[Ohio-Talk] President remarks,

Thu Feb 18 14:05:41 UTC 2021

Dear Fellow Federationists,

I am reminded once again about the weather in Ohio. you say after over
twenty years, I should be use to this weather, well I am not. I am currently
sitting in my home office thinking about those who must deal with the
weather in quite a different way than most of us. we should count ourselves
as extremely fortunate. I hope that our membership is finding ways to stay
safe and well. My doctor keeps reminding me that I am older, and aging
requires better eating and living. We all should work on those things so
keep up the good work.

My thanks and appreciation go out to the team that led the Ohio efforts for
the Washington seminar that was led by Eric I would also like to give thanks
to those who dedicated the time and service to attending when it was
possible, we all miss the in-person seminar.  Things will get better. Hang
in there. You will be asked to take part in writing emails, making phone
calls, and more now that the Washington Seminar is complete. Watch the
listserv for calls to action. 

Our chapters, divisions,  and committees, should be staying busy even during
the pandemic.  we have demonstrated that it is possible so, please be
prepared to share your activities with everyone at the board meeting that
will be held on April 24 at 9:00 AM. Please take note of that date and time.

The secret is already out so, if you do not know already, we will start the
planning for an in person convention that will be held in Columbus  November
5-6-7.  The room rate is $85.00 with breakfast for two. I talked with the
hotel, and they have been able to keep busy so some of the staff that we
have come to know will still be at this location. Please make plans to
attend.  it is important that we are able to come back together as a family
in one hotel, but if we cannot have the convention  in person due to
covid-19, then we will convert to a virtual convention. Please email me off
list if you would like to take part in the planning and have suggestions for
this year’s convention theme and I will set the agenda, but the needs of our
community certainly will take priority.

Tuesday, March 23rd at 4:30 p.m. we will have an open meeting with OOD. it
is especially important that you attend.  Once a month we meet with them,
but it is necessary that you provide your input as well. hopefully it is
positive but if you had a negative experience  that also needs to be known.
We will send out a reminder, but that is the date and time.

News from the national office:

This week nfb launched a diversity and inclusion survey that is open to all
members. We are currently in the process of building a system so that all
future surveys can also be offered via telephone. Please encourage your
chapters to assist people who might need help completing the survey.
Alternatively, members can call Janice Glenn Kershaw (extension 2413) or
email  <mailto:diversity at nfb.org> diversity at nfb.org to get assistance
filling out the survey in a more confidential manner if they prefer. This
should give us some important baseline data for our diversity work as we
move forward in 2021. Please help promote this survey and encourage broad
participation.

RAINN Training: Thanks for the tremendous work in completing the
pre-training surveys. We exceeded our participation goal, and I am confident
RAINN now has great data to help shape their work on the upcoming training
events. Most importantly, an email is coming to you and your boards asking
you to sign up for a training slot. All slots are first come, first served.
Please give this attention as quickly as possible, especially if you want to
make sure you get a particular date. There is no requirement that a board
attend the training at the same time. Please note that after training, all
individuals will be asked to complete an evaluation that will also be used
to confirm their attendance. If you find problems or concerns, please let us
know.

All affiliate and national division presidents are also being asked to
participate in anti-bias training in March. These will take place on
Saturday, March 20 and Saturday, March 27 from 2:00-5:00 p.m. eastern. If
there is an issue with participating in this on a Saturday, please reach out
to Janice Glenn Kershaw at extension 2413 or  <mailto:jglennkershaw at nfb.org>
jglennkershaw at nfb.org. Note that this training is currently only for
presidents. The form to sign up for one of the dates will be available
shortly. Feel free to mark your calendar for the date you want now, as
attendance limits should not be a problem.

Critical Actions:

Membership Spreadsheets:

It is the exciting, annual spreadsheet season at the Federation. If you have
not already, please confirmed with Cristina Jones ( <mailto:cjones at nfb.org>
cjones at nfb.org) that you have received your affiliate’s member spreadsheet.
Also confirm with her your preferred contact information for membership
matters, as well as the name and contact information of your designated
membership chair.

Spreadsheets are due between February 26 and March 15, 2021.

News:

National Convention—2021 Update and 2022 Announcement: 

Announced during the  <https://youtu.be/fTFJ2fRD2gw?t=1866> 2021 Great
Gathering-In, this year’s national convention will be held virtually from
July 6 through July 10, 2021, with the National Federation of the Blind of
Maryland as our host affiliate. Stay tuned for more details, which will be
posted at  <https://www.nfb.org/get-involved/national-convention>
nfb.org/convention. Registration for the 2021 NFB National Convention will
be coming soon. Also announced, the 2022 NFB National Convention will be
held from July 5-10 in New Orleans, Louisiana. 

Complete and Share the Diversity and Inclusion Survey:

The National Federation of the Blind is gathering information on diversity
and inclusion from members and leaders in the organization. Please take
approximately fifteen minutes to complete this important survey. The survey
includes a short optional and confidential questionnaire about you. Your
perspective and experiences are needed to develop diversity and inclusion
initiatives for our movement. If you have questions or need assistance with
the survey please connect with  <mailto:diversity at nfb.org> diversity at nfb.org
or call 410-659-9314 extension 2413.

 <https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/NFB-Diversity-Inclusion> 2021 Diversity and
Inclusion Survey (English)

 <https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/NFB-Diversidad-Inclusion> En Español: 2021
Encuesta sobre Diversidad e Inclusión

Latest Podcast: Meet Blindness Tech Pioneer Dean Blazie:

The Nation's Blind Podcast highlights different themes related to blindness,
independent living, and news from the National Federation of the Blind. On
this episode, Anil and Chris talk with Dean Blazie, who has been working
with blind people to develop technology we can use since the 1960s. Learn
more about
<https://www.nfb.org/sites/www.nfb.org/files/2021-02/nations_blind_podcast_d
ean_blazie_2.mp3> Dean and the Braille’n’Speak in the recent podcast
episode.

Open House: Information for Non-Members Interested in Joining:

Please share with non-members the following: The National Federation of the
Blind invites blind people to learn more about being a member and the
benefits of membership on Wednesday, March 24, at 8:00 p.m. eastern. This is
a great opportunity to hear from active members and leaders on the myths and
uncertainties of the Federation. Sign up for the open-house gathering call
by emailing  <mailto:membership at nfb.org> membership at nfb.org or calling
410-659-9314, extension 2509.

Washington Seminar Recap:

Last week’s Washington Seminar is a perfect example of what we can do when
we all work together. We had 393 Congressional meetings—many with the
elected member of Congress. We have twelve more meetings scheduled for this
week and five for next week. Four additional senators have cosponsored the
Access Technology Affordability Act, S. 212: Jeanne Shaheen (NH), Robert
Casey (PA), Shelley Moore Capito (WV), and Lisa Murkowski (AK).

In addition, we expect a number of additional cosponsors on H.R. 431 when
the House updates its cosponsor count.

We have had a number of representatives and senators reach out to us
regarding our three other issues. There is no question your advocacy is
paying off. We should have more to report on our issues in the near future.
On that note, please remember to report the ratings from your meetings in
the Washington Seminar portal. Also, if a particular office never responded
to your meeting request, it is not too late. I urge you to politely ask for
a meeting two or three times.

Independence Market Special Items for February:

Our product of the month is the Kenneth Jernigan Cornbread Kit. Dr. Jernigan
loved southern fried corn bread and he devised this kit. The kit contains a
cast iron muffin pan that makes twelve scallop-shaped muffins, an oil
measurer, disposable filling cups, and two cooking templates to guide you in
getting the batter into the muffin pan. Dr. Jernigan's "NFB cornbread"
recipe is included in print and Braille (Item # AIK08C; $15.00).  Kits are
flying off the shelves and quantities are limited. Order your Kenneth
Jernigan Cornbread Kit today.

The following products are currently on sale:

Carbon Fiber Rigid Long White Canes with Metal Glide Tips on sale (ACF##S)
(Available in sizes ranging from 49 through 69 inches)

Solitaire and Fox & Geese (two board games in one) ITEM #AIG75G ($10)

Celebrating Black Leaders in the National Federation of the Blind:

In honor of Black History Month, on February 27, at 1:00 p.m., join Ron
Brown and Shawn Calloway as they discuss the characteristics of a good
leader and how they became leaders and sustained leadership roles in the
National Federation of the Blind. 

Join Zoom Meeting
 <https://zoom.us/j/97730665309> https://zoom.us/j/97730665309 

Meeting ID: 977 3066 5309
One tap mobile 
+13017158592,,97730665309# US (Washington DC) 16468769923,,97730665309# 
+US (New York)

Dial by your location 
        +1 301 715 8592 US (Washington DC) 
        +1 646 876 9923 US (New York) 
        +1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago) 
        +1 669 900 6833 US (San Jose) 
        +1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma) 
        +1 346 248 7799 US (Houston) 
        +1 408 638 0968 US (San Jose)
Meeting ID: 977 3066 5309

Reminders:

Upcoming Accessibility Boutiques and Seminars:

Accessibility boutiques and seminars 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.
Upcoming trainings include accessible documents on February 17 and virtual
meeting platforms on February 23.
<https://www.nfb.org/programs-services/center-excellence-nonvisual-access/tr
ainings/accessibility-boutiques> Learn more and register today for an
accessibility boutique.

Dates to Keep in Mind:

(all times eastern)

*        March 1: Presidential Release LIVE, 8:00 p.m. 

*        March 24-26: Jacobus tenBroek Law Symposium

*        March 31:
<https://www.nfb.org/programs-services/scholarships-and-awards/scholarship-p
rogram/scholarship-program-application-checklist> Scholarship application
deadline

*        April 1: Presidential Release LIVE, 8:00 p.m. 

*        April 15:  <https://www.nfb.org/bolotin> Bolotin Awards nominations
deadline

*        May 2: Presidential Release LIVE, 8:00 p.m. 

*        June 1: Presidential Release LIVE, 8:00 p.m. 

*        July 6-10, 2021: NFB National Convention, anywhere and everywhere

*        July 5-10, 2022: NFB National Convention, New Orleans, Louisiana

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

Twitter: @Riccobono

Pronouns: he, him, his

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. 

Mark your calendar: Ohio’s COVID-19 Vaccine Town Halls begin Feb. 22

As Ohio continues to roll out the COVID-19 vaccine, sharing accurate,
reliable information with at-risk communities to help reduce vaccine
hesitancy remains a high priority.

As a result, the Ohio Department of Health and the Ohio Department of Mental
Health and Addiction Services have put together a series of COVID-19 vaccine
virtual town halls with medical experts, community leaders, and public
health professionals to address common concerns and questions from specific
communities.

Ohio’s COVID-19 Vaccine Town Halls are designed to help you sift through the
myths and learn where you can find reliable, trustworthy information about
COVID-19 vaccines.

Watch livestreams at the following dates and times:

  • Monday, Feb. 22, 6:30 p.m. – African American Ohioans
  • Tuesday, Feb. 23, 6:30 p.m. – Hispanic/Latino Ohioans
  • Monday, March 1, 6:30 p.m. – Asian American/Pacific Islander Ohioans
  • Tuesday, March 2, 6:30 p.m. – Rural Ohioans

Watch live or on-demand after the event:

  • Facebook -  <https://www.facebook.com/OHdeptofhealth/>
https://www.facebook.com/OHdeptofhealth/
  • YouTube -  <https://www.youtube.com/c/OhioDepartmentofHealth1>
https://www.youtube.com/c/OhioDepartmentofHealth1
  • Online -  <https://coronavirus.ohio.gov/townhall>
https://coronavirus.ohio.gov/townhall

Watch later on the Ohio Channel. Find the date and time, and your local
channel by checking with your PBS station or television provider.
    Learn more at  <https://coronavirus.ohio.gov/townhall>
https://coronavirus.ohio.gov/townhall       

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.

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