February 2024

President’s Message


Dear Friends,
Recently members of the National Federation of the Blind met with well over four hundred members of congress from around the country to educate them about matters concerning the blind. Our efforts reflect the core of our mission. We are a people’s movement and our role in the nation is to inform and guide the people’s government. We determined in 1940 that no one shall speak for us except for the democratically elected blind leaders we choose ourselves. During this time of year, we demonstrate the true power of that promise in action. We do not hire lobbyists to represent our interest. We do not determine our priorities based on the political winds of the time. We demonstrate the diverse and unified agenda of a nationwide movement of blind people when we come together and use our collective voice in Washington, D.C. Read my remarks on the significance of the Washington Seminar.  

One of the beautiful aspects of our gathering in Washington, D.C. is the diversity of the group that comes together. I remember my very first Washington Seminar—it was the meeting of blind students that called me to come. However, during that trip I went to talk to members of Congress with a blind business owner, a rehabilitation teacher, a professor of communications, and a blind person who was having trouble securing employment. Of course, I met many other blind people from varied backgrounds who were advocating as representatives of other state affiliates. Many other groups that make the trip to talk to members of Congress represent a particular interest—business owners, medical professionals, or bankers for example. With the Federation, the diversity of backgrounds, characteristics, and experience is truly moving and part of what compels elected leaders, regardless of political affiliation, to support our cause. This is also a critical part of what brings me back to Washington every year—the power and authenticity of blind-led solutions.

You can help us continue the movement to support our legislative priorities. Study our legislative fact sheets from our Washington Seminar and urge others to do the same. The more awareness we create the more likely our issues are to be addressed. As you will find below, our success is realized not only in the policy arena but also in education, employment, and in generally raising expectations within society. Thank you for contributing to our movement for independence.

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

Saber Shows What is Possible

The National Federation of the Blind has been producing STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) programming for blind children since 2004. These programs have been facilitated with blind youth of various ages on university campuses, in museums across the country, at the Jernigan Institute in Baltimore, and have even been adapted for remote learning. Last year we continued our STEM programming with SABER, Spatial Ability and Blind Engineering Research. We have created a dynamic exhibit to teach about the National Federation of the Blind, how the SABER project came into existence, and why the NFB engineering program is important. Visitors to the exhibit can explore and even try some of the activities. 

NFB members who have participated in STEM programs described the importance of the programs and exhibit:

“The SABER exhibit stands as a testament to our ingenuity. When people say that spatial reason is purely reliant on vision, we challenge that assertion. We created the Tactile Mental Cutting Test as part of our SABER research, specifically to combat this stereotype. There are many blind professionals working in architecture or engineering—both careers that rely on spatial reasoning. The T-MCT is just one example of how, though others do not challenge their implicit biases on what counts as “visual,” we are able to find accessible alternatives.”

“When I was younger, I was told that I would be successful as a lawyer or radio professional, a singer or piano tuner, any number of stereotypical careers that you see blind people doing in movies and pop culture. When I challenged some people by proposing some other career, their response was that blindness would prevent me from being successful, and that was the end of the discussion. If I continued pushing, suggesting that maybe those people could help me be successful by working with me to find tools and techniques that would work for me, the response was that it would be easier for me to go into something deemed not visual.”

Our STEM programs help break down barriers and show what is possible by demonstrating nonvisual tools and techniques so blind youth know they are capable of exceeding low expectations and mastering science, technology, engineering, and math. Read the SABER Exhibit Guide to learn more.

Latest News at the NFB

Request for a Universal Solution to Live Audio Without Broadcast Delays


Per our Resolution 2023-05: Regarding Audio Delays During Live Radio Play-by-Play Broadcasts, the National Federation of the Blind is submitting a request for a universal solution for live audio without broadcast delays to all major sports league commissioners. Many blind people enjoy the shared experience of live sports and cheering on our team from the stands. The radio play-by-play typically provides the descriptive information that we need, but this experience often falls short of allowing our equal participation due to the broadcast delay applied to the radio commentary. 

Midwest Regional Student Seminar Registration Open

Each year the National Association of Blind Students (NABS), a proud division of the National Federation of the Blind, hosts a series of regional seminars. Join NABS March 22-24 at the Holiday Inn Chicago O’Hare for the NABS Midwest Regional Seminar—an exciting weekend of professional growth, confidence-building, and mentorship for blind students. Engage in interactive activities, thought-provoking discussions, and riveting presentations on topics like advocating for accommodations and stepping into your identity. Register for Midwest Student Seminar. 

2024 NFB BELL® Academy Application Coming Soon  

The National Federation of the Blind Braille Enrichment for Literacy and Learning® (NFB BELL) Academy is a nationwide summer program that prepares blind and low-vision children to grow into confident and independent blind people who live the lives they want. Check our BELL page for updates.

Autonomous Vehicle Accessibility Act Introduced

The National Federation of the Blind welcomes the introduction of a bill into congress which, among other things, ensures that state driver’s license laws do not bar people with disabilities from utilizing autonomous vehicles. The NFB has long been involved in policy discussion of autonomous vehicles and advocates for the inclusion of people with disabilities in the development of innovative technology from the beginning. We are pleased at the proactive approach to preventing discrimination. Learn more about the Autonomous Vehicle Accessibility Act.

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.