[NFBSea] national news

[Marci Carpenter]

Independence Market Holiday Hours:
Please note that the Independence Market will be closed for calls on the days of December 24, 25, and 26. The market will also be closed starting at 12:00 noon, Eastern, on Wednesday, December 31 and all day on January 1 and 2. Our Independence Market ecommerce site will still be open during these times, but orders may take a little longer to process, so please be patient. 
 
Update on Recurring Donation Processing:
Several weeks ago, we announced a change to how we are processing recurring monthly donations. Though we thought we would be processing at this point, we are still working with our vendors to make sure there are no issues. As soon as we can, hopefully this week, we will start processing December contributions and then catch up on November PAC contributions. If you do not want us to process your November contribution, please send an email to PAC at nfb.org <mailto:PAC at nfb.org> with your name and direction to not process November's PAC transaction. We appreciate your patience as we work through unforeseen challenges. Please contact Bridgid Burke at bburke at nfb.org <mailto:bburke at nfb.org> or 410-659-9314, extension 2271, with any questions or concerns. 
 
From the President’s Desk: The Federation Shares Pressing Concerns with Vispero’s CEO:
In an article in the upcoming Braille Monitor <https://nfb.org/resources/publications-and-media/braille-monitor/early-access-articles/presidents-desk-federation>, I released my recent correspondence with Vispero’s new CEO regarding urgent member concerns about changes to the company’s access technology products and policies.
 
National Museum of the Blind People’s Movement Legislative Alert:
Just this past Sunday, December 14, we sent out a legislative alert regarding the National Museum of the Blind People’s Movement Act <https://nfb.org/programs-services/advocacy/legislative-priorities/legislative-alerts/pass-national-museum-blind> (H.R. 6467/S. 3371). The purpose of this legislative alert is to create a surge in cosponsor support for the bill so that it can ultimately be passed and signed into law and our museum will have the national recognition that it deserves. Please be sure to contact your senators and representative and ask them to cosponsor the National Museum of the Blind People’s Movement Act (H.R. 6467/S. 3371)!
 
Latest Podcast Episodes:
Tune into our new episode of the Nation’s Blind Podcast <https://podcasts7m.podbean.com/e/communicating-with-blind-people-what-sighted-people-should-know/> where Melissa and Anil are joined by board members Marilyn Green and Tracy Soforenko. They share interesting and sometimes surprising social interactions that they’ve had with sighted people while traveling, hanging out with friends, and even while spending time with family members, especially during the holidays. They also discuss the best ways that sighted people should communicate with blind people.
Listen to episode seven of our Walking Alone and Marching Together podcast entitled “Episode 7: Chapter 4 - Democracy in Transition: The Second Generation, Part 1 <https://walkingaloneandmarchingtogether.podbean.com/e/episode-7-chapter-4-democracy-in-transition-the-second-generation-part-1/>.”
Episode 55 of Access On <https://buff.ly/DnyeSos> is now available. Jonathan discusses Zoom’s accessibility journey with Samuel Greene, product manager for Zoom North America. He also talks to our new accessibility excellence advocate for home and independent living, Ron Miller. Ron outlines his history in access technology and discusses the difference we can all make together to improve accessibility.
 
2026 Washington Seminar Issues:
We have chosen our three issues for the 2026 Washington Seminar. They are: Protecting Education, Employment, and Independent Living Programs for Blind Americans; the Access Technology Affordability Act; and the Blind Americans Return to Work Act. The fact sheets for our three issues are nearly complete and we expect to have them posted on our Washington Seminar page <https://nfb.org/programs-services/advocacy/washington-seminar> in the coming days. 
 
Scholarship Program Application Open:
The National Federation of the Blind is now accepting applications for the 2026 scholarship program. This year, each scholarship winner will receive $10,000 to support their educational and professional goals. Students can now apply for the 2026 scholarship program. <https://nfb.org/programs-services/scholarships-and-awards/scholarship-program> The application deadline is March 31, 2026.

 
Reminders:
Braille Readers Are Leaders:
Registration for the Braille Readers Are Leaders contest will last through the end of the contest on January 16. This year, we will have the youth, adult, and teachers of blind students contests. You will want to complete the first activity, as that will give us your address so that we can send any prizes you win along the way. Completing other activities will earn you badges of honor. Use the Beanstack website <file:///C:/Users/LamkinSeth/AppData/Local/Microsoft/Windows/INetCache/Content.Outlook/PXN5EKPU/actionfund.beanstack.org> or the Beanstack app to log your reading minutes each day. Have fun and challenge your friends, family members, and colleagues who read Braille to join you. 
 
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <http://nfbnet.org/pipermail/nfbsea_nfbnet.org/attachments/20251222/9414e6a4/attachment.htm>