[Ohio-Talk] NFB President’s Notebook - week of 01/06/2020

Wed Jan 8 11:19:32 UTC 2020

From: President, National Federation of the Blind 
Sent: Tuesday, January 7, 2020 10:26 AM
To: President, National Federation of the Blind <OfficeOfThePresident at nfb.org>
Subject: NFB President’s Notebook - week of 01/06/2020

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,

Happy New Year! The National Federation of the Blind is primed and ready for a fantastic 2020. I am looking forward to being with all of you in February. As you know this is crunch time for Washington Seminar planning. Please be sure your delegation has what they need and reach out to John Paré if you need additional support. There are many notes below on this topic.

Our first seminar of the year is rolling in this week with our NFB BELL® coordinators and teachers. It always brings a lot of excitement to be thinking about our educational programs for the summer. Thanks to each of you that have made the commitment to another summer of Braille excellence.

As always, please continue to provide feedback on the work we are doing to support state affiliates. We are one big team, and your input is valuable.

Here is to a great 2020!

Critical Actions This Week:

Washington Seminar:
As we say goodbye to 2019 and look toward the future, imminently on the horizon is the 2020 Washington Seminar. As of today, we are a mere thirty-five days away from the Great Gathering-In. That means that time is quickly winding down to reserve your hotel room. The last day to reserve a room using the Federation room block is this Wednesday, January 8. Please be sure to book your room <https://www.holidayinn.com/redirect?path=rates&brandCode=HI&localeCode=en&regionCode=1&hotelCode=wassm&checkInDate=06&checkInMonthYear=012020&checkOutDate=15&checkOutMonthYear=012020&_PMID=99801505&GPC=N2F&cn=no&viewfullsite=true>  before the deadline. 

In more Washington Seminar news, below are brief descriptions of our three legislative priorities for the 2020 Washington Seminar, including links to the fact sheets for each. 

Access Technology Affordability Act (ATAA) (H.R. 2086/S. 815) <https://www.nfb.org/programs-services/advocacy/legislative-agenda/access-technology-affordability> 
The cost of critically needed access technology is out of reach for most blind Americans. By providing a refundable tax credit for qualifying purchases, Congress will stimulate individual procurement of this technology and promote affordability of these tools.

Greater Access and Independence through Nonvisual Access Technology (GAIN) Act (H.R. 3929) <https://www.nfb.org/programs-services/advocacy/legislative-agenda/greater-access-independence-nonvisual-access-technology> 
Advanced digital interfaces create barriers that prevent blind individuals from independently operating essential devices that enhance quality of life. Congress must end the digital divide that threatens the independence of blind Americans by developing minimum accessibility requirements for such devices.

Accessible Instructional Materials in Higher Education (AIM HIGH) Act (H.R. 5312/S. 3095) <https://www.nfb.org/programs-services/advocacy/legislative-agenda/accessible-instructional-materials-higher-education> 
Until a market-driven solution for accessible instructional materials is achieved, blind college students are denied access to critical course content. The AIM HIGH Act will remove these barriers to equality in the classroom by creating a set of guidelines that clearly define accessible instructional materials.

News:

January Presidential Release:
The January Presidential Release is available on the website at https://www.nfb.org/resources/publications-and-media/presidential-releases. 

New Video:
Check out our World Blind Day video <https://youtu.be/2-6szTAUJAY> .

Jernigan Convention Scholarship—Application Open:
Active National Federation of the Blind members, blind or sighted, who have not yet attended an NFB National Convention because of lack of funding are eligible to apply for the Kenneth Jernigan Convention Scholarship. Applications are now open. Applicants will submit contact, Federation, and mentor information as well as answer a few essay questions. Deadline to apply is April 15, 2020.  <https://www.nfb.org/get-involved/national-convention/kenneth-jernigan-convention-scholarship> Learn more about applying for the Jernigan Convention Scholarship.

Braille Monitor—New Space, Student Action, and More:
Check out the latest version of the Braille Monitor that includes all of the details of the newly renovated space at the Jernigan Institute. Learn about action items needed for the Accessible Instructional Materials in Higher Education Act, employment rights, our accessible voting letter to secretaries of state, and more. Read the January  <https://www.nfb.org/resources/publications-and-media/braille-monitor> Braille Monitor.

Call for Nominations—Bolotin Awards:
The National Federation of the Blind is accepting nominations of individuals or organizations who are a positive force in the lives of blind people and advance the goal of helping us transform dreams into reality. Each application must include a letter of recommendation. Deadline to submit is April 15, 2020. Learn more and submit a nomination for the 2020 Dr. Jacob Bolotin Awards <https://www.nfb.org/programs-services/scholarships-and-awards/dr-jacob-bolotin-awards/application-information> . 

Dates to Keep in Mind:

*	January 9-11: NFB BELL Academy Training Seminar 
*	February 10: Great Gathering-In; Washington Seminar begins
*	March 26-27: Jacobus tenBroek Disability Law Symposium, Baltimore, Maryland
*	March 31: Deadline for scholarship applications <https://www.nfb.org/programs-services/scholarships-and-awards/scholarship-program> 
*	April 14-17: NABM BLAST <http://www.blindmerchants.org> ; Chicago, Illinois

*       April 15:  <https://www.nfb.org/programs-services/scholarships-and-awards/dr-jacob-bolotin-awards/application-information> Dr. Jacob Bolotin Award application deadline 

*	June 21-27: NFB EQ; St. Paul, Minnesota
*	July 14-19: NFB National Convention <https://www.nfb.org/get-involved/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/> 

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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. 