[IL-Talk] President Riccobono's notebook for the week of July 22

Tue Jul 23 18:23:14 UTC 2024

Critical Actions:

Upcoming: Presidential Release: 

The National Federation of the Blind
<https://nfb.org/resources/publications-and-media/presidential-releases>
Presidential Release #540 is scheduled for Tuesday, August 1, at 8:00 p.m.,
eastern. Mark your calendar.  <https://nfb-org.zoom.us/j/97910080432> Zoom
Meeting ID 979 1008 0432. Please submit questions to
<mailto:cdanielsen at nfb.org> cdanielsen at nfb.org with #PR540 in the subject
line. 

News:

National Convention Highlights:

Thanks again to our members, sponsors, exhibitors, and everyone who made
#NFB24 a success. A post-convention survey is being sent out soon. We are
excited for your feedback. The convention highlights will be posted at
nfb.org/convention by July 31. Access the following highlights, which are
now available: 

*
<https://nfb.org/resources/speeches-and-reports/banquet-speeches/dignity-res
pect-and-determination-momentum-blind> 2024 Banquet Address: "Dignity,
Respect, and Determination: The Momentum of the Blind People's Movement"

*
<https://nfb.org/sites/nfb.org/files/08-2024/2024_banguet_speech.mp3> 2024
Banquet Address: "Dignity, Respect, and Determination: The Momentum of the
Blind People's Movement" (audio)

*
<https://nfb.org/resources/speeches-and-reports/presidential-reports/2024-pr
esidential-report> 2024 Presidential Report

*
<https://nfb.org/resources/speeches-and-reports/resolutions/2024-resolutions
> 2024 Resolutions

*         <https://www.youtube.com/@NationsBlind/streams> General Sessions
and Board of Directors Meeting on YouTube

NFB-NEWSLINER Service Disruption Update:

Earlier this month, NFB-NEWSLINE experienced server disruptions affecting
online services and file reception from publishers. Most services are
restored, but we are actively working to restore the Amazon Alexa skill, and
we are updating newspapers in collaboration with their publishers. For
assistance accessing NFB-NEWSLINE, contact customer service at 866-504-7300
or email  <mailto:nfbnewsline at nfb.org> nfbnewsline at nfb.org. You can obtain
the most up-to-date status of our system recovery by calling 410-609-7081.

NABS Mid-Atlantic Student Seminar:

Register for the National Federation of the Blind National Association of
Blind Students Mid-Atlantic Regional Seminar, to be held August 16-18.
Hosted by the Maryland Association of Blind Students (MDABS), and held at
the Jernigan Institute, it will be an opportunity to immerse yourself in a
transformative experience with engaging workshops, skill-building
activities, and networking opportunities. Please direct questions to MDABS
President Qualik Ford at  <mailto:qford at bism.org> qford at bism.org.
Registration, ending on August 2, is required at
<https://nabslink.org/civicrm/event/info?id=4&reset=1> Mid-Atlantic Seminar
Registration Form 

Dare to Be Remarkable Conference 

Mark your calendars for November 11-13 for the National Federation of the
Blind 2024  <https://nfb.org/programs-services/education/dare-be-remarkable>
Dare to Be Remarkable conference, a three-day national conference held at
the Jernigan Institute for education and rehabilitation professionals who
work with blind students and adults to be. Registration is $400 until
October 5 and $500 beginning on October 6. More registration details are
coming soon. Please direct all inquiries to the conference organizers Edward
Bell, at  <mailto:ebell at latech.edu> ebell at latech.edu or 318-257-4554, or
Anil Lewis, at  <mailto:alewis at nfb.org> alewis at nfb.org or 410-659-9314,
extension 2374.

NFB Comments on Problems with EAC's Voter Registration Process: 

Last Friday, we submitted
<https://nfb.org/programs-services/advocacy/policy-statements/comments-eac-a
ccessible-digital-form-filler-tool> comments to the Election Assistance
Commission regarding its national voter registration form. We reported
problems with the accessibility of the associated pdf along with the
handwritten signature requirement. 

Blind Americans Return to Work Act:

On June 28, Congressman Pete Sessions (Texas) introduced the Blind Americans
Return to Work Act in the House of Representatives. Congressman Kweisi Mfume
(Maryland) was the lead cosponsor, and the bill number is H.R. 8878. As a
reminder, the Blind Americans Return to Work Act will eliminate the SSDI
earnings cliff by instituting a two-for-one phaseout for any income earned
above the substantial gainful activity threshold. Since introduction, the
bill has already gained a second cosponsor in Representative Donald Davis of
North Carolina. Please be sure to call or email your member in the House and
ask them to cosponsor H.R. 8878, the Blind Americans Return to Work Act. 

Social Security Administration Kiosks:

On July 8, the Social Security Administration announced that it now had
ADA-compliant kiosks available in most of their local offices. These new
kiosks are "designed to enhance accessibility and ease of use for all
visitors, particularly those who are blind or have low vision." One of the
new kiosks was available in the exhibit hall during our national convention.

Donated Services Reminder:

Just a reminder to turn in your donated services forms and to please remind
those in your affiliate to do the same. We are tracking less hours this year
than last and this impacts our annual financials, which influence donors.
Please take a few minutes to follow up. Questions can be directed to Belinda
Hooks at extension 2508.
<https://nfb.org/get-involved/donated-services-form> Submit your NFB donated
services form here. 

Dates to Keep in Mind:

(all times eastern)

*	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, August 7, 8:00 p.m. 
*	Wednesday, November 6, 8:00 p.m. 

Chapter Presidents Calls

*	Thursday, September 12, and Sunday, September 15, at 8:00 p.m. 
*	Thursday, December 19, and Sunday, December 22, at 8:00 p.m. 

Marilyn Green, President

National Federation of the Blind of Illinois

312-343-8396

 <mailto:president at nfbofillinois.org> president at nfbofillinois.org

 <http://www.nfbofillinois.org> www.nfbofillinois.org

Live the life you want!

The National Federation of the Blind of Illinois 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.