[NFBofSC] FW: NFB President’s Notebook - Week of 08/26/2024

Wed Aug 28 00:16:19 UTC 2024

Good Evening All,

There are some important items in this President’s Notebook. Pay close attention to the Uber and Lift rally information.

My Thanks,

Marty

Marty R. McKenzie, President

From: President, National Federation of the Blind <OfficeOfThePresident at nfb.org> 
Sent: Monday, August 26, 2024 12:00 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 08/26/2024

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,

As we speed toward the end of August, I note that the Federation fall calendar is already quickly filling up. The big news that I hope you have already locked onto is our announcement of a Rideshare Rally in San Francisco in October. Please do what you can to have at least one representative from your affiliate attend this event. We would prefer that the individual be a guide dog user, although that is not strictly required. We want to make a very strong showing and include every affiliate.

I just got back from taking my mom to San Francisco. It is fun to utilize the advancements that have been made because of the collective action of the Federation. During our time there we took a ride in a Waymo vehicle, and it reminded me how important it is that we were pioneering accessibility with the autonomous vehicle industry more than fifteen years ago. I had a number of other meetings to discuss engagement with the blind community in emerging technologies. Stay tuned for ways that you can participate.

Finally, thank you to those who have taken time to write to me about both the importance of having a message from our President at every chapter meeting and the opportunities to evolve the format. Your thoughtfulness is deeply appreciated. For those of you who have not taken the time to share your thoughts, please know that the door is always open.

Critical Actions:

Upcoming Presidential Release:

The National Federation of the Blind  <https://nfb.org/resources/publications-and-media/presidential-releases> Presidential Release #541 is scheduled for Tuesday, September 3, at 8:00 p.m., eastern. Mark your calendar.  <https://nfb-org.zoom.us/j/91333399714> Zoom Meeting ID 913 3339 9714. Please submit questions to  <mailto:cdanielsen at nfb.org> cdanielsen at nfb.org with #PR541 in the subject line. 

News:

Rideshare Rally in San Francisco:

The National Federation of the Blind announced an upcoming Rideshare Rally at the Lyft and Uber headquarters on October 15 in San Francisco, California. Join our demonstration to protest rideshare discrimination against blind people using guide dogs and white canes. Please let us know if you are interested in attending this demonstration by submitting the  <https://nfb.org/programs-services/advocacy/rideshare-rally-interest> Rideshare Rally Interest Form. Please note: the exact location and rally route will be shared in the coming weeks with recommended lodging for those traveling to San Francisco. More details coming soon. 

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, and celebrations to  <mailto:web at nfb.org> web at nfb.org, so they can be posted on  <https://nfb.org/blind-month> https://nfb.org/blind-month. If you need items or ideas, check out  <https://nfb.org/civicrm/mailing/view?id=2378&reset=1> the free literature resources and White Cane Awareness Day Proclamation. Reminder: please use Blind Equality Achievement Month, Blind Month, or #BlindMonth when referring to and promoting activities.  

Promote Voting Resources

The National Federation of the Blind works to provide information and resources regarding accessible voting. A great opportunity for affiliates, chapters, and members is to host a voter registration drive over the next couple of months to share the voting resources. You can find the resources at  <https://nfb.org/vote> https://nfb.org/vote. Share the importance of voting and the voting resources on social media, during chapter meetings, and at state conventions.  

Dare to Be Remarkable Conference:

Register for the National Federation of the Blind 2024  <https://nfb.org/programs-services/education/dare-be-remarkable> Dare to Be Remarkable conference, a three-day national conference for education and rehabilitation professionals who work with blind students and adults. The conference will be held from November 11-13 at the National Federation of the Blind Jernigan Institute. We also invite you to submit your presentation proposals for this event. The deadline to submit proposals is September 20. 

Registration is $400 until October 5 and $500 after October 6. Register on our website,  <https://nfb.org/programs-services/employment/dare-be-remarkable> Dare to Be Remarkable Conference.

Please direct all inquiries to the conference organizers, Edward Bell ( <mailto:ebell at latech.edu> ebell at latech.edu or 318-257-4554) or Anil Lewis ( <mailto:alewis at nfb.org> alewis at nfb.org or 410-659-9314, extension 2374).

Access Technology Affordability Act (H.R. 3702/S. 1467):

In the last couple of weeks, we have gained three new cosponsors on the Access Technology Affordability Act (H.R. 3702/S. 1467) in the House. Representative Judy Chu of California, Representative Jerry Carl of Alabama, and Delegate James Moylan of Guam have all joined in support of the bill. We now have a total of ninety-eight cosponsors on the Access Technology Affordability Act in the House of Representatives. We are so close to that milestone one hundred cosponsor mark, so please keep calling and emailing your representatives and urge them to cosponsor the Access Technology Affordability Act, H.R. 3702.

Braille Calendars

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  <https://actionfund.org/resources/braille-calendars> the online form at actionfund.org or by sending an email to  <mailto:calendars at actionfund.org> calendars at actionfund.org. 

Advanced PDF Tagging Techniques – Forms:

The upcoming CENA event, Advanced PDF Tagging Techniques: Forms, will happen on Tuesday, August 27, from 2:00-3:30 p.m., eastern. Join CENA to learn how to make fillable forms accessible to screen readers. Register today at  <https://nfb.org/form/accessibility-boutique-reg> https://nfb.org/form/accessibility-boutique-reg.

Dates to Keep in Mind:

(all times eastern)

*	February 3, 2025: Great Gathering-In 
*	February 3-6, 2025: Washington Seminar
*	July 8-13, 2025: National Convention; New Orleans, Louisiana

Introduction to the Organized Blind Movement

*	Wednesday, November 6, 8:00 p.m. 

Chapter Presidents Calls

*	Thursday, September 12, and Sunday, September 15, at 8:00 p.m. 
*	Thursday, December 19, and Sunday, December 22, at 8:00 p.m. 

The National Federation of the Blind advances the lives of its members and all blind people in the United States. We know 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. Our collective power, determination, and diversity achieve the aspirations of all blind people.

Mark A. Riccobono, President
National Federation of the Blind 
200 East Wells Street, Baltimore, MD 21230
410-659-9314 |  <mailto:Officeofthepresident at nfb.org> Officeofthepresident at nfb.org

Please engage with me through  <https://riccobono.personal.ai/messaging/profile> Riccobono Personal AI
Mastodon: @President at nfb.social 
Pronouns: he, him, his

 <https://nfb.org/> 

                          <http://www.facebook.com/nationalfederationoftheblind>      <https://twitter.com/NFB_Voice>      <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. 

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