---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: President, National Federation of the Blind <
OfficeOfThePresident at nfb.org>
Date: Tue, Mar 24, 2020 at 4:21 PM
Subject: NFB President’s Notebook - week of 03/23/2020
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,
Things continue to move quickly around our COVID-19 response. I was very
pleased to have so many of you on the call last Sunday, and your reactions
to the call were extremely encouraging. We will continue to maintain those
calls as long as they are useful. As you likely already know, since that
call the governor of Maryland called for nonessential businesses to close.
We had anticipated this and although we likely could have made an argument
that our work qualifies in the essential category, we elected to implement
our complete closure plan as of 5 p.m. yesterday. While our actual building
is closed, the work of the Federation and our staff does not stop. With the
exception of the Independence Market, you should be able to reach our staff
at their usual extensions during the normal business hours of 8 a.m. to 5
p.m. eastern time. If you need to reach me, you can go through Beth Braun
at extension 2369. Many of you know our team also monitors our work around
the clock. You can of course reach out to mobile phone numbers where that
is appropriate. I am coordinating the work of the Federation from my home
office (my kitchen breakfast bar), and I notice that many of you have had
no trouble finding me. Continue to stay in touch and to keep up the great
work protecting and assisting our members. There is plenty of Federation
work to keep our minds busy. If nothing else, we need your articles for the
*Monitor*.
Although we have temporarily stopped shipping canes in our free white cane
program, it is our hope that we will be able to begin fulfilling requests
again very soon. Please continue to encourage people to make requests for
free white canes through our online form so that their requests are ready
to be processed.
During our call Sunday I offered each affiliate that is prepared to use it
a free Zoom Pro account. A number of you have already made requests. This
resource is available to you and I encourage every affiliate to use it to
build our movement. We will have a training this Friday, March 27, at 1:00
p.m. eastern. A separate email with details for this training will be sent
to affiliate and division presidents soon.
In a separate communication and text today, I will be reaching out about
support from Lyft to help people facing emergency transportation needs
because of COVID-19 between now and the end of the month. We are relying on
our affiliate presidents to effectively and quickly get this relief to
those who might need it.
As I announced on the call Sunday, we will be putting together a weekly
calendar of affiliate/national events available to blind people through the
network of the National Federation of the Blind. As you develop activities
that you are willing to have open to others—you probably do not want
everyone in the nation on your affiliate board meeting—please send the
details to communicationsteam at nfb.org. If there are more resources you need
us to develop, please let me know.
As we discussed on the call, we need to continue to talk about the needs
and the opportunities to connect and assist blind people resulting from
COVID-19. Keep those conversations going and keep your thoughts coming my
way.
Thank you for your great work to continue building our organization. I am
filled with hope, energy, and love by participating in the National
Federation of the Blind because my expectations are raised, my
contributions make a difference to me and to others, and I can celebrate
the realization of my dreams with my Federation family.
Critical Actions:
*COVID-19 Resources: *The National Federation of the Blind is compiling
resources that may be particularly useful to blind people facing challenges
during the COVID-19 emergency. This includes Federation resources such as
NFB-NEWSLINE® and distance-education initiatives as well as other resources
as they are made available. This information can be found at
http://www.nfb.org/covid19. With directives being different from state to
state, the Federation recommends connecting to affiliate presidents for
state and local resources. If you have found other resources that may be
useful, please email the information to communicationsteam at nfb.org.
*Accessible Executive Orders: *We have urged the governors of all states to
ensure that their executive orders regarding the coronavirus emergency are
posted to the internet in accessible formats that blind people using
screen-access technology can easily download and read. The full press
release is available on our website in our Press Room
<https://www.nfb.org/about-us/press-room/national-federation-blind-urges-governors-issue-accessible-executive-orders>.
*Scholarship Outreach: *Cayte Mendez, NFB Scholarship Committee chair,
needs your help and I wish to underscore her sentiments that this is an
opportunity to let these students know we are there for them. Per the email
to the affiliate leadership list, Cayte says: "I know that you are
extremely busy right now, monitoring the evolving situations in your states
with regard to COVID-19 and its impact on blind people. However, I would
like to ask you to please reach out to the scholarship applicants in your
state. You all received an email at the beginning of the month containing
email addresses and phone numbers for these applicants. I know that phone
calls may not be possible right now, but please take the time to at least
send an email. In addition to reminding the students to finalize their
scholarship applications, this would also be a great opportunity to let our
students know that the National Federation of the Blind is here for them in
these times of change and challenge. I hope that all of you are safe and
well, and would appreciate your help in these last few days of scholarship
promotion to ensure that as many of our students as possible have the
opportunity to be considered for a National Federation of the Blind
scholarship.”
*Vote by Mail: *Has your state moved its 2020 primary election or upcoming
local elections to all vote-by-mail because of the coronavirus pandemic?
Vote-by-mail can be made accessible with electronic-ballot delivery, but
many elections officials are unfamiliar with these systems. The *Accessible
Vote-by-Mail Toolkit*, developed by the National Federation of the Blind
with grant funds from the US Department of Health and Human Services, will
provide our members with the information they need to know to advocate for
accessible vote-by-mail. Visit our Voting, Accessibility, and the Law
<https://www.nfb.org/programs-services/center-excellence-nonvisual-access/national-center-nonvisual-election-3>
webpage to download a BRF or MS Word file of the toolkit. You will also
find many other important voting-related resources on this webpage. If you
have questions or need assistance in your advocacy efforts, please contact
Lou Ann Blake, deputy executive director of Blindness Initiatives at
lblake at nfb.org or 410-659-9314, extension 2221.
*Virtual Instruction for Students During COVID-19 School Closures: *We
continue to work to support students whose coursework has shifted to
inaccessible web-based educational technology. We are particularly
interested in hearing from students who are directed to use Florida Virtual
Schools (FLVS), McGraw-Hill’s ALEKS or Connect, or Pearson’s MyLab or
Mastering products. Please complete the NFB’s education technology survey
<https://www.nfb.org/programs-services/legal-program/education-technology-survey>
if you use any of these products, so that we can monitor their
accessibility.
News:
*COVID-19 Update - Jernigan Institute: *Per the March 23, 2020, executive
order of the Maryland governor regarding the closure of non-essential
businesses, the National Federation of the Blind Jernigan Institute will be
closing until further notice. However, we will continue our important work
remotely for now. While much of our program service continues, this closure
means we are not able to operate our Independence Market, resulting in our
inability to ship literature and materials to blind people, which includes
our free white cane program.
*Blog Post - Coming Together During COVID-19: *The National Federation of
the Blind is monitoring the disproportionate impact that the COVID-19
emergency is having on blind people. In our recent blog, Liz Wisecarver,
chair of the NFB Communication Committee, touches on a few of the current
concerns like transportation and access to information, and how we address
the issue at all levels of the organization with Zoom meetings and
training, advocacy specific to COVID-19 impact, and providing resources
related to this time. Read *Voice of the Nation’s Blind Blog*
<https://www.nfb.org/blog/coming-together-during-covid-19-concerns-and-connections>
*.*
*COVID-19 Information Available in Braille and Audio: *COVID-19 news
updates are available in the "Breaking News" category of NFB-NEWSLINE® and
are now available throughout the United States, including Puerto Rico. This
includes states that do not have a sponsor for the NFB-NEWSLINE service and
are therefore usually only able to receive limited content. Because the
content can be accessed with Braille devices such as notetakers and
refreshable Braille displays, it is also available to deafblind individuals
who cannot get timely information from radio or television. Learn how to access
the “Breaking News” section
<https://www.nfb.org/programs-services/nfb-newsline>.
*Taking a Break with Podcasts and Reading: *While people should stay
informed of COVID-19, take some time away from it as well. Catch up on
the *Nation’s
Blind Podcast*
<https://www.nfb.org/resources/publications-and-media/nations-blind-podcast>.
The latest episode touches on what it means to live the life you want
with *Braille
Monitor *editor, Gary Wunder. Additionally, read the latest *Braille
Monitor*
<https://www.nfb.org/resources/publications-and-media/braille-monitor>
and *Future
Reflections*
<https://www.nfb.org/resources/publications-and-media/future-reflections>.
If you have not already, please complete the quick, five-minute *Braille
Monitor *survey <https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/BrailleMonitor>.
*From Advocacy and Policy: *Thanks to all of our members who responded to
our two legislative alerts last week. The first legislative alert pertained
to the Access Technology Affordability Act. The second legislative alert
urged our members to contact their senators and representative to
oppose a provision
in one of the coronavirus relief bills which would have potentially waived
parts of the Individuals with Disabilities Education (IDEA) Act during this
coronavirus pandemic. As a result of our advocacy, this waiver authority
was modified to be a thirty-day study.
In addition, the National Federation of the Blind has been urging Congress
to take three specific measures to ensure that the rights blind Americans
have spent years fighting for are not forgotten during this time of crisis
and hardship.
With respect to the SSDI program, we are asking that Congress instruct the
Social Security Administration to waive the five-month waiting period to
receive benefits. We are also asking that the twenty-four-month waiting
period for Medicare benefits be waived. The elimination of these waiting
periods will allow much-needed benefits to flow more quickly to those who
apply during the COVID-19 pandemic.
We are exploring other aspects of the legislation to improve
transportation, access to testing, and equal access to training and
information as a result of the coronavirus.
Finally, we are asking Congress to appropriate emergency funds to help
support Randolph-Sheppard vendors who have lost business due to the
COVID-19 pandemic.
This morning the Senate is going to vote on an amended version of the third
coronavirus relief bill. We will be examining the contents of this bill as
soon as it is available to the public and determine next steps.
Affiliate and Chapter Leader Training – Relationship Building:
We know that relationships are key to so much of what we do. Fundraising is
all about relationships. Networking is key to greater advocacy and building
public awareness. Marketing and communications improve when we have forged
strong relationships.
As part of the National Federation of the Blind’s strategic plan, our
leaders will share best practices, as well as receive training and tips
regarding building and stewarding relationships. We have two sessions
planned and you may sign up for either one. The first session will take
place on April 8, 2020, at 9:00 p.m. eastern and the second will take place
on April 9, 2020, at 8:00 p.m. eastern.
Participants will connect via conference call. Please reach out to Brie
Darnall at bdarnall at nfb.org to sign up for one of the two sessions offered.
Better relationship management will improve fundraising, advocacy,
marketing, and communications. Join other Federation leaders to share your
ideas and to learn more.
Dream Makers Circle State Affiliate Flyer Available:
During the Presidents’ Retreat, a request was made for a flyer specific to
affiliates about planned giving
<https://www.nfb.org/get-involved/ways-give/planned-giving> opportunities.
You can now request a printable flier for your state affiliate to use when
speaking with people about leaving a legacy to the Federation. Remember
that whether a gift is given to our national organization or one of our
affiliates, the donor is inducted into our Dream Makers Circle. To obtain
the printable flyer, please reach out to Suzanne Shaffer at sshaffer at nfb.org.
For information about legacy giving or our Dream Makers Circle, contact
Patti Chang at pchang at nfb.org.
Dates to Keep in Mind:
- Spring Conventions
<https://www.nfb.org/about-us/state-affiliates/state-conventions>
(including new dates for postponed conventions)
- March 31: Deadline for scholarship applications
<https://www.nfb.org/programs-services/scholarships-and-awards/scholarship-program>
· April 15: Dr. Jacob Bolotin Award <https://www.nfb.org/bolotin>
application deadline
- May 1: Distinguished Educator Award
<https://www.nfb.org/programs-services/scholarships-and-awards/distinguished-educator-blind-students-award>
nomination deadline
- June 21-27: NFB EQ
<https://www.nfb.org/programs-services/national-center-blind-youth-science/nfb-eq>;
St. Paul, Minnesota
- July 14-19: NFB National Convention <https://www.nfb.org/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/>
[image: Facebook]
<http://www.facebook.com/nationalfederationoftheblind> [image: Twitter]
<https://twitter.com/NFB_Voice> [image: Youtube]
<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