<html><head><meta http-equiv="content-type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"></head><body style="overflow-wrap: break-word; -webkit-nbsp-mode: space; line-break: after-white-space;"><div dir="auto" style="overflow-wrap: break-word; -webkit-nbsp-mode: space; line-break: after-white-space;"><div style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; font-family: Aptos, sans-serif;"><br></div><h3 style="margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.25in; line-height: 18.4px; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-weight: normal;"><b>Independence Market Holiday Hours:<o:p></o:p></b></h3><div style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.25in; font-family: Aptos, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">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. <o:p></o:p></span></div><h3 style="margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.25in; line-height: 18.4px; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-weight: normal;"><b> </b></h3><h3 style="margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.25in; line-height: 18.4px; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-weight: normal;"><b>Update on Recurring Donation Processing:<o:p></o:p></b></h3><h3 style="margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.25in; line-height: 18.4px; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-weight: normal;">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 <a href="mailto:PAC@nfb.org" style="color: rgb(70, 120, 134);">PAC@nfb.org</a> 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 <a href="mailto:bburke@nfb.org" style="color: rgb(70, 120, 134);">bburke@nfb.org</a> or 410-659-9314, extension 2271, with any questions or concerns. <o:p></o:p></h3><h3 style="margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.25in; line-height: 18.4px; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-weight: normal;"><b> </b></h3><h3 style="margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.25in; line-height: 18.4px; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-weight: normal;"><b>From the President\u2019s Desk: The Federation Shares Pressing Concerns with Vispero\u2019s CEO:<o:p></o:p></b></h3><div style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.25in; font-family: Aptos, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">In </span><a href="https://nfb.org/resources/publications-and-media/braille-monitor/early-access-articles/presidents-desk-federation" style="color: rgb(70, 120, 134);"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">an article in the upcoming <i>Braille Monitor</i></span></a><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">, I released my recent correspondence with Vispero\u2019s new CEO regarding urgent member concerns about changes to the company\u2019s access technology products and policies.<o:p></o:p></span></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.25in; font-family: Aptos, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"> </span></p><h3 style="margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.25in; line-height: 18.4px; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-weight: normal;"><b>National Museum of the Blind People\u2019s Movement Legislative Alert:<o:p></o:p></b></h3><div style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.25in; font-family: Aptos, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Just this past Sunday, December 14, we sent out a </span><a href="https://nfb.org/programs-services/advocacy/legislative-priorities/legislative-alerts/pass-national-museum-blind" style="color: rgb(70, 120, 134);"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">legislative alert regarding the National Museum of the Blind People\u2019s Movement Act</span></a><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"> (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\u2019s Movement Act (H.R. 6467/S. 3371)!<o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; font-family: Aptos, sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"> </span></b></div><h3 style="margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.25in; line-height: 18.4px; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-weight: normal;"><b>Latest Podcast Episodes:<o:p></o:p></b></h3><div style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.25in; font-family: Aptos, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Tune into our </span><a href="https://podcasts7m.podbean.com/e/communicating-with-blind-people-what-sighted-people-should-know/" style="color: rgb(70, 120, 134);"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">new episode of the <i>Nation\u2019s Blind Podcast</i></span></a><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"> where Melissa and Anil are joined by board members Marilyn Green and Tracy Soforenko. They share interesting and sometimes surprising social interactions that they\u2019ve 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.</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.25in; font-family: Aptos, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Listen to episode seven of our <i>Walking Alone and Marching Together</i> podcast entitled \u201c</span><a href="https://walkingaloneandmarchingtogether.podbean.com/e/episode-7-chapter-4-democracy-in-transition-the-second-generation-part-1/" style="color: rgb(70, 120, 134);"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Episode 7: Chapter 4 - Democracy in Transition: The Second Generation, Part 1</span></a><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">.\u201d</span><u><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></u></div><div style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.25in; font-family: Aptos, sans-serif;"><a href="https://buff.ly/DnyeSos" style="color: rgb(70, 120, 134);"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Episode 55 of <i>Access On</i></span></a><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"> is now available. Jonathan discusses Zoom\u2019s 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.<o:p></o:p></span></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.25in; font-family: Aptos, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"> </span></p><h3 style="margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.25in; line-height: 18.4px; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-weight: normal;"><b>2026 Washington Seminar Issues:<o:p></o:p></b></h3><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.25in; font-family: Aptos, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">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 </span><a href="https://nfb.org/programs-services/advocacy/washington-seminar" style="color: rgb(70, 120, 134);"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Washington Seminar page</span></a><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"> in the coming days. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in; font-family: Aptos, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"> </span></p><h3 style="margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.25in; line-height: 18.4px; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-weight: normal;"><b>Scholarship Program Application Open:<o:p></o:p></b></h3><h3 style="margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.25in; line-height: 18.4px; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-weight: normal;">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. <a href="https://nfb.org/programs-services/scholarships-and-awards/scholarship-program" style="color: rgb(70, 120, 134);">Students can now apply for the 2026 scholarship program.</a> The application deadline is March 31, 2026.<o:p></o:p></h3><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.25in; font-family: Aptos, sans-serif;"><br class="Apple-interchange-newline"></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.25in; font-family: Aptos, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"> </span></p><h2 style="margin: 0in; font-size: 14pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Reminders:<o:p></o:p></h2><h3 style="margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.25in; line-height: 18.4px; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-weight: normal;"><span class="Heading3Char"><b>Braille Readers Are Leaders:<o:p></o:p></b></span></h3><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.25in; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 16.866667px;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18.4px; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">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 </span><a href="file:///C:/Users/LamkinSeth/AppData/Local/Microsoft/Windows/INetCache/Content.Outlook/PXN5EKPU/actionfund.beanstack.org" style="color: rgb(70, 120, 134);"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18.4px; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Beanstack website</span></a><span class="MsoHyperlink" style="color: rgb(70, 120, 134); text-decoration: underline;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18.4px; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18.4px; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">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. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><p class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.25in; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"> </span></p></div></body></html>