March 2025

Letter from the President

Dear Friends,

In the National Federation of the Blind we believe that leaders are not born, they are made through training, opportunity, and personal commitment to growth. We work on leadership development every day, but some days are more intense than others. Last week I conducted our 97th Presidential Leadership Seminar—an intense three-day training in leadership where twenty members spent time with me to develop more capacity in our leadership corps. This leadership program, first started by President Kenneth Jernigan in 1973, brings together a diverse group of members from around the country to develop a deeper understanding of the blindness movement’s philosophy, history, and aspirations, and to build a community of leadership that connects people across the nation and benefits local communities. Most importantly, we had the opportunity to share our hearts with each other and understand the true joy that motivates our leadership.

I planned our latest Presidential Release Live to coincide with this seminar. We used this occasion to host a panel about leading with love within our Federation. Along with other national board members, we discussed our motivation to become involved in the movement. We are motivated by the personal stories that we hear and the people who are living the lives they want because of the work that we do, as well as by the real challenges that we face. Each of us expressed the understanding that if we don’t step up and get involved change won’t happen. 

We make a real difference in the lives of blind people, but our victories have not come without many battles. Now, more than ever, it is important that we lead courageously as a group and make our voices heard. As our country continues to evolve and change, we must be steady and constant in our resolve to stand for the rights of blind people to live, learn, and work. It can feel like we are continuously fighting against harmful misconceptions and low expectations of blind people. But the National Federation of the Blind remains committed to challenging these misconceptions and advocating for a society where blindness is understood not as a limitation, but as a characteristic that does not define one’s ability to contribute meaningfully. 

You do not need to be a board member, elected leader of the Federation, or even a blind person to make a difference. Leadership happens in many different ways throughout our movement. We can all work to change the public perception of blindness and transform how blind people perceive themselves and what they can accomplish. I think that leading courageously means not only tackling national policies and enacting legislation but also leading with love and building a community that values all people and perspectives. That is what we aim to do in the National Federation of the Blind, and I thank you for being a part of our movement. 

Sincerely,
Mark A. Riccobono, President
National Federation of the Blind

Leading Courageously by Advocating for Certification of Blind Teachers

In the National Federation of the Blind, we lead courageously. Our members and partners count on our expertise and our resolve. We will never shy away from the effort to surmount obstacles and raise expectations in pursuit of richer, fuller lives for all blind people. 

One of the ways we lead courageously is by championing the belief that blind people can in fact teach blind people and nowhere is that truer than in the area of orientation and mobility instruction. Organizations and certifying authorities sometimes place barriers in the way of credentialing otherwise qualified blind candidates. At one time the Association for Education and Rehabilitation of the Blind and Visually Impaired officially required vision to certify orientation and mobility instructors of blind students. To this day, many organizations fail to recognize the capacity of blind people and the value of lived experience as a blind person.

Martin, an Orientation and Mobility instructor, said:

“As a student at the Colorado Center for the Blind, I was shocked by the number of blind instructors at first. It did not take me long to understand the value of a blind person teaching me nonvisual skills. As a blind orientation and mobility instructor now, I see the value of lived experiences every day in my own teaching. The work we do to advocate for blind people as teachers of the blind, especially around orientation and mobility, is invaluable. We need teachers who teach from more than academic learning and can share their real-world experiences. There is more to be done to encourage, for example, state agencies to recognize the value of blind instructors and I am happy to be a part of that work. In Colorado, I am proud to say that because of our advocacy that we expect the state agency to agree soon to recognize certification by the National Blindness Professionals Certification Board which does recognize the value of lived experience.”

To learn more, you can read James Omvig’s Braille Monitor article “A New Professional Certification” and explore our Brand Standards for more information about our philosophy of leading courageously. 

Latest News at the NFB

National Federation of the Blind Applauds Introduction of Bill in Congress

The Blind Americans Return to Work Act addresses a major barrier blind individuals face in achieving economic independence: the Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) "earnings cliff." Currently, blind SSDI recipients lose their benefits if they earn more than a set monthly threshold, which discourages them from seeking higher-paying jobs or working more hours, despite their desire and talent to work. The NFB commends Representative Pete Sessions (R-TX-17) and Representative Kweisi Mfume (D-MD-7) for the introduction of the Blind Americans Return to Work Act (H.R. 1175) in the 119th Congress House of Representatives. 

Learn more about our Legislative Priorities. 

Statement from the National Federation of the Blind on the Harmful Stereotyping of Blind People in Political Discourse

The National Federation of the Blind strongly condemns the inappropriate and harmful stereotyping of blind people that has been highlighted in the response to a recent Congressional hearing before the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform Subcommittee on Delivering on Government Efficiency. 

Read our full statement in our press room. 

National Federation of the Blind Radio Network Launched

NFBRN, where the Federation is always on.

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 episodes, convention highlights, uplifting stories, and live events. 

Access the NFB Radio Network by using your Amazon device, asking for the Nation's Blind skill. You can also find the NFB Radio Network on your favorite radio station internet application. Learn more about NFBRN on our website.

Take Action This Month

Here’s what you can do this month to get involved and support the National Federation of the Blind:

Important Dates