[NFBofSC] Week of December 6 President Riccobono's Notebook and National Items of Interest

[Steve Cook]

President’s Notebook

National Federation of the Blind

Mark A. Riccobono

 The NFB Board of Directors had its annual in-person, two-day meeting over the weekend. We will call it a socially distanced in-person meeting since the participants were spread out from Massachusetts to Hawaii. Two full days is a lot of Zoom time, but there was plenty to discuss, and I am grateful that we have this batch of leaders that carried us through this unusual year. More importantly, we have crafted some great plans for 2021.

 You are likely wondering about the 2021 National Convention. The board discussed this in detail, and we are gathering some more data before making a final decision on the format for the convention (fully virtual or an in-person component in New Orleans with a virtual participation method). As you can imagine, there are a lot of factors to consider, but the board's priority is ensuring that the broadest number of people can safely participate. Before you start making plans or start complaining about the decision, wait until we release the final plan for what we are doing. I anticipate you will have that by the time we get to our Washington Seminar.

 National Items of Interest:

Blind Students’ Rights to Independence, Training, and Education Act–State Model Bill:

We are excited to unveil our newest piece of model state legislation, the Blind Students’ Rights to Independence, Training, and Education (BRITE) Act. This would ensure that blind students receive adequate instruction and become proficient in the use of Braille, access technology, and orientation and mobility skills, as well as requiring school districts to offer instruction in these areas outside of school hours. The model bill has been posted on our website.

 Independence Market Holiday Hours

The Independence Market will be closed starting at 5:00 p.m. eastern on Wednesday, December 23, and will not reopen until Monday, January 4, at 8:00 a.m. eastern to give our hard-working staff time to enjoy the holidays with family. Don’t forget to place your order for our accessible measuring cups or Braille UNO® cards so you can still do all of your tasty holiday baking and have fun with family! Don’t delay, order today!

 New Nation’s Blind Podcast Episode–“Deafblind and Living the Lives They Want”:

In this episode of the Nation’s Blind Podcast, Anil Lewis and Chris Danielsen talk with Alice Eaddy, president of the Deafblind Division of the National Federation of the Blind, and Marsha Drenth, the division’s first vice-president. Access the Nation’s Blind Podcast now.

 Open-House Gathering–Share with Prospective Members:

On Sunday, December 13, at 8:00 p.m. eastern, the National Federation of the Blind is hosting an open-house gathering for people to learn about becoming members of the Federation. Share with prospective members this opportunity to learn more from leaders about the Federation and why membership is crucial. Sign up by emailing membership at nfb.org <mailto:membership at nfb.org>  or calling 410-659-9314, extension 2509.

 Ho, Ho, Ho! Tis Time for a Letter From Santa

As Santa's elves, we want to remind you that you only have until December 16 to request a Braille letter from Santa through the National Federation of the Blind's Santa Letter Program.

Just imagine the smile on the face of a blind child receiving a letter in Braille from Santa Claus! Along with the Braille letter, Santa includes a print letter so that those who might not read Braille can follow along. Santa also includes other fun holiday activities.

Request your Santa letter now, so that the elves at the National Federation of the Blind have enough time to get them in the mail before Santa's big day!

Accessibility Boutique:

The National Federation of the Blind is hosting an accessibility boutique that will cover accessible smart home products. The boutique will be held on Tuesday, December 15, 2:00-3:30 p.m. eastern, via Zoom. Smart home products are designed to help control items in your home, from security to entertainment. Take advantage of this free opportunity to learn the latest tips and tools. Register for the Smart Home Accessibility Boutique today.

Upcoming Event–Smart Cities Summit:

The National Federation of the Blind Smart Cities Summit is a one-day online event on Thursday, January 28, 2021. The goal is to bring policymakers and technology developers together to collaborate and create accessible infrastructure for smart cities. Review the agenda and register for the Smart Cities Summit today!

Scholarship Program–Start Applications Now:

Every year, the National Federation of the Blind awards more than $120,000 to blind scholars across the fifty states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico in recognition of their achievements and professional aspirations. Each scholarship winner is awarded based on their academic excellence, community service, and leadership. The application process is open and we encourage students to start the process now. Review the scholarship application checklist and the scholarship program FAQs. Share this opportunity that invests in the future of blind people. Learn about the eligibility and requirements of the 2021 scholarship program and start the application process now.

The questions contact Lia Stone, Chair NFBNJ Scholarship Committee at (917) 570-3166 or evangeliastone at gmail.com <mailto:evangeliastone at gmail.com> 

Still Time to Register for Braille Readers Are Leaders—A Contest for Children and Adults:

This contest is designed to encourage the contestants to read more Braille, helping them to improve their reading skills and win prizes. The National Federation of the Blind is partnering with the American Action Fund for Blind Children and Adults to present the 2020-2021 Braille Readers Are Leaders contest to encourage Braille literacy and reading for pleasure. Children and adults across the United States compete against their same-grade peers to read the most Braille pages between December 1, 2020, through January 18, 2021. Registration is still open. Learn more about the Braille Readers Are Leaders contest.

Braille Readers Are Leaders Solidarity Challenge:

In a recent conversation, Anil Lewis and Everette Bacon both acknowledged that they simply do not take the time to read Braille on a regular basis to improve their Braille skills. Recognizing that he is not the most competitive person, Anil offers this solidarity challenge for likeminded leaders in the Federation to join him in participating in the upcoming Braille Readers Are Leaders program. The only prize he is striving to receive is a renewed commitment to improving his Braille skills. He has registered for the program, and challenges other leaders in the Federation to join with him in solidarity to achieve the same goal. https://www.actionfund.org/programs/braille-readers-are-leaders

Dates to Keep in Mind:

December 13: Open-House Gathering call, 8:00 p.m. eastern December 15-17: Dare to Be Remarkable, 11:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m. eastern January 4: Presidential Release LIVE, 8:00 p.m. eastern

January 18: Braille Readers Are Leaders registration (and page count) deadline

January 28: February 1: Presidential Release LIVE, 8:00 p.m. eastern February 8: Washington Seminar Great Gathering-In March 1: Presidential Release LIVE, 8:00 p.m. eastern March 24-26: Jacobus tenBroek Law Symposium March 31: Scholarship application deadline April 1: Presidential Release LIVE, 8:00 p.m. eastern April 15: Bolotin Awards nominations deadline May 2: Presidential Release LIVE, 8:00 p.m. eastern June 1: Presidential Release LIVE, 8:00 p.m. eastern July 6-11: NFB National Convention, New Orleans, Louisiana

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