<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN"
"http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"> <html
xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"> <head>
<meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /> <meta
http-equiv="Content-Style-Type" content="text/css" /> <meta name="generator"
content="pandoc" /> <title>The Braille Monitor, March 2025 – The Braille
Monitor, March 2025</title> <style type="text/css">
html {
line-height: 1.5; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 20px; color:
#1a1a1a; background-color: #fdfdfd; } body {
margin: 0 auto; max-width: 36em; padding-left: 50px; padding-right: 50px;
padding-top: 50px; padding-bottom: 50px; hyphens: auto; word-wrap: break-word;
text-rendering: optimizeLegibility; font-kerning: normal; } @media (max-width:
600px) {
body {
font-size: 0.9em; padding: 1em; } } @media print {
body {
background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 12pt; } p, h2, h3
{
orphans: 3; widows: 3; } h2, h3, h4 {
page-break-after: avoid; } } p {
margin: 1em 0; } a {
color: #1a1a1a; } a:visited {
color: #1a1a1a; } img {
max-width: 100%; } h1, h2, h3, h4, h5, h6 {
margin-top: 1.4em; } h5, h6 {
font-size: 1em; font-style: italic; } h6 {
font-weight: normal; } ol, ul {
padding-left: 1.7em; margin-top: 1em; } li > ol, li > ul {
margin-top: 0; } blockquote {
margin: 1em 0 1em 1.7em; padding-left: 1em; border-left: 2px solid #e6e6e6;
color: #606060; } code {
font-family: Menlo, Monaco, 'Lucida Console', Consolas, monospace; font-size:
85%; margin: 0; } pre {
margin: 1em 0; overflow: auto; } pre code {
padding: 0; overflow: visible; }
.sourceCode {
background-color: transparent; overflow: visible; } hr {
background-color: #1a1a1a; border: none; height: 1px; margin: 1em 0; } table
{
margin: 1em 0; border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%; overflow-x: auto;
display: block; font-variant-numeric: lining-nums tabular-nums; } table
caption {
margin-bottom: 0.75em; } tbody {
margin-top: 0.5em; border-top: 1px solid #1a1a1a; border-bottom: 1px solid
#1a1a1a; } th {
border-top: 1px solid #1a1a1a; padding: 0.25em 0.5em 0.25em 0.5em; } td {
padding: 0.125em 0.5em 0.25em 0.5em; } header {
margin-bottom: 4em; text-align: center; } #TOC li {
list-style: none; } #TOC a:not(:hover) {
text-decoration: none; } code{white-space: pre-wrap;} span.smallcaps{font-variant:
small-caps;} span.underline{text-decoration: underline;} div.column{display:
inline-block; vertical-align: top; width: 50%;} div.hanging-indent{margin-left:
1.5em; text-indent: -1.5em;} ul.task-list{list-style: none;}
.display.math{display: block; text-align: center; margin: 0.5rem auto;}
</style> </head> <body> <div id="header"> <h1 class="title">The Braille Monitor,
March 2025</h1> </div> <h1 id="braille-monitor">BRAILLE MONITOR</h1> <p>Vol. 68,
No. 3 March 2025</p> <p><em>Chris Danielsen, Editor</em></p> <p>Distributed by
email, in inkprint, in Braille, and on USB flash drive, by the</p> <p>NATIONAL
FEDERATION OF THE BLIND</p> <p>Mark Riccobono, President</p> <p>telephone:
410-659-9314</p> <p>email address: <a href="mailto:nfb@nfb.org">nfb@nfb.org</a></p>
<p>website address: <a href="http://www.nfb.org">http://www.nfb.org</a></p>
<p>NFBnet.org: <a href="http://www.nfbnet.org">http://www.nfbnet.org</a></p>
<p>NFB-NEWSLINE® information: 866-504-7300</p> <p>Like us on Facebook: <a
href="http://Facebook.com/nationalfederationoftheblind">Facebook.com/nationalfederationoftheblind</a></p>
<p>Follow us on X: @NFB_Voice</p> <p>Follow us on Mastodon: @<a
href="mailto:nationsblind@nfb.social">nationsblind@nfb.social</a></p> <p>Watch
and share our videos: <a href="http://YouTube.com/NationsBlind">YouTube.com/NationsBlind</a></p>
<p>Letters to the President, address changes, subscription requests, and orders
for NFB literature should be sent to the national office. Articles for the
<em>Monitor</em> and letters to the editor may also be sent to the national office
or may be emailed to <a href="mailto:cdanielsen@nfb.org">cdanielsen@nfb.org</a>.</p>
<p><em>Monitor</em> subscriptions cost the Federation about forty dollars per
year. Members are invited, and nonmembers are requested, to cover the subscription
cost. Donations should be made payable to <strong>National Federation of the
Blind</strong> and sent to:</p> <p>National Federation of the Blind</p> <p>200
East Wells Street <em>at Jernigan Place</em><br /> Baltimore, Maryland 21230-4998</p>
<p><strong>THE NATIONAL FEDERATION OF THE BLIND KNOWS THAT BLINDNESS IS NOT THE
CHARACTERISTIC THAT DEFINES YOU OR YOUR FUTURE. EVERY DAY WE RAISE THE EXPECTATIONS
OF BLIND PEOPLE, BECAUSE LOW EXPECTATIONS CREATE OBSTACLES BETWEEN BLIND PEOPLE
AND OUR DREAMS. YOU CAN LIVE THE LIFE YOU WANT; BLINDNESS IS NOT WHAT HOLDS YOU
BACK. THE NATIONAL FEDERATION OF THE BLIND IS NOT AN ORGANIZATION SPEAKING FOR
THE BLIND—IT IS THE BLIND SPEAKING FOR OURSELVES.</strong></p> <p><em>ISSN
0006-8829</em></p> <p>© 2025 by the National Federation of the Blind</p>
<p>Each issue is recorded on a thumb drive (also called a memory stick or USB
flash drive). You can read this audio edition using a computer or a National
Library Service digital player. The NLS machine has two slots—the familiar
book-cartridge slot just above the retractable carrying handle and a second slot
located on the right side near the headphone jack. This smaller slot is used to
play thumb drives. Remove the protective rubber pad covering this slot and insert
the thumb drive. It will insert only in one position. If you encounter resistance,
flip the drive over and try again. (Note: If the cartridge slot is not empty when
you insert the thumb drive, the digital player will ignore the thumb drive.) Once
the thumb drive is inserted, the player buttons will function as usual for reading
digital materials. If you remove the thumb drive to use the player for cartridges,
when you insert it again, reading should resume at the point you stopped.</p>
<p>You can transfer the recording of each issue from the thumb drive to your
computer or preserve it on the thumb drive. However, because thumb drives can be
used hundreds of times, we would appreciate their return in order to stretch our
funding. Please use the return envelope enclosed with the drive when you return
the device.</p> <p>Vol. 68, No. 3 March 2025</p> <h2 id="contents"> Contents</h2>
<p>Convention Bulletin</p> <p>The 2025 Washington Seminar: New President, New
Congress, New Approach</p> <p>by Chris Danielsen</p> <p>The Significance of
Washington Seminar 2025</p> <p>by Mark Riccobono</p> <p>Legislative Agenda of
Blind Americans: Priorities for the 119th Congress, First Session</p> <p>Laws and
Funding the Blind Depend On</p> <p>Websites and Software Applications Accessibility
Act</p> <p>Medical Device Nonvisual Accessibility Act</p> <p>Blind Americans Return
to Work Act</p> <p>Additional Legislative Concerns of Blind Americans for the
119th Congress</p> <p>A Report from Washington Seminar by the South Carolina
Delegation</p> <p>by Janice Bright</p> <p>Leading Disability Organizations:
President Trump’s Blame of Deadly Plane Crash on Disabled Federal Workers
Is Baseless, Irresponsible</p> <p>The Why and How of Service Animal Self-ID in
Rideshare</p> <p>by Al Elia</p> <p>Plan for the Future</p> <p>A Tribute to Tom
Stevens: A Leader and a Friend</p> <p>by Gary Wunder</p> <p>Making Meta Accessible:
Update on Latest Improvements</p> <p>Building the Future: Shaping Accessible
Learning Together</p> <p>by Kaili Kameoka</p> <p>Springing Forward Successfully</p>
<p>by LaShawna Fant</p> <p>Who Says Blind People Can’t Get Foul Balls?
Three Parks, Three Years, Three Souvenir Balls</p> <p>by Rose Warner</p> <p>NFB
BELL®: It’s Not just for the Kids!</p> <p>by Karen Anderson</p>
<p>Learning, Leading, and Living the Life I Want</p> <p>by Cole Carper</p>
<p><em>Monitor</em> Miniatures</p> <p>[PHOTO/CAPTION: An aerial view of the New
Orleans Marriott.]</p> <h2 id="convention-bulletin-2025">Convention Bulletin
2025</h2> <p>The 2025 Convention of the National Federation of the Blind will take
place in New Orleans, Louisiana, this summer. Start planning your trip now.</p>
<blockquote> <p>Tuesday, July 8, through Sunday, July 13</p> <p>The Marriott New
Orleans and the Sheraton New Orleans</p> </blockquote> <p>As our headquarters
hotel, the Marriott will host convention breakouts, general sessions, and the
banquet. Right across Canal Street, the Sheraton serves as our overflow hotel and
will be home to the Exhibit Hall and Independence Market.</p> <p>If this will be
your first convention or if you need a refresher, check out our First Timer’s
Guide at <a
href="https://nfb.org/get-involved/national-convention/first-timers-guide"><u>https://nfb.org/get-involved/national-convention/first-timers-guide</u></a>.</p>
<h3 id="convention-season-schedule-and-deadlines">Convention Season Schedule and
Deadlines</h3> <p>The following are important dates to know as you prepare to
attend convention.</p> <ul> <li><p>January 1 Hotel Reservations Open</p></li>
<li><p>March 1 Registration Opens</p></li> <li><p>April 15 Agenda Submissions
Deadline for Session Coordinators</p></li> <li><p>April 15 Kenneth Jernigan
Convention Scholarship Deadline for First-Time Attendees</p></li> <li><p>May 31
Registration Closes for Convention Attendees</p></li> <li><p>May 31 Registration
Deadline for Exhibitors</p></li> <li><p>June 9 Resolutions Submission Deadline</p></li>
</ul> <h3 id="book-your-hotel">Book Your Hotel</h3> <p>Reserve your room by calling
888-236-2427 for the Marriott or 855-516-1090 for the Sheraton New Orleans. Ask
for the “National Federation of the Blind 2025 Convention” block.
Here are important things to know about the rates and booking the room:</p> <h3
id="rates-and-taxes">Rates and Taxes</h3> <p>The nightly rate for both the Marriott
and the Sheraton is $119 for singles and doubles, while triples and quads can be
booked for $129 per night. You should also anticipate the combined sales tax and
tourism support rate of 16.2 percent and note there is a hotel occupancy fee of
$3.00 per night.</p> <h3 id="deposit-and-cancellation">Deposit and Cancellation</h3>
<p>At the time you make a reservation, a deposit of the first night’s stay
is required for each room reserved. If you use a credit card, the deposit will be
charged against your card immediately, just as would be the case with a check. If
a reservation is cancelled before Sunday, June 1, 2025, half of the deposit will
be returned. Otherwise, refunds will not be made.</p> <h3 id="registration">Registration</h3>
<p>Registration for convention will open March 1. Registration will be $25 per
person plus $80 per banquet ticket. Register early because prices go up if you
register onsite in New Orleans. Registration includes the biggest event of the
year, access to the event app, and communications on the latest news and events.</p>
<h3 id="division-committee-group-meetings">Division, Committee, Group Meetings</h3>
<p>Over 200 sessions and meetings happen during convention. If you are a leader
in a division, committee, or group that will meet at convention, please don’t
wait to organize. Start planning your agenda, goals, and connections now. Stay
tuned for details from the Convention Chair, John Berggren.</p> <h3
id="request-for-door-prizes">Request for Door Prizes</h3> <p>Remember that as
usual we need door prizes from state affiliates, local chapters, and individuals.
Prizes should be small in size but large in value. Cash, of course, is always
appropriate and welcome. We ask that prizes of all kinds have a value of at least
$25 and not include alcohol. Drawings will occur throughout the convention sessions,
and you can anticipate a grand prize of truly impressive proportions to be drawn
at the banquet.</p> <h3 id="volunteer">Volunteer</h3> <p>Thank you to the hundreds
of volunteers who help make national convention a big success. Please consider
signing up to be a Convention Ambassador to assist in making the national convention
a welcoming and empowering experience for all our attendees or for the Independence
Market to serve as a demonstrator, storekeeper, pay-station representative, or
line marshal during the days the market is open in the Exhibit Hall.</p> <p>More
details on shifts, schedules, and signups will be available soon. Register early
to get access to all volunteer opportunities.</p> <h3 id="countdown-to-new-orleans">Countdown
to New Orleans</h3> <p>The best collection of exhibits featuring new technology;
meetings of our special interest groups, committees, and divisions; the most
stimulating and provocative program items of any meeting of the blind in the world;
the chance to renew friendships in our Federation family; and the unparalleled
opportunity to be where the real action is and where decisions are being
made—all of these mean you will not want to miss being a part of the 2025
National Convention. To assure yourself a room in the headquarters hotel at
convention rates, make your reservations early. We plan to see you in New Orleans
in July.</p> <p>----------</p> <p>[PHOTO CAPTION: Chris Danielsen]</p> <p>[PHOTO
CAPTION: Mark Riccobono]</p> <p>[PHOTO CAPTION: John Paré, Anil Lewis, and
Representative Sessions pose for a photo together. Rep. Sessions holds up his
plaque.]</p> <p>[PHOTO CAPTION: The large crowd smiles and cheers during the Great
Gathering-In.]</p> <p>[PHOTO CAPTION: The packed room at the Great Gathering-In
gave the speakers a standing ovation.]</p> <p>[PHOTO CAPTION: Representative Alma
Adams (on the left) and NFB of North Carolina President Sharon Weddington]</p>
<p>[PHOTO CAPTION: Senator Chuck Grassley addresses NFB members at the Congressional
Reception.]</p> <p>[PHOTO CAPTION: Representative Gus Bilirakis and NFB of Florida
President Camille Tate]</p> <p>[PHOTO CAPTION: Representative Sanford Bishop and
NFB of Georgia President Dorothy Griffin]</p> <p>[PHOTO CAPTION: Representative
Joe Morelle and NFB of New York member Aubrey Bird]</p> <p>[PHOTO CAPTION:
Representative Lateefah Simon and NFB President Mark Riccobono]</p> <p>[PHOTO
CAPTION: President Riccobono, Waymo crew, and John Paré smile together at
Congressional Reception.]</p> <h2
id="the-2025-washington-seminar-new-president-new-congress-new-approach">The 2025
Washington Seminar: New President, New Congress, New Approach</h2> <p><strong>by
Chris Danielsen</strong></p> <p>Every two years a reconstituted Congress comes
into power and every four years our nation elects a president. Longtime legislative
advocates in the National Federation of the Blind know these routine changes always
necessitate an adjustment in our legislative priorities and our strategy for
seeking their enactment. All of this is not new. But the second administration of
President Donald J. Trump came to power promising sweeping changes to government
policies, programs, and priorities. As we gathered for our fifty-second Washington
Seminar, the new administration had already set a frenetic pace of change, with
an unprecedented flurry of executive orders signed and the Department of Government
Efficiency (DOGE) Service seeking to implement dramatic staff, spending, and
infrastructure reductions across many federal agencies. The week before we gathered
at the Holiday Inn Washington Capitol National Mall, the White House Office of
Management and Budget issued a memorandum ordering what it described as a temporary
pause of all government grants. This sparked alarm and confusion across the country,
not least in our community, where programs like vocational rehabilitation and
Medicaid rely on federal funds. The memorandum implementing the pause was quickly
rescinded and the courts have since intervened, but the status of many federal
grant programs remains unclear, and the drama of the pre-seminar week did not stop
there.</p> <p>On the night of Wednesday, January 29, a passenger plane collided
with a military helicopter at Washington’s Reagan National Airport. The
next morning, although an investigation was just commencing and no official
conclusions had yet been reached about the cause of the horrific crash, which
killed sixty-seven people, President Trump speculated that a disability hiring
policy of the Federal Aviation Administration might be to blame. This prompted a
rebuke from disability advocates including the National Federation of the Blind
that is reprinted later in this issue of the <em>Braille Monitor</em>.</p> <p>With
all of this in mind, President Riccobono and our Advocacy and Policy team felt
that a different message to members of the 119<sup>th</sup> Congress was in order.
Blind Americans depend not only upon new legislative initiatives to improve our
lives, but on continuity in policies and programs that have served us for years
and are critical to the well-being of thousands of blind Americans. It was therefore
decided that our efforts this year should focus more on what is currently in place
than on what is needed in the future. Discussion of this new approach dominated
both of the legislative trainings, one for affiliate presidents or their legislative
leads and one for the rest of the Washington Seminar delegations, which took place
respectively on the morning and afternoon of Monday, February 3, the first day of
the event. In addition to these trainings, this opening Monday also featured the
annual midwinter gathering of the National Association of Blind Students and a
career fair sponsored by the National Federation of the Blind of the District of
Columbia and the National Federation of the Blind Employment Committee.</p> <h3
id="the-great-gathering-in">The Great Gathering-In</h3> <p>The traditional and
always electrifying opening gathering of the Washington Seminar was gaveled to
order precisely at 5 p.m. Monday evening. Federationists packed the Capitol
Ballroom, and the overflow crowd listened in over Zoom in the nearby Congressional
Ballroom. President Riccobono kicked off the event with opening remarks inspired
by the Preamble to the United States Constitution, noting the synergy among its
fifty-two words, our fifty-second Washington Seminar, and the fifty-two affiliates
of the National Federation of the Blind. His address is reprinted following this
article. The room was then treated to a brand-new Federation song, performed by
Kayleigh Brendle and Tim Elder, which was received with great enthusiasm. The song
drew on our traditional chant of “Who are we? NFB!” for its rousing
chorus, which everyone readily joined in shouting and singing. The recorded track
should be available soon.</p> <p>President Riccobono introduced the dignitaries
present in the ballroom, including the national officers and members of the NFB
Board of Directors and Sachin Pavithran, the executive director of the federal
government’s Access Board. He invited Chris Danielsen, a member of the
staff communications group and editor of this magazine, to share our communication
protocols and an exciting new source of Federation content. Having reminded everyone
of the social media hashtag #NFBinDC and urged the sharing of Washington Seminar
stories by email to <a href="mailto:story@nfb.org"><u>story@nfb.org</u></a>, Chris
then asked audio/visual guru Will Schwatka to play an audio trailer for the newly
established National Federation of the Blind Radio Network (NFBRN). Now available
on Amazon smart speakers, the Victor Reader Stream, NFB-NEWSLINE®, and various
radio streaming platforms, NFBRN presents a twenty-four-hour rolling selection of
audio content including <em>Braille Monitor</em> articles, Kernel Book stories,
NFB podcasts, classic speeches, and more. NFBRN will also host live events such
as the Presidential Release Live and National Convention; indeed, the Great
Gathering-In was at that moment being streamed to a worldwide audience.</p>
<p>Following this presentation, President Riccobono announced that it was time
for special recognition of a member of Congress who had come to be with us. He
recalled that he first met Representative Pete Sessions of Texas’s Seventeenth
District at the March for Independence, which was part of our 2008 Convention in
Dallas. President Riccobono had the assignment to stay close to the congressman
and engage him in conversation about our movement, and he joked that if Federationists
were nervous about upcoming conversations in congressional offices, they should
try keeping up with an active and engaged man who wanted to hear from all of the
blind people he was meeting. In the 118<sup>th</sup> Congress, Representative
Sessions sponsored the Blind Persons Return to Work Act and co-sponsored all our
other legislative initiatives. In recognition of this outstanding championing of
our cause, President Riccobono presented the congressman with the Distinguished
Legislator award. The beautiful wooden plaque bore text in print and Braille
reading:</p> <blockquote> <p>Presented to Representative Pete Sessions for sponsoring
the Blind Americans Return to Work Act and for cosponsoring other legislation to
advance the lives of blind people.</p> <p>In the 118th Congress. Your leadership,
hard work, and dedication for blind Americans were unparalleled. Together with
love, hope, and determination, we transform dreams into reality.</p> <p>February
3, 2025</p> </blockquote> <p>Representative Sessions humbly accepted the award
and shared a few remarks on his years of advocacy for the blind and others with
disabilities, noting that his son Alex has Down syndrome and that another family
member has retinitis pigmentosa. He recalled writing to the board chair of Apple
when we had concerns about the accessibility of that company’s products
and services. The congressman expressed his cautious optimism that, in what he
described as a new era in Washington and the nation, the desire of blind Americans
to learn, to work, and to propose solutions will create the opportunity for our
legislative priorities to be embraced.</p> <p>He concluded by saying, “And
so on behalf of myself, my family, my office, I will tell you this: Please always
feel free to tell any member of Congress that Pete Sessions is with us, and we
would like to have you too. And if you do that, we can make it.”</p> <p>Anil
Lewis, our executive director for Blindness Initiatives, was the next speaker to
be invited to the lectern by President Riccobono. Anil began his remarks as
follows:</p> <blockquote> <p>I am honored to be here. I was contemplating how I
would bring this to you this evening considering some of the ways people are
feeling in this current climate. I want everybody to just stay focused and stay
strong. So I will offer it to you this way. In this space, we come together on
one characteristic: blindness. In this space, all the other stuff doesn't matter.
We know through our history that it's a collective movement; that one characteristic
of blindness makes us powerful.</p> <p>I love quoting “Power concedes
nothing without a demand.”</p> <p>Well, that's spoken from the perspective
of those who are powerless.</p> <p>We have power. Our perspective is power works
with the shared relationship in a way that transforms the world. That's what we're
doing, transforming the world.</p> <p>And we do that through collectively working
shoulder to shoulder. But I, as well as you, know it's the heart of the Federation
that really gives us our true power. So I say shoulder to shoulder, and you say
heart to heart.</p> </blockquote> <p>Anil cheerfully repeated the “shoulder
to shoulder” call throughout his brief remarks, and the audience responded
“heart to heart” each time. He described each of the programs he
oversees briefly and gave updates where appropriate; for example, he reminded the
audience that the next Jacobus tenBroek Law Symposium will take place March 20-21
at the NFB Jernigan Institute, and that the coming months will once again bring
NFB BELL® academies and STEM programs. He also recognized the current Teacher
of Tomorrow and Kenneth Jernigan Leadership in Service cohorts.</p> <p>President
Riccobono then asked Sandy Halverson to come to the lectern. Sandy and her husband
John have long led the effort to staff the office that used to be housed in the
Mercury Room, before the hotel removed its name and redesignated as simply room
275. The President joked that in his mind the room’s name will never change,
and a member of the audience suggested that we make our own sign for it. Name
change or not, the functions of the room remain much the same, although advances
in technology, especially the creation of an online Washington Seminar portal,
mean that there do not need to be as many volunteers in the room as before.
Affiliate presidents or legislative directors use the online portal to report the
results of their meetings with members of Congress, specifically to indicate the
level of support for each of our legislative issues. The volunteers in room 275,
however, still accept verbal reports, add them to the portal, and collect the
business cards of congressional staff, because following up directly with these
individuals is just as important as with the representatives and senators themselves.
Since white canes do occasionally get broken while traveling the halls of Congress,
the room can also supply new ones and is also where lost items should be brought
so that their frantic owners can hopefully retrieve them. Sandy went over all
these logistics with some important notes: the room would be open only during
certain hours each day, and only cash could be accepted as payment for a new cane.
She also reminded all of us of our pledge to support the programs of the Federation,
with our dollars as well as our hearts, and commenced the passing of the traditional
buckets for cash donations. Audience members also had the option of taking a card
with a QR code that they could scan to take their phone directly to our donation
web page, a handy new addition to the process since many of us no longer regularly
carry cash.</p> <p>President Riccobono updated the gathering on an important
development following from our Rideshare Rally in October of 2024. Uber has now
rolled out a feature where blind people who use guide dogs can voluntarily include
that information in their profiles and choose whether they would like for drivers
who are matched with them to have that information. If a driver cancels the ride
after learning of the rider’s service animal, the app will warn them that
cancellation will violate Uber’s policy of accepting service animals and
give them a chance to rescind the cancellation. The hope is that this new feature
will make it easier for Uber to identify drivers who are refusing rides to guide
dog users. The intent is also to make it easier for such riders to make complaints
if they are denied service. President Riccobono emphasized that no guide dog user
is required to use this new feature, and declining to do so in no way changes
Uber’s legal obligation to accept a rider’s service animal. The new
policy is described in more detail later in this issue.</p> <p>President Riccobono
then reminded us that the Federation is experiencing tight finances at this time
and urged everyone to ask a friend to contribute to our movement. He also reminded
members that we are still seeking ideas for the Museum of the Blind People’s
Movement, which may be slightly further off in our future than originally planned
but is nonetheless still a big, bold dream that we plan to undertake. Ideas can
be sent to Alison Tyler at <a href="mailto:atyler@nfb.org"><u>atyler@nfb.org</u></a>.</p>
<p>The President then introduced Jonathan Mosen, the new executive director for
Accessibility Excellence, for some remarks on the progress that we are making with
the big players in the technology industry. Jonathan particularly emphasized that
Meta, the company that owns Facebook, has reinstituted a method whereby desktop
computer users can access the more accessible mobile interface for the popular
social media platform, after causing much consternation in the blind community by
deprecating its original basic mobile web page. Jonathan emphasized that the goal
is for the full Facebook site to be more accessible so that an alternate access
method is not needed but noted that this step represents significant progress for
the time being. He also commended the company for rolling out accessibility
improvements to its iOS app. Finally, he shared that we are working with Meta to
make its Ray-Ban Smart Glasses, which have already taken the blind community by
storm, an even more powerful accessibility tool. He advised that all of us can
notify the Center for Excellence in Nonvisual Accessibility (CENA) of any challenges
we are experiencing with products and platforms, as well as access a self-advocacy
toolkit to reach out to companies on our own, by visiting <a
href="https://nfb.org/cena"><u>https://nfb.org/cena</u></a>.</p> <p>He also reminded
everyone that CENA is a source of information as well as a gatherer, mentioning
the ongoing availability of the International Braille and Technology Center (IBTC),
the free virtual accessibility boutiques and trainings, and the new <em>Access
On</em> podcast. He closed with these words: “I can predict something with
absolute certainty: blind people will not be passive about our destinies. The
blind will shape the products we use, and, as a result, tomorrow will be better
than today. I know this. I know this because we are the National Federation of
the Blind, and that's what we do.”</p> <p>Everette Bacon, second vice
president of the National Federation of the Blind and chairperson of the Dr. Jacob
Bolotin Award Committee, was introduced to remind members to nominate individuals
and organizations that are a positive force in the lives of blind people. He urged
that those wishing to make or support nominations visit <a
href="https://nfb.org/bolotin"><u>https://nfb.org/bolotin</u></a>, noting that
the web application has been improved so that it is easy to toggle between making
a nomination or simply supporting an existing nomination with a letter of
recommendation.</p> <p>President Riccobono made a few more administrative
announcements, including a reminder of our upcoming national convention and the
Access Board town hall that will be a part of it, which he had just confirmed with
Sachin Pavithran. He said the following, in part, to introduce our Advocacy and
Policy team:</p> <blockquote> <p>Let me just say that we decided in the last week
that we should revise our strategy knowing that this enthusiastic team of great
advocates would be on the Hill. It's been said many, many times that the F [in
NFB] is Flexible. You know, our priority is not simply to come to Washington, DC,
and spout facts and figures. We're looking to get real stuff done, as Congressman
Sessions said. We want to get bills passed. And we also want to take advantage of
the opportunities with where the leadership and the nation are. And we want to
make sure that all of you are well informed about what's happening. In the last
couple of weeks, there's been a lot of speculation, especially about meaningful
programs for blind people. And we want to make sure that we can identify those
members of Congress that are with us and those that are not with us. We know how
to count votes, right? And if we can find our friends, we can build up our friends
to help us get those votes. And so John Paré and the team are going to talk
more about this. They've been doing a tremendous amount of work. I would say it's
a small but mighty team. If you have not gotten to know them, you should. But you
will know them really well after the next three days. So here is our Executive
Director for Advocacy and Policy, John Paré.</p> </blockquote> <p>John then
took the microphone to introduce our revised, flexible approach. He explained that
a new fact sheet had been added to the packets that Federationists would give to
members of Congress. The double-sided fact sheet listed the laws on which blind
Americans depend on one side, referencing their most critical provisions, and
seven critical funding streams on the other. The three laws listed, unsurprisingly,
were the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA),
and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). The federal funding
streams were the $15 billion in special education grants provided under IDEA, the
79 percent of all vocational rehabilitation funds provided under the Rehabilitation
Act, Free Matter for the Blind, funding for the National Library Service for the
Blind and Print Disabled and the Institute of Museum and Library Services, older
blind programs, funding for state protection and advocacy agencies, and Medicaid.
John Paré noted that the total number of the years the three civil rights
laws have been in effect is 137. With respect to funding, he noted that the amounts
are relatively small compared to the total federal budget but have big effects
with respect to blind individuals, and urged the audience to emphasize, especially
to Republican representatives and senators, that these programs “spend a
little and save a lot” because they ultimately reduce the number of blind
people who are dependent on SSI, SSDI, Medicaid, and other federal benefits. For
example, a few months of vocational rehabilitation training can result in a lifetime
of employment. He urged us to focus on this fact sheet and answer all questions
about it, even if it meant not getting to our other legislative issues in the time
allotted for the appointment with the Congressperson or their staff. John closed
with the reputed words of Admiral John Paul Jones: “Surrender? I have not
yet begun to fight!” before turning the microphone over to Kyle Walls, who
also has a critical role in the logistics behind Washington Seminar.</p> <p>Kyle
focused on the details that needed to be reported through the Washington Seminar
portal by affiliate delegations to facilitate follow-up in the coming months.
These include who the delegation spoke with in each office and the specific reaction
to each issue that was discussed, as well as notation of which issues, if any,
were not discussed at all. Kyle also reminded everyone of the Congressional
Reception taking place the following evening and the legislative debrief planned
for Wednesday evening.</p> <p>Kyle then gave the microphone back to John, who
briefly discussed the first of the three legislative issues that our President
and board of directors designated for action this year. This was the Websites and
Software Applications Accessibility Act. The fact sheet about it, as well as those
about the other two issues follow this article. He urged the assembled advocates
to focus heavily on the aspects of the bill that might make it attractive to
politicians, primarily Republicans, who wish to support small business, noting
that the bill provides for a Technical Assistance Center and increases accountability
for third-party web developers that many small businesses hire to build their web
and mobile presences. While we should not hide that the bill requires new regulations,
John said, we should not always make that the first thing that we mention. He then
turned the lectern over to Justin Young to discuss the Medical Device Nonvisual
Accessibility Act.</p> <p>Justin urged members to tell their individual stories
of being unable to operate medical devices with visual digital interfaces. He also
provided an example story of John from Minnesota, who is unable to use his CPAP
machine independently. These machines are used by individuals who have sleep apnea,
a common but serious condition in which critical REM sleep is constantly interrupted
because the patient’s airway is temporarily blocked and they must wake to
get more oxygen. CPAP devices use air pressure to keep the airway open, allowing
for better sleep. They also keep statistics on how well the process is working,
which the patient is expected to monitor and report to their physician. John can
neither independently set up and operate his machine nor adjust its settings if
they are accidentally changed when it is moved, making the device unreliable for
him and contributing to the long-term health problems that are associated with
sleep apnea. There are many more such stories, including the many blind people
with diabetes who are struggling with inaccessible devices that are supposed to
help them regulate it. Therefore, Justin emphasized that accessible medical devices
are critical to living the lives we want, and we must make that clear to members
of Congress.</p> <p>Jesse Shirek was next to the lectern to discuss the Blind
Persons Return to Work Act. Jesse was not the first speaker to address the unusual
climate in which the Washington Seminar was occurring and the anxiety that it was
producing in some of our members, but his remarks were eloquent and provided hope
as a reminder of our collective strength. He said in part:</p> <blockquote> <p>I've
been hearing from a lot of members who are experiencing a lot of anxiety coming
up this week to the Washington Seminar.</p> <p>I want to be transparent. For me,
last week was a tremendously stressful week. I think it's been a tremendously
stressful week for all blind Americans. I woke up on Friday feeling hopeless,
feeling scared, worried about my future and the future for my blind wife and the
future of our members. The executive orders halting money for programs like
vocational rehabilitation, the older blind program, and special education rattled
my reality, as did the disparaging comment around the inherent value of blind and
disabled employees following the tragic midair collision miles from this hotel.
Blind brothers and sisters in the movement, I wondered at the time: Are we powerless?
Wondered if everything we hold dear could be stripped away from us. It only took
moments for me to think about the fact that the funding freeze was halted. It was
halted because we reached out to our governors and legislators and reached out to
our senators. We said these policies will harm us. We told the government that,
sure, this might save money in the moment, but it will increase the number of us
who are no longer in the workforce, increase the number of us relying on benefits,
sacrificing our future. This is not the American way. Thankfully, we speak with
one voice, we walk in syncopation, and we walk in collective action. This is how
we exercise our power. I was taught this lesson at my first Washington Seminar
five years ago, in this very room. We just have to follow a simple recipe. We talk
about the problem. We tell a story, painting the picture with our words, and make
the problem real for our members of Congress. We illustrate our lived experience.
And we put forth our solution. I hope again we will succeed because nobody advocates
better than the National Federation of the Blind. Nobody prepares their members
to fight for change like we do. When we're prepared, nobody will stop us.</p>
</blockquote> <p>Jesse then shared the details of the Blind Persons Return to Work
Act. He emphasized how the legislation, if enacted, will improve government
efficiency by reducing SSDI and SSI dependence and by eliminating or synthesizing
unnecessary and conflicting regulations that separately govern the SSDI and SSI
programs. It will do this through a pilot project that will sunset in ten years
and therefore not grow government permanently.</p> <p>After John Paré closed
the Advocacy and Policy presentation with a final reminder of the Congressional
Reception, President Riccobono introduced Marilyn Green to encourage members to
participate in our Pre-Authorized Contribution (PAC) Plan. Staying with the theme
of funding our movement, Patti Chang, our director of outreach, was then introduced
to encourage members to leave a legacy gift to the National Federation of the
Blind through our Dream Makers Circle. Patti also reminded everyone that they can
obtain more information about how to fund our movement at <a
href="https://nfb.org/donate"><u>https://nfb.org/donate</u></a>. President Riccobono
thanked Marilyn and Patti and then acknowledged a generous contribution from the
autonomous vehicle company Waymo. In the past, this partner has sponsored our
Congressional Reception, but this year it asked if it might sponsor the entire
Washington Seminar, an offer we gladly and gratefully accepted. Noting that Waymo
is once again testing its autonomous robo-taxis in DC, President Riccobono speculated
that we might be able to take them to the Hill next year.</p> <p>A few final
announcements wrapped up the Great Gathering-In. The first came from the National
Association of Blind Students, which promoted its fundraising auction planned for
later in the evening that featured some truly impressive items. The second and
final announcement concerned which affiliates had won a raffle for an extra box
of the Krispy Kreme donuts that the DC affiliate always generously provides for
the consumption and follow-on sugar high of Washington Seminar attendees. With
the business of the evening concluded, the Great Gathering-In closed with President
Riccobono urging, “Let’s go and let the voice of the blind be
heard!”</p> <h3 id="the-congressional-reception">The Congressional
Reception</h3> <p>Tuesday evening, February 4, saw a goodly crowd of Federationists
in the Kennedy Caucus Room of the Russell Senate Office Building for the Congressional
Reception, a tradition at in-person Washington Seminars since 2015. About half an
hour before the reception was to begin at 5 p.m., with many already in the room,
we learned that the entrances to the Russell Building were being closed due to a
suspicious package. Although this sounds ominous, it is not uncommon. Everyone
who could quickly communicated to their Federation family members who had not yet
arrived that they could get to the reception by entering either the Hart or Dirksen
Senate Office Buildings and then using the tunnel system underneath the Capitol
complex to get to the basement of Russell. It was thus that, in true Federation
fashion, the reception got started on time and with a room packed with blind
Americans waiting to hear from some of our representatives and senators.</p>
<p>After folks had a chance to mingle and enjoy food and drink, the presentations
started at 5:30 as planned, with President Riccobono introducing Representative
Alma Adams of North Carolina. The congresswoman’s district encompasses the
city of Charlotte and Mecklenburg County. She was delighted to attend her second
Congressional Reception and stated that our issues are near and dear to her heart
because her sister had low vision, and through her the congresswoman came to know
of the many ways in which accessibility still needs to be improved. As a member
of the Education and the Workforce Committee, Representative Adams committed to
continuing to learn from our advocacy and to work with her colleagues to advance
our goals.</p> <p>President Riccobono next introduced Senator John Boozman of
Arkansas, a longtime friend of the Federation who, our President announced, had
already agreed to sponsor the Access Technology Affordability Act once again in
the Senate of the 119<sup>th</sup> Congress. Although not one of our top three
legislative priorities this year, the Federation continues to seek passage of this
bill, which would provide a $2,000 refundable tax credit to blind Americans for
the purchase of devices like screen readers, Braille displays, and low-vision
aids. The senator said in part:</p> <blockquote> <p>Thank you all. It is great to
be with you. And as many of you know, I'm an optometrist. My brother was an
ophthalmologist. We practiced together for many, many years and one of the things
that I spent a lot of time doing was low vision. So I'm very, very aware of the
unique problems that you have as a group, as you try and just do everyday things.
So I will help you, any way I can help you. The way that you can help me—and
this is really important, listen up for me—the way that you can help me is
do just what you're doing: be here. The fact that we've got a room full of people
is wonderful. There's no substitute for that. We're working hard to try and get
your legislation passed, but that depends on other legislators knowing about it
and voting for it. You're the ones that have to help us educate.</p> </blockquote>
<p>President Riccobono introduced another member of the Senate with these words:</p>
<blockquote> <p>This gentleman has a long history with the National Federation of
the Blind going back to our president, Kenneth Jernigan, who was a leader in the
state of Iowa. This gentleman serves as the senator from the state of Iowa. He
has a long history of being a supporter of ours. In the 119<sup>th</sup> Congress,
he serves as president pro tempore. He knows about the true experience of blindness
because he has engaged directly with blind constituents and listened to our concerns
and perspectives. He most recently was with us at our Great Gathering-In a couple
years ago. Really honored to welcome this evening, from the great state of Iowa,
Senator Chuck Grassley.</p> </blockquote> <p>Senator Grassley addressed the
gathering with his own fond memories of Dr. Kenneth Jernigan, whom he said he
first met sixty-four years ago. He noted that, long before President George W.
Bush coined the memorable phrase “the soft bigotry of low expectations,”
Dr. Jernigan taught him the importance of high expectations for blind Americans.
The senator praised the National Federation of the Blind’s recent work by
helping to build consensus around the enabling legislation for the Marrakesh
Treaty, which was signed into law by President Donald J. Trump in 2018. Senator
Grassley expressed that he was honored by the award the National Federation of
the Blind gave him for his work with us on that legislation but noted that
accessibility issues persist even with the tremendous progress that the Marrakesh
Treaty represented. He said that he looked forward to working with us in the
119<sup>th</sup> Congress and that, Lord willing, he expected to see many of us
again next year. Following these heartfelt remarks, President Riccobono suggested
that the National Federation of the Blind will want an interview with the senator
as part of our oral history project for the Museum of the Blind People’s
Movement.</p> <p>The next speaker was Congressman Gus Bilirakis, who represents
Florida’s Twelfth Congressional District, which includes the greater Tampa
Bay area. Like many members of Congress who take particular interest in our agenda,
Representative Bilirakis has a personal connection to our community in that he
has low vision. He noted that he serves on the Energy and Commerce Committee and
chairs its Subcommittee on Commerce, Trade, and Manufacturing. “The
subcommittee has jurisdiction over the National Highway Traffic Safety
Administration,” he said, “and we've been a long advocate for pursuing
policies that enable innovative technologies that help individuals with visual
impairments or blindness live more independent, fuller, and richer lives.”
He recalled our collaboration on the Space Available legislation to allow 100
percent service-disabled veterans, including the blind, to access extra space on
military flights. Representative Bilirakis promised to continue working on the
Self-Drive Act, which will prohibit licensing requirements that prevent blind
people from owning or operating autonomous vehicles (AVs) and set national standards
for AVs that include accessibility. Representative Bilirakis said he had traveled
in an AV just that past weekend and knew that he would need to use or own such
vehicles in the future. Like many speakers, he thanked the National Federation of
the Blind for showing up to tell our stories, since he felt that there was no
substitute for our kind of advocacy. He also thanked Waymo for sponsoring the
Washington Seminar and for its outstanding work on accessible autonomous vehicles.</p>
<p>Two freshman members of Congress visited us during the reception. The first
was Congressman Johnny Olszewski, Jr. “Johnny O,” as he is affectionately
known, is in his first term representing Maryland’s Second Congressional
District. Prior to that, he served for many years as the executive of Baltimore
County, and before that as a delegate in the Maryland General Assembly. He has
also been a public-school teacher. Although he was familiar with the National
Federation of the Blind, particularly the Maryland affiliate’s Baltimore
County Chapter, the reception was the first time he met President Riccobono in
person. After our President announced him and they exchanged greetings, the
congressman shared his pride that the National Federation of the Blind is
headquartered in Baltimore, part of which he represents.</p> <blockquote>
<p>“Since my time in the Maryland General Assembly and later as Baltimore
County executive, I have had the great honor to see firsthand the incredible work
of the National Federation of the Blind, what it has done and what it continues
to do,” he said in part. “And so I know that I'm a newbie here in
the halls of Congress, but my pledge is that as a new United States congressman,
I'm ready to roll up my sleeves and continue to fight for our shared priorities.
At the federal level, that means collaborating with anyone to make life better
for all Americans. It means strengthening the Americans with Disabilities Act so
that accessibility is guaranteed. It means expanding resources for blind students
in our classrooms. It means ensuring that assistive technology and public spaces
are truly accessible to all.”</p> </blockquote> <p>The next speaker in line
was Representative Sanford Bishop of Georgia, but before giving him the microphone,
President Riccobono, having learned that it was the congressman’s birthday,
insisted that we all serenade him. Congressman Bishop thanked us and shared that
he first learned of the challenges of low vision through a childhood friend named
Marvin. Marvin, he said, was always selected last when the neighborhood children
played sports, because he tended to miss balls thrown in his direction. Later,
Congressman Bishop’s mother hired Marvin to do yard work and noticed that
he did a poor job weeding her flower beds. She asked couldn’t he see the
weeds, and he replied that he saw none, so she got permission from his parents to
take him to the Bishop family’s optometrist. This single act, the congressman
said, changed Marvin’s life trajectory. Once Marvin had proper services to
cope with his low vision, his high school grades improved, he went to college on
a scholarship and eventually became a respected minister. Congressman Bishop told
this story to illustrate how, as Dr. Jernigan observed, it was the stigma of
blindness that held back his friend Marvin and holds back so many others. Congressman
Bishop then promised that, as he had in the 118<sup>th</sup> Congress, he would
again co-sponsor the Access Technology Affordability Act, the Medical Device
Nonvisual Accessibility Act, and the Websites and Software Applications Accessibility
Act. He went on to discuss how he and other members of Congress are working to
monitor the effects of the sweeping actions being taken by President Trump, noting
that the attempt to freeze federal grants had locked up services for the older
blind and training for interpreters for the deaf and deafblind. Congressman Bishop
emphasized that this was why our efforts to bring our needs to the attention of
his colleagues were so crucial. “It is the squeaking wheel that gets the
grease and the crying baby that gets the milk,” he observed. He closed in
part with the following: “As Dr. Jernigan said, ‘Accomplishments
are made of dreams and drudgeries, of hope and hard work. The blind of the nation
are now moving toward a destiny, a destiny of full equality and full participation
in community life.’ Congress and the federal government must continue
to be a reliable partner with the National Federation of the Blind so that people
like my friend Marvin Lanham can tap the fullest potential and optimistically face
a good future.” It is hard to capture in this brief capsule of his remarks
the fervor with which Congressman Bishop delivered them. He spoke with the cadences
and passion of a minister like his friend Marvin, and the effect on the room was
electric.</p> <p>Representative Joe Morelle of the Twenty-fifth District of New
York, which includes Rochester, and a prior co-sponsor of our website and medical
device legislation, clearly felt that electricity. “I feel a little bit
like I ought to just say I agree with Sandy Bishop and … sit down,”
he said. The good congressman soldiered on, though, and his presentation was
substantive. Congressman Morelle serves with Congressman Bishop, whom he called
a good friend, on the House Appropriations Committee and is the ranking member of
the House Administration Committee, which oversees the Capitol complex. In that
latter role, he promised to continue his work to make the Capitol and its institutions
welcoming to the blind and to all Americans, mentioning specifically the Smithsonian
Institution and the Library of Congress. Regarding NLS, which is housed in the
Library of Congress, Congressman Morelle promised to help the service continue to
expand its collection of accessible materials and its other activities.</p> <p>The
next member of Congress to speak to the reception attendees was also the second
freshman representative. In introducing her, President Riccobono noted that despite
her freshman status, she is a friend of the blind, since as far as he knows, she
is the first blind woman to be elected to the House of Representatives, where she
now serves the Twelfth District of California. This was Congresswoman Lateefah
Simon, and she began her remarks by stating how she was deeply moved and overwhelmed
to be among so many of “my people,” as she put it. Her remarks
focused on how she became aware early that too many spaces, including the Capitol,
are not welcoming blind people. She shared that, when she had the honor of addressing
the Democratic National Convention at the invitation of Vice President Kamala
Harris, the print on the teleprompter was too small for her to read, even though
she had flagged this concern and been assured it would be addressed. Congresswoman
Simon demonstrated her advocacy early in her new role once she came to Washington.
She wanted to make sure that her office would be fully accessible to people with
disabilities. Freshman representatives traditionally get their offices assigned
through a lottery, having no seniority, but Congresswoman Simon was not going to
leave her office space to chance, and she let House Speaker Mike Johnson, whom
she noted was not of her party, know that she needed accessible office space. She
expected to be rebuffed, but Speaker Johnson called her within the hour of receiving
her request and gave her an hour to look at a particular office. If she liked it,
he said, it was hers; otherwise she would go to the lottery. She found the space
satisfactory and took it. She noted that she still faces other challenges, such
as being unable to read the board on which vote tallies are shown, but she will
fight for equal access in the Congress and beyond. She mentioned specifically that
she would fight for transit justice, including not only public transportation but
the advancement of AVs, and would fight to protect the Department of Education
and its vocational rehabilitation and special education components. Once again,
it is impossible to capture here the fiery tenor of her remarks, but it was
abundantly apparent to the audience that Congresswoman Simon is and will be a
fierce and fearless champion for the rights of blind and disabled Americans.</p>
<p>The last member of Congress to address the gathering was Representative Glenn
“GT” Thompson of Pennsylvania’s Fifteenth Congressional
District. He emphasized his support for increased utilization of the AbilityOne
program by the Department of Defense and for full funding of the Individuals with
Disabilities Education Act, which he lamented has never been fully funded in its
fifty years of existence. Congressman Thompson supports legislation to remedy
this.</p> <p>The last speaker of the evening was Michelle Peacock, representing
our Washington Seminar sponsor Waymo. She told the gathering that the company’s
autonomous robo-taxi service, Waymo One, provides 150,000 rides a week in four
major cities. The service will soon officially expand to two more cities and is
or will be testing in ten more, including Washington, DC. Peacock attributed this
outstanding success in large part to the support of the National Federation of
the Blind and thanked us for our legislative advocacy and for helping to develop
the service’s accessibility features. She announced that the newest of
these include the ability to get turn-by-turn walking directions from the vehicle
to the door of the destination, if needed, and a new sound (other than a horn
honk) so that blind riders can locate our assigned vehicle. She closed by looking
forward to our continued collaboration to get national AV standards passed.</p>
<h3 id="some-final-thoughts">Some Final Thoughts</h3> <p>At this writing,
Representative Pete Sessions has introduced the Blind Americans Return to Work
Act, as promised, with Kweisi Mfume of Maryland’s Seventh Congressional
District, the home district of the NFB headquarters, as its lead co-sponsor.
According to initial information gathered from members (including at the February
5 legislative debrief that capped the final evening of Washington Seminar),
representatives and senators were receptive to our message of protecting what we
have, with virtually all agreeing to preserve existing legislation and funding.
There is, of course, always constant back and forth between the president’s
administration and the Congress, so vigilance will continue to be necessary as
everyone involved navigates uncharted waters constantly being churned by an
unusually active and aggressive executive branch. Nonetheless, the traditional
bipartisan support for blind Americans is still in evidence, and we will move
forward with hope and determination to see that it bears fruit.</p> <p>----------</p>
<p>[PHOTO CAPTION: Mark Riccobono]</p> <h2 id="the-significance-of-washington-seminar-2025">The
Significance of Washington Seminar 2025</h2> <p><strong>by Mark Riccobono</strong></p>
<p>“We the people,” the first three words of the fifty-two-word
preamble to the United States Constitution, establish ownership in the structures
and principles of our nation by the people, all the people, who live within our
democracy. In operation since 1789, the United States Constitution is the
world’s longest surviving written charter of government. It is notable that
the laws and systems that have grown out of this charter have not always been
informed by “all” of the people, and those systems have often been
crafted from low expectations and misunderstanding about the capacity of certain
groups of people. We know this to be true because we, the blind of this nation,
had limited access to the halls of power during the first 150 years of the
development of our democracy. We had not yet organized, we had not raised our
collective voice, and the centuries of misunderstanding about us became the basis
for action within the three branches of government.</p> <p>However, in 1940 we,
the blind, formed our own constitution and mobilized to influence the systems
built upon the fundamental rights established under the United States Constitution.
>From the beginning of the National Federation of the Blind, we have asserted that
our nation’s Constitution incorporates us on terms of equality, and we have
joyfully accepted the responsibility of helping to shape our nation. We established
our movement on the guiding principles that blind people have an inalienable right
to independence, that blind people have equal capacity, and that only blind people
themselves can legitimately speak for the blind community. From the beginning,
our blind elected representatives have been dispatched to influence leaders in
all branches of the government. As we grew our movement, we made an annual commitment
to show up to be heard in the first branch of government. We have faithfully
fulfilled that commitment year after year through all forms of weather, government
shutdowns, and even a worldwide pandemic—we have consistently come to make
our voice heard.</p> <p>It is not lost on us that the preamble of the United States
Constitution is fifty-two words, our movement has fifty-two state affiliates, and
our collective Washington Seminar has been sustained for fifty-two years. In honor
of this, we offer our own preamble to our annual gathering in Washington, DC,
which goes like this:</p> <p>"We, the blind of the United States, in order to
shape a more perfect union, enhance justice, improve domestic tranquility, contribute
to the common defense, promote the general welfare, and secure the blessings of
liberty to ourselves and our posterity, have come to exercise our rights under
the Constitution of this nation."</p> <p>Yes, we come with hope for our tomorrow,
we come with solutions to the problems we face, and we come with determination to
be part of making our nation better. We know that there are challenges. But,
we’re standing strong, we’ll fight it all together. Working every
day, we’re gonna make it better. We know we’re not alone. We are
the National Federation of the Blind.</p> <p>As our country quickly approaches
its 250<sup>th</sup> anniversary, we are overdue to make meaningful changes that
will allow our nation to take full advantage of the talents that blind people have
to offer. We seek a nation where we can participate fully and equally in all forms
of digital commerce, education, government, and leisure. We seek a nation that
protects our ability to manage our own health, in our own homes, without extra
expense, delay, or invasion of our privacy. We seek a nation that supports our
independence, incentivizes our advancement in the workplace, and affords us the
opportunity to contribute more to the tax base of our nation. We seek a nation
that gives us the power to choose and purchase the tools we need to maximize our
participation in all aspects of society. We seek a nation that prioritizes nonvisual
access in the deployment of future innovations in transportation in order to expand
our freedom of movement. We seek a nation that eliminates legalized unequal pay
for people with disabilities. We seek a nation that will never go back on its
commitment to and enforcement of our rights to live and work on terms of equality
in this nation.</p> <p>We seek this future by bringing our authentic lived experience
to the halls of power. We have sacrificed our money, our time, and our energy to
make this nation better. In return, we only seek to eliminate the disadvantages
placed in our way by the systems that have been established without us. We bring
one voice, one heart, and one unwavering commitment to Washington, DC.</p> <p>This
is why the blind will never again be left out of the decision-making in our nation.
This is why we will not set aside the progress we have made. This is why we will
not allow misunderstanding about us to hold us down any longer. We come together,
we raise our voice together, in order that we, the blind, can fulfill our rightful
place among “we the people.” This is the significance of the 2025
Washington Seminar of the National Federation of the Blind.</p> <p>----------</p>
<h2
id="legislative-agenda-of-blind-americans-priorities-for-the-119th-congress-first-session">Legislative
Agenda of Blind Americans<br /> Priorities for the 119th Congress, First Session</h2>
<p><strong>The National Federation of the Blind is a community of members and
friends who believe in the hopes and dreams of the nation’s blind.<br />
Every day we work together to advance the lives of all blind people in the United
States.</strong></p> <h3 id="websites-and-software-applications-accessibility-act">Websites
and Software Applications Accessibility Act </h3> <blockquote> <p>Blind and disabled
people experience unnecessary barriers on websites and applications daily even
though accessibility is achievable. The Websites and Software Applications
Accessibility Act will end website and software application inaccessibility for
blind Americans.</p> </blockquote> <h3 id="medical-device-nonvisual-accessibility-act">Medical
Device Nonvisual Accessibility Act </h3> <blockquote> <p>Inaccessible digital
interfaces prevent blind individuals from independently and safely operating
medical devices that are essential to their daily healthcare needs. The Medical
Device Nonvisual Accessibility Act will end unequal access to medical devices for
blind Americans.</p> </blockquote> <h3 id="blind-americans-return-to-work-act">Blind
Americans Return to Work Act</h3> <blockquote> <p>The Social Security Disability
Insurance benefits program contains an earnings cliff that hinders blind individuals
from achieving the American dream. The Blind Americans Return to Work Act will
eliminate the Social Security Disability Insurance earnings cliff by adopting a
solution used in other Social Security Administration programs.</p> <p><strong>Equality
and accessibility are achievable.</strong></p> </blockquote> <p><strong>These
priorities will remove obstacles to website access, independent living, and
achieving the American dream.</strong></p> <p><strong>We urge Congress to support
our legislative initiatives.</strong></p> <p>----------</p> <h2
id="laws-and-funding-the-blind-depend-on">Laws and Funding the Blind Depend On</h2>
<p><strong>From the Editor: The following is the text of the special double-sided
fact sheet that Washington seminarians provided to representatives and senators
this year. It was prepared because our President and advocacy and policy staff
determined that it might be needed to focus our elected federal legislators on
preserving what blind Americans have already fought for and won in the face of
pressure by the executive branch to rapidly remake the federal government. Here
is the fact sheet:</strong></p> <h3 id="laws-the-blind-depend-on">Laws the Blind
Depend On</h3> <h4 id="the-rehabilitation-act-of-1973">The Rehabilitation Act of
1973</h4> <p>Section 501 prohibits the federal government from discriminating
against people with disabilities in employment and requires reasonable accommodations
for federal employees.</p> <p>Section 503 prohibits federal contractors from
discriminating against individuals with disabilities in employment, including
requiring reasonable accommodations.</p> <p>Section 504 prohibits the federal
government and federal grantees from discriminating on the basis of disability in
providing programs and services.</p> <p>Section 508 requires federal technology,
including websites, software, and technology provided by vendors, to be accessible
to the blind.</p> <h4 id="the-americans-with-disabilities-act">The Americans with
Disabilities Act</h4> <p>Title I of the ADA prohibits discrimination against people
with disabilities by private and public employers.</p> <p>Title II of the ADA
prohibits state and local governments from discriminating on the basis of disability
in their programs and services, including requiring reasonable modifications and
requiring their websites and applications to be accessible to the blind. Title II
ensures that voting, transportation, justice systems, and government services are
accessible to the blind.</p> <p>Title III of the ADA prohibits disability
discrimination by private public accommodations in their goods, services, and
information, including reasonable modifications and accessible websites and
applications.</p> <h4 id="individuals-with-disabilities-education-act">Individuals
with Disabilities Education Act</h4> <p>The IDEA requires public schools to
accommodate students with disabilities and to provide specialized education services
when students need them. Braille literacy is essential to blind students and,
therefore, they need specialized Braille instruction and Braille equipment. They
also need access technology, such as screen reading software, and audio materials,
large print materials, and tactile graphics, all of which are considered special
education. The IDEA provides for important due process protections that allow
parents of students with disabilities to resolve disputes with their schools
without resorting to the courts.</p> <h3 id="federal-funding-the-blind-depend-on">Federal
Funding the Blind Depend On</h3> <h4 id="special-education">Special Education</h4>
<p>The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act provides federal funding to
states to provide required “special education” services for public
school students with disabilities. While states provide most special education
funding, the federal government provides about $15 billion. This serves some 7.5
million students. Special education services for the blind include Braille
instruction, access technologies, and specialized teachers of the blind.</p> <h4
id="vocational-rehabilitation">Vocational Rehabilitation</h4> <p>The federal
government provides grants to states to provide “vocational rehabilitation”
(VR) programs to help people with disabilities become employed. The federal
government provides about 79 percent of the funding, with states providing the
rest. VR programs serve over 800,000 individuals each year. Without VR services,
many blind people would be unable to gain employment, leaving them reliant on
public benefits to survive.</p> <h4 id="free-matter-for-the-blind">Free Matter
for the Blind</h4> <p>The US Postal Service provides free postage for special
material used by blind individuals, such as Braille or audio material. Organizations
who serve the blind rely on this service to keep costs down, which, due to the
size of the materials, would be cost-prohibitive.</p> <h4
id="national-library-service-for-the-blind-and-institute-of-museum-and-library-services">National
Library Service for the Blind and Institute of Museum and Library Services </h4>
<p>NLS provides free Braille and recorded materials to the blind. IMLS is a federal
agency that helps libraries and museums. An important part of IMLS funding supports
libraries to be accessible to the blind. Without access to library services, blind
people would lose access to information, education, and entertainment others take
for granted.</p> <h4 id="older-blind-programs">Older Blind Programs</h4> <p>Federally
funded state-run older blind programs serve blind individuals over age 54 to help
them live independently. The programs teach independent living skills so blind
people can remain in their homes and communities and avoid placement in expensive
nursing homes.</p> <h4 id="protection-advocacy">Protection & Advocacy </h4>
<p>Each state has a federally funded “protection and advocacy”
program that represents people with disabilities facing abuse, civil rights
violations, denials of benefits, and lack of access to health care, education,
employment, housing, transportation, and voting.</p> <h4 id="medicaid">Medicaid</h4>
<p>Medicaid is a federal grant program to states to cover health care for low-income
and disabled individuals. The federal government provides about 70 percent of the
funding with states making up the rest. Without Medicaid funding, many blind people
would lose access to health care, including treatment for their vision disabilities.</p>
<p>----------</p> <h2 id="websites-and-software-applications-accessibility-act-1">Websites
and Software Applications Accessibility Act</h2> <p><em><strong>Issue—Blind
and disabled people experience unnecessary barriers on websites and applications
daily even though accessibility is achievable.</strong></em></p> <p><strong>Websites
and mobile applications are an essential part of modern living.</strong> According
to the Pew Research Center, 96 percent of Americans use the internet.<sup>1</sup>
That means that effectively the entire country is accessing websites and mobile
applications, including most Americans with disabilities. According to the American
Community Survey, conducted by the United States Census Bureau, there are more
than forty-four million Americans who currently have a disability.<sup>2</sup>
This means that millions of disabled Americans are using websites and software
applications.</p> <p><strong>Uncertainty about how to accomplish website accessibility
is plaguing businesses.</strong> Most businesses are required by law to make their
websites accessible but claim to have no clear-cut definition of what
“accessible” actually means. Meanwhile, people with disabilities
are forced to cope with inaccessible websites. Businesses yearn for a clear
definition of website accessibility to protect themselves from legal action taken
by blind and disabled consumers unable to access their websites.</p> <p><strong>Current
law leaves small businesses responsible for inaccessible websites designed by
third-party developers.</strong> There is no protection in the law for a small
business that paid a third-party developer to design and build its website. This
leaves small businesses open to litigation that could hinder economic growth and
have a chilling effect on others who may want to start their own small business.</p>
<p><strong>The United States is failing to keep up with international accessibility
standards.</strong> Canada<sup>3</sup> and the European Union<sup>4</sup> have
statutes defining accessibility. The United States has historically been a world
leader on disability issues and technological innovation. Being a leader in website
accessibility is no different, as the success of tomorrow’s economy will
require full participation in competitive markets. The United States is losing
out on economic gains as other nations take advantage of this opportunity.</p>
<p><em><strong>Solution—Websites and Software Applications Accessibility
Act will:</strong></em></p> <blockquote> <p><strong>Safeguard small businesses
and establish a comprehensive statutory definition for “accessibility.”</strong>
Protect small businesses by holding third-party website developers accountable
and by maintaining the current defenses of undue burden and fundamental alteration.
A comprehensive and clear-cut definition of “accessibility” will
end any confusion regarding the requirements that covered entities and commercial
providers need to meet.</p> <p><strong>Establish a technical assistance center to
provide technical assistance to covered entities, commercial providers, and
individuals with disabilities.</strong> The technical assistance centers will aid
in the construction, development, design, alteration, and modification of websites
in accordance with the rules. The Attorney General, in coordination with the
Commission, the Secretary of Education, and other heads of federal agencies will
award a grant program to a qualified technical assistance provider to support the
development, establishment, and procurement of accessible websites and applications.</p>
<p><strong>Direct the Department of Justice (DOJ) and Equal Employment Opportunity
Commission (EEOC) to promulgate accessibility regulations.</strong> The DOJ and
EEOC will have twelve months following the enactment of the legislation to issue
a notice of proposed rulemaking regarding website and mobile application accessibility,
then an additional twelve months to issue the final rule.</p> </blockquote>
<p><strong>GOAL—END WEBSITE AND SOFTWARE APPLICATION INACCESSIBILITY FOR
AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES.</strong></p> <p><strong>Cosponsor the Websites and
Software Applications Accessibility Act.</strong></p> <p><strong>To cosponsor the
Websites and Software Applications Accessibility Act in the Senate, contact:</strong></p>
<blockquote> <p>Stephanie DeLuca, Legislative Assistant for Senator Duckworth
(D-IL)</p> </blockquote> <p>Phone: 202-224-2854 Email: <a
href="mailto:stephanie_deluca@duckworth.senate.gov"><u>stephanie_deluca@duckworth.senate.gov</u></a></p>
<p><strong>To cosponsor the Websites and Software Applications Accessibility Act
in the House, contact:</strong></p> <p>Quinn Hirsch, Policy Advisor for Representative
Steny Hoyer (D-MD-5)</p> <p>Phone: 202-225-4131 Email: <a
href="mailto:quinn.hirsch@mail.house.gov"><u>quinn.hirsch@mail.house.gov</u></a></p>
<blockquote> <p><strong>For more information, contact:</strong></p> <p>Justin
Young, Government Affairs Specialist, National Federation of the Blind</p> <p>Phone:
410-659-9314, extension 2210 - Email: <a href="mailto:jyoung@nfb.org"><u>jyoung@nfb.org</u></a></p>
</blockquote> <p>Pew Research Center. “Internet, Broadband Fact Sheet.”
November 13, 2024. <a
href="https://www.pewresearch.org/internet/fact-sheet/internet-broadband/">https://www.pewresearch.org/internet/fact-sheet/internet-broadband/</a></p>
<p><sup>2</sup> United States Census Bureau. “The number of non-institutionalized,
male or female, all ages, all races, regardless of ethnicity, with all education
levels in the United States reported any disability in 2022.” <a
href="https://www.disabilitystatistics.org/acs/1">https://www.disabilitystatistics.org/acs/1</a></p>
<p><sup>3</sup> Siteimprove. “A complete overview of Canada’s
Accessibility Laws.” August 2, 2024. <a
href="https://www.siteimprove.com/blog/a-complete-overview-of-canadas-accessibility-laws/">https://www.siteimprove.com/blog/a-complete-overview-of-canadas-accessibility-laws/</a></p>
<p><sup>4</sup> Level Access. “European Accessibility Act (EAA).”
<a
href="https://www.levelaccess.com/compliance-overview/european-accessibility-act-eaa/#:~:text=The%20European%20Accessibility%20Act%20(EAA,accessible%20to%20people%20with%20disabilities">https://www.levelaccess.com/compliance-overview/european-accessibility-act-eaa/#:~:text=The%20European%20Accessibility%20Act%20(EAA,accessible%20to%20people%20with%20disabilities</a>.</p>
<p>----------</p> <h2 id="medical-device-nonvisual-accessibility-act-1">Medical
Device Nonvisual Accessibility Act</h2> <p><strong>Issue—Inaccessible
digital interfaces prevent blind individuals from independently and safely operating
medical devices that are essential to their daily health care needs.</strong></p>
<p><strong>Medical devices with a digital interface are becoming more prevalent
and less accessible for blind Americans.</strong> The rapid proliferation of
advanced technology is undeniable. Most new models of medical devices—such
as glucose, oxygen, and blood pressure monitors, and CPAP machines—along
with the emergence of in-home devices that offer medical care options (such as
chemotherapy treatments and dialysis) require consumers to interact with digital
displays or other interfaces. This new technology is constantly being developed
and deployed without nonvisual accessibility, which creates a modern-day barrier.
The inaccessibility of these medical devices is not a mere inconvenience; when
accessibility for blind consumers is omitted from the medical technology landscape,
the health, safety, and independence of blind Americans are in imminent danger.</p>
<p><strong>According to the Center for Connected Medicine, telehealth currently
makes up 20 percent of all medical visits, and more healthcare providers are
looking to expand telemedicine services.<sup>1</sup></strong> According to the
Pew Research Center, rural Americans live an average of 10.5 miles from the nearest
hospital,<sup>2</sup> and according to the Journal of the American Pharmacists
Association, across the United States, 8.3 percent of counties had at least 50
percent of their residents live greater than 10 miles from the closest
pharmacy.<sup>3</sup> As a result of inaccessibility, blind and low-vision Americans
are at a distinct disadvantage when it comes to receiving the same virtual health
care as our sighted counterparts.</p> <p><strong>Nonvisual access is achievable,
as demonstrated by several mainstream products.</strong> Apple has incorporated
VoiceOver (a screen reading function) into all of its products, making iPhones,
MacBooks and Mac desktops, and iPads fully accessible to blind people right out
of the box. Virtually all ATMs manufactured in the United States are accessible,
and every polling place is required to have a nonvisually accessible voting machine.
Frequently, a simple audio output or tactile feature can make a product accessible
at little to no additional cost for manufacturers.</p> <p><strong>Current disability
laws have not been able to keep up with advancements due to the expeditious
evolution of medical technology and its incorporation into medical devices.</strong>
Although the Americans with Disabilities Act and other laws require physical
accessibility for people with disabilities (e.g., wheelchair ramps, Braille in
public buildings), no laws protect a blind consumer’s right to access
medical devices. The National Council on Disability concluded that accessibility
standards lag behind the rapid pace of technology, which can interfere with
technology access.<sup>4</sup> This trend of inaccessibility will continue if
accessibility solutions are ignored. Only a fraction of medical device manufacturers
have incorporated nonvisual access standards into their product design, while
others continue to resist these solutions.</p> <p><em><strong>Solution—Medical
Device Nonvisual Accessibility Act:</strong></em></p> <blockquote> <p><strong>Amends
the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to require new applications for Class II
and Class III medical devices with a user interface to meet nonvisual access
standards.</strong> Any devices that do not meet the nonvisual access standards
will be considered adulterated by the Food and Drug Administration.</p> <p><strong>Calls
on the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to promulgate nonvisual accessibility
regulations for Class II and Class III medical devices.</strong> The FDA will
consult with stakeholders with disabilities and manufacturers and issue a notice
of proposed rulemaking no later than twelve months after the date of enactment of
the act. The FDA will publish the final rule that includes the nonvisual accessibility
requirements no later than twenty-four months after the date of enactment of the
act.</p> <p><strong>Requires manufacturers of Class II and Class III medical
devices to make their products nonvisually accessible.</strong> Manufacturers who
submit a new application to the FDA twelve months following the publication of
the final rule must demonstrate compliance with the nonvisual accessibility
standard. Manufacturers may file for an exemption for one of two reasons: clear
and convincing evidence that making the medical device nonvisually accessible
would fundamentally alter the use of the product or proof that modifying the
medical device would create an undue hardship for the company.</p> </blockquote>
<p><strong>GOAL—END UNEQUAL ACCESS TO MEDICAL DEVICES FOR BLIND
AMERICANS.</strong></p> <p><strong>Cosponsor the Medical Device Nonvisual
Accessibility Act.</strong></p> <blockquote> <p><strong>For more information,
contact:</strong></p> <p>Justin Young, Government Affairs Specialist, National
Federation of the Blind</p> <p>Phone: 410-659-9314, extension 2210, Email: <a
href="mailto:jyoung@nfb.org"><u>jyoung@nfb.org</u></a> or visit <a
href="http://www.nfb.org"><u>www.nfb.org</u></a></p> </blockquote> <p><em>See</em>
Center for Connected Medicine<em>, Telehealth utilization settles in at 20% or
less of medical appointments</em>, available at <a
href="https://connectedmed.com/resources/post-pandemic-telehealth-utilization-settles-in-at-20-or-less-of-medical-appointments/"><u>https://connectedmed.com/resources/post-pandemic-telehealth-utilization-settles-in-at-20-or-less-of-medical-appointments/</u></a></p>
<p><sup>2</sup> <em>See</em> Pew Research Center, <em>How far Americans live from
the closest hospital differs by community type</em>, available at <a
href="https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2018/12/12/how-far-americans-live-from-the-closest-hospital-differs-by-community-type/"><u>https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2018/12/12/how-far-americans-live-from-the-closest-hospital-differs-by-community-type/</u></a></p>
<p><sup>3</sup> <em>See Journal of the American Pharmacists Association,</em>
Access to community pharmacies: A nationwide geographic information systems
cross-sectional analysis, available at <a
href="https://www.japha.org/article/S1544-3191(22)00233-3/fulltext"><u>https://www.japha.org/article/S1544-3191(22)00233-3/fulltext</u></a></p>
<p><sup>4</sup> <em>See</em> National Council on Disabilities, <em>National
Disability Policy Progress Report: Technology that enables access to the full
opportunities of citizenship under the Constitution is a right at 19</em> (October
7, 2016), available at <u>https://ncd.gov/progressreport/2016/progress-report-october-2016</u></p>
<blockquote> <p>----------</p> </blockquote> <h2 id="blind-americans-return-to-work-act-1">Blind
Americans Return to Work Act</h2> <p><em><strong>Issue—The Social Security
Disability Insurance benefits program contains an earnings cliff that hinders
blind individuals from achieving the American dream.</strong></em></p> <p><strong>The
Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) program has a built-in “earnings
cliff.”</strong></p> <p>Title II of the Social Security Act provides that
disability benefits paid to blind beneficiaries are eliminated if the beneficiary
exceeds a monthly earnings limit.<sup>1</sup> This earnings limit, often called
the “earnings cliff,” is in effect a penalty imposed on blind
Americans when they work. For example, the earnings limit in 2025 for a blind
person is $2,700 per month. If a blind individual earns more than that threshold,
even by just one dollar, they are engaged in substantial gainful activity (SGA).
Under the current law, any individual engaged in SGA is not entitled to any SSDI
benefits. This means that if a blind person earns just one dollar over the earnings
limit, all benefits are lost.</p> <p><strong>The earnings cliff incentivizes blind
people to choose to remain unemployed or underemployed, despite their desire to
work.</strong></p> <p>In a 2018 survey, National Industries for the Blind (NIB)
found that 21 percent of respondents from thirty-four of their non-profit associations
had turned down a raise or promotion to retain their SSDI benefits.<sup>2</sup>
The survey also found that 37 percent of respondents had turned down additional
hours or even asked to reduce their hours in order to retain their SSDI
benefits.<sup>3</sup> Blind Americans who are willing and able to work are
intentionally limiting themselves out of fear of losing the entirety of their SSDI
benefits and falling off the earnings cliff. For example, according to the Social
Security Administration the average SSDI benefit check in 2024 was $1,537, which
equates to $18,444 annually. Under this circumstance, a blind person would lose
$18,444, just by earning an additional $12 in a calendar year. This is a trade-off
no one wants to accept.</p> <p><strong>The current work incentive in the form of
the trial work period is needlessly complicated and counterintuitive.</strong></p>
<p>Under the current SSDI program, if a blind worker wants to try and earn more
money, they will likely trigger a nine-month trial work period. These nine months
do not have to be consecutive, but instead are any nine months during a rolling
sixty-month period in which the worker earned more than a certain amount (for 2025
this amount is $1,160 per month). When all of those nine months are exhausted,
the worker is once again subject to the earnings cliff if they cross the SGA
threshold. This is supposed to act as an incentive for blind recipients to determine
if they are ready to work, but the complexity of the rules and the difference
between the trial work period amount and the SGA threshold result in many blind
Americans not receiving the benefit the process is intended to provide.</p>
<p><strong>Solution—Blind Americans Return to Work Act will:</strong></p>
<p><strong>Eliminate the earnings cliff by instituting a ten-year demonstration
program establishing a gradual two-for-one phase-out of SSDI benefits with earnings
over the SGA limit.</strong></p> <blockquote> <p>For every two dollars a blind
worker earns above the SGA threshold, their benefits amount will be reduced by
one dollar. This ten-year program will start in 2026 and conclude in 2035,
demonstrating that blind Americans can and will achieve their highest earning
potential.</p> </blockquote> <p><strong>Create a genuine work incentive for SSDI
recipients.</strong></p> <p>With a phase-out model, blind workers will always be
better off striving to earn as much as possible, which will facilitate the transition
of those workers out of the SSDI system as benefits are gradually reduced. With
this model, blind Americans will never lose by working. As an added benefit, fewer
workers will be earning SSDI benefits and instead be paying into the Social Security
Trust Fund, which means a more balanced Trust Fund in time.</p> <p><strong>Simplify
the SSDI system by eliminating the trial work period and grace period, making the
rules more compatible with the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program.</strong></p>
<p>Under the proposed system, the SSDI program will become less complicated. With
both the SSI and SSDI programs using similar rules, there will be less confusion,
and the incentive for blind people to return to work will be consistent and
clear.</p> <p><strong>GOAL— ELIMINATE THE EARNINGS CLIFF BY ADOPTING A
SOLUTION USED IN OTHER SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION PROGRAMS.</strong></p>
<p><strong>Cosponsor the Blind Americans Return to Work Act.</strong></p> <blockquote>
<p><strong>For more information, contact:</strong></p> <p>Jesse Shirek, Government
Affairs Specialist, National Federation of the Blind</p> <p>Phone: 410-659-9314,
extension 2348, Email: <a href="mailto:jshirek@nfb.org"><u>jshirek@nfb.org</u></a>
or visit <a href="http://www.nfb.org"><u>www.nfb.org</u></a></p> </blockquote>
<p>42 U.S.C. Sec. 423.</p> <p><sup>2</sup> <em>Commitment to Serve</em>, A
presentation given at the 2018 NIB/NAEPB Training Conference and Expo.</p>
<p><sup>3</sup> Ibid.</p> <blockquote> <p>----------</p> </blockquote> <h2
id="additional-legislative-concerns-of-blind-americans-for-the-119th-congress">Additional
Legislative Concerns of Blind Americans<br /> for the 119th Congress</h2> <h3
id="fully-autonomous-vehicles-legislation">Fully Autonomous Vehicles Legislation</h3>
<p>We support fully autonomous vehicles legislation that will prioritize nonvisual
accessibility for blind Americans, who will benefit greatly from this revolutionary
technology. Autonomous vehicles have the potential to dramatically improve
transportation options for the blind, but only if we are able to access them. This
legislation would also include a provision of nondiscrimination on the basis of
disability in licensing for fully autonomous vehicles (SAE Level 4 and 5).</p>
<h3 id="access-technology-affordability-act">Access Technology Affordability Act
</h3> <p>The cost of critically needed access technology is out of reach for most
blind Americans. The Access Technology Affordability Act will improve the
affordability of this technology by creating a $2,000 refundable tax credit for
use over a three-year period for the purchase of qualified access technology. This
bill would remove a significant barrier to employment and independent living for
blind Americans while generating approximately $350 million (based on an analysis
by Mathematica) in additional annual tax revenue by getting more blind Americans
into the workforce.</p> <h3
id="transformation-to-competitive-integrated-employment-act">Transformation to
Competitive Integrated Employment Act </h3> <p>Section 14(c) of the Fair Labor
Standards Act of 1938 permits employers to pay people with disabilities at a rate
less than the federal minimum wage. The Transformation to Competitive Integrated
Employment Act will end this antiquated and discriminatory practice for all
Americans with disabilities by transitioning away from the subminimum wage model
and eventually sunsetting Section 14(c).</p> <p>For more information about
<strong>Autonomous Vehicles Legislation</strong> or the <strong>Access Technology
Affordability Act</strong> contact Jesse Shirek at 410-659-9314, extension 2348,
or by email at <a href="mailto:jshirek@nfb.org"><u>jshirek@nfb.org</u></a>.</p>
<p>For more information on the <strong>Transformation to Competitive Integrated
Employment Act</strong> contact Justin Young at 410-659-9314, extension 2210, or
by email at <a href="mailto:jyoung@nfb.org"><u>jyoung@nfb.org</u></a>.</p>
<blockquote> <p><strong>----------</strong></p> </blockquote> <h2
id="a-report-from-washington-seminar-by-the-south-carolina-delegation">A Report
from Washington Seminar by the South Carolina Delegation</h2> <p><strong>by Janice
Bright</strong></p> <p><strong>From the Editor: Janice Bright is the co-chair of
the Legislative and Advocacy Committee of the National Federation of the Blind of
South Carolina. Her report from the 2025 Washington Seminar is reprinted from the
<em>Positive Note</em>, a weekly newsletter sent from affiliate president Marty
McKenzie to chapter presidents and other affiliate leaders. Here is Janice’s
report:</strong></p> <p>Happy February, everyone! I’m still buzzing from
my recent trip to Washington, DC—a journey that blended high-stakes advocacy
with moments of genuine camaraderie and light-hearted fun. As part of the National
Federation of the Blind’s (NFB) annual Washington Seminar Week—its
fifty-second edition, no less—I had the privilege of joining a stellar
delegation from South Carolina to meet with our nation’s lawmakers and
champion the rights of the blind/low-vision community.</p> <p>Traveling from South
Carolina to the nation’s capital was an experience in itself. Alongside me
was an exceptional team of advocates: Andrew Adams and Shannon Cook from the
Columbia Chapter, Linda Dizzley from the Lee County Chapter, Lenora Robertson from
the Rock Hill Chapter, and Irving Middleton from the Charleston Chapter. Our group
was further strengthened by the presence of five talented, enthusiastic students
from the Successful Transitions (ST) program, whose dedication and preparedness
were nothing short of impressive. We were also joined by Wallace Stuckey—a
former NFB of SC member currently working on Capitol Hill. His insights into the
inner workings of Washington proved invaluable.</p> <p>Once in DC, our delegation
dove straight into the heart of advocacy. We had the opportunity to meet in person
with several of our state’s congresspeople. For our congresspeople with
whom we did not have a set appointment, our delegation did a pop-up at their DC
offices, spoke to a staffer, and dropped off an info-packed packet to be delivered
to each representative or senator. These appointments were more than just
scheduled meetings; they were dynamic exchanges where we passionately discussed
the need to safeguard longstanding laws and federal funding sources that support
the blind/low-vision community. As rapid-fire executive orders and sweeping actions
emerge, our conversation centered on ensuring the crucial legislation our community
depends on isn’t removed or weakened by fast-paced political changes.</p>
<p>Our talking points were clear: we need a steadfast “watchdog” in
Congress—someone who will remain ever-vigilant on behalf of their constituents.
We voiced our concerns about how these rapid governmental actions might inadvertently
weaken critical supports and shared insights on three national legislative
initiatives that we believe are essential to protecting the interests of the
blind/low-vision community.</p> <p>One of the highlights of our week was witnessing
our students step up to the plate. They dove deep into research, prepared themselves
with facts, and presented our legislative initiatives alongside seasoned delegation
members. Their thoughtful presentations not only underscored the importance of
these issues but also showcased the bright future of advocacy within our community.
It was truly a proud moment for all of us—a reminder that nurturing the
next generation is key to sustaining our mission.</p> <p>Every member of our South
Carolina delegation contributed to the discussions with passion and professionalism.
Whether it was sharing personal anecdotes from our lived experiences or offering
insights to our legislators, we all stood proudly as representatives of our NFB
of SC affiliate. As the meetings unfolded, it was heartening to see our congresspeople
warmly receive our points, with many expressing a commitment to act as our "watchdog"
for these essential laws and federal funding sources.</p> <p>Of course, advocacy
isn’t all serious business. Between the earnest discussions and intense
preparation, there were plenty of moments of levity. We shared laughs, swapped
stories about our experiences within the community, and even managed to find time
to explore a few of DC’s iconic landmarks. This balance of work and play
reminded us that while our mission is weighty, it’s the human connections
we build along the way that make the journey truly rewarding.</p> <p>As I reflect
on this incredible week in Washington, DC, I’m filled with gratitude for
the opportunity to represent our community and for the unwavering support of my
colleagues and the bright young minds in the ST program. Our conversations with
Congress have set the stage for continued vigilance and proactive advocacy, and
I am confident that our message has made an impact.</p> <p>In a city where history
and policy intersect, our delegation left with a renewed sense of purpose and a
promise to keep fighting for the blind/low-vision community. The experience was
a delightful mix of professional advocacy, thoughtful dialogue, and the undeniable
joy of working together toward a common goal.</p> <p>Until next time, I’m
signing off with a full heart and a hopeful spirit. Happy February! Here’s
to making a difference—one conversation at a time!</p> <p>----------</p>
<h2
id="leading-disability-organizations-president-trumps-blame-of-deadly-plane-crash-on-disabled-federal-workers-is-baseless-irresponsible">Leading
Disability Organizations: President Trump’s Blame of Deadly Plane Crash on
Disabled Federal Workers Is Baseless, Irresponsible</h2> <p><strong>From the
Editor: The following press release was issued on behalf of the National Federation
of the Blind and several other organizations of Americans with disabilities. On
January 21, 2025, the day after his inauguration, President Donald J. Trump issued
an executive order entitled Keeping Americans Safe in Aviation, one of many such
orders that purported to end diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs of
the federal government. The order asserted that “the prior administration
sought to specifically recruit and hire individuals with serious infirmities that
could impact the execution of their essential life-saving duties.” It might
have gone relatively unnoticed among the blizzard of similar announcements emanating
from the Oval Office at the time, but tragic circumstances brought aviation to
the forefront of the news on January 29, when a military helicopter and a commercial
jet collided in midair at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA). Sadly,
no one survived the horrific crash, and sixty-seven souls were lost. At a press
conference the next morning, President Trump speculated that the hiring of workers
with disabilities by the FAA might have led to the crash. Here is the response of
some of America’s leading disability organizations:</strong></p> <p>For
Immediate Release: January 30, 2025</p> <p>Contact: Jess Davidson, <a
href="mailto:jdavidson@aapd.com"><u>jdavidson@aapd.com</u></a>; 202-465-5528</p>
<p>WASHINGTON, DC – In remarks today at the White House, President Trump
cast potential blame for the tragic and deadly plane crash that occurred last
night near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport on people with disabilities
employed by the Federal Aviation Administration.</p> <p>Soon after the President’s
comments, multiple news agencies reported that the air traffic control
tower was understaffed at the time of the crash. Despite these reports, the White
House has continued to double down on their baseless claims.</p> <p>In
response, the American Association of People with Disabilities, American Council
of the Blind, Autistic Self Advocacy Network, Disability Rights Education and
Defense Fund, United Spinal Association, National Federation of the Blind, and
other leading disability rights organizations issue the following statement:</p>
<p>The President’s remarks today suggesting the deadly crash of Flight 5342
may have been the fault of public servants with disabilities are irresponsible,
disparaging, and wrong. It is extremely inappropriate for the President to use
this tragedy as an opportunity to advance his anti-diversity hiring agenda. The
focus of the federal government and the entire nation should be on the emergency
response, a thorough investigation, and most of all, supporting the families and
communities who lost their loved ones in this tragedy.</p> <p>People with disabilities
proudly serve our nation through government service in every federal department
and agency. Disabled employees, like non-disabled employees, are hired because
they meet the qualifications needed to do the job. The Federal Aviation
Administration has rigorous standards for hiring Air Traffic Controllers and all
other FAA employees. Diversity hiring initiatives seek to expand the pool of
potential qualified talent for a role—they do not supersede the qualifications
and skills that the role requires. The implication that people are being hired to
do a job for which they are unqualified is an unfounded lie that further reinforces
harmful stereotypes against disabled people. </p> <p>“The President
is deliberately spreading falsehoods to demonize the quarter of American adults
who live with disabilities rather than directing federal resources towards ensuring
such a devastating tragedy never happens again. This is part of a broader coordinated
attack on civil rights and equal opportunity across government. These attacks do
nothing to keep Americans safe, and actually threaten our ability to ensure safety
by building the strongest possible aviation workforce,” said American
Association of People with Disabilities President and CEO Maria Town.</p> <p>Scott
Thornhill, the Executive Director of the American Council of the Blind
stated, “The tragic accident that occurred last night near Reagan
Washington National Airport is one we all are deeply saddened about. This is not
a time for political posturing or speculation. Our thoughts and prayers are with
the families of those who devastatingly lost their lives. We strongly denounce
any insinuation that hiring individuals with disabilities had any part in this
horrific event.”</p> <p>“One of the biggest factors keeping people
with disabilities out of the workforce is baseless stigma around our ability to
do our jobs. Despite ample data showing the capability and productivity of disabled
workers, disclosing a disability still makes job applicants 26 percent less likely
to even get a preliminary interview. Programs like the one President Trump attacked
have been part of the federal government’s work to eliminate that stigma.
It is deeply disappointing to see our government now deciding instead to make it
worse,” said Colin Killick, the Executive Director of Autistic Self
Advocacy Network.</p> <p>“The President’s harmful speculation unfairly
targets disabled workers and reinforces dangerous and baseless stereotypes,” added
Nicole Bohn, Executive Director of the Disability Rights Education and Defense
Fund. “Disability is not a liability, and these narratives only serve to
fuel discrimination, exclusion, and stigma—particularly for disabled BIPOC
[Black, Indigenous, and People of Color] workers who already face compounded
barriers in employment. Right now, the focus must be on supporting the families
and communities affected by this tragedy and ensuring a fact-based investigation—not
on scapegoating disabled people who belong in every workplace, including aviation
and public safety.” </p> <p>“The cause of the terrible plane
crash at DCA last night remains unknown,” said Marlene Sallo, Executive
Director of the National Disability Rights Network. “Now is the time
to thoroughly investigate what caused this accident and support the families who
lost loved ones. It is not the time to blame or further stigmatize people with
disabilities.”</p> <p>Mark Riccobono, President of the National Federation
of the Blind, stated, “Blind Americans share in our nation’s
mourning for the lives lost in last night’s tragic accident. We are shocked
that the President of the United States would reinforce unfounded misconceptions
of disability by codifying them in the Keeping Americans Safe in Aviation executive
order. We know that people with disabilities are among the best and brightest. We
also know that our focus today and in the days to come should be on the lives
lost, not the misunderstanding of the lives of people with disabilities.”</p>
<p>The National Organization of Nurses with Disabilities (NOND), said, “NOND
dramatically and strongly disagrees with the statement made by the federal
administration that people with disabilities create unsafe conditions for others.
The government’s statement is appalling, dehumanizing, and blatantly
discriminatory. NOND supports DEI which is crucial to promoting the full inclusion
of marginalized populations including people with disabilities. Research indicates
that with age the incidence of disability and chronic health conditions increases.
Disability is not about those of us who are disabled now; it is about our society
at large.”</p> <p>“Blaming people with disabilities for the deadly
crash at DCA is both misleading and deeply misguided. Individuals with disabilities
are hired under already stringent standards due to existing biases, and when we
secure employment, it is because we have clearly demonstrated our ability to
perform the job with excellence,” said United Spinal Association
President & CEO Vincenzo Piscopo. “As a person with a disability
myself, I can say without hesitation that I have proudly and consistently contributed
value in every role I have held. To suggest otherwise is not only unfounded but
also undermines the contributions of millions of disabled professionals who excel
in their fields every day.”</p> <p> </p> <p>This statement is provided
on behalf of the following organizations:</p> <p>American Association of People
with Disabilities</p> <p>American Council of the Blind</p> <p>Autistic Self Advocacy
Network </p> <p>Autistic Women & Nonbinary Network</p> <p>Bazelon Center
for Mental Health Law </p> <p>Disability Rights Education & Defense
Fund</p> <p>National Coalition for Mental Health Recovery</p> <p>National Disability
Rights Network</p> <p>National Federation of the Blind</p> <p>National Organization
of Nurses with Disabilities </p> <p>Not Dead Yet</p> <p>----------</p>
<p>[PHOTO CAPTION: Al Elia]</p> <h2 id="the-why-and-how-of-service-animal-self-id-in-rideshare">The
Why and How of Service Animal Self-ID in Rideshare</h2> <p><strong>by Al
Elia</strong></p> <p><strong>From the Editor: Al Elia is an attorney and board
member of the National Association of Guide Dog Users (NAGDU), a division of the
National Federation of the Blind. At the NAGDU board’s request, he has been
working with the advocacy and policy team on transportation concerns of guide dog
users since his election to the board in 2021. He serves as the NFB representative
on the Air Carrier Access Act Advisory Committee, and served as the NFB’s
representative on a rideshare Service Animal Working Group in 2022 and 2023. Here
is what he has to say about the recently announced programs for service animal
users to self-identify on rideshare platforms:</strong></p> <p>Federation family,
many of you may have heard that rideshare companies are offering, or intend to
offer, a means of voluntarily identifying yourself as a service animal user on
their platforms. You may be wondering how riders can use this “Self-ID”
feature, what happens when riders opt to use it, and why the companies went down
this path. This article will hopefully answer those questions.</p> <p>Taking the
last first, the rideshare companies are offering a Self-ID feature because of the
advocacy of the National Federation of the Blind. As you know, our organization
has been advocating, negotiating, and litigating with rideshare companies over
the discriminatory denials of transportation to guide dog users for more than ten
years. Long ago, we reached settlements with both Uber and Lyft to ensure that
their policies explicitly required drivers to transport service animals in accordance
with federal and state laws; that they educated drivers on that policy and the
requirement to transport us with our service animals; and that they implemented
procedures for reporting, investigating, and disciplining drivers who deny us
rides because of our service animals.</p> <p>Unfortunately, after many years under
those settlements, our experience riding with our service animals did not meaningfully
improve. Since that was unacceptable, we continued our advocacy, demanding better
driver education on the laws and policies requiring them to transport service
animals and demanding that rideshare companies treat complaints about service
animal denials with the same seriousness as complaints about assault. The companies
agreed, but we still saw no meaningful reduction in service animal denials.
Anecdotal evidence from members, such as drivers telling us that they didn’t
care about policies and would just drive for the other company if removed from
one rideshare platform, also suggested that driver education would never solve
the denial problem. A different solution was needed.</p> <p>Meanwhile, we riders
were growing tired of shouldering the burden of establishing evidence of and
reporting each and every knowing denial to the rideshare companies. Many members
told us they had stopped reporting denials altogether because reporting took so
much time and didn’t seem to result in fewer denials. Many of us started
messaging drivers to tell them we had a service animal, effectively self-identifying
as service animal users, in order to have the denial occur earlier in the pickup
and reduce the time we had to wait for a ride that would take us. Those messages
also ensured that the rideshare companies had written evidence to link denials to
our service animals in their investigations so they could remove the denying
drivers from their platforms. We suggested that the rideshare companies could make
our lives easier by sending a similar message for us, by subsequently reminding
drivers that policies and laws required them to transport service animals if those
drivers attempted to cancel our rides after receiving the message, and by
automatically reporting and investigating drivers who continue to cancel anyway.
In order for that to work, the companies would need riders to tell them ahead of
time that they use a service animal. That was the origin of Self-ID.</p> <p>As
many of you know, Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) regulations permit rideshare
companies and drivers to ask two questions of a person using a service animal: Do
you require use of a service animal because of a disability, and what service is
your service animal trained to perform? The regulations indicate that those
questions should not be asked if the answers are readily apparent, like when
it’s a guide dog guiding a blind person, but in reality many people do not
recognize blind people and guide dogs. As previously mentioned, the National
Federation of the Blind demanded more and better training of drivers to hopefully
increase our recognition. However, we are not confident that any amount of training
will solve the general problem that blindness and guide-dog use are apparently
not obvious, as many of us know from being frequently told that we “don’t
look blind.” In effect, Self-ID offers an option for riders to answer
questions in advance that the rideshare companies and their drivers are already
permitted to ask service animal users whenever we use their services.</p> <p>The
ADA regulations also permit rideshare companies to offer a program that is specific
to riders with disabilities, such as Self-ID. However, those regulations also
prohibit the companies from requiring riders with disabilities to use that program
rather than the programs provided for the general public and also prohibit them
from discriminating against riders with disabilities who choose not to use such
a program. In short, riders have the right not to identify themselves as service
animal users before pickup and must not suffer different treatment if they enjoy
that right. That is why the National Federation of the Blind insisted that use of
Self-ID must be voluntary, that rideshare companies treat all service animal denial
reports and investigations with the same urgency, and that they continue to educate
drivers on the policies and laws requiring them to transport service animal users
whether they choose to use Self-ID or not. The rideshare companies understood and
agreed.</p> <p>While Self-ID was an NFB proposal, we did not advocate for it in
a vacuum. We worked with other service animal advocacy and training organizations,
as well as our members, to ensure that community concerns were addressed. When
rideshare companies suggested or piloted Self-ID features that could negatively
impact our rights, or offered us little apparent benefit, we pushed back both
privately and publicly and again worked with members and other organizations to
amplify our message.</p> <p>As to how the Self-ID programs work, only Uber has
released its program to the public. This article will not discuss Lyft’s
program because it is still in a limited pilot and is subject to change.</p>
<p>Uber’s Self-ID features are keyed to the rider card that appears on
drivers’ screens as they are approaching a rider’s pickup location.
Self-ID riders can choose whether or not their use of a service animal appears on
that card along with a reminder that drivers must transport service animals. In
either case, if a driver attempts to cancel the ride after that card appears, they
will be interrupted by a popup reminding them that Uber policy and the law require
them to transport service animals, and that they may be removed from the Uber
platform if they cancel the ride. If a driver cancels the ride anyway, the rider
is paired with a new driver and receives both an app notification and an email
with the following message: “Hi, We noticed that your driver canceled your
ride with your service animal. We would like to better understand what happened
to offer you additional support. Would you like us to investigate further?”
If the rider taps the notification or emailed link, they can reply as desired and
provide any additional details in a support message. If the rider replies that
they want Uber to investigate, Uber will investigate the denial in the same manner
and with the same urgency as if the rider had reported a service animal denial
using the phone hotline or Uber’s denial-reporting form. Uber will continue
to take reports of denials through those phone and web/app reporting mechanisms
for riders who prefer to use them, including riders who do not use Self-ID.</p>
<p>The National Federation of the Blind proposed Self-ID because we believe that
it will benefit guide dog and other service animal users. As explained above, it
reduces the cognitive and temporal burden of messaging drivers and reporting
denials. As a result, denials are more likely to be reported, are more likely to
be supported by evidence that the driver knew a dog was a service animal and are
more likely to result in driver deactivations. This not only benefits Self-ID
users but also benefits other service animal users by reducing the number of
denying drivers and by conveying to drivers generally that Uber is serious about
eliminating discrimination.</p> <p>Self-ID will also help quantify service animal
denials. In the past, rideshare companies were not able to compare the cancellation
rate for service animal users to the cancellation rate for others because they
did not know how many times service animal users were transported without being
denied. By having this data, rideshare companies may be able to identify specific
locales or populations suffering disproportionate denials, and test the effectiveness
of different solutions.</p> <p>The National Federation of the Blind will monitor
the rollout of Self-ID and our members’ impressions of the feature. We will
continue advocating for improvements both to Self-ID and to rideshare experiences
generally for guide dog users. We have already identified areas for improvement,
such as an option to identify our use of a service animal immediately after a
driver accepts a ride, and changes to simplify the process for telling Uber to
begin an investigation. We are also providing feedback to Lyft to ensure that its
Self-ID feature offers the maximum benefit to guide dog users.</p> <p>If you want
to use Uber’s Self-ID feature, Uber has the following information on its
website:</p> <p><em>Uber’s Self-ID feature allows riders to notify drivers
in-app when a service animal may be present during a trip. Riders can choose when
to disclose to the driver that they are traveling with a service animal:</em></p>
<p><em>No disclosure: Drivers won’t see any service animal indication in
the rider’s profile.</em></p> <p><em>Disclosure at pickup: Drivers will be
notified upon arrival at the pickup location.</em></p> <p><em>To access the
eligibility form, go to Account > Settings > Accessibility in your app
profile settings.</em></p> <p>----------</p> <h2 id="plan-for-the-future">Plan
for the Future</h2> <p>“What if I was never blind? In April 2013 I received
a diagnosis of Stargardt Disease. I often felt adrift, uncertain of how to chart
a course towards a fulfilling life. At that time, I was employed at McDonald's
and had temporarily paused my undergraduate studies. If I hadn't received that
diagnosis, my life might have followed a completely different trajectory. I would
have continued working at McDonald's, feeling stuck and uncertain about my future,
but without the guidance and support that I found through the National Federation
of the Blind, I might have struggled to navigate the challenges of vision loss.
Instead, that diagnosis became a turning point for me by forcing me to confront
my circumstances and seek out resources and communities that could help me thrive
despite my blindness. The NFB helped me realize that my vision loss didn't
have to define me or limit my aspirations. By believing in my abilities, by
entrusting me with leadership positions, and through intensive mentorship, the
Federation changed my life. My community helped me excel beyond where I would be
if I were sighted.</p> <p>Mentorship is what has brought me to this point in life
thus far. Without my mentors I am not sure where I would be right now. I just hope
I can pay it forward someday.” - Dustin</p> <p>Blind children and adults
are making powerful strides to live the lives we want every day across the United
States, but we need to continue helping blind people like Dustin. For more than
eighty years, the National Federation of the Blind has worked to transform the
dreams of hundreds of thousands of blind people into reality. With support from
individuals like you, we can continue to provide powerful programs and critical
resources now and for decades to come. We hope you will plan to be a part of our
enduring movement by including the National Federation of the Blind in your
charitable giving and in your estate planning. It is easier than you think.</p>
<p>With your help, the NFB will continue to:</p> <ul> <li><p>Give blind children
the gift of literacy through Braille.</p></li> <li><p>Mentor young people
like Dustin.</p></li> <li><p>Promote independent travel by providing free long
white canes to blind people in need.</p></li> <li><p>Develop dynamic educational
projects and programs to show blind youth that science and math careers are within
their reach.</p></li> <li><p>Deliver hundreds of accessible newspapers and magazines
to provide blind people the essential information necessary to be actively involved
in their communities.</p></li> <li><p>Offer aids and appliances that help seniors
who are losing vision maintain their independence.</p></li> </ul> <p>Below are
just a few of the many tax-deductible ways you can show your support of the National
Federation of the Blind.</p> <h3 id="lyft-round-up">LYFT Round Up</h3> <p>By
visiting the menu, choosing Donate, and selecting the National Federation of the
Blind, you commit to giving to the National Federation of the Blind with each
ride.</p> <h3 id="vehicle-donation-program">Vehicle Donation Program</h3> <p>We
accept donated vehicles, including cars, trucks, boats, motorcycles, or recreational
vehicles. Just call 855-659-9314 toll-free, and a representative can make arrangements
to pick up your donation. We can also answer any questions you have.</p> <h3
id="general-donation">General Donation</h3> <p>General donations help support the
ongoing programs of the NFB and the work to help blind people live the lives they
want. You can call 410-659-9314, extension 2430, to give by phone. Give online
with a credit card or through the mail with check or money order. Visit our online
contribution page at: <a href="https://nfb.org/donate"><u>https://nfb.org/donate</u></a>.</p>
<h3 id="pre-authorized-contribution">Pre-Authorized Contribution</h3> <p>Through
the Pre-Authorized Contribution (PAC) program, supporters sustain the efforts of
the National Federation of the Blind by making recurring monthly donations by
direct withdrawal of funds from a checking account or a charge to a credit card.
To enroll, call 877-NFB-2PAC, or fill out our PAC Donation Form <a
href="https://www.nfb.org/pac"><u>https://www.nfb.org/pac</u></a>.</p> <h3
id="plan-to-leave-a-legacy">Plan to Leave a Legacy</h3> <p>The National Federation
of the Blind legacy society, our Dream Makers Circle, honors and recognizes the
generosity and imagination of members and special friends who have chosen to leave
a legacy through a will or other planned giving option. You can join the Dream
Makers Circle in a myriad of ways.</p> <h4 id="percentage-or-fixed-sum-of-assets">Percentage
or Fixed Sum of Assets</h4> <p>You can specify that a percentage or a fixed sum
of your assets or property goes to the National Federation of the Blind in your
will, trust, pension, IRA, life insurance policy, brokerage account, or other
accounts.</p> <h4 id="payable-on-death-pod-account">Payable on Death (POD)
Account</h4> <p>You can name the National Federation of the Blind as the beneficiary
on a Payable on Death (POD) account through your bank. You can turn any checking
or savings account into a POD account. This is one of the simplest ways to leave
a legacy. The account is totally in your control during your lifetime and you can
change the beneficiary or percentage at any time with ease.</p> <h4 id="will-or-trust">Will
or Trust</h4> <p>If you do decide to create or revise your will, consider the
National Federation of the Blind as a partial beneficiary.</p> <p>Visit our Planned
Giving webpage (<a
href="https://www.nfb.org/get-involved/ways-give/planned-giving"><u>https://www.nfb.org/get-involved/ways-give/planned-giving</u></a>)
or call 410-659-9314, extension 2422, for more information.</p> <h3
id="in-2024-our-supporters-helped-the-nfb">In 2024 our supporters helped the
NFB:</h3> <ul> <li><p>Host three career fairs connecting blind job seekers with
potential employers.</p></li> <li><p>Send 261 Braille Santa and Winter Celebration
letters to blind children, encouraging excitement for Braille literacy.</p></li>
<li><p>Distribute over six thousand canes to blind people across the United States,
empowering them to travel safely and independently throughout their communities.</p></li>
<li><p>Deliver more than five hundred newspapers and magazines to more than 130,000
subscribers with print disabilities free of charge.</p></li> <li><p>Give over
seven hundred fifty Braille-writing slates and styluses free of charge to blind
users.</p></li> <li><p>Mentor 222 blind youth during our NFB Braille Enrichment
for Literacy and Learning® Academy.</p></li> <li><p>Award thirty scholarships
each in the amount of $8,000 to blind students.</p></li> </ul> <p>Just imagine
what we will do this year and, with your help, what can be accomplished for years
to come. Together with love, hope, determination, and your support, we will continue
to transform dreams into reality.</p> <p>----------</p> <p>[PHOTO CAPTION: Tom
Stevens, October 25, 1932 - January 18, 2025]</p> <h2
id="a-tribute-to-tom-stevens-a-leader-and-a-friend">A Tribute to Tom Stevens: A
Leader and a Friend</h2> <p><strong>by Gary Wunder</strong></p> <p><strong>From
the Editor: I hardly need to introduce Gary Wunder to <em>Monitor</em> readers,
except perhaps to provide the context that among many other things he is a longtime
leader in the NFB of Missouri. Here he pays loving tribute to another longtime
leader of that affiliate:</strong></p> <p>Tom Stevens died on Saturday, January
18, 2025, at the age of ninety-two. He was a Federationist since the mid-1970s.
When I moved from Columbia to Warrensburg to finish my degree, I got Tom to come
to his first meeting. At that meeting or the one just after, he was elected as
our Columbia Chapter president.</p> <p>Tom was not unaccustomed to being a part
of leadership, having been a Lieutenant Colonel in the United States Army. He was,
however, surprised to be elected, but he learned a lot about the organization
quickly and was not at all passive. He led by example and set a pace that would
challenge any of us. He soon came to be a part of the State Board of Directors.
At his first board meeting, he heard the body talk about closing down its longtime
newsletter, the <em>Blind Missourian</em>, and he immediately volunteered to edit
it. When he was told the problem wasn't just the editing but that there was no
funding, he said, "Well, if I'm going to have something to edit, I guess I'll just
have to fund it too.” This was one of the many out-of-pocket sacrifices he
made because the affiliate simply had little in the way of money to address our
tremendous desire to be active and to have programs.</p> <p>Tom became the state
president in 1977 and served one term, which lasted until 1979. During his tenure,
Missouri saw the passage of the Model White Cane Law, the Fraudulent Portrayal of
Blindness Act, and a regulation from Missouri's insurance commissioner making it
illegal to charge people more for insurance based on blindness alone. When we
sometimes decry the length of time to get a bill passed, we should keep in mind
that our White Cane bill passed on its eighth introduction.</p> <p>For all of our
work, Tom concluded that we were virtually invisible to the executive leadership
of the state. He reasoned that if our governor was going to give a state-of-the-state
report, we should do a state-of-the-state on the affairs of the blind, and we did.
Whether the governor read that report or not I do not know, but I know that both
times that we produced it, he acknowledged its receipt with appreciation and made
sure we got invited to some of his press conferences.</p> <p>For several years,
Tom was the director of the Missouri Bureau for the Blind, which is now called
Rehabilitation Services for the Blind. To my knowledge he was the first blind
person ever to head the agency, and only one agency head since has been blind.
During his tenure, the employment of blind people in the agency went up, and those
who acted as though they were royalty and blind people subservient subjects were
removed. This was no small accomplishment in state government.</p> <p>After his
service at the Bureau, Tom was very involved in what we used to call the Associates
Program to raise funds for our national treasury. This meant asking for donations
and making people associate members of our organization. It also meant creating
a newsletter called <em>The</em> <em>Associate Raiser</em> to encourage recruitment.
The newsletter was available in print and on tape. Again, it was financed by Tom
and was typed and put on tape by his incredible wife and Federationist, Helen.
One of the things that made Tom very sad was that he concluded blind people were
reluctant to ask others who were not blind to make donations. He could never figure
out whether this was a reaction to being thought of as blind beggars or whether
we simply did not spend enough time on the mechanics of fundraising, though all
of us knew we needed the money for our programs. These issues remain with us
today.</p> <p>Tom has been active in almost everything we have done. He has actively
supported the work we have pursued in our state capitol and in Washington, DC. He
did this long before we could afford to send anyone to what we then called the
March on Jefferson City and the March on Washington. The harsh truth was that
there was not enough funding in our treasury to carry on programs unless people
who were elected to positions were willing to make significant financial contributions.
Today, calling across the state or country is part of a flat monthly bill, but
when Tom was in elective office, calling long-distance was expensive. There was
no email, so sharing an important document meant typing it, taking it to a store
that made copies, collating, folding, and putting the document into an envelope
which then needed to be addressed, stamped, and often delivered to a postal box.
Since Tom believed that lack of communication too often translated into the
perception that we were doing nothing, communicate he did, again at significant
cost in time and his own money.</p> <p>When the National Federation of the Blind
helped in the development of the Kurzweil Reading Machine and we decided that
Columbia, Missouri, was the right place to have one, Tom hired a man who had a
track record as a fundraiser. Since there was little to no funding in the treasury,
Tom not only accepted the responsibility for hiring him but also for paying him.
Initially our thought was that we would get back the money we paid when donations
started to flow in. It was our good fortune that the buzz we created about the
machine was so successful that the Ellis Library Alumni Fund purchased one, and
the library agreed to house it. Grateful doesn’t begin to cover the emotion
we felt, but what about the month the fundraiser spent and the costs for his hotel,
meals, travel, and other expenses? We had no money to reimburse our generous
Federationist, but Tom’s laughing response was, “Oh well, that’s
the way it goes sometimes. We have our reading machine.”</p> <p>No tribute
to Tom would be complete without acknowledging the significant work of his wife
Helen. For a long time Helen has been very active, though at first her visible
activity was fairly limited by the raising of their children and making sure that
Tom had the time and energy to be actively involved. She drove countless hours.
She acted not only as Tom’s reader, but she read many other things on tape
that Tom sent to us. His financial sacrifices were also her sacrifices, and to
both we offer our undying gratitude.</p> <p>----------</p> <h2
id="making-meta-accessible-update-on-latest-improvements">Making Meta Accessible:
Update on Latest Improvements</h2> <p><strong>From the Editor: The following
originally appeared on the <em>Voice of the Nation’s Blind,</em> the blog
of the National Federation of the Blind, on January 24, 2025. We believe that it
contains news many Facebook users will be glad to know. Here is the post:</strong></p>
<p>The National Federation of the Blind recognizes that accessible technology is
crucial for blind individuals to live the lives we want. Accessibility barriers
are preventable and unacceptable, hindering our full participation in society.</p>
<p>Therefore, we actively collaborate with technology companies to enhance the
accessibility of their products. Our contributions have significantly improved,
and will continue to improve, the tools used by blind people. In October 2024, we
initiated discussions with Meta regarding accessibility regressions on Facebook.
The most critical concern was the deprecation of the MBasic Facebook site.</p>
<p>Although this version was originally designed for mobile devices with limited
capabilities, its simple, text-based layout made it a viable alternative to the
increasingly inaccessible Facebook desktop site for blind screen reader users.</p>
<p>The MBasic site was discontinued for security reasons, and it seems Meta may
not have fully understood the extent to which blind users depended on it. We are
committed to collaborating with Meta to ensure the main Facebook site becomes
fully accessible to screen reader users. We are encouraged by Meta’s
willingness to work towards this goal.</p> <p>However, there is an urgent need to
restore Facebook accessibility for those who access the platform solely through
desktop or laptop computers. The absence of accessible options, particularly during
the holiday season, has been frustrating and isolating for many.</p> <p>Thanks to
the advocacy efforts of the National Federation of the Blind, Meta has introduced
a URL that forces the current mobile Facebook experience to work on modern
desktop/laptop browsers. Effective immediately, you can visit this URL: <a
href="https://www.facebook.com/?force_mobile=1"><u>https://www.facebook.com/?force_mobile=1</u></a>.</p>
<p>We recommend bookmarking this URL in your browser for a simpler, text-based
Facebook experience. While we appreciate Meta's response to our advocacy and the
introduction of this workaround, we offer the following caveats:</p> <ul>
<li><p>Unfortunately, there is currently no easy way to navigate from one post to
another. We suggest that each Facebook post be identified by a heading or landmark
to improve navigation.</p></li> <li><p>The page scrolls infinitely, so there is
no set number of posts per page.</p></li> <li><p>Since this page is designed for
mobile browsers, there may be other issues our testing has not yet uncovered.</p></li>
</ul> <p>If you have any feedback on the functionality of this work-around, please
send it to Jonathan Mosen, the NFB’s executive director for Accessibility
Excellence, <a href="mailto:jmosen@nfb.org"><u>jmosen@nfb.org</u></a>.</p>
<p>Members have also provided us with feedback about regressions in Facebook for
iOS. The most impactful bug related to difficulty composing posts because what
users typed in the composer was not being seen by VoiceOver. We have assisted Meta
to identify this issue, and we know Facebook users will be pleased that a fix is
rolling out for this.</p> <p>Finally in this round of fixes, Facebook has already
rolled out an efficiency improvement to the timeline. Facebook made a change in
the last year which meant that a user’s profile picture was seen as its
own element by VoiceOver. This meant that each post required two swipes when
navigating. This has now been restored to the previous, more efficient behavior.</p>
<p>There is more to do, and we would have preferred that the deprecation of the
MBasic site had not resulted in such prolonged inconvenience for many blind people.
Nevertheless, Meta has been receptive to our concerns and worked with us in good
faith. Our partnership with Meta is stronger as a result, and we are continuing
to dialog with them on a range of issues, including improvements to the Ray-Ban
Meta smart glasses.</p> <p>If you have concerns you wish to report about any
technology you are using, we encourage you to make your own constructive approaches
with the assistance of our Self-advocacy Toolkit (<a
href="https://nfb.org/programs-services/center-excellence-nonvisual-accessibility/self-advocacy-toolkit-and-tracking-form">https://nfb.org/programs-services/center-excellence-nonvisual-accessibility/self-advocacy-toolkit-and-tracking-form</a>). </p>
<p>You can also alert us to issues you are having, by completing our Inaccessibility
Tracker form (<a
href="https://nfb.org/programs-services/center-excellence-nonvisual-access/inaccessibility-tracker-form">https://nfb.org/programs-services/center-excellence-nonvisual-access/inaccessibility-tracker-form</a>).</p>
<p>We look forward to ongoing dialog with Meta that makes further needed accessibility
improvements.</p> <p>----------</p> <h2
id="building-the-future-shaping-accessible-learning-together">Building the Future:
Shaping Accessible Learning Together</h2> <p><strong>by Kaili Kameoka</strong></p>
<p><strong>From the Editor: Kaili Kameoka is a member of the Honolulu Chapter of
the National Federation of the Blind of Hawaii and the founder of Adaptive Learning
for the Blind. In the true spirit of Federationism, she seeks to work with other
blind people to solve the challenges they face in pursuing STEAM careers. Here is
her story and her request to our readers:</strong></p> <p>From the moment I first
picked up a video game controller, I was captivated—not just by the gameplay
but by the intricate systems behind it. I found myself wondering: how are these
games created? That question sparked a curiosity that ultimately led me to coding.
At the age of fifteen, I began teaching myself how to build simple websites using
online documentation. However, I quickly realized that wading through dense
technical manuals was both time-consuming and tedious. Then I discovered YouTube
tutorials, where coding projects were brought to life in a way that was far more
engaging.</p> <p>Yet, as a blind individual, navigating these resources presented
significant challenges. Many tutorials depended heavily on visual cues, making it
difficult to follow what was happening onscreen. Despite these obstacles, I was
determined to succeed. Through persistence and problem-solving, I gradually mastered
the basics of coding.</p> <p>This commitment to learning followed me through my
academic journey, where I pursued an associate’s degree in computer science
and later a bachelor’s degree in creative media. Many of my creative media
courses relied heavily on video instruction, and professors often supplemented
their lessons with tutorials from YouTube. These resources, while valuable for
sighted students, often left me facing the same challenges I encountered in high
school. Tutorials that were meant to be quick guides frequently took me hours to
process, as I worked to interpret every click, drag, or typed instruction. These
experiences taught me to think critically and adapt, strengthening the skills I
would later use in my career.</p> <p>When I joined the National Federation of the
Blind of Hawaii, I had the privilege of attending a seminar at the NFB Jernigan
Institute, where I was trained to manage the NFB’s unified affiliate website
system. This initiative aims to create a consistent and accessible web presence
for state affiliates. Most of the attendees were not professional developers but
individuals nominated by their state affiliates to represent them in this important
work.</p> <p>The training was led by Rachel Olivero, whose expertise and dedication
left a profound impact on me. Rachel, who was blind, was not only teaching us how
to use the system but had played a key role in its development. She demonstrated
that blind individuals could lead in technology. Her example affirmed my belief
that the skills I was learning could empower not only me, but our entire community.</p>
<p>This realization has shaped my vision for Adaptive Learning for the Blind.
While certain tasks in creative media, such as graphic design, may present unique
challenges for blind individuals, many other skills in technology and creative
media are well within our reach. Whether it is software engineering, IT, cybersecurity,
or social media content planning, the opportunities are vast. Even in creative
media, roles such as scriptwriting, project planning, and strategic development
are highly accessible with the right tools and training.</p> <p>Adaptive Learning
for the Blind is my response to these opportunities. My goal is to create accessible
online courses that empower blind individuals to thrive in technology and creative
media. These courses will be designed to address the specific needs of blind
learners, making subjects such as software engineering, IT, video production, and
game design not only accessible but engaging and inclusive.</p> <p>However, this
effort is not something I can accomplish alone. To ensure these courses truly meet
the needs of our community, I need your input. What topics are you passionate
about? What skills do you wish to develop? What tools and methods work best for
you? Your feedback is essential to creating resources that reflect the aspirations
and diverse needs of blind individuals everywhere.</p> <p>I invite you to complete
my survey and share your thoughts. The survey link is: <a
href="https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfBYhNex-Qk68U_SqdHoa-nw591PMm8Gs2EssGbeR55woxllQ/viewform">https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfBYhNex-Qk68U_SqdHoa-nw591PMm8Gs2EssGbeR55woxllQ/viewform</a>.
Together, we can build a future where blind individuals not only participate in
technology and creative media but lead in these fields. Let us demonstrate, as
Rachel did, that there are no limits to what we can achieve when we have the right
opportunities and support.</p> <p>----------</p> <p>[PHOTO CAPTION: LaShawna
Fant]</p> <h2 id="springing-forward-successfully">Springing Forward Successfully</h2>
<p><strong>by LaShawna Fant</strong></p> <p><strong>From the Editor: Dr. Fant,
our Mississippi affiliate president, has contributed to these pages several times,
usually to introduce us to someone that we should come to know. In this brief
article, she reflects on how the promise of renewal that comes in spring can help
us to renew our hearts, reorganize our minds, and recommit to our movement. Here
are her thoughts:</strong></p> <p>Spring is a season that hatches and hops forward
in the last part of March. During this season, people spring-clean by decluttering
and organizing items in their homes and spaces. Without fail, many time zones
move their clocks forward, which provides more time to enjoy the sunlight in the
evening. Hedgehogs and chipmunks even emerge and play after hibernating
through the winter. Some flowers sprout, like honeysuckle, lavender, gardenias,
and yellow daffodils, displaying their floral patterns across Earth<span
dir="rtl">’</span>s landscape. Buzzing bees become active and attracted to
the sweet nectar found in flowers. The cheerful chirps of birds resound as
they return and sing. During this season, as life awakens and leaps towards
warmer weather, it is fruitful for us to view various areas of our lives to ensure
we are springing forward successfully. I hope you find it helpful to examine the
list of areas below to escort you in blossoming in the next three quarters of this
year:</p> <p>Determination is defined as firmness of purpose. In our movement,
determination is instrumental in staying grounded and maintaining focus.</p>
<p>Integrity encompasses being upright in character and actions. Outfitting
ourselves with integrity aids in always doing what is right no matter who is
watching us.</p> <p>Dedication is planted in our commitment to a task or
purpose. Some link the words zeal, single-mindedness, and wholeheartedness
to this trait. When considering the transformative work that our organization is
achieving, it is highly supportive to remain dedicated to our mission.</p> <p>The
term organization can be neatly placed in compartments labeled for planning,
preparing, arranging, putting in order, and sorting through. These systematic
actions will assist us in strolling into this season with tidy ambitions and
goals.</p> <p>Love is expressed by delighting in and having affection for
something. Possessing a love for our membership, the work we are doing to
assist blind people, and enjoying and having a strong fondness for our cause
provides light to the path of many.</p> <p>Hope is an optimistic state of
mind that is based on an expectation of positive outcomes. This desire is
critical in helping us keep our heads high while looking forward to more equitable
and brighter opportunities for blind individuals.</p> <p>The word together entails
us being in close association and united in goals. As we spring forward
successfully, it is profitable to remain of one accord as we traverse into our
local neighborhoods and advance the lives of our members and all blind people in
the United States.</p> <p>----------</p> <p>[PHOTO CAPTION: Rose Warner wearing
her Orioles gear and holding up a souvenir baseball.]</p> <h2
id="who-says-blind-people-cant-get-foul-balls-three-parks-three-years-three-souvenir-balls">Who
Says Blind People Can’t Get Foul Balls? Three Parks, Three Years, Three
Souvenir Balls</h2> <p><strong>by Rose Warner</strong></p> <p><strong>From the
Editor: As this issue of the <em>Braille Monitor</em> goes to press, pitchers and
catchers are preparing to report for spring training. Although it seems like the
last one only just ended, a new baseball season is upon us, and this prospect
fills many of us with nothing less than joy. One of these joyful fans is Rose
Warner, who is well on her way to visiting every major league ballpark in our
great nation and has one of the best kinds of baseball souvenirs from three of
them. Some wrongly believe that, for blind people, baseball cannot be an interesting
pastime, and the idea of any of us going after foul balls that fly into the stands
may strike some as ridiculous or even dangerous. But armed with our radio headsets,
monoculars, and other aids, many of us do enjoy the game, and we are working to
educate Major League Baseball and other sports leagues on how they can make the
experience even more accessible, and thus more magical, for us. And there’s
no reason we shouldn’t be willing to take the same risks, for the potential
of receiving the same rewards, as other fans. Here’s Rose’s story
of snagging souvenir balls without so much as a scratch:</strong></p> <p>My husband
Kyle and I are on a quest to visit all thirty MLB ballparks. During our quest, we
have received a few free souvenirs along the way.</p> <p>Back on August 21, 2015,
before we officially began our quest, we visited Kyle’s family in Denver,
Colorado. While there, we attended a Rockies night game at Coors Field.
Kyle’s parents treated us to nice seats in the front row of the upper deck
along the first base line. Very early in the game, Yoenis Céspedes, a New
York Mets outfielder, came up to bat with the bases loaded. He took the count
deep, and before I knew it I heard the crack of the bat. Although I didn’t
see it, the ball was coming our way. It was going straight for the people sitting
behind me, who at that very moment were returning from the concession stand
double-fisting beverages. They had no chance. They missed the ball, and it ended
up bouncing on the rail in front of me and right under the seat next to me. I got
it! After the excitement, we looked up and the bases were empty. Had the inning
ended? No. Céspedes had hit a grand slam. We didn’t even notice!</p>
<p>My next “foul ball” didn’t come until August 12, 2023,
when Kyle and I went to see our Baltimore Orioles play in Seattle, making T-Mobile
Park our twenty-fourth ballpark. We splurged on nice seats, a few rows behind the
visiting Os’ dugout. It happened to be a sold-out game that night, and
there were not many Os fans at all. By using my monocular, I noticed that after
the end of the inning, the first base coach for the Os had the ball. I stood up
and tried to make eye contact to express interest in the ball. To my surprise, he
threw it to the empty seat right next to me! It was mine. </p> <p>On Sept.
25, 2024, I attended a Washington Nationals game against the Kansas City Royals
with some of my coworkers. One happened to use a walker, so we had accessible
seats behind home plate—prime foul ball territory. One of my sighted
colleagues said to me and my blind colleague, “If I say duck, I mean
it!” In the fourth inning or so, I went to get a hot dog. When I came back,
my coworker said, “Hey Rose, can I borrow your cane?” I thought that
was a pretty odd request, but trusting my colleague, I said, “Sure!”
She was hanging out behind our seats with two big guys. The next thing I know,
they have my cane sticking straight up in the air poking around an inaccessible
area above our heads that has gates so that pigeons and other birds can’t
get in there. Lo and behold, with the assistance of my cane, a baseball that had
been fouled off earlier came out! My coworker insisted it was hers, and she promptly
gave it to me! The perfect souvenir to an otherwise forgettable Nationals loss,
0-3. </p> <p>As of writing this article, Kyle and I have made it to twenty-eight
ballparks. Just Atlanta and San Diego remain. We hope to finish this year. Who
knows what souvenirs may be in our future! </p> <p>----------</p> <p>[PHOTO
CAPTION: Karen Anderson]</p> <h2 id="nfb-bell-its-not-just-for-the-kids">NFB
BELL®: It’s Not just for the Kids!</h2> <p><strong>by Karen
Anderson</strong></p> <p><strong>From the Editor: Karen Anderson is Education
Programs Coordinator on our national staff, so she knows a thing or two about the
impact of our BELL Academies and our other education programs. In this article,
she talks about an aspect of that impact that she feels is not considered often
enough. Here is what she says:</strong></p> <p>As a kid, I knew summer as a time
to be, well, a little bit lazy. I could sleep in, play outside in the sprinkler
or on my swing set, and eat peanut butter sandwiches for lunch in my clubhouse
above our back yard. As a college student, I understood summers to be a time for
taking a break between semesters, or, if I was really motivated, for taking an
accelerated class to get ahead and maybe graduate that much sooner. Instead I,
and so many other Federationists, chose a different path, and volunteered for
summer youth programs including our NFB BELL® Academy.</p> <p>When we think
about NFB BELL, we often think about the incredible impact it has on blind kids
and their families. This will be the eighteenth summer that BELLs will be ringing
across the country, and every year we have families tell us how much growth they
see in their child over the two weeks of the program. What is less talked about
is the effect that NFB BELL has had on the blind mentors who volunteer.</p> <p>One
NFB BELL volunteer told me that she didn’t know if she could really be a
teacher. She enjoyed being with young kids, but she wasn’t entirely confident
in her own skills to teach or to safely and effectively monitor kids nonvisually.
Because of time she spent in one of our NFB BELL Academies, working with other
confident blind adults, she learned how to monitor where kids were and what they
were doing not only at the usual NFB BELL location but also on field trips out in
the community. This newfound confidence led her to work with blind students as a
paraprofessional.</p> <p>Another one of our mentors talked about the joy she has
found in helping students and families break down misconceptions about Braille.
As someone who was considered low-vision in school, she didn’t have the
opportunity to learn Braille when she was young, and, when she did learn Braille
in high school, she was told that Braille would always be slow and difficult for
her. Working with young students on learning the code has motivated her to practice
her own Braille skills. She has had Braille races with BELL students, and she
celebrates when they beat her even as it encourages her to work just a little
harder herself.</p> <p>There is also a huge amount of power in the fact that NFB
BELL is a program led by blind people. I have the pleasure of traveling to different
NFB BELL Academies across the country, and it is truly a pleasure to watch our
blind coordinators and mentors taking the lead, even when well-meaning sighted
people may want to step in and manage things. Blind leaders are in the kitchen,
cooking meals for students and volunteers. They are cleaning up after various
activities, because kids can sometimes be just a little bit messy. They are creating
and leading lessons, and sometimes making mistakes in front of students, which
helps the NFB BELL participants understand that making mistakes is okay. Of course,
the blind students see the blind mentors in charge and start exploring more
themselves, but our blind mentors also get a boost of confidence from taking the
responsibility and seeing the impact their leadership has on others around them.</p>
<p>Finally, people volunteer for NFB BELL because it’s fun! Our volunteers
have opportunities to experience things that they might not have gotten to do when
they were kids themselves. One NFB BELL Academy last year had a fire truck, police
car, and ambulance come visit their academy so kids could check out each vehicle.
By encouraging students to explore, volunteers got to experience each of the
exhibits themselves. NFB BELL Academies have gone to zoos, science museums, farms,
ice cream shops, and to explore ships. All of these experiences were led by blind
adults who had as much fun as the students.</p> <p>All of the NFB BELL volunteers
I have worked with over the years have said that they spend their time at BELL
because they want to make sure the next generation of blind kids has more
opportunities than they had. They take time off work, or travel to a different
city or even a different state, because they see the change NFB BELL makes for
students. What they don’t expect, and what isn’t talked about, is
the change that happens in the mentors. At the end of two weeks our blind mentors
are walking just a little more confidently themselves and celebrating at the BELL
graduation as hard as any of the families because they see the way they have raised
expectations for the next generation. In my opinion, that’s worth trading
a lazy summer for any day.</p> <p>----------</p> <p>[PHOTO CAPTION: Cole Carper]</p>
<h2 id="learning-leading-and-living-the-life-i-want">Learning, Leading, and Living
the Life I Want</h2> <p><strong>by Cole Carper</strong></p> <p><strong>From the
Editor: If you are one of the hundreds of blind students composing your essay to
complete your National Federation of the Blind scholarship application, the
following might help you to know what kinds of experiences the Scholarship Committee
would like to hear about. Its author, Cole Carper, is a successful scholarship
applicant. Other readers may find this young man’s story edifying as well,
since he shares how he has excelled in areas often thought to be unavailable to
blind people, particularly athletic pursuits. Here is Cole Carper’s story
as told on his scholarship application and originally published as part of the
December 2024 Imagineering Our Future email newsletter sent to members and
supporters:</strong></p> <p>While most people think of being blind as some kind
of tragedy, I don’t always see it that way. My name is Cole Carper, and I
have been legally blind since birth. I attended Arkansas School for the Blind and
Visually Impaired until third grade, when I transferred to public school. After
I learned basic skills, my parents felt it was best that I attend a traditional
school that represented the real world. I now know this was the right move for
me.</p> <p>I’ve always been involved in activities that interest me, such
as mountain biking, snow and waterskiing, competitive swimming, cross-country,
and track. I’ve found that people, if allowed, will limit me more than my
blindness justifies. Pushing the limit is often met with surprise or questions
about how I can do these activities. Sighted people will handicap me if I let
them.</p> <p>Early on, my family worked hard to find a sport in which my sister,
also blind, and I could compete and excel with sighted peers. After discovering
that ball sports were not my strong suit, I tried martial arts and eventually
found my home in the pool.</p> <p>I started swimming in sixth grade. Then, swimming
a single lap of the pool seemed a daunting task. From that point on, I started
swimming almost daily to improve my ability. Through hard work and diligent
practice, I have qualified for the state championship meet in all four years of
high school. I am now best at the fifty-yard freestyle and the five-hundred-yard
freestyle, the shortest and longest races in my high school league. I swim because
I enjoy the competition but also because it allows me to educate people about the
abilities of blind individuals. People are surprised to see the blind guy touch
the wall before those who can see it.</p> <p>This year I have grown my leadership
skills as captain of my high school swimming team. While the team has been relatively
small in the past, it has doubled in size through my constant recruiting efforts.
As captain, I also worked to ensure students did not miss their races, helped
coordinate transportation, and worked with inexperienced swimmers on technique.
I believe my abilities as a blind swimmer and leader motivated my teammates.</p>
<p>I have been a committed member of my church youth group since sixth grade. This
program has allowed me to serve on many mission trips: two to Kentucky, one to
Guatemala, and many around Arkansas. On these trips, I learned how to use drills
and other power tools to build and repair houses, roofs, and wheelchair ramps. In
Guatemala, our team built an entire house from the concrete foundation to the
electrical wiring. In Harlan, Kentucky, my group installed a tin roof for a family
in need. I was able to work on the roof safely, which somewhat concerned my mom
upon my return. For some tasks, like hammering and measuring, I had to adapt the
standard method, and they took me slightly longer to complete—but complete
them I did.</p> <p>I have been on the church youth group leadership team for five
years and am currently the president. The team’s purpose is to plan events,
fundraisers, and volunteer opportunities for students. As president, I’ve
collected information from members for trip planning and decision-making. I’ve
also created announcements for events and recruited students for service projects.</p>
<p>These interactions with sighted people have helped me educate others about what
it means to be legally blind. People are constantly surprised that I can cook, do
handiwork, and even do my schoolwork without assistance. Their surprise is surprising
to me because these skills, or adaptations, have always seemed natural to me.</p>
<p>Through my activities and experiences, I’ve learned the importance of
self-advocacy and independence. My vision to become a successful aerospace engineer
is not limited by my limited vision. I know that I have to work hard and be
well-educated to achieve this goal, which is why I am submitting this scholarship
application.</p> <p>Thank you for considering my application for this award.</p>
<p>----------</p> <h2 id="monitor-miniatures"><em>Monitor</em> Miniatures</h2>
<h3 id="in-brief">In Brief</h3> <p><strong>Notices and information in this section
may be of interest to <em>Monitor</em> readers. We are not responsible for the
accuracy of the information; we have edited only for space and clarity.</strong></p>
<h4 id="listen-to-ideas-that-matter-with-cfis-audio-editions">Listen to Ideas That
Matter with CFI’s Audio Editions</h4> <p>The Center for Inquiry (CFI) has
made its leading publications more accessible than ever by launching audio editions
for <em>Skeptical Inquirer</em> and <em>Free Inquiry</em>. These audio versions
bring the voices of science, reason, and secular humanism to your favorite platforms,
including Apple Podcasts and Spotify.</p> <p>The <em>Skeptical Inquirer</em> Audio
Edition offers compelling investigations into pseudoscience, critical thinking,
and the latest breakthroughs in science. The <em>Free Inquiry</em> Audio Edition
delivers thought-provoking explorations of ethics, secularism, and humanist
perspectives on today’s pressing issues.</p> <p>Each article is also
available as an embedded audio player on the magazines’ websites, ensuring
easy access for everyone. Whether you’re on the go or relaxing at home,
these audio editions provide a convenient way to engage with cutting-edge ideas
and discussions. Stay informed, challenge your thinking, and join the
conversation—listen today! Learn more at centerforinquiry.org.</p> <h4
id="save-the-date-blind-birder-bird-a-thon-2025">Save the Date: Blind Birder
Bird-a-Thon 2025 </h4> <p>The Blind Birder Bird-a-Thon is a twenty-four-hour
birding event designed for participation by birders who are legally blind. This
inaugural event encourages participants to identify as many bird species as possible
by sound (or sight as able), celebrating accessibility and the joy of birding.</p>
<p><strong>Who:</strong> Any legally blind individual in the United States of any
age and any level of experience is welcome to participate.</p> <p><strong>When:</strong>
<strong>Sunday, May 18, 2025<br /> </strong>From 12:01 a.m. to 11:59 p.m. (local
time)</p> <p><strong>Where:</strong> Anywhere you bird! Participants can bird
solo, with a team, or alongside a sighted assistant. Backyard birding, traveling
teams, an outing on a trail, and more are all welcome!</p> <p><strong>Why:</strong>
To foster community, increase participation in birding for people who are legally
blind, and embrace birding by ear—a skill that often makes legally blind
birders exceptionally adept.</p> <p><strong>No experience necessary!</strong>
Whether you're an experienced birder or new to birding, this event is for you.</p>
<p><strong>Highlights:</strong></p> <ul> <li><p>Virtual information session ahead
of the event to help you prepare and meet others!</p></li> <li><p>Prizes for
participants, with a chance to win donated items for anyone who participates.</p></li>
<li><p>Results compilation to showcase the diversity of birds heard across the
country.</p></li> </ul> <p><strong>How to Join:<br /> </strong>Registration is
free! Visit our website at <a
href="https://www.birdability.org/blind-birder-birdathon"><u>https://www.birdability.org/blind-birder-birdathon</u></a>
to sign up and receive updates. More details, including the registration link,
will be available soon.</p> <p>For questions, contact Martha Steele at <a
href="mailto:marthajs@verizon.net">marthajs@verizon.net</a>.</p> <p>Save the date
and get ready to tune into nature this spring!</p> <p>----------</p> <h2
id="nfb-pledge">NFB Pledge</h2> <p>I pledge to participate actively in the efforts
of the National Federation of the Blind to achieve equality, opportunity, and
security for the blind; to support the policies and programs of the Federation;
and to abide by its constitution.</p> </body> </html>