[Nfbwv-talk] President Riccobono's Notebook for August 15, 2016

Tue Aug 16 19:40:11 UTC 2016

August 15, 2016
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,

This is our week to bring the Federation to the world, or maybe it is better to say the world is coming to learn about the Federation. This week and much of the next, leaders of the Federation and a good portion of our national staff will be in Orlando for the joint general assemblies of the World Blind Union and the International Council for the Education of the Visually Impaired. In the United States, we have built a unique organization that is authentically driven by blind people. We have developed a philosophy about blindness, and we have found innovative ways to test and implement that philosophy. Although we have been officially engaged in world collaboration with blind people since 1952, and before that informally, our hosting the world meeting represents another milestone in our leadership in blindness around the world.

Recently, the question came up about how deep the Federation might get in international affairs. While the hosting of the world meeting is something to be proud of, we should not let it signify a shift in our overall organizational priorities. We will continue to be engaged in international collaboration. We will continue to share what we know about blindness and to find opportunities to learn from the progress of others. As each of you knows, there is still much work to be done in the United States and that will remain our overwhelming priority.

If you are attending the world meetings or if you are tuning in via the internet, I urge you to learn from the common bonds with our brothers and sisters around the world and find opportunities to utilize their experience to build our organization. That is what I will be doing during my time in Orlando. I will also be seeking to share everything we have learned about advancing opportunities for the blind so that others might apply our techniques in the unique circumstances of their country.
Furthermore, I will be seeking opportunities to coordinate our work that now is impacted on a global scale. Whether it is the impact of inaccessible technology, the dangers caused by quiet cars, or the persistent fears about blindness, the artificial barriers are not limited to our borders.

As we bring attention to the World Blind Union for the next week, remember that the reason we have so much knowledge to share is that we have built and nurtured a strong organization in the United States. Furthermore, we have always looked for opportunities to learn from those around the world based on a common determination for the blind to live the lives we want anywhere on this planet.

Unless something urgent arises, you should not expect a notebook next Monday.

News:
Important Legislative Action:
We need to thank Representative Mac Thornberry, chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, for assisting disabled veterans injured prior to September 23, 1996, to obtain access to the Space Available program by including language to correct the exclusion of these veterans from the program in the House version of the National Defense Authorization Act. Your letter of thanks will give Chairman Thornberry support when he seeks inclusion of his language in the final joint House and Senate bill when the conference committee meets in September. We have made it simple and convenient for you to write to Chairman Thornberry; all you need do is fill out the very short webform located at this link: https://nfb.org/thank-you-thornberry.

WBU Streaming Information:
Stay up to date with all of the activity at the World Blind Union events on Twitter by following the hashtag #JointGA2016. The WBU and ICEVI events will also be streamed on ACBRadio Live Event. You can listen at this URL: http://acbradio.org/live<http://cp.mcafee.com/d/avndxMAcy0Arhosd7aatXThdTdEThjjooso76QrEFFIc3zhOOrhKyCCMMUMYrhKyCqen66bFCOIBuIjS9ZaM1iTNaOxjw09JrUBpgFM04SzvTrCzAs_R-svd7b2bfnKnjjopV5cQsTvpoWyaqRQRrKfsG7DR8OJMddECTPtPtPo0dno8hAuvGOTbVeeSaVo-lyKcToud79EV7fVJy4tgBnw099oXOM42wq8RA6g60xw9Fwfd0G7zeyxco2op8IweCdcwelhr0t4cwe2hgY61Iz4A91HwSc69m4wRMdxeMr0cS3h6EEdxM3I1w4Bmgoc1ZwS04S3h6Eu5hsN901w8E0MA6K0c90hl0bwIM63M-M32hEVI0MKocws1gpaOEKlQ1nCO384g0on3X1lcfmgl3dwSgvodlfawc91Hw32gqOdy94MdxMKu30A6Fzoi6Xws1g7K1N45Bg9l39k2gUpA60U3I3oEul1xVygl5P4A060yw39DBr8C91w-twQh0X074g94hIh0X84x8r509l3hgr50ou31g2lhIkgf1wsdI0Mk1pU7j0W8o3wC-18zoI1aEpI6DECzAdxsSgGT2TBRk1lCX3NEVd78V_DNNEVKXZXYphbzATHThZwwVuP6Ec4647vggKgusupd7a3walS24p7DWIJOVJdBB5AS2NF8Qg34U_GIE4jh1lQQg0acxcQg3v_ek2d3qpEVdOqOay1T9eHgN>.

Meet the Blind Month:
Just a reminder that October is Meet the Blind Month. Remember that we have lots of resources such as alphabet cards, NFB brochures, and Kernel Books available in the Independence Market that you can use at your event. Whether you're holding a large gathering or simply giving out information, it's important that our communities see that we are out there living the lives we want. Please send an email to membership at nfb.org<mailto:membership at nfb.org> if you have questions about Meet the Blind Month or if you would like to share what your chapter is doing to celebrate. This is a great time for affiliate presidents to check in with your chapters to hear about the different events happening in your state. The hashtag this year is #MTBM16.

Video:
Check out the most recent NFB video, my son Austin and I building with LEGOs together: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0ncVyVcAG9o

Dates to Keep in Mind:

*        May 23-August 26, 2016: NFB BELL Academy held at forty-six sites throughout the nation. More information at https://nfb.org/bell-academy.

*        August 18-25: WBU and ICEVI General Assembly, Rosen Centre, Orlando, Florida, www.wbu-icevi2016.org<http://www.wbu-icevi2016.org>

*        Fall Conventions<https://nfb.org/state-conventions>

*        August 31: Deadline for experienced NFB BELL Academy affiliate representatives to register for the NFB BELL Academy Training Seminar, September 30-October 2, 2016. Please choose: Advanced or Novice/Intermediate, registration form<https://nfb.org/bell-seminar-registration-form>

*        September 8: Deadline for prospective NFB BELL Academy affiliates to apply to host an NFB BELL Academy for the summer of 2017, application form<https://nfb.org/bell-program-online-application>

*        September 15: Deadline for representatives from accepted prospective NFB BELL Academy affiliates to register for the NFB BELL Academy Training Seminar, October 20-23, 2016. Please choose: Novice/Intermediate, registration form<https://nfb.org/bell-seminar-registration-form>

*        September 30-October 2: NFB BELL Academy Training Seminar (Advanced) in Baltimore, Maryland

*        October 20-23: NFB BELL Academy Training Seminar (Novice/Intermediate) in Baltimore, Maryland

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/>

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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