[Nfbwv-talk] President Riccobono's Notebook

[Smyth, Charlene R]

December 15, 2015
President's Notebook
National Federation of the Blind
Mark A. Riccobono
officeofthepresident at nfb.org<mailto:officeofthepresident at nfb.org>
(410) 659-9314

Dear Fellow Federationists,

As we move into the heart of the holiday season and look ahead to 2016, let's find new ways to make our work more effective and communicate our message more clearly. I note that we have not heard from a number of states about our convention seminar coming up in February and some have not yet made reservations for our Washington Seminar. Please do not let the end of the year activity hold you back from planning Federation activity for next year. The team at the national office is hard at work and I plan to be here for a good portion of the rest of December to work with you on our plans for 2016. Please note a number of time sensitive items this week.

Critical actions this week:
LAST CHANCE: Washington Seminar Reservations:
The deadline to make a reservation is Monday, December 21, 2015. Reserve a room at the Holiday Inn Capitol (550 C Street, SW, Washington, DC 20024) for Washington Seminar for check-in beginning Saturday, January 23, 2016, and check-out by Friday, January 29, 2016. You can make your reservation by calling (877) 572-6951 and referencing booking code N9B. You can make your reservation online by going to nfb.org/washington-seminar<https://nfb.org/washington-seminar> and selecting the reservations link within the "Room Rates and Reservations" section. Reservation requests received after the deadline will be subject to availability and prevailing rate.

News:

Congressional Reception:
In conjunction with Washington Seminar, we will be holding a congressional reception on Tuesday, January 26, at 5:00 p.m. More details will be announced as the date draws nearer.


KNFB Reader:
Make the print your gift this Christmas with KNFB Reader! Give an iTunes or GooglePlay gift card, or you can GIFT THE APP for iOS directly through the App Store by searching for KNFB Reader, choosing SHARE, and then using your recipient's email address. Visit www.nfb.org<about:www.nfb.org> to find links for purchasing KNFB Reader at the bottom of the home page.

The 2016 Blind Educator of the Year Award:
This award is presented in the spirit of the outstanding educators who founded and have continued to nurture the National Federation of the Blind and who, by example, have imparted knowledge of our strengths to us and raised our expectations. Nominations should be sent to Dr. Edward Bell by email at ebell at latech.edu<mailto:ebell at latech.edu>, or post mail to PDRIB, Louisiana Tech University, P.O. Box 3158, Ruston, LA 71272. Letters of nomination must be accompanied by a copy of the nominee's current résumé and supporting documentation of community and Federation activity. For further information contact Edward Bell at (318) 257-4554 or ebell at latech.edu<mailto:ebell at latech.edu>. The deadline for nominations is May 1, 2016.



Winners of the 2015 Onkyo Braille Essay Contest:
This week we were happy to announce the winners of the 2015 Onkyo Braille Essay Contest. We administer the contest on behalf of the North American/Caribbean Region of the World Blind Union. The essay contest, sponsored by Onkyo Corporation, a Japanese consumer electronics manufacturer, and the Braille Mainichi, part of the Mainichi Newspaper Company in Japan, was created to promote Braille literacy and to encourage the sharing of social and cultural information among blind and visually impaired persons. This year's winners are listed below.
Otsuki Prize
Danielle Burton, Kentucky USA
Excellent Work Award, Senior
Tara Briggs, Utah USA
Excellent Work Award, Junior
Kayla Weathers, Georgia USA
Fine Work Award, Senior
Tracy Spittle, South Carolina USA
Sharon Eiland, Washington USA
Fine Work Award, Junior
Abby Burton, Missouri USA
Daniel Dintzner, Massachusetts USA



Inaccessible Voting Lawsuit in Ohio:
Disability Rights Ohio and the law firm of Brown, Goldstein, & Levy, LLP, have filed a federal lawsuit<http://www.disabilityrightsohio.org/sites/default/files/sites/default/files/u62/Hindel_v_Husted_complaint_12-7-15.pdf> against the office of Ohio Secretary of State Jon Husted. The suit, filed on behalf of three blind Ohio voters and the National Federation of the Blind, alleges that some voting services in Ohio are not accessible. This is in violation of Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act.



Video:
This week's video featuring Yasmin Reyazuddin can be found on YouTube at https://youtu.be/onKvE5sv4Ns.



Dates to keep in mind:

·        January 25-28, 2016: Washington Seminar, https://nfb.org/washington-seminar

·        March 3-5, 2016: NFB STEM2U San Francisco

·        March 31, 2016: NFB Scholarship Program application deadline, https://nfb.org/scholarships

·        April 15, 2016: Dr. Jacob Bolotin Award Program nomination deadline, https://nfb.org/bolotin-award-main

·        May 17-20, 2016: BLAST, Chicago

·        May 19-21, 2016: NFB STEM2U Minneapolis

·        June 19-25, 2016: NFB EQ (first iteration)

·        June 30-July 5: National Federation of the Blind Convention, Rosen Shingle Creek, Orlando, Florida

·        July 31-August 6, 2016 NFB EQ (second iteration)

·        August 18-25: WBU and ICEVI General Assembly, Rosen Centre, Orlando, Florida

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.


Mark A. Riccobono, President
National Federation of the Blind
200 East Wells Street at Jernigan Place
Baltimore, Maryland 21230
Phone: (410) 659-9314
Fax: (410) 659-5129
Email: officeofthepresident at nfb.org<mailto:officeofthepresident at nfb.org>
Twitter: @Riccobono and @NFB_Voice
Web: www.nfb.org<http://www.nfb.org/>




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