[NFBofSC] From the National President

Tue Feb 25 23:47:54 UTC 2020

Received from the NFB of GA list serve

Steve Cook
Click here to view the PSA for the National Federation of the Blind of SC
www.nfbofsc.org
Follow the National Federation of the Blind of SC On Face Book
www.RockyBottomofSC.com
Follow Rocky Bottom Retreat & Conference Center on Face Book
Follow the Computer Science & Technology Division of SC on Face Book
District 2 NFB of SC State Board Member
1st Vice President of the Computer Science & Technology Division of the NFB of SC
Board Member at Large of the Columbia Chapter of the NFB of SC
-----Original Message-----
From: NFB_of_Georgia <nfb_of_georgia-bounces at nfbnet.org> On Behalf Of Dorothy Griffin via NFB_of_Georgia
Sent: Tuesday, February 25, 2020 3:20 PM
To: NFB of Georgia List <nfb_of_georgia at nfbnet.org>
Cc: Dorothy Griffin <dgriffin at nfbga.org>
Subject: [NFB_of_Georgia] From the National President

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

Dear Fellow Federationists,

Hey look, we get one extra day this year to spread the love and positive message of the National Federation of the Blind, and it is a good month to do so. You will find below a collection of links to a number of outstanding pieces featuring Federation members who share the additional common characteristic of being black. These folks are great friends and mentors of mine, and I am so pleased that they have spread our message through their stories. You should share these far and wide to promote the diversity we want in our movement. As Ever Lee says, let's grow and go!

This week I will be welcoming the eighty-ninth leadership seminar to the National Federation of the Blind Jernigan Institute. I expect that this year we will have a seminar in the fall as well—we did not have one last year because of the construction.  Also keep in mind that we should continue to seek diversity in our leadership pool.

As I am sure you are aware, March 1 is the opening for our 2020 National Convention online registration (The link, once it is live, will be nfb.org/registration <https://www.nfb.org/registration>.) Please be sure to spread the word and help make this our best-attended convention ever. Come on, even Louisiana is cheering for this to be our biggest convention ever—even if they think Houston cannot top New Orleans! I am really excited for this year's convention, and I continue to welcome your ideas for speakers and program items.

News:*Federationists Featured in #DisabilityRightsInBlack Series:*

The National Disability Rights Network is recognizing remarkable contributions of past and present black disability rights advocates and attorneys by presenting a different profile each day in February. We are proud of the following National Federation of the Blind leaders to be featured and hope you watch their brief videos of their stories: Anil Lewis <https://www.ndrn.org/resource/drib2020-anil-lewis/>, executive director of Blindness Initiatives; Ever Lee Hairston <https://www.ndrn.org/resource/drib2020-ever-lee-hairston/>, member of the NFB Board of Directors and 2019 Jacobus tenBroek Award winner; Sam Gleese <https://www.ndrn.org/resource/drib2020-sam-gleese/>, 2014 Jacobus tenBroek Award winner, past affiliate president, and past member of the NFB Board of Directors.

*Nation’s Blind Podcast**: Celebrating Black History:*

The newest episode of the *Nation’s Blind Podcast* celebrates Black History Month with a contemporary discussion with Denise Avant, Ron Brown, and Shawn Callaway, all affiliate presidents and members of the NFB Board of Directors. They talk about the intersectionality of being African-American and blind. Listen to the *Nation’s Blind Podcast* <https://www.nfb.org/resources/publications-and-media/nations-blind-podcast>
.

*Partnership with Aira: *Federation leaders will remember that a number of years ago we secured a special membership deal through our partnership with Aira granting that every Federation state convention would be a free Aira access site. Thanks to our partnership, the Federation conventions were the first free Aira accessible meetings in the nation. That agreement we had with Aira expired in January 2020, but we continue to have a strong partnership with them. As you likely know, the company has been going through a number of changes. I understand that many of our affiliates with spring conventions have reached out to Aira asking about free site access.
Our conventions no longer have that benefit as a right through an existing agreement. We continue to talk with the company about what the future partnership with the organized blind movement will include and how we will execute on that relationship. If you reach out to them, and they tell you that they cannot provide free access, do not be surprised. We will be posting an update about Aira to the *Voice of the Nation’s Blind Blog* later today. If you have questions, please let me know.

*Take the Braille Monitor Survey:*

The *Braille Monitor* is our flagship publication and contains critical content as we continue to build the Federation. It reflects many of our traditions, but it also must evolve enough to clearly be relevant in this decade and those to come. Please help us by telling us what you want, what you need, and what you will read. Please complete the quick, five-minute *Braille Monitor *survey <https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/BrailleMonitor>. Your participation is greatly appreciated.

*Jacobus tenBroek Disability Law Symposium:*

Registration is still open for the Jacobus tenBroek Disability Law Symposium, scheduled March 26-27 at the National Federation of the Blind Jernigan Institute. It is a two-day conference that continues Dr.
tenBroek’s lifelong pursuit of dignity, equality, and full participation in society by the disabled by bringing together attorneys, advocates, and those with lived experiences. The agenda includes roundtable discussions, presentations, workshops, plenary sessions, and an evening networking reception. This year’s theme is Race, Diversity, Inclusion, and the Right to Live in the World. Review the agenda and register today <https://www.nfb.org/programs-services/legal-program/jacobus-tenbroek-disability-law-symposium>
!

*#ReadAcrossAmerica #WithBraille:*

National Read Across America Day is Monday, March 2. Although we promote the importance of Braille literacy year-round, let’s make sure our voices are included on this national day. The goal of Read Across America is to help motivate kids to read, bring the joys of reading to students of all ages, and make all children feel valued and welcome. This must include blind and low-vision children. Let’s promote reading with Braille by sharing videos of children reading Braille or posting about the importance of Braille on Monday, March 2, on social media platforms and use the hashtags #ReadAcrossAmerica #WithBraille.

Dates to Keep in Mind:

   - March 26-27: Jacobus tenBroek Disability Law Symposium
   <https://www.nfb.org/programs-services/legal-program/jacobus-tenbroek-disability-law-symposium>,
   Baltimore, Maryland
   - March 31: Deadline for scholarship applications
   <https://www.nfb.org/programs-services/scholarships-and-awards/scholarship-program>
   - April 15: Dr. Jacob Bolotin Award <https://www.nfb.org/bolotin> application
   deadline

   - May 1: Distinguished Educator Award
   <https://www.nfb.org/programs-services/scholarships-and-awards/distinguished-educator-blind-students-award>
nomination
   deadline

   - April 14-17: NABM BLAST <http://www.blindmerchants.org/>, Chicago,
   Illinois
   - April 14-16: Nonvisual Access Conference
   <https://www.nfb.org/programs-services/center-excellence-nonvisual-access/trainings/nonvisual-access-conference>,
   Baltimore, Maryland
   - June 21-27: NFB EQ
   <https://www.nfb.org/programs-services/national-center-blind-youth-science/nfb-eq>;
   St. Paul, Minnesota
   - July 14-19: NFB National Convention <https://www.nfb.org/convention>,
   Houston, Texas

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.

Mark A. Riccobono, President

200 East Wells Street, Baltimore, MD 21230

(410) 659-9314 | officeofthepresident at nfb.org

[image: National Federation of the Blind] <https://nfb.org/>

                         [image: Facebook]
<http://www.facebook.com/nationalfederationoftheblind>    [image: Twitter]
<https://twitter.com/NFB_Voice>    [image: Youtube]
<https://www.youtube.com/NationsBlind>

The National Federation of the Blind is a community of members and friends who believe in the hopes and dreams of the nation’s blind. Every day we work together to help blind people live the lives they want.

--
Dorothy Griffin - President
National Federation of the Blind of Georgia dgriffin at nfbga.org
770-374-4832

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.
_______________________________________________
NFB_of_Georgia mailing list
NFB_of_Georgia at nfbnet.org
http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nfb_of_georgia_nfbnet.org
To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for NFB_of_Georgia:
http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nfb_of_georgia_nfbnet.org/cookcafe%40sc.rr.com