[NFBofSC] NFB President’s Notebook - Week of 04/29/2025

Tue Apr 29 23:26:46 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

Critical Actions:

Federal Employees with Disabilities:

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 aware of blind federal workers impacted by the government layoffs, please encourage them to submit the  <https://nfb.org/programs-services/employment/general-interest-form> Employment Interest Form to receive announcements about career opportunities. Thanks to our partners at the American Action Fund for Blind Children and Adults, these individuals can also  <https://nfb.org/programs-services/employment/federal-workers/convention-support-application> apply for support to participate in career activities at the national convention in New Orleans.

National Convention:

Convention Resolutions:

The national convention is coming soon! Our Resolutions Committee, chaired by Donald Porterfield, is currently accepting proposed resolutions for the convention to consider. Proposed resolutions should be emailed to the committee at  <mailto:resolutions at nfb.org> resolutions at nfb.org. Don’t forget, the deadline for submitting a resolution is Sunday, June 8, at midnight, eastern. Donald published a  <https://nfb.org/blog/resolutions-101-way-drive-external-change> blog post on the topic of writing resolutions, so be sure to check it out as you prepare to submit yours.

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.

National Federation of the Blind National Convention Career Fair:

Join us for the National Federation of the Blind National Convention Career Fair on July 9, 1:00–4:00 p.m., Central. Hosted by the National Employment Committee, this event is an opportunity for blind and low-vision people seeking jobs to connect with employers and is an opportunity for employers to seek more talent for their teams.

 <https://nfb.org/programs-services/employment/career-fair-jobseeker-registration> National Convention Jobseeker Registration

 <https://nfb.org/civicrm/event/register?reset=1&action=preview&id=621> National Convention Employer Registration

To prepare jobseekers and employers, the Employment Committee will be hosting “Getting Career-Fair Ready: For Jobseekers and Employers,” virtual seminars designed to provide strategies for creating the most positive experience while attending the fair. Individuals will automatically be registered for these events once they have registered for the career fair. For more information on the career fair or virtual seminars, please contact Charles Bennett, jobseeker liaison, at  <mailto:cbennett at cocenter.org> cbennett at cocenter.org, or Kris Colcock, employer liaison, at  <mailto:Kris at colcok.com> Kris at colcok.com.

Career Quest at National Convention:

Join us for the National Federation of the Blind Career Quest Program, an exclusive weeklong program held during the NFB National Convention. This dynamic program is designed for blind and low-vision students eager to explore career opportunities, gain hands-on experience with access technology, and develop valuable professional connections.

If you're ready to take charge of your future, connect with mentors, and expand your career horizons, this program is for you! Learn more about  <https://nfb.org/programs-services/employment/career-quest/application> Career Quest and complete the  <https://nfb.org/civicrm/mailing/url?u=38142&qid=11127342> Career Quest Interest Application to learn more and secure your spot today.

Please direct all questions to Employment Program Coordinator, Nikki Jackson at  <https://nfb.org/civicrm/mailing/url?u=38143&qid=11127342> njackson at nfb.org, or 410-659-9314, extension 2404.

News:

Federal Government Discontinuing Processing of Paper Checks:

In an executive order dated March 25, 2025, entitled “Modernizing Payments to and from America’s Bank Account,” the Trump administration has directed the federal government to stop distributing payments, including benefit payments, by paper check. The executive order also directed the federal government to stop accepting payment by paper check. This order goes into effect on September 30, 2025, and it is unclear to what degree this will affect SSDI, SSI, and Social Security retirement recipients, as the executive order does contain the option for exemptions in limited circumstances and current policies with the Social Security Administration are changing. Please watch for further communications and please reach out to Jesse Shirek at  <mailto:jshirek at nfb.org> jshirek at nfb.org with questions and concerns.

Give $25 in ’25 Campaign:

Let’s keep pushing forward together. The Give $25 in ’25 campaign is about making an impact—one gift, one story, one act of leadership at a time. Every $25 donation helps power the programs and advocacy that move us closer to equality and opportunity for all blind people. Here’s how it works:

* Every $25 you give enters you into a drawing for a chance to win a trip to our next national convention or a cash prize.

* We’re encouraging some friendly competition through the Federation Challenger opportunity:

o Ask others to give and tell them to list you as their challenger on the donation form.

o The challenger with the most named donors will get to announce the drawing winner at our national banquet.

* The first one hundred people who give $100 or more will receive a pair of AfterShokz headphones.

Whether you give, encourage others to give, or both—this is a chance to lead by example. Share your story. When people understand why this matters to you, they’ll want to be part of it, too.

Three ways to give:

* Call 410-659-9314, extension 2430

* Mail a check to: 200 East Wells Street, Baltimore, MD 21230

* Donate online at nfb.org/give25donate <http://nfb.org/give25donate> 

Congress Is Back in Session:

After a brief recess, both the House and the Senate are back in session, starting this week and remaining in session until the Memorial Day holiday on Monday, May 26. If your representative in the House has not cosponsored either the Blind Americans Return to Work Act (H.R. 1175) or the Access Technology Affordability Act (H.R. 1529), now is the perfect time to call or email them and urge them to do so. It is more important than ever before that we gain cosponsor support on the Access Technology Affordability Act to give it the best possible chance of being included in a larger upcoming tax package.

Help the National Federation of the Blind in Three Easy Ways—Everyday Giving Just Got Better:

You already make a difference by supporting the National Federation of the Blind. But did you know there are simple, everyday ways to give that can help power our movement even further? Whether these options are new to you or worth another look, they’re easy, effective, and impactful.

• Shop with purpose using iGive, visit -  <https://igive.com/nationalfederationoftheblind> https://igive.com/nationalfederationoftheblind.
Over two thousand online retailers will donate a percentage of your purchase to the NFB—at no extra cost to you. Just sign up once and start shopping with impact. The iGive app makes it even easier to give while on the go.

• Round up with Walmart and Lyft
Small change creates big possibilities. When you support us with  <https://www.walmart.com/sparkgood> Walmart Spark Good or ride with Lyft, you can round your total to the nearest dollar and donate the difference to the NFB automatically. It’s a simple way to support our work with every purchase or ride.

• Give with cryptocurrency through  <https://www.cryptoforcharity.io/nfb> Crypto for Charity
Crypto donations are fast, secure, and may offer tax benefits. Support our mission with Bitcoin, Ethereum, and more through a platform built for charitable giving.

Learn more about these opportunities and explore other giving options on our  <https://nfb.org/get-involved/ways-give/gift-acceptance-and-recognition-policies> Ways to Give Page. Please share these opportunities. Promote them in your chapter, throughout your affiliate, and with your family, friends, and wider networks. Everyday giving, shared widely, helps us raise more support and build a stronger future.

Catch up on Content and Share on Social Media:

Highlights, news, and stories are available in our most recent publications. Access and share articles and episodes with Federationists on affiliate and division social media to create discussions on various topics.

*	 <https://nfb.org/images/nfb/publications/bm/bm25/bm2505/bm2505tc.htm> May Braille Monitor
*	 <https://nfb.org/resources/publications-and-media/access-on-podcast> Access On podcast episodes with transcripts available
*	 <https://nfb.org/resources/publications-and-media/nations-blind-podcast> Nation’s Blind Podcast episodes with transcripts available

Reminders:

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

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. 

Dates to Keep in Mind:

(all times eastern)

*	May 1: Deadline for applications for the  <https://nfb.org/programs-services/scholarships-and-awards/blind-educator-year-award> Blind Educator of the Year Award.
*	May 1: Deadline for applications for the  <https://nfb.org/programs-services/scholarships-and-awards/distinguished-educator-blind-students-award> Distinguished Educator of Blind Students Award.
*	May 16-17: Diabetes Action Network; Baltimore, Maryland; registration coming soon.
*	June 8, 2025: Deadline to submit resolutions.
*	July 8-13: National Convention; New Orleans, Louisiana

Introduction to the Organized Blind Movement

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

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.

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