[IL-Talk] President Riccobono's notebook for the week of September 23

Tue Sep 24 14:36:07 UTC 2024

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,
<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 make your reservation on the Crowne Plaza
website. 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&o
mn=96477831121>
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>
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  <http://www.nfb.org/PAC> https://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  <mailto:pac at nfb.org> pac at nfb.org
or 877-NFB-2PAC (877-632-2722).   

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. 

 <https://nfb.org/form/career-fair-jobseeker-registration> Career Fair -
Jobseeker Registration
 <https://nfb.org/civicrm/event/register?reset=1&id=606> Career Fair -
Employer Registration 

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  <https://nfb.org/programs-services/employment/dare-be-remarkable> Dare
to 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.

 <https://nfb.org/programs-services/employment/dare-be-remarkable> Register
for Dare to Be Remarkable Conference  

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.

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.
<https://nfb.org/programs-services/employment/where-the-blind-work-webinars-
registration> Register for the Where the Blind Work Webinar.  

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. 

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.