December 2023

President’s Message

Dear Friends,

As I come to the end of this year, I reflect upon how tremendous it is that we have this authentic community that is rooted in local chapters and swells to a large wave that is our national movement. I am thankful for the collective wisdom that comes from the work that the Federation family does together.

This movement and the people in it have been fuel for my life and for my family for many years. Though I continue to receive the stories of blind people all over the country who face low expectations in so many aspects of life, I also hear what helps people live the lives they want. Because we come together and form connections with other blind people, we make the difference. And through our local chapters, we generate this positive understanding about the capacity of blind people. We literally change lives. 

Last week I had the opportunity to talk with blind people receiving adjustment to blindness training in Arizona. I was able to relay my own experience as a student at the NFB affiliated Colorado Center for the Blind more than twenty years ago. I was also able to share the wisdom I have gained since that time. Wisdom has come from being able to draw on the collective experience of my friends in the National Federation of the Blind. I have not always had to know everything, just know who to call who might know someone who knows. In speaking with these blind people who are hungry for more independence I was reminded that the power comes from our working together as a community for possibility, progress, and sharing stories of the positive outcomes.

If we continue to pour our energy and our focus into this movement, we truly can make anything possible. As we close this year and we think about the next chapter that we are going to write in 2024, I would encourage us to focus on the positive energy that we are creating and use that as a source to document, write, record, amplify, and post our stories. I want to wish you the happiest of holidays, a fantastic new year, and urge that we go build the National Federation of the Blind together in 2024.

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

High Expectations Make a Difference

In the National Federation of the Blind, we raise expectations of blind people because low expectations create obstacles between blind people and our dreams. Low expectations can be barriers to education, equal employment, independence, and so much more. We work to combat the pervasive low expectations of blind people held by both non-blind and blind people of themselves. The National Federation of the Blind is the only organization directed by blind people that believes in our full capacity and has the power, diversity, determination, and love to transform our dreams into reality.

We know that low expectations hurt in big and small ways, but sharing high expectations make a real difference in the lives of blind people. One member shared:

My mom would not let me take her arm when I was first learning cane travel. She wanted me to learn to use my cane and listen for her voice or footsteps. People thought she was awful, but I knew that she loved me and was planning for me to be independent someday, and so I looked forward to the same.

We know that making connections with competent blind people and finding a community that knows that blindness need not be a tragedy raises expectations. For example, when the parent of a blind child attends a convention where blind people are independently traversing the hotel with their canes or guide dogs, that parent understands that their child can also explore new places. If a newly blind person talks with blind people who work, parent, travel, and live the lives they want, that newly blind person learns what is possible. 

Through our national programs, state affiliates, and local chapters, the National Federation of the Blind creates a network of people who understand the real capacity of blind people and we work to build a world where blind people live the lives we want as valued and respected members of society.

Latest News at the NFB

Scholarship Program Application Opens

The National Federation of the Blind scholarship program helps blind college students reach their educational and employment goals. Building on its strong history and foundation, we have enhanced the awards granted over the past few years making the experience even more inclusive, engaging, and meaningful for the thirty finalists. Each scholarship winner will receive $8,000 and the opportunity to connect to an expansive network of those who believe in their capacity. Students can now apply for the 2024 scholarship program. 

2024 Washington Seminar Legislative Priorities

We have chosen our three legislative priorities for the 2024 Washington Seminar. In late January the members of the National Federation of the Blind will visit Capitol Hill to educate members of Congress and advocate for legislation that will promote website accessibility, increase home medical self-sufficiency, and increase work incentives related to SSDI for blind Americans. The three legislative priorities for the 2024 Washington Seminar are:

  • Websites and Software Applications Accessibility Act (H.R. 5813/S. 2984)
  • Medical Device Nonvisual Accessibility Act (H.R. 1328)
  • Blind Americans Return to Work Act

NFB-NEWSLINE® Adds The Athletic 

NFB-NEWSLINE®, a free audio news service that offers access at no charge to more than five hundred newspapers and magazines, now includes The Athletic for anyone interested in sports news. Learn about NFB-NEWSLINE.

2024 Jacob Bolotin Awards Application Period Opens

The National Federation of the Blind is accepting nominations of individuals or organizations who are a positive force in the lives of blind people and help us transform dreams into reality. Each application must include a letter of recommendation. Learn more and submit a nomination for the 2024 Dr. Jacob Bolotin Awards.

Latest Nation’s Blind Podcast Episodes Released

  • “Celebrating and Supporting Blind Veterans”

    Melissa Riccobono and Chris Danielsen discuss Veterans Day and the role of veterans in the National Federation of the Blind. They are joined by Dr. Vernon Humphrey, the president of the National Association of Blind Veterans (NABV), a division of the National Federation of the Blind, and José Centeno, a blind veteran, marathon runner, and member of the National Association of Blind Veterans Division. Listen to the episode, “Celebrating and Supporting Blind Veterans.”

  • “Braille Readers Are Leaders 2023/24 is Here”

    Anil Lewis and Chris Danielson introduce the 2023/24 contest which is a project of the American Action Fund, a longtime partner of the National Federation of the Blind. Lisamaria Martinez, the project manager, joins them to discuss the contest for children and adults and to highlight the new category for teachers of blind students. Listen to the Braille Readers Are Leaders 2023/24 Episode.

Take Action This Month

Throughout our local chapters and state affiliates to our national headquarters and diverse committees, the National Federation of the Blind is an organization of collective action. Here’s what you can do to get involved this month.

Important Dates

We certainly are a busy organization. Don’t miss these upcoming events, workshops, and deadlines.