[NFBofSC] FW: NFB President’s Notebook - Week of 8/2/2023

Wed Aug 2 22:14:49 UTC 2023

Good Evening All,

Please see the below President’s Notebook. Note that there is a survey regarding the 2023 national convention included. If you attended the convention, please complete this survey.

My Best,

Marty

From: President, National Federation of the Blind <OfficeOfThePresident at nfb.org>
Sent: Wednesday, August 2, 2023 3:07 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 8/2/2023

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

Dear Federation Family,

July flew past, and it is because of all the good progress we are making. There are many important notes below that I call your attention to. As our fall conventions take shape, I encourage you to make sure we are staying focused on the core work of building our movement. I hope that each of you also has found a little time to get away for the summer.

I specifically want to highlight the Kenneth Jernigan Leadership-in-Service Program and the pending deadline this month. I know it is a short trigger for this pilot program, but we did not want to delay. If you have questions, please reach out to me.

Critical Actions:
Calling Visionary Leaders—Kenneth Jernigan Leadership-in-Service Program:
Are you passionate about empowering the blind community? Do you have a burning desire to make a difference and lead with conviction? The National Federation of the Blind invites you to be part of our pilot cohort that will develop the Kenneth Jernigan Leadership-in-Service Program. Prepare to embark on a transformative journey that will shape you into a powerful advocate for blind individuals, foster your personal growth, and simultaneously develop a program to build future leaders and a stronger community.

This is a leadership training opportunity that should not be taken lightly. Interested individuals should meet the following criteria:
·         Have a fundamental understanding of the NFB
·         Have attended at least one national convention
·         Have attended at least one affiliate convention
·         Ideally serve, or have served, in an elected position in a chapter, affiliate, or division
·         Commit to participate in three in-person sessions (travel and lodging provided)
·         Commit to participate in nine virtual monthly sessions (computer and internet access required)

In order to apply, interested individuals should contact and secure the support of two NFB affiliate presidents who agree to serve as sponsors/mentors for the program, providing them with a written essay or audio/video recording explaining the merits of your participation and your leadership goals. Affiliate presidents are only allowed to sponsor two candidates, and they must make their submissions to the Office of the President by August 25, 2023.

We will hold a Zoom call to answer questions about this program on Wednesday, August 16, at 8:00 p.m. Those interested in participating in the call should RSVP via email to officeofthepresident at nfb.org<mailto:officeofthepresident at nfb.org>. We will send the Zoom link that day to those who RSVP. We will finish by 8:29 so that those who want to join the Uber call can jump over to that call.

Convention Survey and Highlights:
Thank you for a great #NFB23 convention. Please share feedback in the National Federation of the Blind survey available at nfb.org/convention<https://nfb.org/convention> in English and Spanish or by phone. To complete the survey by phone, call 229-632-7878 or toll-free 833-632-7878. Please note that the phone number above provides the survey in an automated system and will require the survey to be completed in one session. There is an option to pause the survey for five minutes and the pause can be extended as needed. Push the pound key for help. The #NFB23 convention highlights are also available at nfb.org/convention<https://nfb.org/convention>. Save the date: NFB24 is scheduled for July 3 through 8 in Orlando, Florida.

News:
Route 66 Ride for Literacy Update:
The National Federation of the Blind Route 66 Ride for Literacy with Dan O’Rourke has officially kicked off. Starting in Santa Monica, California, on July 27, Dan has biked across the first state and is heading through Arizona as of August 1. Please share this ride with your friends and family to raise awareness on the importance of Braille literacy and connecting with our community. Follow the Ride for Literacy at nfb.org/route66<https://nfb.org/route66>.

United States Access Board Meeting:
On Tuesday, July 25, the United States Access Board conducted its quarterly meeting at our headquarters right here in Baltimore. The public portion of the meeting is available on the Access Board’s YouTube channel<https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LUgAv8c_HzY>.

House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee Hearing on Autonomous Vehicles:
On Wednesday, July 26, the House Committee on Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Innovation, Data, and Commerce conducted a legislative hearing titled “Self-Driving Vehicle Legislative Framework: Enhancing Safety, Improving Lives and Mobility, and Beating China.” I was asked to testify at this hearing regarding the impact of autonomous vehicles on people with disabilities. My written testimony<https://nfb.org/sites/nfb.org/files/2023-07/IDC_Mark%20Riccobono%20Testimony-Self%20Driving%20Vehicles-AV%20Hearing_7.26.2023.pdf> is available on our Policy Statements page, and the full video of the hearing<https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-um7LWAEUTY>, including my verbal testimony<https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-um7LWAEUTY&t=2805s>, is available on the Energy and Commerce Committee’s YouTube channel.

Uber Town Hall Meeting:
Thank you to everyone who participated in the Uber Town Hall meeting last Thursday, July 27. We had approximately three hundred people on the call. Uber will be conducting a second town hall meeting regarding service animals on Wednesday, August 16, at 8:30 p.m., eastern, in case you missed the first call and want to have an opportunity to participate. Please stay tuned for Zoom information, which will be available in the coming weeks.

Rideshare Denials:
The National Federation of the Blind encourages individuals who are denied access to an Uber or Lyft vehicle due to the presence of a service animal or otherwise on the basis of blindness to file complaints with the Civil Rights division of the US Department of Justice. Complaints of each incident can be filed using the following online form: civilrights.justice.gov/report/<https://civilrights.justice.gov/report/>.

Individuals who file complaints through this multi-step online form should download or print a copy of the confirmation screen, which contains the text of the complaint and the record number (example 123987-ABC). The text of a submitted complaint is not currently included in the confirmation email or easily available after you leave the submission screen.

We are asking members to forward the email confirmation of the complaints or send their record numbers to legal at nfb.org<mailto:legal at nfb.org> so that our legal team may follow up in further advocacy. Submitting an online complaint through the above website should generate a confirmation email from civilrightsdonotreply at mail.civilrights.usdoj.gov<mailto:civilrightsdonotreply at mail.civilrights.usdoj.gov>. Note that the Department of Justice has significant enforcement power under the Americans with Disabilities Act. Several of our members participated in a recent multi-million-dollar settlement involving discriminatory wait-time fees. Individuals can learn more about that case at the following website: justice.gov/crt/case/united-states-v-uber-technologies-inc<https://www.justice.gov/crt/case/united-states-v-uber-technologies-inc>.

Please help us advocate for change in the rideshare space by submitting your complaints to the US DOJ and forwarding the confirmation emails so we can follow up.

Blind Equality Achievement Month Planning:
Remember history. Advance equality. Celebrate accomplishments. The National Federation of the Blind celebrates the organized blind movement during October each year. Chapters across the country organize local outreach events. Submit your events, activities, celebrations to web at nfb.org<mailto:web at nfb.org>, so they can be posted on nfb.org/blind-month<https://nfb.org/blind-month>. If you need items or ideas, check out the free literature resources and White Cane Awareness Day Proclamation<https://nfb.org/civicrm/mailing/view?id=2378&reset=1>.

Braille Calendars:
Are you ready for a 2024 Braille calendar? The American Action Fund for Blind Children and Adults produces over eight thousand Braille calendars each year, and they are given free to any blind or deafblind persons in the United States. These pocket calendars are great for the office, home, or your travel bag.

You can order up to three Braille calendars via our online form at actionfund.org/resources/braille-calendars<http://actionfund.org/resources/braille-calendars>, by sending an email to actionfund at actionfund.org<mailto:actionfund at actionfund.org>, or by leaving a telephone message at 410-659-9315.
As in past years, the Action Fund offers each NFB affiliate an opportunity to order up to fifty Braille calendars for the members of their affiliate. Just send us an email by August 31, 2023, and we will make sure your request is completed.

Dream Makers Circle:
You can help build a future of opportunity for the blind by becoming a member of our Dream Makers Circle. It is easier than you think. You can visit your bank and convert an account to a P.O.D. (payable on death) bank account, which is payable after your passing to the National Federation of the Blind or one of our affiliates. Your legacy gift to the National Federation of the Blind or the National Federation of the Blind of {insert state} can be made in the form of a will or living trust, an income-generating gift, or by naming us as the beneficiary of a retirement plan, IRA, pension, or a life insurance policy. You can designate a specific amount, a percentage, or list the NFB as one of several beneficiaries. For additional information, please contact Patti Chang at 410-659-9314, extension 2422, or at pchang at nfb.org<mailto:pchang at nfb.org>.

Vehicle Donations:
The National Federation of the Blind uses car donations to improve the education of blind children, distribute free white canes, help veterans, and so much more. We have partnered with Vehicles for Charity to process donated vehicles. Please call toll-free 855-659-9314, and a representative can make arrangements. Or you can donate online by visiting nfb.org/vehicledonations<http://www.nfb.org/vehicledonations>.

Preauthorized Contributions (PAC):
Can you help the National Federation of the Blind on a regular basis? Please consider joining our preauthorized contribution plan. Starting at $5 per month, you can help us turn dreams into reality and raise expectations for blind people. Visit nfb.org/pac<https://nfb.formstack.com/forms/pac> to fill out the online form or email pac at nfb.org<mailto:pac at nfb.org> for additional information.

Dates to Keep in Mind:
(all times eastern)

  *   August 9: Introduction to the Organized Blind Movement, 8:00 p.m.
  *   August 16: Call to answer questions about the Kenneth Jernigan Leadership-in-Service Program, 8:00 p.m.
  *   August 16: Uber Town Hall #2, 8:30 p.m.
  *   August 25: Deadline for submissions for the Kenneth Jernigan Leadership-in-Service Program
  *   August 31: Deadline for affiliates to request calendars<mailto:actionfund at actionfund.org>
  *   September 7 and 10: Chapter Presidents Call, 8:00 p.m. (Blind Equality Achievement Month)
  *   October: 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)
  *   July 3-8, 2024: National Convention; Orlando, Florida

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>
Mastodon: @President at nfb.social
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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