[NFBofSC] Week of April 10, 2023 President Riccobono's Notebook, National Items of Interest and Dates to Keep in Mind

Wed Apr 12 10:06:51 UTC 2023

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President’s Notebook  

National Federation of the Blind  
Mark A. Riccobono  
 <mailto:officeofthepresident at nfb.org> officeofthepresident at nfb.org  
410-659-9314  

Dear Federation Family, 

If your neighborhood is like ours here in Baltimore, the signs of spring are popping up everywhere. In Riverside Park, across the street from our offices, it sounds like the birds have started their spring convention. It is wonderful to be out and about more. It is also great to consider the possibilities it presents for us to continue changing the attitudes of the public. 

As you know from last week’s Presidential Release, we have a lot of opportunities in front of us. I am grateful for the team we have working on it in every community across this country. 

Please take ten minutes to consider if you have any projects to nominate for our Bolotin Award process for 2023. Innovative projects in local communities that have potential to impact a wide range of blind people going forward are what we are looking to support. Get your nominations in this week so the committee can consider them.  

Critical Actions: 

Deadline this Week for 2023 Bolotin Awards: 

The National Federation of the Blind is accepting nominations of individuals or organizations who are a positive force in the lives of blind people and help us transform dreams into reality. Each application must include a letter of recommendation.  <https://www.nfb.org/programs-services/scholarships-and-awards/dr-jacob-bolotin-awards/application-information> Learn more and submit a nomination for the 2023 Dr. Jacob Bolotin Awards. 

Opportunity for First-Time National Convention Attendees: 

The Kenneth Jernigan Convention Scholarship provides funding support to National Federation of the Blind members who want to attend the national convention in person for the first time. Applications close April 15.  <https://nfb.org/get-involved/national-convention/kenneth-jernigan-convention-scholarship> Learn more about the Kenneth Jernigan Convention Scholarship.  

News: 

Presidential Release: 

The National Federation of the Blind  <https://nfb.org/resources/publications-and-media/presidential-releases> Presidential Release #526 chapter version is available. Additional formats coming soon. Please mark your calendars for the next Presidential Release scheduled for May 2, 2023, at 8:00 p.m., eastern.   

Route 66 Ride for Literacy with Dan O’Rourke: 

As announced in the April Presidential Release, the National Federation of the Blind is partnering with Dan O’Rourke, an on-ice official for the National Hockey League since 1999, for a campaign this summer. At the end of July, Dan will bike ride from Santa Monica, California, to Chicago, Illinois, along the famous Route 66 to raise awareness of our mission to raise expectations of blind people. This is an opportunity for us to connect with more people across the country—coordinating meet and greets along the ride. Sponsorship opportunities are also available for partners. There are still lots of details to coordinate and we will be sharing them all as they unfold. Learn more at  <http://nfb.org/route66> nfb.org/route66 and sign up for email updates. 

Growing Support for Our Legislative Priorities: 

Last week we gained four new cosponsors across two of our bills in the House of Representatives. First, the Medical Device Nonvisual Accessibility Act added Representative Frank Mrvan (Indiana), bringing the total number of cosponsors for that bill up to forty-three. Then, the Transformation to Competitive Integrated Employment Act added Representatives Chellie Pingree (Maine), Becca Balint (Vermont), and Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick (Florida) to bring the total number of cosponsors up to five. This is a strong showing in the early parts of the 118th Congress, but we need to keep pressing to really show that our priorities are important, so call or email your representatives and ask them to cosponsor the Medical Device Nonvisual Accessibility Act (H.R. 1328) and the Transformation to Competitive Integrated Employment Act (H.R. 1263). 

High School Equivalency Test (HiSET) Exam Experiences: 

If you, or someone you know, has interacted with the PSI testing-service provider while preparing for or taking the High School Equivalency Test (HiSET) exam, the new alternative to the GED, we encourage you to share your experience with us. Please email  <mailto:legal at nfb.org> legal at nfb.org if you have any experiences to share, including interactions regarding both practice tests and testing materials. 

Upcoming Event: Basics of PDF Remediation: 

On Tuesday, April 25, the Center of Excellence in Nonvisual Access will present an Accessibility Boutique on creating accessible PDF documents. Come learn strategies experts use to make digital documents readable by screen readers!  <https://nfb.org/civicrm/mailing/url?u=28168&qid=8111077> Register for the Basics of PDF Remediation boutique today.  

Where the Blind Work—Investigating the News with Blind Journalists: 

Journalism involves interviewing, research, and sometimes extensive travel, all of which could potentially present barriers to entry for blind people given society’s low expectations. We are severely underrepresented in the field, making our perspective even more valuable. Some blind journalists have been immensely successful. Join us on April 20, 8:00-9:15 p.m., eastern, to find out how.  <https://nfb.org/programs-services/employment/where-the-blind-work-webinars-registration> Registration information is available on our website.  

Dates to Keep in Mind: (all times eastern) 

*	April 15: Deadline for  <https://nfb.org/programs-services/scholarships-and-awards/dr-jacob-bolotin-awards/application-information%22%20/t%20%22_blank> Bolotin Award submissions 
*	April 15: Deadline for  <https://nfb.org/get-involved/national-convention/kenneth-jernigan-convention-scholarship> Kenneth Jernigan Convention Scholarship 
*	April 20: Where the Blind Work: Blind Journalists, 8:00 p.m. 
*	April 25: Accessibility Boutique: Creating Accessible PDF Documents 
*	May 10: Introduction to the Organized Blind Movement, 8:00 p.m. 
*	July 1-6: 2023 National Convention; Houston, Texas 
*	August 9: Introduction to the Organized Blind Movement, 8:00 p.m. 
*	November 8: Introduction to the Organized Blind Movement, 8:00 p.m. 

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