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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link="#0563C1" vlink="#954F72"><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>A message from President Riccobono:<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Thank you to all of the leaders of the Federation after an outstanding 2016 NFB Convention. It seems like the leaders of the Federation find a way every year to make the convention smoother, to find new ways to build, and to make the convention a welcoming place. Our host committee—led by our presidents from Louisiana, New Hampshire, Oklahoma, and Utah—did a great job of taking care of the family business and making the convention warm and fun. Dozens of new activities added new elements to the convention. Many thoughtful conversations helped to shape our direction and apply our philosophy in new ways. Thank you for doing what you do and for being open to your own personal growth within our movement.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Finally, I thank you for the confidence and trust you have placed in me. The opportunity to serve this movement is an honor and a challenge that continues to enrich my life. I appreciate that we have a dynamic and committed team and I look forward to our work together in the coming years.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><h2>Critical Actions This Week:<o:p></o:p></h2><p class=MsoNormal>Only a Few Days Left - Comments Needed on Web Access:<br>As you know, the Department of Justice (DOJ) has issued a Supplemental Advanced Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (SANPRM) on the question of whether technical standards for web accessibility under Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) are needed to enable people with disabilities to access the services, programs, and activities offered on state and local government websites. The answer, of course, is yes; we need technical standards, and we need your help to make it happen. Please use the webform, <a href="https://nfb.org/titleiisanprm/comments">https://nfb.org/titleiisanprm/comments</a>, to submit your comments to DOJ. For technical assistance, please contact Kyle Walls at <a href="mailto:kwalls@nfb.org">kwalls@nfb.org</a>.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><h2>News:<o:p></o:p></h2><p class=MsoListParagraph>Links to convention material are available:<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoListParagraph style='margin-left:.5in'><a href="https://nfb.org/images/nfb/publications/convent/presidential-report-2016.htmlhttps:/nfb.org/images/nfb/publications/convent/presidential-report-2016.htmlhttps:/nfb.org/images/nfb/publications/convent/presidential-report-2016.html">Presidential Report</a><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoListParagraph style='margin-left:.5in'><a href="https://nfb.org/2016-resolutions">Resolutions</a><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-indent:.5in'><a href="https://nfb.org/images/nfb/publications/convent/banquet-speech-2016.html">Banquet Speech</a><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-indent:.5in'><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Videos:<br>To celebrate Jerry & Merilyn Whittle's Jacobus tenBroek Award, Jerry's video has been re-released this week. It can be found at <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PMY5VPIsBpg">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PMY5VPIsBpg</a>.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoListParagraph><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Last week's video is available at <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uzw_wEBFYdU">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uzw_wEBFYdU</a>. Dana Ard shares the story of her <span lang=EN style='color:#333333'>first teacher and role model, a Federation leader.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Keep building, <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif'>Mark A. Riccobono, President<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif'>National Federation of the Blind<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif'>200 East Wells Street at Jernigan Place</span><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif'>Baltimore, Maryland 21230</span><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif'>Phone: (410) 659-9314</span><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif'>Fax: (410) 659-5129</span><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif'>Email: </span><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif'><a href="mailto:officeofthepresident@nfb.org">officeofthepresident@nfb.org</a><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif'>Twitter: @Riccobono and @NFB_Voice</span><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div></body></html>