[Ohio-Talk] Weekly Announcements and Updates

Mon Apr 13 19:51:59 UTC 2026

Good day members. I wanted to share some important information, especially
for first-time attendees and all of you.

This week will not be as busy as last week, since I only have one contractor
to manage.

I understand that rain is expected off and on throughout the week. Today is
sunny, so I may take the opportunity to visit family.

For those planning to attend the national convention, I hope you have made
your airfare and hotel arrangements. Prices are increasing, and hotels are
filling up quickly.

We are actively working on the May leadership training and our state
convention. If you have programming ideas you would like considered for the
convention, please contact me off list.

If you know of funds that could be used to sponsor the convention, please
let us know. Sponsorship forms are available on our website at nfbohio.org.

First-Timer Convention Scholarship - Deadline April 15:
The Kenneth Jernigan Convention Scholarship provides support to active NFB
members attending their first in-person NFB National Convention. Interested
members may apply for the Kenneth Jernigan Convention Scholarship
<https://nfb.org/get-involved/national-convention/kenneth-jernigan-conventio
n-scholarship>  until April 15.

Coast-to-Coast Movement Challenge:
Chapter and affiliate presidents are invited to attend an informational
session on the evening of April 20, for the 2026 Coast-to-Coast Movement
Challenge. Join us to learn what's in store for 2026! Learn how easy it is
to participate and raise public awareness and funds at the same time. If you
are unable to attend, we encourage you to send a chapter or affiliate member
in your place to take notes and ask questions. Please join us on April 20,
at 8:00 p.m., eastern, to learn more about how to get your chapter involved.
Zoom details are below, and please reach out to Rachel Held with any
questions at rheld at nfb.org <mailto:rheld at nfb.org>  or 410-659-9314,
extension 2423.
Join Zoom Meeting
https://nfb-org.zoom.us/j/98489562292?from=addon
Meeting ID: 984 8956 2292

Updates to the Free White Cane and Slate and Stylus Programs:
The National Federation of the Blind's Free White Cane and Free Slate and
Stylus programs, in partnership with the American Action Fund for Blind
Children and Adults, are being updated to create a more dynamic and
user-friendly tool for both requesters and Federation leaders. Now known as
the Tools for Independence program, those requesting these items can request
them through a single, combined form. Additionally, affiliate leaders can
access and download request reports at any time through the NFB Portal. The
updated application and process will launch soon. Additional details and
guidance will be shared in the coming weeks.

Newest Podcast Episodes:
Listen to "The Myth of the SuperBlind," the newest episode of the Nation's
Blind Podcast. In this episode, Melissa and Anil are joined by Denise Avant.
They address misconceptions about the NFB and emphasize the importance of
your voice within the organized blind movement. Download this episode at
https://buff.ly/kTuoYkn
<https://buff.ly/kTuoYkn?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAYnJpZBExVU12UWRhbHh6MHJtZk
MySnNydGMGYXBwX2lkEDIyMjAzOTE3ODgyMDA4OTIAAR5tckjaDH74IBerUgf_IvjNLawaHFp2UU
grLQrOh96oS8z_73CLMDcwz5SFlQ_aem_EM6QjyhvcB3ot7V5DOyPzw> .
Tune into episode 69 of Access On. This episode is our Apple
<https://www.facebook.com/apple?__cft__%5b0%5d=AZaKxwvQsnNAi8gjYji3oND1ZQj7X
waoDUb__0EASu7uv4FrLTj1bHS1iRtWWYCBC3J8_fCjHgN2h-GmXkUp_2IZtukHgaISFkouGDfRY
mocRgg-ZjndhJ0dyETSpnxutN3FFQIAS7tdvusX-mD-ZFQVwnH2T4gKFsK8XYJEohLbJroH7U61z
3TNJHGSpTG_OWg&__tn__=-%5dK-R>  fiftieth birthday special. We tell the story
of the first era of Apple accessibility, which was entirely
grassroots-driven, by speaking with some of the people who lived it. We fire
up a virtual Apple IIE, let you hear some of the games people played, and
what the speech sounded like in the 1980s. We also reflect on how the modern
Apple accessibility era would not have occurred without the tenacity and
input of the organized blind movement. Subscribe to Access On wherever you
get podcasts or download the audio for this week's episode at
https://buff.ly/fEkello.
Dr. Jernigan tells the story of how a blind person helped sighted people
evacuate an airplane after an accident. Tune into episode twenty-three of
our Walking Alone and Marching Together podcast entitled, "Episode 23:
Chapter 7 - Culmination, The Concluding Years of the Second Jernigan
Presidency, Part 2." Listen at https://buff.ly/Az9tOdu
<https://buff.ly/Az9tOdu?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAYnJpZBExVU12UWRhbHh6MHJtZk
MySnNydGMGYXBwX2lkEDIyMjAzOTE3ODgyMDA4OTIAAR4tK2uzfweu9GsEUHm31HuTWJkZz7O4ER
hfe4AMNchiJ09XGcZwWqgs39PMGQ_aem_GZiQasLw_POoERwJoy61WQ> .

NFB Teachers of Tomorrow:
Applications are now open for the 2026-2027 NFB Teachers of Tomorrow cohort.
The deadline for applying is May 4. This immersive program connects
educators of blind and low-vision students with the lived experiences of
blind individuals, helping them to better support student success. Please
share with teachers in your affiliate and community. Learn more and apply at
https://nfb.org/programs-services/education/teachers-tomorrow.

2026 NFB Youth Programs: NFB BELL Academy & NFB STEM2U:
The National Federation of the Blind is excited to offer two engaging youth
programs in 2026. NFB BELLR Academy builds Braille literacy, nonvisual
skills, and confidence through hands-on learning, while NFB STEM2U provides
accessible STEM experiences that spark curiosity and problem-solving
abilities. Please share with parents of blind children, students, and
teachers in your affiliate and community. Programs will be available in
multiple locations. Learn more and register at nfb.org/bell
<https://nfb.org/programs-services/nfb-bell-academy>  and nfb.org/stem2u
<https://nfb.org/programs-services/education/nfb-stem2u> .

2026 National Convention Career Quest:
The Career Quest is a weeklong program that offers blind students an
opportunity to participate in an array of employment exploration
opportunities, work with blind mentors and leaders, and learn self-advocacy
skills. Register for the National Convention Career Quest by May 1.
<https://nfb.org/programs-services/employment/career-quest>  Please direct
all questions to employment at nfb.org <mailto:employment at nfb.org> .

Legislative Alerts: 
Early next week, our government affairs group will send out a legislative
alert on the Access Technology Affordability Act. The goal is to try to get
the bill into one of the upcoming larger legislative vehicles that Congress
will need to pass in the near future. Please be sure to check your inboxes
for the alert. The government affairs group will also be sending out a
second legislative alert the following week regarding the Blind Americans
Return to Work Act. 

Introducing the Cobolt Talking Double Air Fryer:
The fryer is ready to use straight out of the box, with instructions in
Braille and featuring built-in voice guidance with no Wi-Fi required. It
offers smart cooking categories with eight automatic functions for potatoes,
poultry, meat, fish, vegetables, pizza, fruit, and cake, and provides a
mid-cycle prompt to rearrange food for optimal cooking results. To purchase,
please contact Independence Market by phone, with online ordering coming
soon via our e-commerce website. The air fryer is priced at $289.00.

Oregon State University Settlement:
Oregon State University (OSU) will pay $475,000 to resolve claims brought by
the nationwide membership and advocacy organization and by one of its
members, who is a blind student at the university, involving concerns about
the speed and accuracy with which course materials-particularly those needed
for STEM courses-were made accessible by the university's disability access
services office in partnership with academic units. The National Federation
of the Blind made recommendations for additional staff positions to support
accessibility work and OSU proactively established these positions.
Additionally, in consultation with the NFB, OSU leaders have begun
implementing changes including procuring tools to support the creation of
accessible materials, expanding assistive technology and services that
provide access to blind people, rewriting policies, and developing new
procedures to ensure that accessibility will be better addressed in the
future. Read the full press release at
https://nfb.org/index.php/about-us/press-room/oregon-state-university-commit
s-accessibility-improvements-blind-and-low-vision.

Dates to Keep in Mind:
*	July 3-8, 2026: National Convention; Austin, Texas
*	July 2-7, 2027: National Convention; Austin, Texas
*	July 3-8, 2028: National Convention; Chicago, Illinois
*	July 2-7, 2029: National Convention; Chicago, Illinois

Introduction to the Organized Blind Movement Calls
*	Wednesday, May 6
*	Wednesday, August 5
*	Wednesday, November 4

Chapter Presidents Calls
*	Thursday, June 11 and Sunday, June 14
*	Thursday, September 10 and Sunday, September 13 
*	Thursday, December 10 and Sunday, December 13

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

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