[IL-Talk] President Riccobono's notebook for the week of April 28

Thu May 1 16:45:30 UTC 2025

Critical Actions:

Federal Employees with Disabilities:

We know that federal employees with disabilities have been disproportionally
affected by recent reductions in the federal employment workforce, and we
are doing all we can to help our blind colleagues. If you are aware of blind
federal workers impacted by the government layoffs, please encourage them to
submit the
<https://nfb.org/programs-services/employment/general-interest-form>
Employment Interest Form to receive announcements about career
opportunities. Thanks to our partners at the American Action Fund for Blind
Children and Adults, these individuals can also
<https://nfb.org/programs-services/employment/federal-workers/convention-sup
port-application> apply for support to participate in career activities at
the national convention in New Orleans. 

National Convention:

Convention Resolutions:

The national convention is coming soon! 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 for submitting a resolution is Sunday, June 8, at
midnight, eastern. Donald 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. 

Reminder: Register and Book Hotel for National Convention:

Promote registration for the 2025 National Federation of the Blind
<https://nfb.org/get-involved/national-convention> National Convention, July
8-13, in New Orleans. Let members know to register early because prices go
up if you register on site in New Orleans. Registration includes the biggest
event of the year, access to the event app, and communications on the latest
news and events. 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. 

National Federation of the Blind National Convention Career Fair:

Join us for the National Federation of the Blind National Convention Career
Fair on July 9, 1:00-4:00 p.m., Central. Hosted by the National Employment
Committee, this event is an opportunity for blind and low-vision people
seeking jobs to connect with employers and is an opportunity for employers
to seek more talent for their teams. 

<https://nfb.org/programs-services/employment/career-fair-jobseeker-registra
tion> National Convention Jobseeker Registration 

 <https://nfb.org/civicrm/event/register?reset=1&action=preview&id=621>
National Convention Employer Registration 

To prepare jobseekers and employers, the Employment Committee will be
hosting "Getting Career-Fair Ready: For Jobseekers and Employers," virtual
seminars designed to provide strategies for creating the most positive
experience while attending the fair. Individuals will automatically be
registered for these events once they have registered for the career fair.
For more information on the career fair or virtual seminars, please contact
Charles Bennett, jobseeker liaison, at  <mailto:cbennett at cocenter.org>
cbennett at cocenter.org, or Kris Colcock, employer liaison, at
<mailto:Kris at colcok.com> Kris at colcok.com.

Career Quest at National Convention:

Join us for the National Federation of the Blind Career Quest Program, an
exclusive weeklong program held during the NFB National Convention. This
dynamic program is designed for blind and low-vision students eager to
explore career opportunities, gain hands-on experience with access
technology, and develop valuable professional connections. 

If you're ready to take charge of your future, connect with mentors, and
expand your career horizons, this program is for you! Learn more about
<https://nfb.org/programs-services/employment/career-quest/application>
Career Quest and complete the
<https://nfb.org/civicrm/mailing/url?u=38142&qid=11127342> Career Quest
Interest Application to learn more and secure your spot today.

Please direct all questions to Employment Program Coordinator, Nikki Jackson
at  <https://nfb.org/civicrm/mailing/url?u=38143&qid=11127342>
njackson at nfb.org, or 410-659-9314, extension 2404.

News:

Federal Government Discontinuing Processing of Paper Checks:

In an executive order dated March 25, 2025, entitled "Modernizing Payments
to and from America's Bank Account," the Trump administration has directed
the federal government to stop distributing payments, including benefit
payments, by paper check. The executive order also directed the federal
government to stop accepting payment by paper check. This order goes into
effect on September 30, 2025, and it is unclear to what degree this will
affect SSDI, SSI, and Social Security retirement recipients, as the
executive order does contain the option for exemptions in limited
circumstances and current policies with the Social Security Administration
are changing. Please watch for further communications and please reach out
to Jesse Shirek at  <mailto:jshirek at nfb.org> jshirek at nfb.org with questions
and concerns.

Give $25 in '25 Campaign:

Let's keep pushing forward together. The Give $25 in '25 campaign is about
making an impact-one gift, one story, one act of leadership at a time. Every
$25 donation helps power the programs and advocacy that move us closer to
equality and opportunity for all blind people. Here's how it works:

*	Every $25 you give enters you into a drawing for a chance to win a
trip to our next national convention or a cash prize.
*	We're encouraging some friendly competition through the Federation
Challenger opportunity:

*	Ask others to give and tell them to list you as their challenger on
the donation form.
*	The challenger with the most named donors will get to announce the
drawing winner at our national banquet.

*	The first one hundred people who give $100 or more will receive a
pair of AfterShokz headphones.

Whether you give, encourage others to give, or both-this is a chance to lead
by example. Share your story. When people understand why this matters to
you, they'll want to be part of it, too.

Three ways to give:

*	Call 410-659-9314, extension 2430
*	Mail a check to: 200 East Wells Street, Baltimore, MD 21230
*	Donate online at nfb.org/give25donate

Congress Is Back in Session:

After a brief recess, both the House and the Senate are back in session,
starting this week and remaining in session until the Memorial Day holiday
on Monday, May 26. If your representative in the House has not cosponsored
either the Blind Americans Return to Work Act (H.R. 1175) or the Access
Technology Affordability Act (H.R. 1529), now is the perfect time to call or
email them and urge them to do so. It is more important than ever before
that we gain cosponsor support on the Access Technology Affordability Act to
give it the best possible chance of being included in a larger upcoming tax
package. 

Help the National Federation of the Blind in Three Easy Ways-Everyday Giving
Just Got Better:

You already make a difference by supporting the National Federation of the
Blind. But did you know there are simple, everyday ways to give that can
help power our movement even further? Whether these options are new to you
or worth another look, they're easy, effective, and impactful.

. Shop with purpose using iGive, visit -
<https://igive.com/nationalfederationoftheblind>
https://igive.com/nationalfederationoftheblind.
Over two thousand online retailers will donate a percentage of your purchase
to the NFB-at no extra cost to you. Just sign up once and start shopping
with impact. The iGive app makes it even easier to give while on the go.

. Round up with Walmart and Lyft
Small change creates big possibilities. When you support us with
<https://www.walmart.com/sparkgood> Walmart Spark Good or ride with Lyft,
you can round your total to the nearest dollar and donate the difference to
the NFB automatically. It's a simple way to support our work with every
purchase or ride.

. Give with cryptocurrency through  <https://www.cryptoforcharity.io/nfb>
Crypto for Charity
Crypto donations are fast, secure, and may offer tax benefits. Support our
mission with Bitcoin, Ethereum, and more through a platform built for
charitable giving.

Learn more about these opportunities and explore other giving options on our
<https://nfb.org/get-involved/ways-give/gift-acceptance-and-recognition-poli
cies> Ways to Give Page. Please share these opportunities. Promote them in
your chapter, throughout your affiliate, and with your family, friends, and
wider networks. Everyday giving, shared widely, helps us raise more support
and build a stronger future.

Catch up on Content and Share on Social Media:

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

*
<https://nfb.org/images/nfb/publications/bm/bm25/bm2505/bm2505tc.htm> May
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

Reminders:

Mark Your Calendar: Presidential Release Live on May 15:

The next Presidential Release Live will be Thursday, May 15, at 8:00 p.m.,
Eastern, in honor of Global Accessibility Awareness Day. Zoom details are
below. Attend to get the latest updates on the movement, ask questions, and
hear important perspectives on the organized blind movement. Submit
questions or suggestions to  <mailto:communications at nfb.org>
communications at nfb.org.

Presidential Release Live Zoom: https://nfb-org.zoom.us/j/96380567586

One Tap Mobile: +13017158592,,96380567586# US

Zoom ID: 96380567586

Note: The
<https://nfb.org/resources/publications-and-media/presidential-releases>
Presidential Release chapter recordings are available by the first Friday of
each month. Please share the chapter recording as part of your chapter
meeting agenda and discuss among members.  

Dates to Keep in Mind:

(all times eastern)

*	May 1: Deadline for applications for the
<https://nfb.org/programs-services/scholarships-and-awards/blind-educator-ye
ar-award> Blind Educator of the Year Award. 
*	May 1: Deadline for applications for the
<https://nfb.org/programs-services/scholarships-and-awards/distinguished-edu
cator-blind-students-award> Distinguished Educator of Blind Students Award. 
*	May 16-17: Diabetes Action Network; Baltimore, Maryland;
registration coming soon.
*	June 8, 2025: Deadline to submit resolutions.
*	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, 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 advances the lives of its
members and all blind people in Illinois. We know that blindness is not the
characteristic that defines you or your future. Every day we raise the
expectations of blind people because low expectations create obstacles
between blind people and our dreams. Our collective power, determination,
and diversity achieve the aspirations of all blind people.