[Nfbwv-talk] Fwd: NFB President’s Notebook - week of 05/06/2019

Mon May 6 21:26:24 UTC 2019

---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: President, National Federation of the Blind <
OfficeOfThePresident at nfb.org>
Date: Mon, May 6, 2019 at 4:27 PM
Subject: NFB President’s Notebook - week of 05/06/2019
To: President, National Federation of the Blind <
OfficeOfThePresident at nfb.org>

President’s Notebook National Federation of the Blind Mark A. Riccobono
officeofthepresident at nfb.org 410-659-9314

Dear Fellow Federationists,

This seems like a good week to remind everyone that the purpose of the
notebook is to batch together announcements and other items from our
national organization so you can find them in one place. I am willing, if
you prefer, to develop other methods of communication for our leaders.

When I started the notebook five years ago, it was based on what I heard
from affiliate leaders about keeping up with all of the current and
time-sensitive information. If you think we should develop new
communication channels, please let me know.

Those affiliates who have not yet submitted membership lists have been
asked to do so by May 15. I have written to each of our affiliate
presidents asking that you let me know if that deadline requires further
support from us. I am hoping we can move to the next phase of our
membership efforts next week.

There are a number of important, time-sensitive, and response-required
items below. I invite you to give them consideration.
Critical Actions This Week:

TIME SENSITIVE—Affiliate President Feedback Requested:
For many years we have had a meeting for presidents and treasurers at the
national convention. We instituted this gathering when we made significant
changes to our flow of financial information. We now have a decade of
experience dealing with the current procedures. We have also instituted
recent training for treasurers via teleconference that many presidents have
participated in. If you believe there is value in a presidents and
treasurers gathering at this year's convention, or alternatively, just a
gathering for presidents, send me an email by noon on May 13 with your
support for the meeting and suggestions for topics that would be most
useful. If there is sufficient demand for a formal gathering at convention,
we will do so.
News:

Convention Delegates Save the Date:
On Wednesday, June 5, at 8:00 p.m. eastern, we will have a teleconference
for delegates to the national convention. This will be especially for new
delegates, so they are fully in the loop about the expectations for their
participation in the convention as a delegate and to answer questions that
new delegates may have. Experienced delegates are welcome to attend the
call, but it is not required. Watch your email over the next day or two for
the delegate expense reporting procedures. Spoiler alert: that message will
also ask you to send your delegate and alternative delegate names to Beth
Braun in the Office of the President (bbraun at nfb.org).

Contributions at the National Convention:
During the national convention, we will be collecting financial
contributions for the Jernigan Fund, the SUN Fund, the tenBroek Fund, and
the White Cane Fund. In recent years, our Imagination Fund has not operated
differently than our White Cane Fund, so we have combined it into one
fund—the White Cane Fund. As you know, that is how we designate general
donations to the National Federation of the Blind. Please keep this in mind
when making contributions to the organization at the national convention.

Kenneth Jernigan Scholarships:
This morning I had the opportunity to speak with Allen Harris of Alabama
who chairs the Kenneth Jernigan Scholarship Fund Committee. Mr. Harris
reports a tremendous amount of interest in the scholarships this year,
which I know is the result of the great work you all have been doing to
promote our organization. While May 15 continues to be our target for
letting individuals know if they have been selected to receive funds, he
expects some difficulty in meeting that timeline based on the volume of
interest. He also asked that I remind affiliate presidents that if you have
recipients in your affiliate you will receive a copy of the information
that any Kenneth Jernigan Scholarship recipients receive. Thus, you should
be well positioned to assist them with the first-time convention experience.

Presidential Release:
The May Presidential Release is available at
https://www.nfb.org/resources/publications-and-media/presidential-releases.

Letter to the Editor:
Read my letter in the *Baltimore Sun* regarding our involvement in the
education system:
https://www.baltimoresun.com/news/opinion/readersrespond/bs-ed-rr-blind-students-letter-20190503-story.html

NFB Pledge/One Minute Message Cards:
We have the cards available for sale. A bundle of fifty cards is $20.00,
plus shipping and handling. To place an order, please call the Independence
Market at 410-659-9314, extension 2216.

Legislative Update:
Congratulations to the members of the National Federation of the Blind of
Virginia who successfully defeated HB 2296, ill-named the “Relating to
Rights of Persons with Disabilities; Procedures for Certain Actions;
Website Accessibility.” This bill sought to codify in state law the
burdensome and onerous notice and cure provisions that we have seen at the
federal level regarding website accessibility. However, thanks to the
diligence and active engagement of our Virginia affiliate, Governor Ralph
Northam was persuaded to veto this legislation. Read his press release at
https://www.governor.virginia.gov/newsroom/all-releases/2019/may/headline-840397-en.html
.

Recent Offensive Cartoon in *NYT*:
At the end of April, the international edition of the *New York Times*
published an offensive cartoon showing President Donald J. Trump, in dark
sunglasses, apparently being led by a dog that had the face of Israeli
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and a Star of David hanging from its
collar. Read why it was offensive in more ways than one
<https://www.nfb.org/about-us/press-room/national-federation-blind-condemns-cartoon-thats-offensive-more-ways-one>.
We have yet to receive an apology or acknowledgement from *NYT* regarding
our letter that the cartoon perpetuates low expectations.

Partnering and the Development of Innovative Technology:
We continue to be committed to participating in forums that foster
independence through accessible technology and design. Our most recent blog
<https://www.nfb.org/blog/partnering-and-development-innovative-technology>
covers some ways that we participate and create new initiatives like BUILD
<https://www.nfb.org/programs-services/center-excellence-nonvisual-access/blind-users-innovating-and-leading-design>
and SNAP
<https://www.nfb.org/programs-services/center-excellence-nonvisual-access/strategic-nonvisual-accessibility-partnership>.

Let Us Play Us Campaign:
We have reached out again to the executives of the CW show, *In the Dark, *in
regard to authentic representation. The show has now been renewed for a
second season. In their initial response, they offered to meet with us
after we watch the first season to discuss the second season. The full
first season is not available to watch, and frankly not accessible. We do
not intend on waiting and continue to push to meet now. Read one review
about how they get the blind experience wrong
<https://www.ebar.com/news/commentary/275601/seeing_in_the_dark:_in_the_dark_gets_the_blind_experience_wrong>.

Dates to Keep in Mind:

   - June 16-22, 2019: NFB EQ <http://www.blindscience.org/nfbeq>,
   Baltimore, Maryland
   - July 7-12, 2019: NFB National Convention
   <https://nfb.org/convention/2019>, Las Vegas, Nevada
   - February 10, 2020: Great Gathering-In; Washington Seminar begins

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
<https://maps.google.com/?q=200+East+Wells+Street,+Baltimore,+MD+21230&entry=gmail&source=g>

(410) 659-9314 | officeofthepresident at nfb.org

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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.

-- 
Sheri Koch, President
National Federation of the Blind of West Virginia
304-993-5103