[Ohio-Talk] Reminders

Wed Sep 25 20:44:32 UTC 2024

Ohio,

The legislative day in Columbus went very well and I was proud of our
members who attended and worked hard to support our efforts to stop paying
people with disabilities less than the minimum wage.

The state board gathered last weekend and on Friday night we took the
opportunity to meet for dinner the location had very bad service but even
under those difficult times the members who were able to join us worked
together.

You will hear about a program that the Ohio affiliate decided to start very
soon, and I think it will build the membership and allow us to offer a
service that we can be very proud of.

we are getting very close to the state convention. Chapter and division
presidents, you should submit your gavel reports to the awards committee the
deadline is October first. Whether you decide to take part in that process
or not You are required to email me a report with the activity from your
chapter or division. This information is due at the same time with your
chapter and division list and dues.

each local chapter or division shall provide to the secretary of the
National Federation of the Blind of Ohio a current list of the names,
addresses, telephone numbers, and email addresses when applicable of its
members I would also like a copy of this information. 

At the same time, the treasurer shall forward to the treasurer of the
National Federation of the Blind of Ohio the state dues for each member of
the group which is $1 and the flat tax of $10.

The dues should be sent to Kathy Legg made out to the NFB of Ohio at 1916
15th Street SW, Akron, Ohio 44314
  no later than one week before the convention.

For chapters I also need to know who you are appointing to the nominating
committee
If you have questions or need a better understanding of anything in this
email, please email me off list.

 Critical Actions:
Rideshare Rally - Tuesday, October 15 - Last Call for Hotel:
Our Rideshare Rally to protest Uber and Lyft's discriminatory treatment of
blind passengers is going to take place on Tuesday, October 15, in front of
both Uber and Lyft's corporate offices in San Francisco, California. The
National Federation of the Blind has secured a headquarters hotel for the
event, the Crowne Plaza San Francisco Airport, at a rate of $139 per night
plus taxes and fees. If you would like to participate in the rally and
reserve a room at our special rate, you can make your reservation on the
Crowne Plaza website
<https://www.crowneplaza.com/redirect?path=asearch&brandCode=CP&localeCode=e
n&regionCode=1&hotelCode=URLCA&checkInDate=14&checkInMonthYear=092024&checkO
utDate=16&checkOutMonthYear=092024&rateCode=6CBARC&_PMID=99801505&GPC=BLD&cn
=no&viewfullsite=true> . You can also call the hotel at 650-342-9200 and ask
to reserve a room in the "National Federation" block, but please hurry
because our room block reservation deadline is this coming Friday, September
27. 

News:
End of September Legislation Surge:
Both the House and the Senate will be in session through the end of this
week before they both go into a district work period until after the
November elections. That makes this week the perfect time to call or email
your members of Congress and urge them to cosponsor our legislation. When
you call or email, please ask them to cosponsor:
*	Websites and Software Applications Accessibility Act (H.R. 5813/S.
2984)
*	Medical Device Nonvisual Accessibility Act (H.R. 1328/S. 3621)
*	Blind Americans Return to Work Act (H.R. 8878)
*	Access Technology Affordability Act (H.R. 3702/S. 1467)
*	Transformation to Competitive Integrated Employment Act (H.R.
1263/S. 533)

Uber Research Survey:
We have recently received communications from several Federationists who
have been invited to participate in research conducted by Uber. Naturally,
many of these Federation members were concerned about how Uber knew the
person the email was sent to was blind. We reached out to Uber and were told
that they used "a number of data points associated with users' accounts to
make guesses about which users might be good candidates to participate." In
this case the data points used were Uber communication channels between
riders and drivers that used words such as "blind" or "low vision." Uber
went on to say that they use this information only to conduct the research
and that they do not "record, store, or retain this information beyond
sending the invitations." The National Federation of the Blind feels that
rideshare companies have some work to do to prevent discrimination against
and ensure equal access for blind customers. We encourage blind customers to
participate in this research to give meaningful feedback to Uber.

Bay Bridge Run:
The National Organization of Parents of Blind Children invites you to
participate in the Bay Bridge Run this fall! On November 10, 2024, join team
National Federation of the Blind Dreamers, led by the NOPBC Board of
Directors. Whether you're running or walking, participating in person or
virtually, this is your chance to help bridge the gap between blind people
and our dreams. Want to get your chapter or affiliate involved? NFB chapters
can sponsor a participant (or a group!) by helping them register and
fundraise. To learn more about how to participate, attend the informational
session on Monday, September 30, from 8:00 to 9:00 p.m., eastern. 
Join Zoom Meeting 
https://nfb-org.zoom.us/j/7733076440?pwd=RSs1M1ZYcWk5WVFOdEFIOEF5UkpmZz09&om
n=96477831121
Meeting ID: 773 307 6440

Register for the race at https://nfb.org/BayBridge.

New PAC Plan Processing Date:
The National Federation of the Blind is now processing PAC contributions on
the 2nd of the month. Those who want to start giving through PAC and current
donors can go to https://nfb.org/pac <http://www.nfb.org/PAC>  to complete
the form to sign up or make a change to an existing monthly contribution.
Don't worry, we are still processing on the four original dates of the 10th,
15th, 20th, and 28th of the month, and we are adding the 2nd as an
additional date. If you have any questions about this addition or your
current contribution, please contact us at pac at nfb.org <mailto:pac at nfb.org>
or 877-NFB-2PAC (877-632-2722).   

Request for Appointment of 2024-2025 NFB BELLR Academy and NFB STEM2U
Program Coordinators:
We encourage affiliates interested in hosting an NFB BELL Academy and/or an
NFB STEM2U program next spring or summer to appoint the respective program
coordinators. These coordinators will receive essential news and updates
regarding the upcoming 2025 NFB BELL Academy and NFB STEM2U season. 
Please note that program coordinators must be reappointed each year to
continue receiving information about the upcoming programs and to maintain
access to the NFB BELL Academy Dashboard. Kindly email your appointed
coordinators' names and email addresses to education at nfb.org
<mailto:education at nfb.org> , along with the program they will be
coordinating. If you, as an affiliate president, would also like to receive
program-specific news and have access to the NFB BELL Academy Dashboard,
please indicate this in your email. 

The NFB BELL Academy is designed to provide children with hands-on
experiences with Braille during the summer and to introduce them to positive
blind role models who can demonstrate that blindness does not have to be a
barrier to achieving their dreams.  

The NFB STEM2U program offers nonvisual accessible STEM (science,
technology, engineering, and mathematics) activities to blind youth across
the country, equipping them with fundamental nonvisual tools and techniques
to further their education. 

If you have any questions about the program coordinator role, please reach
out to Karen Anderson, education programs coordinator, at kanderson at nfb.org
<mailto:kanderson at nfb.org>  or by calling 410-659-9314, extension 2243. 
Thank you for your commitment to empowering blind youth. 

Reminders:
Virtual Career Fair:
The deadline to register for the National Federation of the Blind Virtual
Career Fair is October 4 by 5:00 p.m., eastern. This event will be held
October 22, 1:00-4:00 p.m., eastern, via Zoom. Jobseekers, this is an
opportunity to find your occupational passion. Employers, this is a chance
to connect with great talent. 
Career Fair - Jobseeker Registration
<https://nfb.org/form/career-fair-jobseeker-registration> 
Career Fair - Employer Registration
<https://nfb.org/civicrm/event/register?reset=1&id=606> 

Jobseekers, please direct all questions to jobseeker liaison Lia Stone at
evangeliastone at gmail.com <mailto:evangeliastone at gmail.com> .
Employers, please direct all questions to employer liaison Charles Bennett
at cbennett at cocenter.org <mailto:cbennett at cocenter.org> . 

Dare To Be Remarkable Conference:
The deadline for early registration for the National Federation of the Blind
2024 Dare to Be Remarkable
<https://nfb.org/programs-services/employment/dare-be-remarkable>
conference is October 5. The conference will be held from November 11-13 at
the National Federation of the Blind Jernigan Institute. 
Registration is $400 until October 5 and $500 after October 6.
Register for Dare to Be Remarkable Conference
<https://nfb.org/programs-services/employment/dare-be-remarkable>  

Please direct all inquiries to the conference organizers Edward Bell, at
ebell at latech.edu <mailto:ebell at latech.edu>  or 318-257-4554, or Anil Lewis,
at alewis at nfb.org <mailto:alewis at nfb.org>  or 410-659-9314, extension 2374.

Where The Blind Work Webinar:
Join us for an informative discussion featuring a panel of professionals who
are changing what it means to be blind in the blindness rehabilitation
field. Our panelists are:
Colin Wong, National Orientation & Mobility/Blindness Education Consultant,
Washington; PhD student, University of South Dakota  
Yadiel Sotomayor, Access Technology Instructor, Virginia Rehabilitation
Center for the Blind and Vision Impaired, Virginia 
Charles Acheson, Certified Assistive Technology Instruction Specialist
(CATIS), Colorado Center for The Blind, Colorado
We look forward to your participation on October 24, 8:00-9:00 p.m.,
eastern, via Zoom. Register for the Where the Blind Work Webinar
<https://nfb.org/programs-services/employment/where-the-blind-work-webinars-
registration> .  

Dates to Keep in Mind:
(all times eastern)
*	October 15: Rideshare Rally
*	November 10: Bay Bridge Run
*	February 3, 2025: Great Gathering-In 
*	February 3-6, 2025: Washington Seminar
*	July 8-13, 2025: National Convention; New Orleans, Louisiana

Introduction to the Organized Blind Movement
*	Wednesday, November 6, 8:00 p.m. 

Chapter Presidents Calls
*	Thursday, December 19, and Sunday, December 22, at 8:00 p.m. 

The National Federation of the Blind advances the lives of its members and
all blind people in the United States. We know 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. Our collective power, determination,
and diversity achieve the aspirations of all blind people.

Richard Payne, President NFB of Ohio

The National Federation of the Blind knows that blindness is not the
characteristic that defines blind people or their future. Every day we raise
the expectations of and for blind people, because low expectations create
obstacles between blind people and our dreams. We can live the lives we
want; blindness is not what holds us back.

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