[NFBofSC] NFB President’s Notebook - Week of 04/15/2025

Wed Apr 16 22:48:06 UTC 2025

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,

Yesterday was Tax Day, which is an important day for a nonprofit organization like ours. In case you're saying, "but we don't pay taxes," stay with me. American tax code allows us to operate in an environment where we are not subject to taxes. Like any system, this has both advantages and disadvantages. The money we raise can be used for our charitable purpose as long as we stay within that purpose. This is a commitment we make to the government and, more importantly, to our donors. This is the same benefit that allows us to receive financial contributions that our donors can use to reduce their tax burden with the government. This benefits us in many ways. So, if you were dreading Tax Day, instead use the day to honor our donors and the difference they empower us to make through our meaningful mission. Take the opportunity today to thank our donors. I take this opportunity to thank you as one of our contributors and extend my deep appreciation to our affiliates for the impact that the dollars sent to the national organization have on the lives of blind people across the nation, including my own family.

Furthermore, when we advise affiliate leaders about documents that need to be filed and procedures that should be used around fundraising, it is to preserve the benefits noted above. We are able to operate as a nonprofit organization and get the benefits of that because we follow rules prescribed for 501(c)(3) organizations. If we fail to adhere to those rules, we can put the nonprofit status of our organization in jeopardy. If one of our affiliates makes a significant mistake, it has the potential to harm the status of other affiliates. Although our affiliates are independent organizations, we have agreed to coordinate and work together in a nationwide movement. Thus, we all have a shared responsibility to our donor base.

Finally, many Americans will be getting refunds from the IRS. Those dollars make a difference in local communities. Those dollars can also make a difference in the mission of the National Federation of the Blind. Our Give $25 Campaign is coming up and it will be critical that you ask people you know to consider giving some of their dollars—say twenty-five of them—to our mission so that we can continue our record of accomplishment for blind people. Now is the time to plan for who you are going to ask to support the Federation so that we can come into the National Convention with a strong wave of public support.

Thank you and happy Tax Day!

Critical Actions:

Mark Your Calendar: Presidential Release Live on May 15:

The next Presidential Release Live will be Thursday, May 15, at 8:00 p.m., Eastern, in honor of Global Accessibility Awareness Day. Zoom details are below. Attend to get the latest updates on the movement, ask questions, and hear important perspectives on the organized blind movement. Submit questions or suggestions to  <mailto:communications at nfb.org> communications at nfb.org.

Presidential Release Live Zoom:  <https://nfb-org.zoom.us/j/96380567586> https://nfb-org.zoom.us/j/96380567586

One Tap Mobile: +13017158592,,96380567586# US

Zoom ID: 96380567586

Note: The  <https://nfb.org/resources/publications-and-media/presidential-releases> Presidential Release chapter recordings are available by the first Friday of each month. Please share the chapter recording as part of your chapter meeting agenda and discuss among members.  

National Convention:

Reminder: Register and Book Hotel for National Convention:

Promote registration for the 2025 National Federation of the Blind  <https://nfb.org/get-involved/national-convention> National Convention, July 8-13, in New Orleans. Let members know to register early because prices go up if you register on site in New Orleans. Registration includes the biggest event of the year, access to the event app, and communications on the latest news and events. Reserve your room by calling 888-236-2427 for the Marriott or 855-516-1090 for the Sheraton New Orleans. Ask for the “National Federation of the Blind 2025 Convention” block. 

News:

Letter to the Social Security Administration:

On March 26 we sent a  <https://nfb.org/programs-services/advocacy/policy-statements/letter-social-security-administration-regarding-recent> letter to the Acting Commissioner of the Social Security Administration (SSA), Leland Dudek, in response to several proposed policy changes that had recently been announced by the SSA. Most notably, this letter was in response to announced planned reductions in the number of employees who work for SSA, and the closing of dozens of Social Security field offices across the country. This letter can be read in full on the  <https://nfb.org/programs-services/advocacy/policy-statements> Policy Statements page of our website. After we sent our letter, there were further developments to this situation. See the next item for details.

Legal News: Disability Advocates Sue to Stop Unlawful Cuts to Social Security Services:

We filed a federal lawsuit on April 2, 2025, with several disability advocacy organizations and individual plaintiffs. As shared in the press release, “Many blind Americans rely on Social Security benefits for their survival and for the support of their families...In the most severe cases, these cuts could endanger people’s very lives. The National Federation of the Blind supports greater government efficiency and recognizes that much can be done to improve the SSA, but careful planning and collaboration with blind Americans and other disability advocates are the right ways to handle reform.”  <https://nfb.org/about-us/press-room/disability-advocates-sue-social-security-administration-and-doge-stop-unlawful?fbclid=IwY2xjawJqpNdleHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHosh9nhSbHJoKZv9v45x_e8tapICdaQ5cZy3IWHIN1ALUFxQGrLF0guWKQF1_aem_VaqOVDHjJN8BrkC0nndy2Q> Read and share the full press release.

Federal Workers Impacted by Recent Layoffs:

We know that federal employees with disabilities have been disproportionally affected by recent reductions in the federal employment workforce, and we are doing all we can to help our blind colleagues. If you are a federal worker impacted by the government layoffs and are interested in information on career opportunities through the National Federation of the Blind Employment Initiatives, please submit the  <https://nfb.org/programs-services/employment/general-interest-form> Employment Interest Form to receive announcements about career opportunities and to receive notices about potential financial support to attend the NFB National Convention to explore additional employment opportunities.

Chapter Presidents Listserv Clean Up:

Affiliate presidents have recently been asked to confirm/update chapter presidents and their email addresses so we can clean up the chapter president listserv distribution. Current chapter presidents who are not yet subscribed will be added in the near future, and those who are not chapter presidents any longer will be removed. If you have not yet sent your affiliate's list of current chapter presidents and their email addresses, the deadline is April 18. Going forward, when a new chapter president is elected (or otherwise put into that position), please send an email to  <mailto:bbraun at nfb.org> Beth Braun so that modifications can be made to the listserv, the database, and access to the NFB Portal and the Membership Management module.

Jesse Shirek Testimony to the House Appropriations Committee, Subcommittee on the Legislative Branch:

On April 9, Jesse Shirek, one of our government affairs specialists, testified in front of the Subcommittee on the Legislative Branch regarding the importance of the National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled (NLS). Jesse emphasized how critical it was that the subcommittee maintain at least the current level of funding for the NLS. The testimony can be found in full, beginning at 14:10, on the  <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hxf9vGtDAOU> House Appropriations Committee YouTube channel. You can also  <https://appropriations.house.gov/schedule/hearings/legislative-branch-public-witness-day?fbclid=IwY2xjawJqpgdleHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHh8n73G_ZktPBfzHdkkcx94R6LDzkeZWdJAqDHD8BJlmVCLshrgOw9pjN5Yp_aem_-j4eXu3V6b0EZtwRSqXbMA> read and share the full written and verbal testimony from the hearing.

Letter to the Secretary of Education Regarding the Executive Order to Close the Department of Education:

On March 20, 2025, the White House issued an executive order to close the United States Department of Education. Just a few days later, on March 25, we sent a  <https://nfb.org/programs-services/advocacy/policy-statements/letter-secretary-education-regarding-executive-order> letter to the Secretary of Education, Linda McMahon, reminding her of the importance of many programs for blind and disabled Americans that are currently administered by the Department of Education, and urging her to maintain those programs. Our letter can be read in full on the  <https://nfb.org/programs-services/advocacy/policy-statements> Policy Statements page of our website. On April 11, we received a response from Diana Diaz, the Acting Assistant Secretary for Special Education and Rehabilitative Services, which states in part, “No employees in the Office of Special Education Programs or the Rehabilitation Services Administration were part of the reduction in force. The Department is committed to ensuring uninterrupted services to meet the needs and develop the potential of children and youth with disabilities, while also supporting states and other agencies in providing vocational rehabilitation and other services.”

Access Technology Affordability Act (H.R. 1529):

Last week, the United States House of Representatives passed the FY25 Concurrent Budget Resolution. Now that both chambers of Congress have passed this resolution, the work begins on the comprehensive tax bill, part of the reconciliation process that is frequently mentioned in the news. This is the ideal opportunity that members of the National Federation of the Blind have been waiting for to get the Access Technology Affordability Act included as part of the larger tax legislation. A legislative alert was sent out by Jesse Shirekon Monday, April 14, on this very topic, so please check your inboxes and review it carefully to understand the next steps that we need to take in order to get the Access Technology Affordability Act passed into law!

New State Legislation Harmful to Blind Merchants:

The respective state legislatures in North Dakota and Tennessee are considering statutory changes that would dramatically restrict or eliminate opportunities for blind merchants to continue to operate vending facilities in these states. We are coordinating with affiliates and the National Association of Blind Merchants to defeat this harmful legislation. If you learn of similar legislation in your state, please reach out immediately to Jesse Shirek, government affairs specialist, by emailing  <mailto:jshirek at nfb.org> jshirek at nfb.org or calling 410-659-9314, extension 2348.

A Breakfast Response to Low Expectations:

Every day, the National Federation of the Blind raises the expectations of blind people, because low expectations create obstacles between blind people and our dreams. An example of low expectations was displayed in a segment of The Breakfast Club radio show regarding a news story of a blind man named Terry Sutherland, from Indiana, who acquired a gun license but felt that he shouldn’t have been because he is blind. The Breakfast Club agreed with him and began to perpetuate misconceptions about blind people. We address those misconceptions in a video featuring national board members, Jim Marks and Shawn Callaway, and Federationists, Danielle McCann and Anil Lewis.  <https://youtu.be/V8HwahweBJI?si=FFWzzB_oBtomMNqZ> Watch and share the video, “Serving Up the Truth: A Breakfast Response on What It Really Means to Be Blind.”

Dates to Keep in Mind:

(all times eastern)

*	May 1: Deadline for applications for the Blind Educator of the Year Award <https://nfb.org/programs-services/scholarships-and-awards/blind-educator-year-award> .
*	May 1: Deadline for applications for the Distinguished Educator of Blind Students Award <https://nfb.org/programs-services/scholarships-and-awards/distinguished-educator-blind-students-award> .
*	May 16-17: Diabetes Action Network; Baltimore, Maryland; registration coming soon.
*	July 8-13: National Convention; New Orleans, Louisiana

Introduction to the Organized Blind Movement

*	Wednesday, May 7
*	Wednesday, August 6
*	Wednesday, November 5

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