[Ohio-Talk] Please read.

Wed Aug 5 13:17:58 UTC 2020

                Greetings Ohio,

I want to remind you all to please exercise safety and protection as we
continue to be impacted by COVID-19. Although, we are venturing out more,
this pandemic is still running rapid throughout Ohio and across the country.
Remember to wear a mask, exercise social distancing and wash your hands for
at least 20 seconds. As our Governor often states, that you are protecting
those who are most vulnerable. 

In regards to face-to-face meetings,  I have been asked about meeting in the
community. While all of us cannot wait to gather together, you must
understand that keeping our membership safe takes priority. So, at this time
it is still not advised to have in person meetings. We should still take
advantage of the Zoom platform or meet by conference call.

Ohio, you will find some information from this week's President's Notebook
with important dates and other critical information listed below. I would
encourage you to read and pay attention to the items highlighted.

The 74th Ohio State Convention registrations have been arriving slowly, but
the information promoted appears to be correct. As A Result, I am hoping
additional members will go online and complete the form.  Though, this
convention is free, we will also occur some cost.  I am urging Chapters,
Committees, Divisions and individuals to assist and prepare contributing to
the NFB of Ohio. Please register now do not wait and if you can help others
then do just that!

We have been gathering as much information as possible to make Shure the
convention will be the best possible and it will require your help. Please
let me know off list if you have thoughts about programming for this year's
state convention. 

There are opening opportunities at the national office. I understand that a
number of staff positions are available at the Federation headquarters. Some
positions are posted, and others are not yet written. If you know of members
looking to join a dynamic movement in full-time employment, please invite
them to submit a cover letter and resume for one of the positions posted at
<https://www.nfb.org/about-us/career-opportunities>
https://www.nfb.org/about-us/career-opportunities. You can encourage members
to submit general interest in employment to the Federation. We are always
looking for talented people. 

You also have been invited to the below meeting on Wednesday so please
attend if you wish to take part.

Ohio,

There is an opportunity for Ohio Affiliate members who are musicians and
performers to get together to discuss a potential project. Therefore, the
Ohio President and I are proposing a meeting tomorrow night to talk through
this process. If you are interested, call on Wednesday, August 5, 2020 at
7:00 P.M. EDT.

On the Ohio Zoom platform.

Please email or call me off list with comments, concerns or suggestions!

Suzanne

To Join Zoom Meeting

Click:

 <https://zoom.us/j/4081850851> https://zoom.us/j/4081850851

Or Call: +1 669 900 6833 US (San Jose)

Meeting ID: 408 185 0851

National Federation of the Blind of Ohio (NFBO)

Suzanne Turner, Ohio Affiliate Vice President

News

Sami's Law: 

Sami's Law passed in the House on Wednesday, July 29. Representative Chris
Smith, who spoke at our Congressional Reception earlier this year,
specifically thanked the National Federation of the Blind from the House
floor. We are urging the Senate to immediately pass the House bill, H.R.
4686, via unanimous consent. 

SAFE TO WORK Act: 

On Monday, July 27, Senators Cornyn and McConnell introduced the SAFE TO
WORK Act, S. 4317. The National Federation of the Blind opposes all
references to the Americans with Disabilities Act in Section 181 of this
bill. As currently drafted, Section 181 would eliminate critical protections
provided by the Americans with Disabilities Act beginning December 1, 2019
and ending October 1, 2024. Specifically, we urge Congress to strike the
reference to the Americans with Disabilities Act contained in the definition
of "covered Federal employment law" and to completely strike Section 181(b)
entitled "Public Accommodation Laws." Watch for a legislative alert on this
and on Sami's Law. 

Continuing the ADA Conversation:

Join us on Twitter Wednesday, August 12, at 2:00 p.m. eastern for our
Twitter chat focused on the ADA. This will be a continuation of our panel
discussion, "Leveraging the ADA," that took place during the
<https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/nfb20?__eep__=6&source=feed_text&epa=HASHT
AG&__xts__%5B0%5D=68.ARB4pho-Y2i_XtQTrHScv7zesvtj39kiE5q_aE8npwQCIS0jNFFlFXD
OuB5eXBsi8SdJzR9Krj1pSWUNFkBED0_pfL9Q2yzV9HbKsmol4VHPU6Xm_cxgFmbSwZXeDY36Yn7
0wV6MxY1W3jleHi_qsL1upi7KMA7ervw0sStrJ_WECP-B0j1TPjGcmkh65QuRlYyfv8hWIc_jylj
LTGpdbhKHtyN6ZrnLr684a936weyif3qeaamr0eLXjSZPD1Fa2_RNl4SCv6KmEKgcQRgEF_MJM1A
j8H3OURtIWVI04_OkOTBiN4YVAIjk1OjhU2AkUZpPV6N9cWIF60d98g&__tn__=%2ANK-R>
#NFB20 National Convention. For more updates and information, follow us on
Twitter at @NFB_Voice. To view the panel discussion from the convention,
visit  <https://youtu.be/1Ecmf9bAec8> our YouTube channel.

Upcoming Accessibility Boutique-Technology and Training Options for Seniors:

Join us on Tuesday, August 25, at 2:00 p.m. eastern to learn more about
easy, accessible, and powerful tools for seniors. Accessibility boutiques
are workshops presented by National Federation of the Blind access
technology experts that provide introductions to accessibility best
practices and the latest trends in access tech.
<https://www.nfb.org/programs-services/center-excellence-nonvisual-access/tr
ainings/accessibility-boutiques> Learn more and register now!

Early Childhood Initiatives:

The National Federation of the Blind's early childhood initiatives are great
resources for young blind children and their families, providing guidance on
literacy and independent travel. Families with blind children up to eight
years old can sign up for the Braille Reading Pals Club, which provides
Braille books and other fun Braille activities at no cost, and our Early
Explorers initiative, which encourages independent travel and exploration,
also free to participants.
<https://www.nfb.org/programs-services/early-childhood-initiatives> Share
the programs and early childhood application today! 

NFB-NEWSLINER: 

In the early days of the pandemic, when information on COVID-19 was more
difficult to obtain, the National Federation of the Blind made NFB-NEWSLINE
available in all non-sponsored states. This policy will end August 31.
Current non-sponsored states are Alaska, Montana, North Dakota, South
Dakota, Wyoming, and Puerto Rico. 

Duke University:

As it relates to the
<https://www.nfb.org/about-us/press-room/national-federation-blind-sues-duke
-university> NFB's lawsuit against Duke University, we are hoping to hear
from any blind students currently attending or planning to attend Duke.
Please contact Valerie Yingling at  <mailto:vyingling at nfb.org>
vyingling at nfb.org if this applies to you. 

Dates to Keep in Mind

*	July 27-August 7: NFB BELLR In-Home Edition
*	September 1: Presidential Release LIVE, 8:00 p.m. eastern
*	September 13: Open-House Gathering call, 4:00 p.m. eastern
*	October 1: Presidential Release LIVE, 8:00 p.m. eastern
*	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

Richard Payne,  President

National Federation of the Blind of Ohio

937/829/3368

 <mailto:Rchpay7 at gmail.com> Rchpay7 at gmail.com

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.

Richard Payne,  President

National Federation of the Blind of Ohio

937/829/3368

 <mailto:Rchpay7 at gmail.com> Rchpay7 at gmail.com

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.