[Nfbwv-talk] President Riccobono's Notebook for 10/2/17

[Smyth, Charlene R]

October 2, 2017
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,

It is Meet the Blind Month! It is always exciting to observe all of the great activities that our chapters and affiliates generate during October. I noticed a number of Facebook posts about Federation activities yesterday so the month has already started with great energy. I had the pleasure of representing the National Federation of the Blind in Dallas where the Aira Tech Corp, along with executives of AT&T, was promoting the Aira technology. Emmitt Smith described the first quarter of the game using Aira's technology and we had the opportunity to talk with a number of influential business leaders about the work of the National Federation of the Blind. Read below for more important Meet the Blind Month information, especially as it relates to October 15.

Our hearts are with the families of victims in Las Vegas this morning. I have heard from our president in Nevada, Terri Rupp. We are not aware of any of our members being injured. Terri's husband Aaron is a first responder and was on the scene while active shooting was still happening. I am confident that each of you joins me in extending appreciation to Aaron and the other first responders linked to our Federation family who are involved in this situation, as well as with those involved with relief efforts for recent hurricane victims. I am thankful to those who continue to work on a daily basis to make our communities safer and stronger even through their personal sacrifices.

Critical Actions This Week:  Welcome to Meet the Blind Month!:  We are excited to hear about all the great events and Do You Dream in Color screenings that have been scheduled, so please share your events with communicationsteam at nfb.org<mailto:communicationsteam at nfb.org>.



Here are some resources for you to use during the month:
*         A new blog post<http://nfb.org/blog/article/3329> with ideas for Meet the Blind Month
*         Visit www.doyoudreamincolor.com/screenings<http://www.doyoudreamincolor.com/screenings> to learn about screenings
*         A new blog post<https://nfb.org/national-federation-blind-celebrates-white-cane-awareness-day> with ideas for White Cane Awareness Day
*         Our September Voice of the Nation's Blind podcast<https://nfb.org/nations-blind-podcast-episode-18-september-2017> features a Presidential Privilege discussion about White Cane Awareness Day
*         A new White Cane Awareness Day webpage<http://nfb.org/white-cane-awareness-day> and a link to the updated White Cane Awareness Day Proclamation
*         A new www.nfb.org/donate2017<http://www.nfb.org/donate2017> webpage so we can track donations during our promotion of White Cane Giving Day
*         A new video is in production and more information is on the way via listserv emails
*         Please promote events on social media and use the #mtbm17, #WhiteCaneAwarenessDay and #WhiteCaneGiving hashtags as appropriate



News:  Hurricane Relief:  You are welcome to send contributions to the National Federation of the Blind marked as "Hurricane Relief" and we will work with our affiliates in Puerto Rico, Florida, and Texas as needed. Our Texas relief effort is doing well, so I would anticipate our focus being on Puerto Rico.

Contributions to the National Federation of the Blind Hurricane Relief Project can be sent to:
National Federation of the Blind
Attn: Hurricane Relief
200 East Wells Street
Baltimore, Maryland  21230

Online contributions can be made at https://nfb.org/donate. Be sure to note your contribution is for hurricane relief.

Cardtronics ATM Testing:  Congratulations to the NFB of Alaska! The Alaska affiliate is the first to complete its assigned Cardtronics ATM testing and the first to win a copy of KNFB Reader for Windows. The next nine affiliates to finish their testing will also receive a redemption code for one copy of KNFB Reader for Windows that they can use as a door prize at an upcoming convention.

Thank you to everyone who has already completed a Cardtronics ATM test. To date, the NFB has received 125 completed tests, and 475 ATMs remain to be tested. We aim to have all tests completed by October 15. If a tester in your affiliate has not yet received his or her testing instructions or Request Tracker (RT) login and password, please contact Valerie as soon as possible at vyingling at nfb.org<mailto:vyingling at nfb.org>.

AV START Act:  Last week Senator John Thune, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation; Senator Gary Peters; Senator Roy Blunt; and Senator Debbie Stabenow introduced the American Vision for Safer Transportation through Advancement of Revolutionary Technologies (AV START) Act (S. 1885). This bill will promote equal access to automated vehicles for the blind and others with disabilities through the prohibition of discriminatory licensing practices and the promotion of accessible user interfaces.

NAGDU App:  The National Association of Guide Dog Users (NAGDU), a Division of the NFB, has updated our app. The versions for both iOS and Android are now available. This new version contains information about the Rideshare Testing program, as well as other new information.

Dates to Keep in Mind:

  *   Fall Conventions<https://nfb.org/state-conventions>
  *   November 1, 2017: 2018 Scholarship Application<http://nfb.org/scholarships> period begins
  *   November 6-8, 2017: Dare to Be Remarkable Conference<https://nfb.org/dare-be-remarkable-call-presentations>, Baltimore, Maryland
  *   November 15, 2017: 2018 Dr. Jacob Bolotin Award competition<https://nfb.org/bolotin-award-main> begins, deadline March 31
  *   January 29, 2018: Great Gathering-In, Washington, District of Columbia
  *   March 22-23, 2018: Jacobus tenBroek Disability Law Symposium, 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
200 East Wells Street, Baltimore, MD 21230
(410) 659-9314 | officeofthepresident at nfb.org<mailto:officeofthepresident at nfb.org>

The National Federation of the Blind is a community of members and friends who believe in the hopes and dreams of the nation's blind. Every day we work together to help blind people live the lives they want.



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