[NFBWV-Talk] Fwd: NFB President’s Notebook - Week of 09/21/2020

Sat Sep 26 20:29:09 UTC 2020

Hi !  I thought our convention was informative .  I'm glad we are using
technology .  I had to leave a little early because my apartment is having
water issues .  Yuck !

On Mon, Sep 21, 2020, 5:32 PM Sheri Koch via NFBWV-Talk <
nfbwv-talk at nfbnet.org> wrote:

> ---------- Forwarded message ---------
> From: President, National Federation of the Blind <
> OfficeOfThePresident at nfb.org>
> Date: Mon, Sep 21, 2020 at 5:11 PM
> Subject: NFB President’s Notebook - Week of 09/21/2020
> To: State Presidents <StatePresidents at nfb.org>
> CC: NFB-Division-Leaders at nfbnet.org <NFB-Division-Leaders at nfbnet.org>, NCB
> Staff <NCBStaff at nfb.org>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> President’s Notebook
>
> National Federation of the Blind
>
> Mark A. Riccobono
>
> officeofthepresident at nfb.org
>
> 410-659-9314
>
>
>
>
> Dear Fellow Federationists,
>
>
> As we close out the last day of summer, we can celebrate the great
> successes we have had during the season. Moving into fall we know that our
> local affiliates will be challenged to keep people connected as our nation
>
> continues to deal with the pandemic and the economic stresses caused by it.
> My heart continues to be warmed by the deep personal commitment that
> Federationists are making in all parts of this country to support their
> blind brothers and sisters who are facing
>
> challenges during the pandemic.
>
>
> Thanks for all the work you all are doing to keep spirits high, keep the
> Federation family connected, and continue advancing the status of the blind
> in society. As the summer lemonade gives way to the fall cider,
>
> I hope each of you takes some time to recognize how important your work is
> to our collective success around the country. Here's to a great autumn.
>
>
>
>
>
> *Critical Actions:*
>
> *Attend the Presidential Release Next Week:*
>
> The
>
> October Presidential Release
> <https://www.nfb.org/civicrm/event/info?reset=1&id=399> of the National
> Federation of the Blind will be delivered on Thursday, October 1. After the
> remarks there is an opportunity for questions. Submit questions in advance
> to
>
> cdanielsen at nfb.org and put PR498 in the subject line, or call
> 410-659-9314,
> extension 2473.
>
>
>
>
>
>
> *Celebrate #NationalVoterRegistrationDay, September 22:*
>
> The National Federation of the Blind encourages all blind people,
> regardless of their political views, to participate in the American
> democracy. According to NationalVoterRegistrationDay.org millions of
> eligible voters are unable to cast
>
> a ballot every year because of a missed registration deadline, outdated
> registration information, or other problems with their voter registration.
> We hope that blind Americans across the country will celebrate
> #NationalVoterRegistrationDay and get registered
>
> to vote and ready to cast a ballot. Review
>
> our voting resources <https://www.nfb.org/resources/voting-resources> for
> more information on voting.
>
>
> And don’t forget that we have our own voting song, "Our Vote
> <https://www.nfb.org/images/nfb/audio/nfb_songs/hamilton-parody-final.mp3
> >,"
> thanks to the talents of NFB member Precious Perez who was inspired by "My
> Shot" from
>
> the musical *Hamilton.*
>
>
>
>
>
>
> *News:*
>
> *US Commission on Civil Rights Report on Subminimum Wages:*
>
> Last week the US Commission on Civil Rights released a report,
>
> *Subminimum Wages: Impacts on the Civil Rights of People with Disabilities
> <
> https://www.usccr.gov/pubs/briefing-reports/2020-09-17-Subminimum-Wages.php
> >*,
> that recommended the 14(c) program be repealed with a planned phase out.
> They also recommended
>
> transition funding be allocated for capacity building while the program is
> phased out. The commission recommended oversight authority and jurisdiction
> be assigned to either the Department of Labor or the Department of Justice,
> noting the lack of civil rights
>
> oversight to protect the rights of 14(c) workers. More information is
> available in our press release. Also, a video prepared by the commission is
> available at
>
>
>
> https://securisync.intermedia.net/us2/s/HZL97afsUcN4QDOGYdK5pp0011ef58.
>
>
> The complete press release is available on
>
> our website
> <
> https://www.nfb.org/about-us/press-room/national-federation-blind-applauds-report-united-states-commission-civil-rights
> >.
>
>
>
>
>
>
> *Access Technology Affordability Act:*
>
> The ATAA has record support in both the House and Senate. With the addition
> of Representatives Cathy McMorris Rodgers (Washington) and Lori Trahan
> (Massachusetts) last week, the House version of the bill now has 127
> cosponsors. There was
>
> also a new cosponsor in the Senate last week, as Senator Kirsten Gillibrand
> (New York) signed onto the bill, bringing our total number of Senate
> cosponsors to twenty-five. Leadership in both chambers continues to be
> impressed with the cosponsor counts on the
>
> Access Technology Affordability Act, as well as the bipartisan nature of
> the cosponsors. However, we have to keep pushing for more, as this gives us
> the greatest opportunity to have ATAA included in a larger bill package.
>
>
>
>
>
>
> *Independence Market Exhibit Video:*
>
> A number of state affiliates have requested our Independence Market exhibit
> at their upcoming conventions. In an effort to fulfill all of the requests,
> we are working on a brief demo of a
>
> few independence market items that affiliates can use at their conventions.
> This video will be sent out to affiliates later this week; it is expected
> to be ready by Wednesday.
>
>
>
>
>
>
> *Meet the Blind Month—Share Your Events:*
>
> The National Federation of the Blind celebrates
>
> Meet the Blind Month
> <https://www.nfb.org/programs-services/meet-blind-month> every October.
> Many members are planning virtual events and more in our local communities.
> Send the date of your event and a brief description to
>
> web at nfb.org, so it can be included on nfb.org/MTBM. Please use
> #MeetTheBlind in social media. Additionally, plan to participate in our
>
> weekly Twitter chats <https://www.nfb.org/get-involved/twitter-chats> each
> Wednesday of October around lived experiences with intersectionality. Mark
> your calendars now!
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> *This Week: Nonvisual Access Conference, September 24-25:*
>
> *Access Technology and Structured Discovery. *Designed for teachers of
> blind students and blindness professionals, the National Federation of the
> Blind is hosting the
>
>
>
> Nonvisual Access Conference
> <
> https://www.nfb.org/programs-services/center-excellence-nonvisual-access/trainings/nonvisual-access-conference
> >,
> an all-virtual, two-day conference with sessions and panels discussing the
> intersection of access technology and the structured discovery training
> model used in other areas of blindness-skills training. Review the agenda
> and
>
> register today.
>
>
>
>
>
> *Next Week: Inclusive Publishing Conference, October 1:*
>
> *Working Together for an Accessible Future in Digital Content*. The
> National Federation of the Blind is hosting a one-day online event focused
> on digital publication accessibility. The
>
>
>
> Inclusive Publishing Conference
> <
> https://www.nfb.org/programs-services/center-excellence-nonvisual-access/trainings/inclusive-publishing-conference
> >
> will feature presentations such as “Word to EPUB 101,” “Issues Facing Blind
> Students in Higher Education Today,” “Best Practices for Ensuring
> Accessible Content in Your University Course,” and more. Registration is
> open.
>
>
>
>
>
>
> *Pearson Collaboration:*
>
> The National Federation of the Blind’s collaboration with Pearson in
> connection with the Pearson/NFB Corporate Disability Mentoring Program is
> going well. In this six-month program, blind college
>
> students are matched with successful Pearson employees and are provided
> access to guidance, advice, and support from successful and experienced
> professionals working in a variety of positions within the Pearson
> organization. This year we also are matching
>
> each Pearson mentor-mentee pair with a blind NFB mentor who will serve as a
> resource to the mentoring pair should blindness questions or concerns
> arise.
>
> Although the primary relationship in the triad is the relationship between
> the student and his or her Pearson mentor, our NFB mentors will be
> available to serve as a sounding board and to answer any questions or offer
> advice if requested.
>
>
> If you are interested in serving as a blindness resource to a mentor/mentee
> pair in the
>
> Pearson/NFB Corporate Disability Mentoring Program, please send an email to
>
> sdubnow at nfb.org.
>
>
>
>
>
> *Amazon Fulfillment Center Employees:*
>
> Related to
>
> NFB Resolution 2020-11: Regarding Amazon Employment Practices
> <
> https://www.nfb.org/resources/speeches-and-reports/resolutions/2020-resolutions
> >,
> if you have been hired to work at an Amazon fulfillment center and were
> denied accommodations and/or put on leave without pay while your
> accommodations were being evaluated, the NFB needs to
>
> hear from you. Please contact Valerie Yingling, legal program coordinator,
> at
>
> vyingling at nfb.org regarding your experience.
>
>
>
>
>
> *Thanks Go out to Missouri and Oregon:*
>
> I want to especially recognize both our Missouri and Oregon affiliates for
> sharing recent bequests with our national office. These unrestricted gifts
> from estates are so important to what we do. They give us the flexibility
> to do things
>
> like advocate for voting rights during the pandemic.
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> *Dates to Keep in Mind:*
>
>
>
>
>    - September 24-25:
>
>
>
>    Nonvisual Access Conference
>    <
> https://www.nfb.org/programs-services/center-excellence-nonvisual-access/trainings/nonvisual-access-conference
> >
>    - October 1: Presidential Release LIVE, 8:00 p.m. eastern
>    - October 1:
>
>
>
>    Inclusive Publishing Conference
>    <
> https://www.nfb.org/programs-services/center-excellence-nonvisual-access/trainings/inclusive-publishing-conference
> >
>    - October: Meet the Blind Month
>    - November 1: Presidential Release LIVE, 8:00 p.m. eastern
>    - December 1: Presidential Release LIVE, 8:00 p.m. eastern
>    - December 9: Open-House Gathering call, 8:00 p.m. eastern
>    - February 8, 2021: Washington Seminar Great Gathering-In
>
>
>
>
>
>
> 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
>
>
>
>
> Twitter: @Riccobono
>
>
>
>
> Pronouns: he, him, his
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> [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
> _______________________________________________
> NFBWV-Talk mailing list
> NFBWV-Talk at nfbnet.org
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nfbwv-talk_nfbnet.org
> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
> NFBWV-Talk:
>
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nfbwv-talk_nfbnet.org/pathatmat1%40gmail.com
>