[Nfbwv-talk] President Riccobono's Notebook for January 11, 2016

[Smyth, Charlene R]

January 11, 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,

As we turn to the second week of the year, we feel the excitement of Washington Seminar 2016. Our Gathering-In meeting is just two weeks away. President Obama is delivering his final State of the Union address tomorrow. I am hopeful that the Marrakesh Treaty makes the list of requests of Congress during this year. Leaders of the Federation should consider engaging in social media during the address to raise issues like TIME Act protections for disabled workers, equal access to the internet, and passage of Marrakesh. I note that the president has invited the CEO of Microsoft to be in the First Lady's box. This is apparently due partly to Mr. Nadella's commitment to STEM education. This is another area where our organization has led the way. I encourage you to find opportunities in the social buzz around the SOTU to give voice to our priorities as well.

I am continuing to evaluate and refine our communications strategies. In doing so, I continue to be very interested in your feedback and ideas for how we make our communications more effective and impactful. Please continue to send me your thoughts and feedback to help shape our overall strategy. Let's go build the Federation.

News:

Washington Seminar Fact Sheets:

The 2016 fact sheets are available at https://nfb.org/washington-seminar#Legislative.

Video:
This week we have a lively, entertaining video, found at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jf7hErDroKo, which should be of interest to those involved in the Washington Seminar.

Tours during Washington Seminar:
Tours of the Jernigan Institute will be offered on Monday, January 25, for those attending Washington Seminar. The buses will load at 7:45 a.m. and will depart at 8:00 a.m. sharp. The tours will begin at 9:30 a.m. and the buses will leave the Jernigan Institute for the return to the Holiday Inn Capitol-Washington at noon.

Transforming Braille Display at Washington Seminar:
Our access technology team will be testing the soon-to-be-released Transforming Braille Display at the Washington Seminar on Monday, January 25, from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Participants interested in trying out the display are welcomed. Testing is by appointment only, and requires participants to sign a non-disclosure agreement. Please contact CVanGerven at nfb.org<mailto:CVanGerven at nfb.org> to make arrangements.

Seeking member feedback regarding Social Security Administration kiosks and forms:
This winter, NFB is gathering member feedback regarding the accessibility of SSA forms and field office kiosks. Your support in this area is critical. If you've experienced inaccessible SSA forms or field office kiosks, the NFB needs to hear from you. If you are available to visit your local SSA field office to help assess kiosk accessibility, we also need to hear from you. Please contact Valerie Yingling, paralegal, at 410-659-9314, extension 2440, regarding both of these important matters.


Presidential Release:
The January release has been posted to https://nfb.org/presidential-releases.

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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