[IL-Talk] President Riccobono's notebook for the week of May 6

Tue May 7 14:08:44 UTC 2024

Critical Actions:

May Presidential Release:

The
<https://nfb.org/resources/publications-and-media/presidential-releases> May
Presidential Release chapter version is available for chapter meetings. The
next live presidential release is scheduled for Thursday, May 30, 2024, at
8:00 p.m., eastern. Zoom TBD.

Convention Resolutions:

The national convention is just two months away. Our Resolutions Committee,
chaired by Donald Porterfield, is currently accepting proposed resolutions
for the convention to consider. Proposed resolutions should be emailed to
the committee at  <mailto:resolutions at nfb.org> resolutions at nfb.org. Don't
forget, the deadline to submit a resolution is Tuesday, June 4, at midnight,
eastern. Donald recently published a
<https://nfb.org/blog/resolutions-101-way-drive-external-change> blog post
on the topic of writing resolutions, so be sure to check it out as you
prepare to submit yours. 

National Federation of the Blind National Convention Career Fair: 

Join us for the National Federation of the Blind National Convention career
fair. The career fair is an event for blind people seeking jobs to connect
with employers and is an opportunity for employers to seek more talent for
their teams. Registration is required by Friday, May 31, 2024. 

 <https://nfb.org/civicrm/mailing/url?u=33724&qid=9768544> National
Convention Job-Seeker Registration

 <https://nfb.org/civicrm/event/register?reset=1&id=597> National Convention
Employer Registration 

To prepare job seekers, the Employment Committee will be hosting "Elevating
Your Career Fair Experience," an online seminar designed to provide tips and
techniques for creating the most positive experience while attending the
fair. Members will automatically be registered for the online seminar once
they have registered for the career fair. For more information on the career
fair or webinar, please contact Lia Stone, employer liaison, at
<mailto:evangeliastone at gmail.com> evangeliastone at gmail.com or Jennifer
Wenzel, jobseeker liaison, at  <mailto:jenwen319 at gmail.com>
jenwen319 at gmail.com. 

The career fair will take place on Wednesday, July 3, from 1:00 to 4:00
p.m., eastern.

News:

Dream Big! Give $25 Drive Launches May 16:

We announced the launch of our Dream Big! Give $25 Drive on the May
Presidential Release. This year we have some new elements to encourage
magnification of our messaging and peer-to-peer fundraising. When you give
$25 or more between May 16 and July 6, you're entered into the Dream Big:
Give $25 Drive Drawing. Each $25 increment is a chance to win! Why "Dream
Big"? Because blindness doesn't hold you back. You could win prizes like
roundtrip transportation for two to the 2025 NFB National Convention, hotel
accommodations, registration, banquet tickets, or $2,000 cash! Thanks to our
partners at APH and HumanWare, you could also win a Monarch-a dynamic
tactile device! New this year, friends and family can make donations in your
honor, and you'll get extra entries. The drive supports funds like the
Kenneth Jernigan Fund and the White Cane Fund, and you can choose one when
you donate. To enter, visit nfb.org/Give25Donate; call 410-659-9314,
extension 2430; or send a check to National Federation of the Blind and
mention #Give25 and the fund in the memo. The winner will be announced July
8, 2024. Thank you for your generosity.

ADA Title II Website Final Rule:

On April 24, 2024, the
<https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2024/04/24/2024-07758/nondiscrimi
nation-on-the-basis-of-disability-accessibility-of-web-information-and-servi
ces-of-state> ADA Title II Website Accessibility Final Rule was published in
the Federal Register. The National Federation of the Blind has been
advocating for the release of this final rule since the advance notice of
proposed rulemaking was announced in 2010, nearly fourteen years ago. An
advance copy of the rule was distributed in early April, and we released an
<https://nfb.org/about-us/press-room/national-federation-blind-applauds-us-d
epartment-justice-web-and-mobile-content> official statement on the ADA
Title II Website Accessibility Rule at that time. 

You can read our official statement, as well as many other Federation
positions on key federal policies, on the
<https://nfb.org/programs-services/advocacy/policy-statements> Policy
Statements page of our website. 

Museum of the Blind People's Movement-Funding:

Recently, the Museum of the Blind People's Movement was awarded two
government grants. The first was from the federal government, in the form of
Congressionally Directed Spending, in the amount of $301,000. The second was
from the state of Maryland, in the form of a legislative bond initiative, in
the amount of $250,000. We thank both the federal and state governments for
their generous contributions to preserving the history of the organized
blind in the United States. 

Voting Accessibility:

We are in the midst of primary voting season and have a presidential
election approaching in November. If you are a registered voter, you have
the legal right to cast your private and independent ballot. As we make our
way through this election year, it is important to ensure that your vote is
both private and independent. The Help America Vote Act requires all polling
stations during federal elections to have one accessible ballot-marking
device available. It is the polling place's responsibility that these
devices are set up and ready for use by the start of election day as well as
having trained poll workers to operate the machines. If your state permits
remote voting options, this process must also be accessible, thereby
providing privacy and independence. Instances that do not provide
accessibility, whether you voted in person or remotely, can be reported to
the Department of Justice. We at the NFB are also interested to hear why
your voting experience did not go as planned so feel free to contact Jeff
Kaloc at 410-659-9314, extension 2206, or  <mailto:jkaloc at nfb.org>
jkaloc at nfb.org. Here is the information to file a complaint with the
Department of Justice: 

*	By complaint form at
<http://www.justice.gov/crt/complaint/votintake/index.php>
http://www.justice.gov/crt/complaint/votintake/index.php
*	By email at  <mailto:voting.section at usdoj.gov>
voting.section at usdoj.gov
*	By telephone at 800-253-3931 (toll free)
*	By telephone at 202-307-2767
*	By fax at 202-307-3961

Federal Aviation Administration Reauthorization:

The Senate will be considering the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)
reauthorization this week. This bill contains several access provisions that
we have specifically been advocating for. Please watch your inboxes for a
legislative alert coming soon. 

Blind Businesswoman Vindicated and Awarded over $30,000 by Jury in Federal
Equal Access Case: 

We supported recent ADA litigation. A jury in the United States District
Court for the Northern District of California rendered a verdict in favor of
Lisamaria Martinez, a blind entrepreneur, in her equal access lawsuit
against the County of Alameda. The jury found that the county
Clerk-Recorder's Office deliberately violated her rights under the Americans
with Disabilities Act (ADA) and California law.
<https://nfb.org/about-us/press-room/blind-businesswoman-vindicated-and-awar
ded-over-30000-jury-federal-equal-access> Read and share the full press
release.

May Boutique-Document Creation:

There are different options for accessible word processors. Join our
document-creation-software boutique on May 28 from 2:00-3:30 p.m. to learn
about the features and accessibility of some popular options.
<https://nfb.org/form/accessibility-boutique-reg> Register today.

National Association of Blind Students Rocky Mountain Seminar:

Climb higher with us at the National Association of Blind Students (NABS)
Rocky Mountain Regional Seminar. Immerse yourself in a transformative
experience with engaging workshops, skill-building activities, and
unparalleled networking opportunities. Registration has been extended to May
10. Be sure to secure your spot at the Denver Marriott South at Park Meadows
as well. Friday, May 17, evening through Sunday, May 19, at noon.

 <https://nabslink.org/civicrm/event/register?reset=1&id=3> Rocky Mountain
Seminar Registration Form 

Please direct questions to NABS board member Manahil Jafri at
<mailto:manahiljafri at gmail.com> manahiljafri at gmail.com

Reminders:

Dates to Keep in Mind:

(all times eastern)

*	July 3-8, 2024: National Convention; Orlando, Florida

Introduction to the Organized Blind Movement

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

Chapter Presidents Calls

*	Thursday, June 13, and Sunday, June 16, at 8:00 p.m. 
*	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.