[NFBofSC] FW: NFB President’s Notebook - Week of 04/25/2023

Tue Apr 25 22:51:19 UTC 2023

Good Evening All,

Please take a look at the President’s Notebook for this week. There are some interesting items and President Riccobono’s thought-provoking lead.

My Thanks,

Marty

From: President, National Federation of the Blind <OfficeOfThePresident at nfb.org>
Sent: Tuesday, April 25, 2023 3:58 PM
To: State Presidents <StatePresidents at nfb.org>; NFB-Division-Leaders at nfbnet.org; NCB Staff <NCBStaff at nfb.org>
Subject: NFB President’s Notebook - Week of 04/25/2023

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

Fellow Federationists:
What does it mean when we say we want to be "strategic" in our work in the organized blind movement. I encourage you to think about it as you apply it to your work at the affiliate or division level of the Federation. The Federation is in the process of completing its strategic plan to guide our work for the next three years, and I thought we should think together about what strategic means.
Strategic is defined as:

  *   Relating to the identification of long-term or overall aims and interests and the means of achieving them.
  *   Carefully designed or planned to serve a particular purpose or advantage.
  *   Similar: planned, calculated, deliberate, tactical, politic, judicious, prudent, clever, shrewd, well thought out
  *   Opposite: random

As our organization grows in its scope and depth, we need to be careful that we focus our energy and imagination toward the Federation's mission and overall objectives. It is challenging sometimes because there are times when we are asked to do things that are outside of our mission. We often talk about "staying in our lane." Our efforts to be strategic should focus us on our mission.
Remember "relating to the identification of long-term or overall aims and interests..." You can find the purpose of the Federation in Article II of our Constitution. For our strategic plan we have boiled that down into a more concise mission statement: "We work tirelessly to improve the lives of blind people by fostering personal empowerment, coordinating nationwide advocacy, and building a network of collective achievement."
What makes us unique and outstanding is that we are a membership-driven organization, not an agency for the blind. In achieving our mission, the key is using the right tools and tactics to achieve our aims. This is where being strategic also means we must focus our energy on those tactics that get us closer to our mission. This does not mean taking the easy road but it does mean making the hard decisions about what we should and should not be doing.
As you ponder these definitions of the word, make a list of things your affiliate is undertaking that can be considered strategic. Make a second list of things that are not strategic--not helping us get closer to our stated mission. This list is just for you. Consider how you can focus more on the first list and less on the second. Also prepare to lead your members in that same direction.

Critical Actions:
Next Week: May Presidential Release:
Attend the next Presidential Release #527 on Tuesday, May 2, at 8:00 p.m., eastern. Submit questions for the Q&A sessions by sending an email to cdanielsen at nfb.org<mailto:cdanielsen at nfb.org> with the subject line #PR527. Closed captions and Spanish interpretations are available. Presidential Release Zoom ID: 959 0944 8660<https://zoom.us/j/95909448660>.
Deadline Approaching–Submit Nominations for Distinguished Educator of Blind Students Award:
The education of blind children is one of the National Federation of the Blind's highest priorities. We are committed to offering and supporting programs that enhance educational opportunities for this group. Please help us recognize dedicated and innovative teachers who provide quality education and meaningful experiences and opportunities for their blind students. Nominate a teacher, counselor, or administrator of programs for blind students. Deadline is May 1. Learn more about the Distinguished Educator of Blind Students Award<https://nfb.org/programs-services/scholarships-and-awards/distinguished-educator-blind-students-award>.
Deadline Approaching—Submit Nominations for Blind Educator of the Year Award:
The Blind Educator of the Year Award<https://nfb.org/programs-services/scholarships-and-awards/blind-educator-year-award> was established by the National Organization of Blind Educators, a division of the NFB, in 1991 to recognize outstanding blind teachers. It is presented at the NFB National Convention. Honorees must be present to receive their award, which includes an inscribed plaque and a check for $1,000. Submit your nominations for Blind Educator of the Year by May 1.<https://nfb.org/programs-services/scholarships-and-awards/blind-educator-year-award>

News:
Legislation Update:
Between our two legislative priorities currently in Congress, we have recently added six new cosponsors to our bills in the House of Representatives. First, the Medical Device Nonvisual Accessibility Act (H.R. 1328) gained four new cosponsors to bring the total number of cosponsors up to forty-seven. The new supporters are Jennifer McClellan (Virginia), Joyce Beatty (Ohio), Derek Kilmer (Washington), and Sharice Davids (Kansas). Meanwhile, the Transformation to Competitive Integrated Employment Act (H.R. 1263) gained two new cosponsors in the House to bring the total on that bill up to seven. The new cosponsors are Ilhan Omar of Minnesota and Jill Tokuda of Hawaii. Please continue to call or email your member of Congress to ask them to support our legislation.

Meeting with the Bureau of Engraving and Printing:
On Thursday, April 13, I met with the director of the Bureau of Engraving and Printing (BEP), Len Olijar, to discuss the next generation of paper currency in the United States. Our meeting was cordial and productive, and I was even able to preview some of the raised tactile features that will be implemented on the upcoming redesign of the ten-dollar bill, scheduled to be released in 2026.

Teachers of Tomorrow:
Applications are now open for the 2023-2024 National Federation of the Blind Teachers of Tomorrow cohort. NFB Teachers of Tomorrow is an immersive professional-development program that connects teachers of blind and low-vision students to the lived experiences of blind people. The program will equip the participants with knowledge of the skills and attitudes that can help blind students thrive in school and beyond. Please encourage teachers of blind students in your affiliate to apply for this opportunity and help circulate the application information to any university programs that prepare teachers of blind students where you have contacts. For more information, visit https://nfb.org/programs-services/education/teachers-tomorrow.

Rideshare Guide Dog Refusals:
Despite several recent meetings with Lyft stemming from our Resolution 2022-13<https://nfb.org/resources/speeches-and-reports/resolutions/2022-resolutions#13> at last year’s national convention in New Orleans, the problem of guide dog users being denied service persists. The most recent denial to receive prominent media attention happened to Judge David Tatel, a senior judge at the US Court of Appeals in Washington, DC. Judge Tatel’s experience was reported by Rachel Weiner in The Washington Post on April 20, 2023, in an article titled “A federal judge was refused a Lyft ride with his guide dog. He’s not alone.<https://www.washingtonpost.com/dc-md-va/2023/04/20/blind-ride-share-guide-dogs/?utm_source=headtopics&utm_medium=news&utm_campaign=2023-04-20>”

Latest Podcast Episodes:
The Nation's Blind Podcast<https://nfb.org/resources/publications-and-media/nations-blind-podcast> highlights different themes related to blindness, independent living, and news from the National Federation of the Blind. New episodes come out on the tenth and twentieth of each month. Subscribe and listen by searching for "Nation's Blind Podcast" in your podcast client. Access our recent podcast episodes:<https://nfb.org/resources/publications-and-media/nations-blind-podcast> “US Currency to Become Easier to Use,” “The Myth of the Model Federationist,” and “NFB Helps Win Battle for Blind Federal Employees.” Transcripts included.

Hear from Members in Our Blogs:
The Voice of the Nation's Blind Blog features stories from our members, news, and commentary on issues affecting our community. Read our latest posts, “How the Medical Device Nonvisual Accessibility Act Has Turned Me into an Impassioned Advocate,” by Debbie Wunder<https://nfb.org/blog/how-medical-device-nonvisual-accessibility-act-has-turned-me-impassioned-advocate> and “Taming the Accessibility Wild West,” by Amy Mason<https://nfb.org/blog/taming-accessibility-wild-west>.

Save the Date: 2023 Global Accessibility Awareness Day is May 18:
Join us on Global Accessibility Awareness Day for a one-hour seminar about Section 508 for government employees with disabilities, their supervisors, human resource professionals, and anyone else interested. Learn about what it is supposed to do and how people with disabilities can work together to leverage the new ruling. Stay tuned for more details.

Dates to Keep in Mind:
(all times eastern)

  *   May 1: Deadline for nominations for Blind Educator of the Year Award<https://nfb.org/programs-services/scholarships-and-awards/blind-educator-year-award>
  *   May 1: Deadline for nominations for the Distinguished Educator of Blind Students Award<https://nfb.org/programs-services/scholarships-and-awards/distinguished-educator-blind-students-award>
  *   May 10: Introduction to the Organized Blind Movement, 8:00 p.m.
  *   May 18: Global Accessibility Awareness Day
  *   June 1 and 4: Chapter Presidents Call, 8:00 p.m. (Member Engagement and National Convention)
  *   July 1-6, 2023: National Convention<https://nfb.org/get-involved/national-convention/kenneth-jernigan-convention-scholarship>; Houston, Texas
  *   August 9: Introduction to the Organized Blind Movement, 8:00 p.m.
  *   September 7 and 10: Chapter Presidents Call, 8:00 p.m. (Blind Equality Achievement Month)
  *   November 8: Introduction to the Organized Blind Movement, 8:00 p.m.
  *   December 7 and 10: Chapter Presidents Call, 8:00 p.m. (Planning the Year Ahead)

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<mailto:Officeofthepresident at nfb.org>
Twitter: @Riccobono
Pronouns: he, him, his

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

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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.

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