[NFBofSC] NFB President’s Notebook - Week of 04/26/2021

Thu Apr 29 08:32:46 UTC 2021

Steve Cook
District 2 State Board Member of the National Federation of the Blind of SC
President of the Columbia chapter 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
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

You can live the life you want; blindness is not what holds you back.

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.

Dear Federation Family,

My words are few as there is a lot happening,

 *Door Prizes:*

We are accepting door prizes for the 2021 National Convention. We request cash donations so that we can distribute gift cards and gift certificates as prizes. Cash donations make it easier to create prize groups and to distribute prizes from one location. Please make your checks payable to National Federation of the Blind and write Door Prizes in the memo. Mail the check to National Federation of the Blind, 200 East Wells Street, Baltimore, MD 21230, Attention: Fiscal Services - DP. By addressing the check this way, we will easily identify it as a door prize and process it accordingly. You should also send an email to prize at nfb.org to let us know you are sending a contribution for the door prizes and the full name of the organization that the contribution is from. We want to make sure we recognize your organization in our thank-you list. You can contact Bridgid Burke (bburke at nfb.org or extension 2271) or Belinda Hooks (bhooks at nfb.org or extension 2508) with any questions. We discourage everyone from making door prize donations through the nfb.org/donate page; however, if a door prize donation is received through this page, we will reduce the donation by 3 percent to help us offset the credit card transaction fees. We are looking forward to another informative, fun, and prize-filled convention.

*News:*

*Legislative Activity:*

There is a lot happening with our advocacy and policy work. Along with several new cosponsors on the Access Technology Affordability Act (H.R.
431/S. 212) and the Transformation to Competitive Integrated Employment Act (H.R. 2373), there will likely be an amendment introduced today or tomorrow to the Endless Frontiers Act (S. 1260) regarding autonomous vehicles.
Pending our analysis of the final language, we anticipate supporting this amendment. Please watch for possible legislative alerts later this week.

*Climate Assessment Survey Coming This Week:*

As mentioned in the April 15 open letter from President Riccobono
<https://nfb.org/blog/open-letter-safety-and-support-progress>*,* the National Federation of the Blind has extended our partnership with RAINN, the nation's largest anti-sexual violence organization. RAINN will develop and administer an anonymous survey to collect feedback directly from our diverse community, including members and nonmembers, to better understand the experiences, needs, and concerns of our community as they relate to sexual misconduct. The survey is expected to be released on Wednesday, April 28, and may take up to thirty minutes. There will be a web version on Survey Monkey and an automated phone option for completing the survey. Stay tuned for more details.

*Participate on Potential Radio Project:*

The National Federation of the Blind is exploring a potential pilot streaming-audio project to inform, inspire, and entertain members and potential members. The initial plan is to start by using our large existing audio library in a way that allows simple access at any time of day or night, similar to an online radio station. If you have technical expertise or content ideas and/or are interested in participating in an ad-hoc group for this project, send an email to communicationsteam at nfb.org. Please include any relevant background about you, why you think this potential resource might be useful, and/or any recommendations you have.

*National Federation of the Blind Code of Conduct now on NFB-NEWSLINE®:*

The NFB Code of Conduct and a list of frequently asked questions regarding the code is now available on NFB-NEWSLINE. You will find both audio and text versions using the telephone access method, by selecting option one from the main menu, followed by another press of the one key for the NFB National Channel, then following the prompts. To access this content on the NFB-NEWSLINE Mobile app, go to the “Information Sources” page and select the “All Publications” link. The NFB Code of Conduct is the first publication in the list.

*New Mobile Ballot Marking Platform by GlobalMobile:*

A new mobile ballot marking platform to mark and return ballots using a smartphone has been developed by GlobalMobile. We are working with GlobalMobile to ensure that the platform is accessible. Please be advised that GlobalMobile may also reach out to our affiliates to provide feedback on the platform or to participate in a meeting they have arranged with your secretary of state. It is important that affiliates coordinate their participation with our national office staff. If your affiliate decides to participate in these meetings, please let us know, and please bear in mind that in our advocacy efforts for accessible electronic ballot delivery and return we do not endorse a particular platform. To discuss coordination of efforts or to get other questions answered about this work, feel free to contact either Lou Ann Blake at lblake at nfb.org or 410-659-9314, extension 2221, or Jeff Kaloc at jkaloc at nfb.org or 410-659-9314, extension 2206.

*Spring 2021 College Board AP Exams:*

High school students who encounter barriers with their Spring 2021 College Board AP Exam accommodations, and/or have been told that Braille or tactile graphics are not available for exams, are encouraged to contact Valerie Yingling, legal program coordinator, at vyingling at nfb.org.

*National Telecommuting Institute:*

The National Federation of the Blind, on behalf of itself, an NFB member, and all similarly situated individuals, has filed a complaint with the Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination against National Telecommuting Institute (NTI) for NTI’s discrimination against blind job applicants who use screen access software and other assistive technology.
If you have applied for a job through NTI and similarly been denied employment because you use screen access software, or if you wish to work from home doing customer service work and are willing to apply with NTI, please contact Valerie Yingling, legal program coordinator, at vyingling at nfb.org.

*Amazon Fulfillment Center Employment:*

As it relates to our recent agreement with Amazon, the National Federation of the Blind is hoping to speak with individuals who have had workplace accommodations denied, been placed on unpaid leave, and/or otherwise experienced discrimination related to Amazon fulfillment center employment.
Please contact Valerie Yingling at vyingling at nfb.org to report your Amazon fulfillment center experience.

*Presidential Release Next Week—Captioning and Spanish Available:*

Tune in to the next Presidential Release of the National Federation of the Blind on Monday, May 3, at 8:00 p.m. eastern. After the remarks there is an opportunity for questions. Submit questions in advance tocdanielsen 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! Learn the many ways to access the presidential release <https://nfb.org/civicrm/event/info?&reset=1&id=455>. Try listening to the live stream on your favorite Amazon device by asking Alexa to play Nation’s Blind.

*Blind Driver Challenge Initial Test Runs April 30 to May 2:*

As part of the Blind Driver Challenge, the National Federation of the Blind and Cruise Automation are collaborating with Federationist Dan Parker to build and operate a car to attempt to break the Guinness Book World Record for the “Fastest Speed for a Car Driven Blindfolded” in the fall of 2021, anticipating reaching a speed of over two hundred miles per hour. This coming weekend, April 30 to May 2, Dan will be doing several test runs in Blytheville, Arkansas. Stay tuned for more details coming at BlindDriverChallenge.org.

*Partnering and Accessibility:*

We believe that accessibility is important, and we urge our national partners to improve their accessibility, too. We should also keep this in mind when we are partnering and looking for speakers at the local and state level. Calling out the truth about an inaccessible web page in a private and polite manner is appropriate. Keep in mind that if we invite organizations to present to our members whose websites are not fully accessible, we are not being true to our brand or our mission. Let's make sure we tell those we work with when their websites are not accessible to us.

*California DMV Kiosks to Become More Accessible:*

The National Federation of the Blind and three blind Californians have collaborated with the California Department of Motor Vehicles and Intellectual Technology, Inc., a provider of self-service kiosks, regarding accessibility features for DMV Now kiosks utilized in California. Read and share the press release <https://nfb.org/about-us/press-room/california-dmv-kiosks-become-more-accessible-blind>

*Reminders:*

*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 Give $20 campaign <https://nfb.org/civicrm/mailing/url?u=20749&qid=5147870> 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 Give $20 online donation form <https://nfb.org/civicrm/contribute/transact?reset=1&id=45> 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.

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

·       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 in the memo.

*Dates to Keep in Mind:*

(all times eastern)

   - May 1: Distinguished Educator of Blind Children Award
   <https://www.nfb.org/programs-services/scholarships-and-awards/distinguished-educator-blind-students-award>
nominations
   deadline
   - May 3: Presidential Release LIVE, 8:00 p.m.
   - May 7: NFB BELL Academy application
   <https://nfb.org/programs-services/nfb-bell-academy> deadline (for
   session one)
   - May 10: NFB EQ application <http://www.nfb.org/eq> deadline
   - June 1: Presidential Release LIVE, 8:00 p.m.
   - July 6-10: NFB National Convention, anywhere and everywhere

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

Twitter: @Riccobono

Pronouns: he, him, his

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

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<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