August 2025

Letter from the President

Dear Friend,

One of the things that impressed me most about the National Federation of the Blind when I started to get involved as a college student was the real-life impact of the actions that the organization made on behalf of blind people. The Federation was helping blind parents regain custody of their children when their rights were challenged because of unfair, preconceived, and unnecessary societal biases. The Federation helped students who I knew get access to Braille classroom materials and made it easier to get accessible prescription labels.

Organizational actions also spark action by individuals. As students we learned to advocate for ourselves in school because we knew we were capable of achieving anything if given the proper tools. Other blind people push for better access technology within their workplaces and draft new state legislation to require accessible voting booths in local precincts. In the early 2000s NFB member Debbie Stein started talking about the potential dangers of electric and hybrid vehicles because they didn’t emit any usable sound.

In 2003 the first resolutions about quiet cars were passed by the National Convention and kicked off a decade of advocacy. This ultimately led to President Obama signing the Pedestrian Safety Enhancement Act in 2011, requiring that the United States Department of Transportation write regulations to implement a minimum sound that vehicles must make when traveling the streets of this country. The streets are now safer for blind people as well as nonblind pedestrians and cyclists.

The Federation also provides a foundation for blind individuals who find a need and take action to create something new. A great example is one of our 2025 Dr. Jacob Bolotin Award winners, Dr. Mika Baugh. Dr. Baugh created the Sexual Health Education, Research, and Training (SHERT) initiative which addresses a long-ignored gap in comprehensive sexual health education for blind youth and adults through interactive events featuring Braille and tactile graphics, real-world medical models, and trained blind facilitators.

Unfortunately, the world doesn’t usually hand us victories, but we know that through collective action we do have power. We advocate and fight with a smile on our face and a white cane or guide dog harness in our hand. I hope that Federationists know that whether they are with a small group lobbying in their state capitol, or at a school individualized education plan (IEP) meeting by themselves, they have the support of thousands of blind people and our many allies. Thank you for being part of the Federation family and sparking action to advance the lives of all blind people.

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

Quiet Cars Sparked Action

In the National Federation of the Blind, meaningful change often begins with a spark—an idea, a concern, or a question raised by a member. Through our grassroots advocacy and national initiatives, we turn those sparks into powerful collective action that advances the lives of blind people across the country.

A shining example of this process is the story of the Pedestrian Safety Enhancement Act—a law that began with a single concern and grew into a national campaign. Debbie Stein of Illinois shared how her experience in 2003 set this effort in motion:

“The first time I encountered a Toyota Prius, back in 2003, I knew we were in trouble. As blind pedestrians we travel safely and confidently, listening to the patterns of traffic in our environment. Suddenly there were new hybrid cars on the road, moving so silently we could not use sound to detect their whereabouts. As a long-time Federationist I knew the power of collective action. I brought my concern about quiet cars to President Marc Maurer, and he appointed me chair of a committee to work on the issue.

The Federation built relationships with the Department of Transportation, the auto manufacturers, and members of Congress. On January 4, 2011, President Barack Obama signed the Pedestrian Safety Enhancement Act into law. The law required all hybrid and electric vehicles of up to 10,000 pounds to emit a sound detectable by pedestrians and cyclists. The Quiet Cars Bill, as it came to be known, was an example of the Federation in action!”

Our work to challenge misconceptions and eliminate barriers often starts with one voice—like Debbie’s—raised through the democratic process of a national resolution. If you're curious about the Pedestrian Safety Enhancement Act or want to learn more about how resolutions can shape our future, we encourage you to explore Pedestrian Safety Enhancement Act and our National Federation of the Blind national resolutions.

Latest News at the NFB

Annual Dr. Jacob Bolotin Awards Presented at the 2025 National Convention

Congratulations to the 2025 Bolotin winners: Sam Seavey, Mika Baugh, Casey Robertson, and the National Federation of the Blind of Indiana. Dr. Jacob W. Bolotin (1888–1924) was the world’s first physician who was blind from birth. The National Federation of the Blind honors his legacy through these awards, which highlight efforts that continue his work of breaking down barriers and recognize individuals and organizations that are a positive force in the lives of blind people. 

Learn more about the 2025 award winners and their remarkable work in our press room.

Teachers of Tomorrow Cohort Selected

The 2025-2026 National Federation of the Blind Teachers of Tomorrow cohort has been selected. This immersive professional development opportunity connects early career teachers of blind students with the lived experiences of blind people, helping them have higher expectations for their students throughout their careers. This year we are excited to have teachers from the following states: Alabama, Arizona, Georgia, Idaho, Maryland, New Mexico, New York, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, and Washington.

Learn more about the Teachers of Tomorrow program. 

Transformation to Competitive Integrated Employment Act Introduced in Congress

The National Federation of the Blind advocates for the end to antiquated and discriminatory employment for all Americans with disabilities by transitioning away from the subminimum wage model. On Thursday, July 24, Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Steve Daines (R-MT), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), and Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) introduced S. 2438, the Transformation to Competitive Integrated Employment Act. Then, on Friday, July 25, Representatives Bobby Scott (D-VA-3) and Pete Sessions (R-TX-17) introduced a companion bill, H.R. 4771. This bill will abolish subminimum wages for disabled Americans. Learn more about our Legislative Priorities. 

Urging Congress to Make Permanent the Medicare Telehealth Benefits

On Tuesday, July 22, the National Federation of the Blind sent a letter to all members of Congress urging them to make permanent the Medicare Telehealth benefits that are set to expire on September 30, 2025. This letter is a direct action from Resolution 2025-07 that was passed at the national convention in New Orleans. The expansion of these benefits is of great value to blind and low-vision Americans, particularly those who live in rural areas, who may have difficulty securing reliable transportation for regular physician visits.

Take Action This Month

Important Dates

We certainly are a busy organization. Don’t miss these upcoming campaigns and save the dates for our big 2026 events.