[Ohio-talk] NFB President’s Notebook - week of 04/29/2019

Tue Apr 30 05:54:56 UTC 2019

From: President, National Federation of the Blind <OfficeOfThePresident at nfb.org> 
Sent: Monday, April 29, 2019 3:54 PM
To: President, National Federation of the Blind <OfficeOfThePresident at nfb.org>
Subject: NFB President’s Notebook - week of 04/29/2019

President’s Notebook

National Federation of the Blind

Mark A. Riccobono

 <mailto:officeofthepresident at nfb.org> officeofthepresident at nfb.org

410-659-9314

Dear Fellow Federationists,

I want to begin by expressing appreciation for our Federation leaders who have reached out with offers of love and support to our members in Louisiana. In case you missed it, we have included the announcement below regarding our Ruston relief efforts. We are blessed that none of our Federation family were physically harmed by the tornado that struck Ruston on Thursday morning.

Many of you have been asking about how to get new members into our database if they were not submitted with the original membership list for your affiliate. We have been adjusting our new member form and it has taken much longer than planned. Please know that the new member form is coming soon, and we will provide clear instructions for how to get our new members plugged in.

I want to again call your attention to the code of conduct update I sent last week. The question came up about putting the code on an affiliate website. Please note that it is not necessary for you to post the code to the affiliate website. You should reference the code and link to it on the national website--it is on every page of our website. This way, your affiliate will always have a link to the latest version and to the associated process for filing a report of violation of the code.

Critical Actions This Week:

Ruston Recovery for Blind Residents
On Thursday, April 25, 2019, a tornado touched down in Ruston, Louisiana, doing significant damage to the homes of many members of the National Federation of the Blind of Louisiana. Ruston is home to the Louisiana Center for the Blind, one of the world's strongest programs for instilling confidence and cultivating independence in blind people. Fortunately, the training facilities of the Louisiana Center for the Blind were not directly impacted although the homes of many staff and volunteers sustained unbelievable damage. While no one was physically hurt, considerable work and expense face these families as they secure temporary housing and begin the long process of repairing and rebuilding their homes. The National Federation of the Blind is coordinating donations to assist impacted families who are part of Ruston's exceptional training programs for the blind. Working with blind leaders in Ruston we will be identifying needs for assistance and directing funds to where they are most needed.

Donations can be made to the National Federation of the Blind with a note that they are for Ruston Recovery for Blind Residents. Please send your donations to National Federation of the Blind, 200 East Wells Street, Baltimore, Maryland, 21230, and put Ruston Recovery in the memo field, or visit  <https://www.nfb.org/donate> https://www.nfb.org/donate.

News:

Blindness Experience Teaching Internship:
Please distribute this opportunity to professionals who are or will be working with blind individuals.

Attend this 2019–2020 internship at one of our training centers for the hands-on training and experience necessary to jump-start a career in the field of blindness. Lodging, travel, and a stipend for food and incidentals are provided. Applications are due May 31, 2019. Learn dynamic nonvisual skills. Take core classes. Prepare to raise expectations. To learn more and apply, visit  <https://nfb.org/programs-services/scholarships-and-awards/blindness-experience-teaching-internship> https://nfb.org/programs-services/scholarships-and-awards/blindness-experience-teaching-internship.

Congress Back in Session:
After a two-week period in the districts, Congress is back in Washington. During the break, four House cosponsors were added to H.R. 2086, the Access Technology Affordability Act: Stephanie Murphy of Florida, Chris Stewart of Utah, Jim Cooper of Tennessee, and Rashida Tlaib of Michigan. We want to send our thanks to the Florida, Utah, Tennessee, and Michigan affiliates for all of your hard work in getting these representatives on the bill. Keep up the good work, and remember, Congress will be in session for the next four weeks so keep making calls and sending emails!

       Greyhound Secret Shopper Program:

Congratulations to the affiliates that participated in quarter three of the NFB’s Greyhound Secret Shopper Program: Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, and Oklahoma. The data we have gathered thus far has been critical to monitoring whether Greyhound call center operators are waiving call center booking fees for blind customers who experience difficulty booking tickets through Greyhound’s website or mobile apps. For more information on this important program, contact Valerie Yingling at vyingling at nfb.org <mailto:vyingling at nfb.org>  or visit  <https://nfb.org/images/nfb/documents/pdf/legal_program/settlements/addendum_c_to_greyhound_agreement.pdf> https://nfb.org/images/nfb/documents/pdf/legal_program/settlements/addendum_c_to_greyhound_agreement.pdf. 

Upcoming Student Seminars:
There are two upcoming student seminars. The Southeast Student Seminar will be August 9-11, and the Pacific Student Seminar will be August 16-18. Registration opens May 15 for each of them. Contact Kathryn Webster ( <mailto:nabs.president at gmail.com> nabs.president at gmail.com) with questions.

Dates to Keep in Mind:

*	May 1, 2019:  <https://www.nfb.org/programs-services/scholarships-and-awards/distinguished-educator-blind-students-award> Distinguished Educator Award nomination deadline
*	May 15, 2019: Southeast Student Seminar and Pacific Student Seminar registration deadline
*	June 16-22, 2019:  <http://www.blindscience.org/nfbeq> NFB EQ, Baltimore, Maryland

*	July 7-12, 2019:  <https://nfb.org/convention/2019> NFB National Convention, 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

(410) 659-9314 |  <mailto:officeofthepresident at nfb.org> officeofthepresident at nfb.org 

 <https://nfb.org/> 

                          <http://www.facebook.com/nationalfederationoftheblind>      <https://twitter.com/NFB_Voice>      <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. 