March 2024

President’s Message

Dear Friend, 

An important part of advocacy is education about our movement. I have spent a lot of time this month answering questions of members and blind people who are considering membership in the Federation. I am writing this while returning on a train from Virginia where I spent time with students at the Virginia Rehabilitation Center for the Blind, discussing active participation with our Richmond Chapter, and addressing the annual meeting of the Virginia Business Enterprise Program. Sometimes education comes through interesting questions, which pushes both the questioner and me to think more deeply about why—and how--we do what we do.

I especially enjoy the question-and-answer sections of the Presidential Release each month. During the latest release, which was live from Members Hall in Baltimore and included attendees from our ninety-fourth leadership seminar, participants asked intriguing questions about which brand value I align with most, which education program is my favorite, and how my astrological sign impacts my leadership. 

Because our Braille Enrichment for Literacy and Learning® Academy grew out of our grassroots--from a state affiliate initiative to a national program--because BELL promotes learning I did not receive as a child, and because this program gives my own daughters a step up, our NFB BELL Academy is my favorite educational program. I love reading to our BELL academy students each summer.

I am most aligned with the core value “lead courageously”, since our leadership is driven by the authentic experience of blind people. We take stands on things others ignore because the Federation is run by blind people. As to astrologic sign: I am a Leo and was born in the year of the dragon, which ties back to leading courageously. People think of dragons as tough, but there are two sides to leading courageously; the tough side, which reflects a driving leader, and the soft side, which is empowered by the love we share within this organization. 

Advocacy through education will continue at the 2024 National Convention. Registration opened on February 29. I invite all of you to join me at this year’s convention and experience this organization during the premier event of the year. Come and learn from each other, check out the latest and greatest in products and services for the blind, and come to know the power of collective action. If you are new, you can make new friends and learn, and if you are a veteran of our conventions, come to renew relationships and catch up at our annual family reunion. 

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

Self- Advocacy Toolkits Make a Difference

The National Federation of the Blind is continuously working toward securing full integration, equality, independence, acceptance, and respect for all blind people. Our advocacy work has centered on issues related to education, employment, transportation, voting, and civil rights, and is directed by the resolutions that are passed every year during our national convention. As the oldest and largest nationwide organization of blind Americans, we are able to provide expert advice in these areas to blind people, their families, agencies for the blind, corporations, and the government. The NFB provides several federal, state, and self-advocacy resources. A popular resource is our self-advocacy toolkits which empower people to advocate on their own behalf by gathering essential information together in one place based on subject matter.

“Love the toolkits. The toolkits provide resources all in one place. I used the employment toolkit and appreciated the examples of things like reasonable accommodations. When I talked with HR, I was better prepared because of the toolkit.” - Evette 

The Federation has five toolkits currently available:

Please check them out and share our toolkits with others.

Latest News at the NFB

National Convention Registration Open

The National Federation of the Blind National Convention is the largest gathering of blind people in the world. It is the premier event for training, support, and information for the blind community. Believe, Dream, Include, Lead, Champion. Join us for the biggest event of the year—a truly exciting and memorable event. Registration for #NFB24 is now open. 

American Action Fund Announces Winners in the 2023-2024 Braille Readers Are Leaders Contest 

The Braille Readers Are Leaders contest sponsored by the American Action Fund for Blind Children and Adults in partnership with the National Federation of the Blind aspires to spread the joy of reading for pleasure; to promote a pride in Braille as a viable literacy medium equal to print; and to demonstrate the importance of independent reading in the development of Braille literacy skills. Contestants compete against their same-grade peers nationwide to read for the most minutes during the reading period. Join us in celebrating the incredible participants of the Braille Readers Are Leaders contest! Watch the video of the grand prize winners announced on Read Across America Day. 

NFB BELL® Academy Applications Accepted

The NFB BELL® Academy program gives children exposure to Braille in fun and engaging ways like creating crafts, playing Braille games, and fun field trip experiences. Children also gain confidence, learn independent living skills, and have the opportunity to connect with blind mentors. Apply for a BELL Academy near you now.

NFB STEM2U in Louisiana and Maryland 

In collaboration with the Center of Science and Industry (COSI), we will become astronomers through the study of astrophysics and engineering. We will build models of the James Webb Space Telescope, learn about the Earth’s atmosphere, discover why the Webb was sent to space, and explore how it studies space. STEM can be accessible; let’s show the blind youth in your community how! Learn more and register for STEM2U. Registration is now open for Louisiana and Maryland. Other states are coming soon!

IEP Advocacy Academy Seeks Volunteers 

Our IEP Advocacy Academy is seeking blind adults and parents of blind or low-vision children willing to gain knowledge of Individual Education Programs (IEPs) to assist families with the future education of blind or low-vision students. Parents can easily feel overwhelmed by the IEP process that is required to establish special education services for their child. Currently, there is a limited number of people that have the necessary knowledge to assist these families. To address the extreme shortage of knowledgeable parent advocates for blind and low-vision students across the nation, the National Federation of the Blind (NFB), with support from the Lavelle Fund for the Blind, is offering an intensive IEP training opportunity. We invite interested parents and blind adults from every state to apply. For more information or to apply visit the Individualized Education Plan Advocacy Academy Page.

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.