[NFBWV-Talk] Fwd: NFB President’s Notebook - week of 01/06/2020

Tue Jan 7 16:05:38 UTC 2020

---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: President, National Federation of the Blind <
OfficeOfThePresident at nfb.org>
Date: Tue, Jan 7, 2020 at 10:27 AM
Subject: NFB President’s Notebook - week of 01/06/2020
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,

Happy New Year! The National Federation of the Blind is primed and ready
for a fantastic 2020. I am looking forward to being with all of you in
February. As you know this is crunch time for Washington Seminar planning.
Please be sure your delegation has what they need and reach out to John
Paré if you need additional support. There are many notes below on this
topic.

Our first seminar of the year is rolling in this week with our NFB BELL®
coordinators and teachers. It always brings a lot of excitement to be
thinking about our educational programs for the summer. Thanks to each of
you that have made the commitment to another summer of Braille excellence.

As always, please continue to provide feedback on the work we are doing to
support state affiliates. We are one big team, and your input is valuable.

Here is to a great 2020!

Critical Actions This Week:

Washington Seminar:
As we say goodbye to 2019 and look toward the future, imminently on the
horizon is the 2020 Washington Seminar. As of today, we are a mere
thirty-five days away from the Great Gathering-In. That means that time is
quickly winding down to reserve your hotel room. The last day to reserve a
room using the Federation room block is this Wednesday, January 8. Please
be sure to book your room
<https://www.holidayinn.com/redirect?path=rates&brandCode=HI&localeCode=en&regionCode=1&hotelCode=wassm&checkInDate=06&checkInMonthYear=012020&checkOutDate=15&checkOutMonthYear=012020&_PMID=99801505&GPC=N2F&cn=no&viewfullsite=true>
before the deadline.

In more Washington Seminar news, below are brief descriptions of our three
legislative priorities for the 2020 Washington Seminar, including links to
the fact sheets for each.

Access Technology Affordability Act (ATAA) (H.R. 2086/S. 815)
<https://www.nfb.org/programs-services/advocacy/legislative-agenda/access-technology-affordability>
The cost of critically needed access technology is out of reach for most
blind Americans. By providing a refundable tax credit for qualifying
purchases, Congress will stimulate individual procurement of this
technology and promote affordability of these tools.

Greater Access and Independence through Nonvisual Access Technology (GAIN)
Act (H.R. 3929)
<https://www.nfb.org/programs-services/advocacy/legislative-agenda/greater-access-independence-nonvisual-access-technology>Advanced
digital interfaces create barriers that prevent blind individuals from
independently operating essential devices that enhance quality of life.
Congress must end the digital divide that threatens the independence of
blind Americans by developing minimum accessibility requirements for such
devices.

Accessible Instructional Materials in Higher Education (AIM HIGH) Act (H.R.
5312/S. 3095)
<https://www.nfb.org/programs-services/advocacy/legislative-agenda/accessible-instructional-materials-higher-education>
Until a market-driven solution for accessible instructional materials is
achieved, blind college students are denied access to critical course
content. The AIM HIGH Act will remove these barriers to equality in the
classroom by creating a set of guidelines that clearly define accessible
instructional materials.

News:

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

New Video:
Check out our World Blind Day video <https://youtu.be/2-6szTAUJAY>.
    Jernigan Convention Scholarship—Application Open:
Active National Federation of the Blind members, blind or sighted, who have
not yet attended an NFB National Convention because of lack of funding are
eligible to apply for the Kenneth Jernigan Convention Scholarship.
Applications are now open. Applicants will submit contact, Federation, and
mentor information as well as answer a few essay questions. Deadline to
apply is April 15, 2020. Learn more about applying for the Jernigan
Convention Scholarship.
<https://www.nfb.org/get-involved/national-convention/kenneth-jernigan-convention-scholarship>
    *Braille Monitor*—New Space, Student Action, and More:
Check out the latest version of the *Braille Monitor* that includes all of
the details of the newly renovated space at the Jernigan Institute. Learn
about action items needed for the Accessible Instructional Materials in
Higher Education Act, employment rights, our accessible voting letter to
secretaries of state, and more. Read the January *Braille Monitor*
<https://www.nfb.org/resources/publications-and-media/braille-monitor>.

  Call for Nominations—Bolotin Awards:
The National Federation of the Blind is accepting nominations of
individuals or organizations who are a positive force in the lives of blind
people and advance the goal of helping us transform dreams into reality.
Each application must include a letter of recommendation. Deadline to
submit is April 15, 2020. Learn more and submit a nomination for the 2020
Dr. Jacob Bolotin Awards
<https://www.nfb.org/programs-services/scholarships-and-awards/dr-jacob-bolotin-awards/application-information>.

Dates to Keep in Mind:

   - January 9-11: NFB BELL Academy Training Seminar
   - February 10: Great Gathering-In; Washington Seminar begins
   - March 26-27: Jacobus tenBroek Disability Law Symposium, Baltimore,
   Maryland
   - March 31: Deadline for scholarship applications
   <https://www.nfb.org/programs-services/scholarships-and-awards/scholarship-program>
   - April 14-17: NABM BLAST <http://www.blindmerchants.org>; Chicago,
   Illinois

·         April 15: Dr. Jacob Bolotin Award application
<https://www.nfb.org/programs-services/scholarships-and-awards/dr-jacob-bolotin-awards/application-information>
deadline

   - June 21-27: NFB EQ; St. Paul, Minnesota
   - July 14-19: NFB National Convention
   <https://www.nfb.org/get-involved/national-convention>, Houston, Texas

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

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

[image: National Federation of the Blind] <https://nfb.org/>

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<https://www.youtube.com/NationsBlind>

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