[Ohio-Talk] Weekly Announcements and Updates

Mon Apr 13 19:56:16 UTC 2026

Sounds good. Enjoy your visit with family.

Chris

From: Ohio-Talk <ohio-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org> On Behalf Of Richard Payne via Ohio-Talk
Sent: Monday, April 13, 2026 3:52 PM
To: 'NFB of Ohio Announcement List' <ohio-talk at nfbnet.org>; rchpay7 at gmail.com
Cc: Richard Payne <rchpay7 at gmail.com>
Subject: [Ohio-Talk] Weekly Announcements and Updates

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-convention-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=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAYnJpZBExVU12UWRhbHh6MHJtZkMySnNydGMGYXBwX2lkEDIyMjAzOTE3ODgyMDA4OTIAAR5tckjaDH74IBerUgf_IvjNLawaHFp2UUgrLQrOh96oS8z_73CLMDcwz5SFlQ_aem_EM6QjyhvcB3ot7V5DOyPzw>.

Tune into episode 69 of Access On. This episode is our Apple<https://www.facebook.com/apple?__cft__%5b0%5d=AZaKxwvQsnNAi8gjYji3oND1ZQj7XwaoDUb__0EASu7uv4FrLTj1bHS1iRtWWYCBC3J8_fCjHgN2h-GmXkUp_2IZtukHgaISFkouGDfRYmocRgg-ZjndhJ0dyETSpnxutN3FFQIAS7tdvusX-mD-ZFQVwnH2T4gKFsK8XYJEohLbJroH7U61z3TNJHGSpTG_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=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAYnJpZBExVU12UWRhbHh6MHJtZkMySnNydGMGYXBwX2lkEDIyMjAzOTE3ODgyMDA4OTIAAR4tK2uzfweu9GsEUHm31HuTWJkZz7O4ERhfe4AMNchiJ09XGcZwWqgs39PMGQ_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 BELL(r) 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-commits-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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