[IL-Talk] President Riccobono's notebook for the week of February 10

Thu Feb 13 17:56:04 UTC 2025

Critical Actions:

Presidential Release:

The February Presidential Release chapter recording is available. Please remind chapter presidents to use this recording as program material for chapter meetings to engage and discuss with the members. The next Presidential Release Live will be announced as soon as the date is set. 

News:

NFBRN Always on Audio:

As announced at the Great Gathering-In, we have officially launched NFBRN, the National Federation of the Blind Radio Network, an all-new, always-on audio experience designed to transform, motivate, and invite you to raise expectations of blind people. Broadcasting 24/7, this dynamic station brings together a diverse mix of content from the organized blind movement, including legendary speeches, Braille Monitor articles, recent podcasts, convention highlights, uplifting stories, and live events. And there is more to come. Access NFBRN on your Amazon devices by opening “Nation’s Blind” or on NFB-NEWSLINE® under the National Channel, or on your Victor Reader Stream under “Internet Radio.” It will be available on more radio platforms soon. Send your feedback and suggestions for NFBRN to  <mailto:communications at nfb.org> communications at nfb.org.

Washington Seminar and Protecting Laws and Programs Specific to the Blind:

Last week we conducted our annual Washington Seminar, where more than four hundred blind Americans from all across the country traveled to Washington, DC, to advocate for the laws that will improve the lives of the blind. Just before the start of the Washington Seminar, the new administration in Washington announced some distressing possible changes to federal laws and programs that affect the blind. Naturally, we could not let this happen, so we made some last-minute adjustments in our messaging to ensure that we do not give up any of the legal ground that we have earned through more than eighty years of hard-fought advocacy. This involved the creation of an entirely new  <https://nfb.org/programs-services/advocacy/legislative-priorities/laws-and-funding-fact-sheet> fact sheet that details specific laws and funding that the blind depend on. We encourage you to read this fact sheet and learn more about these laws and programs so that you will always be an effective defender of our rights. 

Great Gathering-In Recording:

The recording of the National Federation of the Blind Great Gathering-In is now available on the Nation’s Blind YouTube channel. Watch and share the  <https://youtu.be/wDUkAoyejtc?si=aAyFzkzPPrd4Qbez> 2025 Great Gathering-In.

Jacobus tenBroek Disability Rights Law Symposium:

The Jacobus tenBroek Disability Rights Law Symposium is the largest disability rights law symposium in the world and will be held from Thursday, March 20, through Friday, March 21, right here in our building. Registration is currently open through March 7. Fees are $200 for in-person attendance, $150 for virtual attendance, and a discounted rate of $25 for students. 

In-person attendance:  <https://nfb.org/civicrm/event/register?reset=1&id=616> https://nfb.org/civicrm/event/register?reset=1&id=616

Virtual attendance:  <https://nfb.org/civicrm/event/register?reset=1&id=617> https://nfb.org/civicrm/event/register?reset=1&id=617

More information:  <https://nfb.org/programs-services/legal-program/jacobus-tenbroek-disability-law-symposium> Jacobus tenBroek Disability Law Symposium | National Federation of the Blind

Individualized Education Plan (IEP) Advocacy Academy:

In order to address the extreme shortage of knowledgeable parent advocates for blind and low-vision students across the nation, the National Federation of the Blind, with support from the National Organization of Parents of Blind Children (NOPBC), the Lavelle Fund for the Blind, and the Professional Development and Research Institute on Blindness (PDRIB) is offering an intensive IEP training opportunity. We invite interested parents and blind adults from every state to apply by February 28, 2025. Please share the  <https://nfb.org/programs-services/education/IEP> IEP Advocacy Academy application.

Catch up on Content and Share on Social Media:

Highlights, news, and stories are available in our most recent publications. Access and share with Federationists on affiliate and division social media to create discussions on various topics.

*	 <https://nfb.org/images/nfb/publications/bm/bm25/bm2501/bm2501tc.htm> February Braille Monitor
*	 <https://nfb.org/resources/publications-and-media/access-on-podcast> Access On podcast episodes with transcripts available
*	 <https://nfb.org/resources/publications-and-media/nations-blind-podcast> Nation’s Blind Podcast episodes with transcripts available

New NFB-NEWSLINE® Voices:

NFB-NEWSLINE® now has new voices for the Alexa skill! The popular, more human-quality voices, Kate and Paul, have been restored to the skill along with two new premium voices, Sophie and Mark. Subscribers can choose from any one of the five voices to personalize their NFB-NEWSLINE listening experience. Available voices include Kate, Paul, Sophie, Mark, and Eloquence. While listening to an article, just say, "Alexa, ask National Federation to change voice." Each time you use this command, the skill will rotate to the next available voice, allowing you to sample each one. If you need any assistance or have questions, please contact us at 866-504-7300 or  <mailto:nfbnewsline at nfb.org> nfbnewsline at nfb.org.

Comments to the Federal Trade Commission Regarding the accessiBe Consent Order:

On January 27, we sent our  <https://nfb.org/programs-services/advocacy/policy-statements/comments-federal-trade-commission-regarding-accessibe> comments to the Federal Trade Commission regarding the commission’s recent consent order to accessiBe. We noted that the commission’s findings with regard to accessiBe’s deceptive practices were similar to our own observations from resolution 2021-17. Our full comments can be read on the  <https://nfb.org/programs-services/advocacy/policy-statements> policy statements page of our website. 

Uber’s SelfID Feature:

As a result of our advocacy, Uber is announcing a new, voluntary SelfID feature for guide-dog users. Again, this is completely voluntary, but we encourage our members with guide dogs to try this feature, which will remind drivers that they must transport you if they try to cancel your ride when they see your guide dog. If they still cancel, the feature will also let you submit a complete denial complaint with the press of a button. We think this will reduce denials and make it much easier to report them when they happen. 

Dates to Keep in Mind:

(all times eastern)

*	February 28: Deadline to register for IEP Advocacy Academy
*	March 20-21: Jacobus tenBroek Disability Law Symposium, registration deadline is March 7.
*	May 16-17: Diabetes Action Network; Baltimore, Maryland; registration coming soon.
*	July 8-13: National Convention; New Orleans, Louisiana

Introduction to the Organized Blind Movement

*	Wednesday, May 7
*	Wednesday, August 6
*	Wednesday, November 5

Chapter Presidents Calls

*	Thursday, March 13 and Sunday, March 16
*	Thursday, June 12 and Sunday, June 15
*	Thursday, September 11 and Sunday, September 14
*	Thursday, December 11 and Sunday, December 14

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.