[Ohio-Talk] NFB President’s Notebook - week of 10/28/2019

Wed Oct 30 07:46:26 UTC 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,

You can tell we are in the heart of fall now as the activity around the Federation is quite intense. I am heading to one of the ten affiliate conventions happening this next weekend along with other visits to meetings for the Federation. I appreciate the continued feedback that you all provide; it is very helpful to make sure our national organization is providing the assistance you need in building the local organization. If you have things that require my immediate attention, I urge you to call or text me as my travel schedule makes it difficult to keep up with the inbox. There are many notes for you this week. I encourage you to take pieces of this and incorporate them into your affiliate communications. 

Most importantly, in case you missed it, our first vice president, Pam Allen, was recently recognized with a community award for her outstanding service, which is driven by her understanding and expression of the Federation philosophy. It is nice to witness the community coming to acknowledge what we already know about one of our most outstanding leaders. This video is worth sharing with others <https://m.youtube.com/watch?feature=youtu.be&v=qRNqK_98Vn0> .

Critical Actions This Week:

Convention Dates Have Changed:
The 2020 National Convention of the National Federation of the Blind will be held July 14-19 in Houston, Texas. While the convention was originally planned for two weeks earlier, the Federation agreed to move its convention to accommodate activities in the city of Houston. We believe this change will further enhance the program, exhibits, and dynamic content provided at America's civil rights and resource convention of blind people and their families. More information regarding convention arrangements will be published in the December issue of the Braille Monitor.

News:

Braille Readers Are Leaders Contest:
Registration for the Braille Readers Are Leaders contest, administered by the American Action Fund for Blind Children and Adults in partnership with the National Federation of the Blind, will open Friday, November 1. The contest, with categories for children and adults, will run through January 18, 2020, and reading logs must be submitted by February 1, 2020. Details, including entry information, can be found at https://actionfund.org/BRAL. 

Presidential Release:
The November release will be available on Friday in the usual locations.

National Highway Transportation Safety Administration NPRM Comments:
There has been a lot of discussion about updates to the Pedestrian Safety Enhancement Act (PSEA) in recent weeks, and I wanted to reiterate the National Federation of the Blind’s stance on the issue of multiple possible alert sounds. The National Federation of the Blind has always supported the idea that car companies might want to provide more than one sound that is compliant with the regulations set forth under the Pedestrian Safety Enhancement Act, which was signed into law on January 4, 2011. We supported this language because multiple sounds have the potential to create greater societal acceptance, and any sound that manufacturers provide must be compliant. Our most recent comments to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration <https://www.nfb.org/sites/www.nfb.org/files/files-pdf/nfb-response-to-docket-no-nhtsa-2019-0085.pdf>  reinforce this position. Federation leaders are welcome and encouraged to add their comments to the department’s request for feedback. 

OSERS National Instructional Materials Access Standard (NIMAS) Comments:
I have also provided comments to the US Department of Education regarding the accessibility of digital educational content and instructional materials, as well as the continued instruction and utilization of Braille in the classroom.  <https://www.nfb.org/sites/www.nfb.org/files/files-pdf/nfb-response-to-docket-id-ed-2019-osers-0111.pdf> The letter is available on our website.

Scholarship Program–Call for Applications Starts November 1:
A note from Cayte Mendez: Every year, the National Federation of the Blind awards more than $120,000 to blind scholars across the fifty states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico in recognition of their achievements and professional aspirations. The scholarship program is our commitment to academic excellence and leadership among blind students, and each winner is awarded on the basis of academic excellence, community service, and leadership. The application process opens this week, November 1. Review the  <https://www.nfb.org/programs-services/scholarships-and-awards/scholarship-program/scholarship-program-application-checklist> scholarship application checklist and the  <https://www.nfb.org/programs-services/scholarships-and-awards/scholarship-program/scholarship-program-faqs> scholarship program FAQs. Share this opportunity that invests in the future of blind people. Learn about the eligibility and requirements of the 2020 scholarship program <https://www.nfb.org/programs-services/scholarships-and-awards/scholarship-program> . 

Santa Braille Letters:
It is time for Santa letters. Between November 11 and December 16, parents can go online at www.nfb.org/santa-letters <http://www.nfb.org/santa-letters>  and fill out a Santa Braille Letter request form. The form can also be printed and faxed to 410-685-2340 or emailed to communityrelations at nfb.org <mailto:communityrelations at nfb.org> . Beginning Monday, December 2, the Braille letters from Santa will start going out to boys and girls around the country. The Braille letter will also be accompanied by a print copy (for mom and dad to read) as well as some other fun Christmastime activities. The deadline for letter requests is December 16 to ensure that a return letter in Braille is received before Christmas. For more information, visit www.nfb.org <http://www.nfb.org> . 

Dates to Keep in Mind:

*	January 9-11, 2020: BELL® Academy Training Seminar 
*	February 10, 2020: Great Gathering-In; Washington Seminar begins
*	March 26-27, 2020: Jacobus tenBroek Law Symposium, Baltimore, Maryland
*	April 14-17, 2020: NABM BLAST <http://www.blindmerchants.org> ; Chicago, Illinois
*	July 14-19, 2020: NFB 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

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