[Ohio-Talk] FYI

Thu Mar 24 13:34:30 UTC 2022

Greetings Finally the hot weather may be arriving,

I will tell you that the last few weeks in Ohio has been very busy in the
Federation, I have been working my way threw the convention request and
other leaders have been working on a number of issues. This is why it is
very important that our members are on Ohio talk so that they can get the
information from the state and across the nation.

We continue to work on breaking down barriers one by one for blind people in
Ohio that want to receive  training out of state and for those who receive
training in Ohio that they get the opportunity, and it will be what we
expect.

You should be making your arrangements to get to our national convention and
if you need help to fill out information or recommendations, please reach
out to one of our leaders if you do not know who that person is feel free to
write directly to me or Suzanne.

Membership is very important in the Federation this brings me to your
chapter and division list please keep them up to date and ready if we need
the information which I am sure you will be asked for soon. Leaders, please
visit our state web page www.nfbohio.org <http://www.nfbohio.org>  and if
your information is not correct, please let me know off list.

Critical Actions:
	Scholarship Program Deadline March 31:
	There are less than two weeks left to apply. The National Federation
of the Blind Scholarship Program helps blind college students reach their
educational and employment goals and so much more. Building on its strong
foundation, we are enhancing the awards and making the experience even more
inclusive, engaging, and meaningful for the thirty finalists. Each
scholarship winner will receive $8,000. Encourage students to apply for the
2022 scholarship program
<https://nfb.org/about-us/press-room/national-federation-blind-enhances-larg
est-scholarship-program-blind-scholars> . The deadline is March 31. 

	Upcoming April Presidential Release:
	The next Presidential Release will take place Monday, April 4, at
8:00 p.m., eastern. The monthly Presidential Release provides important
updates and perspectives of the organized blind movement, and the live event
includes a Q&A session. Submit questions in advance to cdanielsen at nfb.org
<mailto:cdanielsen at nfb.org>  and put PR515 in the subject line, or call
410-659-9314, extension 2473. Zoom details coming soon. 

News:
	We are with U! A Benefit Concert to Help Blind Ukrainian Refugees:
Many in the Federation family have been asking if there is something we can
specifically do to help blind people affected by the horrific invasion
happening in Ukraine. The World Blind Union has established the Ukrainian
Unity Fund
<https://worldblindunion.org/blog/news/wbu-stands-united-with-ukraine-and-is
-taking-action-to-help/> . While the National Federation of the Blind
operates in the United States, we want to use our extensive network of love
and support at this important time. On Saturday, April 16, at 2 p.m.,
eastern, the global online blind community is joining for a benefit concert
to help blind Ukrainian refugees. Learn more about We're With U!
<https://nfb.org/get-involved/we-are-with-u-benefit-concert> 

	Join Blind Driver Challenge Twitter Chat this Week:
	During the week of March 28, Federationist Dan Parker, who is a
blind race-car driver and machinist, will attempt to break the Guinness
World Record for fastest blind driver. Join us on Thursday, March 24, at
2:00 p.m., eastern, to chat on Twitter about the Blind Driver Challenge and
autonomous vehicle technology. Access the questions now to prepare for the
chat <https://nfb.org/get-involved/twitter> . #CruisinWithNFB

	RAINN Training: 
	Please share the below link
<https://nfb.org/form/safety-and-support-rainn-request>  with your members
to gauge interest in attending upcoming RAINN trainings tentatively offered
in June 2022. This interest form will close on April 15.
https://nfb.org/form/safety-and-support-rainn-request 

	National Association of Blind Veterans Grant:
	The NABV Board of Directors has approved a grant for first-time
(in-person) veteran participants to the 2022 NFB National Convention. The
grant will be awarded for eligible veterans in an amount up to $1,000 to
attend and participate in the sessions, division meeting, and banquet. If
you know of a veteran that would be interested, contact Vernon Humphrey at
mr_president at nabv.org <mailto:mr_president at nabv.org> . 

	Medical Device Nonvisual Accessibility Act:
	Last week, the Medical Device Nonvisual Accessibility Act (H.R.
4853) gained four new cosponsors: Don Bacon (R-NE-2), Debbie Wasserman
Schultz (D-FL-23), Peter DeFazio (D-OR-4), and Stephen Lynch (D-MA-8). The
bill now has a total of forty-four cosponsors, including two Republican
cosponsors, making it bipartisan. This is great progress, and we need to
keep up our advocacy to ensure the success of this bill, as well as all our
other legislation. 

	Website Accessibility Regulations:
	As you may remember, on February 28, 2022, the National Federation
of the Blind and more than 180 other organizations sent a letter to the US
Department of Justice regarding website accessibility regulations
<https://nfb.org/programs-services/advocacy/policy-statements/letter-assista
nt-attorney-general-regarding-website> . On Friday, the Department of
Justice published guidance on website accessibility
<https://beta.ada.gov/web-guidance/> . There is little doubt that this
letter, along with our continued advocacy on this topic, has caused the
administration to take action. This guidance is a good first step, but we
must continue to advocate for the website accessibility regulations
described in our letter. 

	Upcoming Event: Accessible Excel and PowerPoint Creation:
	Learn how to create accessible Excel documents and PowerPoint
presentations. Join us on March 29 from 2:00 to 3:30 p.m., eastern, to
discuss the powerful tools you can use in either program. 

	Upcoming Event: Comparison of Collaboration Tools:
	[Boutique rescheduled from March 16]
	As the Covid pandemic continued on, businesses and teams of all
types adapted to collaborating and working together online. To facilitate
this, a number of apps and services have sprung up to enable teams in widely
distributed areas to seamlessly work with each other. Come join the National
Federation of the Blind Center of Excellence in Nonvisual Access on
Wednesday, April 6, 2022, from 1:00-5:00 p.m., eastern, via Zoom where we
will compare the accessibility of several of the top collaboration services.

	Take advantage of these free opportunities and register for the
accessibility boutiques
<https://nfb.org/programs-services/center-excellence-nonvisual-access/traini
ngs/accessibility-boutiques/accessibility-boutique-registration>  today!

	Opportunity for First-Time National Convention Attendees: 
	The Kenneth Jernigan Convention Scholarship provides funding support
to National Federation of the Blind members who want to attend the national
convention in person for the first time. Applications close April 15. Learn
more about the Kenneth Jernigan Convention Scholarship
<https://nfb.org/get-involved/national-convention/kenneth-jernigan-conventio
n-scholarship> .

	Video Programming Accessibility Forum with the FCC:
	The FCC's Media Bureau and Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau
will co-host this accessibility-related forum focused on issues surrounding
audio description. This is not a National Federation of the Blind-affiliated
event, but it may be of interest. Learn more about this FCC forum
<https://www.fcc.gov/news-events/events/2022/03/video-programming-accessibil
ity-forum-online-audio-description> .

Dates to Keep in Mind:
	(All times eastern)
*	March 29: Accessible Excel and PowerPoint Creation accessibility
boutique
<https://nfb.org/programs-services/center-excellence-nonvisual-access/traini
ngs/accessibility-boutiques/accessibility-boutique-registration> 
*	March 31: Deadline to submit scholarship application
<https://nfb.org/about-us/press-room/national-federation-blind-enhances-larg
est-scholarship-program-blind-scholars> 
*	April 6: Comparison of Collaboration Tools accessibility boutique
<https://nfb.org/programs-services/center-excellence-nonvisual-access/traini
ngs/accessibility-boutiques/accessibility-boutique-registration> 
*	April 15: Deadline for Kenneth Jernigan Convention Scholarship
<https://nfb.org/get-involved/national-convention/kenneth-jernigan-conventio
n-scholarship>  application
*	April 15: Deadline for Dr. Jacob Bolotin Award nominations
<https://nfb.org/bolotin> 
*	July 5-10: National Convention
<https://nfb.org/get-involved/national-convention> , New Orleans

Richard Payne,  President
National Federation of the Blind of Ohio
937/829/3368
Rchpay7 at gmail.com <mailto: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.