[NFBWATlk] national NFB news

Tue Jun 4 22:05:56 UTC 2024

Dear Federation Family,
> We are exactly thirty days from the start of our 2024 National Convention. As you all know well, the convention works because of the leaders that help to run aspects of the convention and the hundreds of members who help with the effort. This is my thank you in advance for encouraging people to volunteer to be part of the convention operations. I am excited to return to the Rosen Centre where we set the Guinness World Record <https://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/news/2015/7/nfb-members-refuse-to-let-blindness-define-them-by-seizing-their-umbrellas-and-a-387529> in 2015 for the largest umbrella mosaic. The other day I was on a virtual meeting, and I had the image from that event as my background, which always gets a good conversation going.
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> This past weekend we hosted our first IEP Advocacy Academy, which was a great success. Teaching self-advocacy and then bringing together a corps of advocates to help raise expectations for others is central to our work in the organized blind movement. There will be future seminars as we never have enough Federation advocates to cover all of the concerns we have throughout society. Let’s keep building.
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> Finally, a special note regarding our Immediate Past President, Marc Maurer, whose birthday was yesterday.  Not to mention, yesterday also happened to be Elizabeth Riccobono’s twelfth birthday. If you missed the opportunity to have ice cream for breakfast, like Elizabeth, find another fun way to celebrate.
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> Critical Actions:
> June Presidential Release:
> The June Presidential Release #539 chapter version <https://nfb.org/resources/publications-and-media/presidential-releases> is available for chapter meetings. There will not be a presidential release in July. The next live presidential release is scheduled for Thursday, August 1, 2024, at 8:00 p.m., eastern. Zoom TBD.
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> Convention
> NFB24 Registration and Virtual Experience:
> The early registration for the National Federation of the Blind National Convention is now closed. Onsite registration in Orlando will be available. The NFB24 Virtual Experience registration <https://nfb.org/get-involved/national-convention/2024-national-convention-virtual-experience> remains open now through convention. Learn more about convention at nfb.org/convention <https://nfb.org/convention>.
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> Volunteers Needed:
> Are you interested in helping to make the 2024 National Convention a huge success? You can help by volunteering in the Independence Market at the National Convention! We are currently looking for volunteers to serve as demonstrators, storekeepers, and marshals. The Independence Market will be open Thursday, July 4 through Sunday, July 7. The hours for Thursday and Friday are from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. We split this day into two shifts. Saturday and Sunday, we are open from 12:00 to 1:45 p.m. only. We usually ask folks to volunteer one long shift and one short shift if they are able. We certainly understand if you can only volunteer for a certain day or days.
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> Thank you to everyone who has signed up thus far!
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> The Independence Market at national convention would not be possible without the support, dedication, and hard work of our numerous volunteers. For more information or to volunteer, please contact Jen White at 410-659-9314, extension 2236, or email her at jwhite at nfb.org <mailto:jwhite at nfb.org> today.
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> Independence Market Hours:
> The Independence Market will be closed starting Monday, July 1, through Friday, July 12. The last day to order items before the convention will be Friday, June 28.
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> Calling All Door Prizes:
> The NFB door prize team is hard at work planning for this year’s convention. If your affiliate or division wants to donate to the in-person door prizes, you can deliver it to Bennett Prows or Kenia Flores on the stage before or during breaks of the general session. Please label the prize in Braille and print, so our team knows what it is and who donated it. If you are donating cash, put it in an envelope labeled with the amount and who it is from—our team wants to acknowledge your generosity.
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> Our registered virtual attendees are also eligible to win Visa gift cards or Independence Market gift certificates. You can help the NFB with virtual door prizes by writing a check payable to National Federation of the Blind and mailing it to 200 East Wells Street, Baltimore, Maryland, 21230, Attention: Fiscal Services – Virtual DP, and write Virtual Door Prizes in the check memo.
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> News:
> Transformation to Competitive Integrated Employment Act Joint Letter:
> On May 20, we sent a joint letter to the chairs and ranking members of the House and Senate Labor Committees, from me and Richard Belden, the president of SourceAmerica. The letter was to express our support for the Transformation to Competitive Integrated Employment Act (H.R. 1263/S. 533). The full letter can be read on our Policy Statements <https://nfb.org/programs-services/advocacy/policy-statements>page.
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> Comments on the Department of Transportation Air Travel Service Animal Attestation Form Renewal:
> On May 23, we submitted comments to the Department of Transportation regarding the department’s renewal of the air travel service animal attestation forms <https://nfb.org/programs-services/advocacy/policy-statements/comments-regarding-department-transportations-renewal>. Our comments made it clear that we oppose these forms. Our full comments can be read on our Policy Statements <https://nfb.org/programs-services/advocacy/policy-statements> page. 
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> The National Federation of the Blind knows 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. You can live the life you want; blindness is not what holds you back.
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