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

Thu Jan 9 16:59:52 UTC 2025

Washington Seminar:

Washington Seminar Registration:

We are urging those of you who will be attending this year's Washington
Seminar to register for the event. Registration is free and the form can be
found on our Washington Seminar page, nfb.org/Washington-seminar. By
registering, you will be added to an email list that we will be sending
periodic updates to.

Washington Seminar Fact Sheets:

The 2025 Washington Seminar Fact Sheets are now available. You can read them
on our Washington Seminar page at
<https://nfb.org/programs-services/advocacy/washington-seminar>
nfb.org/Washington-seminar. We encourage you to take some time to study the
fact sheets and learn the issues before you travel to Washington, DC, so
that we can be the best advocates possible for our legislative priorities. 

Washington Seminar Career Fair: 

Register for the National Federation of the Blind Washington Seminar career
fair. This event will be held February 3, 12:00-2:00 p.m., eastern, at the
Holiday Inn Washington Capitol,
<https://www.google.com/maps/search/550+C+Street,+SW,+Washington,+DC+20024?e
ntry=gmail&source=g> 550 C Street, SW, Washington, DC 20024.

Jobseekers, this is an opportunity to find your occupational passion.
Employers, this is a chance to connect with great talent. 

*
<https://nfb.org/programs-services/employment/career-fair-jobseeker-registra
tion> Career Fair - Jobseeker Registration
*	 <https://nfb.org/civicrm/event/register?reset=1&id=615> Career Fair
- Employer Registration 

Jobseekers, please direct all questions to jobseeker liaison Janice Forbes
at  <mailto:janiceforbes2012 at gmail.com> janiceforbes2012 at gmail.com.
Employers, please direct all questions to employer liaison Shawn Callaway at
<mailto:callaway.shawn at gmail.com> callaway.shawn at gmail.com.

News:

Presidential Release Chapter Recording Available:

The January Presidential Release chapter recording is available in audio,
transcript, as well as Spanish audio and Spanish transcript. Encourage
chapter presidents to share and discuss the topics on the release.
Additionally, the Presidential Release Live audio and transcript will be
available to catch up on extended Federation news for those who didn't get
to attend.
<https://nfb.org/resources/publications-and-media/presidential-releases>
Access all formats and details of the Presidential Release.

World Braille Day:

World Braille Day was January 4, although we celebrate Braille all month.
The National Federation of the Blind Jernigan Institute is an example of
many areas of innovation with Braille. Recently, Oriana Riccobono got to
show off some of the Braille in our building. Check out and share
<https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qEqL5Mqmw_c> our World Braille Day video.

National Convention Bulletin:

This year's National Federation of the Blind National Convention will be
Tuesday, July 8, through Sunday, July 13, at the Marriott New Orleans in New
Orleans, Louisiana. Reserve your room by calling 888-236-2427 for the
Marriott or 855-516-1090 for the Sheraton New Orleans. Ask for the "National
Federation of the Blind 2025 Convention" block. Share hotel information and
volunteer opportunities to affiliate listservs and social media. All
convention information is available at
<https://nfb.org/get-involved/national-convention> nfb.org/convention.

Upcoming Blind Student Seminar:

Register for the National Federation of the Blind 2025 Midwest Student
Seminar, "Beyond the Handshake: Networking in the Windy City." Hosted by our
division, the National Association of Blind Students, from March 7 through
March 9 in Chicago, IL, it will be an engaging weekend packed with
opportunities to challenge your perceptions and network with blind peers and
mentors alike.

 <https://nabslink.org/civicrm/event/register?reset=1&id=5> NFB Midwest
Seminar Registration is where you can learn more about this event. 

Please note that both the $100 registration fee and a completed registration
form must be submitted by February 14, 2025, to secure your spot for this
transformative weekend. Direct all questions to Joshua Olukanni at
678-313-1543 or  <mailto:joshuaolukanni2002 at gmail.com>
joshuaolukanni2002 at gmail.com.

Where the Blind Work Webinar:

Join us for the next Where the Blind Work Webinar being held on January 23,
8:00-9:00 p.m., eastern, via Zoom. Get ready for an informative discussion
featuring a panel of blind professionals who are working in the field of
Braille translation and language interpretation. Our panelists are: 

*	Jennifer Dunnam, Director of Braille Advancement, National
Federation of the Blind, Minnesota 
*	Jose Marquez, Medical Interpreter, Globo, Texas 
*	Richard Fernandez, Legal Interpreter, Clear Speak Interpreting, New
York 

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

We look forward to your participation!

Dates to Keep in Mind:

(all times eastern)

*	January 23:  <https://nfb.org/programs-services/employment> Where
the Blind Work Webinar, 8:00 p.m. via Zoom
*	January 28:
<https://nfb.org/programs-services/center-excellence-nonvisual-access/events
> Accessibility Boutique, Document Accessibility: Word, Google Docs, PDF,
from 2:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. via Zoom
*	February 3: Great Gathering-In 
*	February 3-6: Washington Seminar
*	July 8-13: National Convention; New Orleans, Louisiana

Introduction to the Organized Blind Movement

*	Wednesday, February 5
*	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.