opportunities.

 If you have other talents that may not be listed, you can also submit general interest in employment to the Federation.
 News*Sami’s Law:*

Sami’s Law passed in the House on Wednesday, July 29. Representative Chris Smith, who spoke at our Congressional Reception earlier this year, specifically thanked the National Federation of the Blind from the House floor. We are urging the Senate to immediately pass the House bill, H.R.
4686, via unanimous consent.
 *SAFE TO WORK Act:*

On Monday, July 27, Senators Cornyn and McConnell introduced the SAFE TO WORK Act, S. 4317. The National Federation of the Blind opposes all references to the Americans with Disabilities Act in Section 181 of this bill. As currently drafted, Section 181 would eliminate critical protections provided by the Americans with Disabilities Act beginning December 1, 2019 and ending October 1, 2024. Specifically, we urge Congress to strike the reference to the Americans with Disabilities Act contained in the definition of “covered Federal employment law” and to completely strike Section 181(b) entitled “Public Accommodation Laws.” Watch for a legislative alert on this and on Sami’s Law.
 *Continuing the ADA Conversation:*

Join us on Twitter Wednesday, August 12, at 2:00 p.m. eastern for our Twitter chat focused on the ADA. This will be a continuation of our panel discussion, “Leveraging the ADA,” that took place during the #NFB20 <https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/nfb20?__eep__=6&source=feed_text&epa=HASHTAG&__xts__%5B0%5D=68.ARB4pho-Y2i_XtQTrHScv7zesvtj39kiE5q_aE8npwQCIS0jNFFlFXDOuB5eXBsi8SdJzR9Krj1pSWUNFkBED0_pfL9Q2yzV9HbKsmol4VHPU6Xm_cxgFmbSwZXeDY36Yn70wV6MxY1W3jleHi_qsL1upi7KMA7ervw0sStrJ_WECP-B0j1TPjGcmkh65QuRlYyfv8hWIc_jyljLTGpdbhKHtyN6ZrnLr684a936weyif3qeaamr0eLXjSZPD1Fa2_RNl4SCv6KmEKgcQRgEF_MJM1Aj8H3OURtIWVI04_OkOTBiN4YVAIjk1OjhU2AkUZpPV6N9cWIF60d98g&__tn__=%2ANK-R>
National
Convention. For more updates and information, follow us on Twitter at @NFB_Voice. To view the panel discussion from the convention, visit our YouTube channel <https://youtu.be/1Ecmf9bAec8>.

*** Upcoming Accessibility Boutique**—Technology and Training Options for
Seniors:*

Join us on Tuesday, August 25, at 2:00 p.m. eastern to learn more about easy, accessible, and powerful tools for seniors. Accessibility boutiques are workshops presented by National Federation of the Blind access technology experts that provide introductions to accessibility best practices and the latest trends in access tech. Learn more and register now <https://www.nfb.org/programs-services/center-excellence-nonvisual-access/trainings/accessibility-boutiques>
!

*Early Childhood Initiatives:*

The National Federation of the Blind’s early childhood initiatives are great resources for young blind children and their families, providing guidance on literacy and independent travel. Families with blind children up to eight years old can sign up for the Braille Reading Pals Club, which provides Braille books and other fun Braille activities at no cost, and our Early Explorers initiative, which encourages independent travel and exploration, also free to participants. Share the programs and early childhood application today <https://www.nfb.org/programs-services/early-childhood-initiatives>!

*NFB-NEWSLINE®:*

In the early days of the pandemic, when information on COVID-19 was more difficult to obtain, the National Federation of the Blind made NFB-NEWSLINE available in all non-sponsored states. This policy will end August 31.
Current non-sponsored states are Alaska, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Wyoming, and Puerto Rico.

*Duke University:*

As it relates to the NFB’s lawsuit against Duke University <https://www.nfb.org/about-us/press-room/national-federation-blind-sues-duke-university>,
we are hoping to hear from any blind students currently attending or planning to attend Duke. Please contact Valerie Yingling at vyingling at nfb.org if this applies to you.

Dates to Keep in Mind

   - July 27-August 7: NFB BELL® In-Home Edition
   - September 1: Presidential Release LIVE, 8:00 p.m. eastern
   - September 13: Open-House Gathering call, 4:00 p.m. eastern
   - October 1: Presidential Release LIVE, 8:00 p.m. eastern
   - October: Meet the Blind Month
   - November 1: Presidential Release LIVE, 8:00 p.m. eastern
   - December 1: Presidential Release LIVE, 8:00 p.m. eastern
   - December 9: Open-House Gathering call, 8:00 p.m. eastern
   - February 8, 2021: Washington Seminar Great Gathering-In

Mark A. Riccobono, President

Steve Cook
District 2 State Board Member of the National Federation of the Blind of SC
1st Vice President of the Computer Science & Technology Division of the National Federation of the Blind of SC
Board member at large of the Columbia chapter of the National Federation of the Blind of SC
The National Federation of the Blind of SC owns and operates Rocky Bottom Retreat & Conference Center.  Below is a link to read more about Rocky Bottom and to make a reservation for a mountain retreat!
Rocky Bottom Retreat & Conference Center
Please join the National Federation of the Blind of SC on Face Book at any of the below links!
National Federation of the Blind of SC on Face Book
Computer Science & Technology Division of the National Federation of the Blind of SC
Rocky Bottom Retreat & Conference Center 
South Carolina Association of Blind Students
South Carolina Parents of Blind Children