National Federation of the Blind

State Convention | National Federation of the Blind of Illinois The National Federation of the Blind of Illinois State Convention is the largest gathering of blind people in the state. It is the premier event for training, support, and information for the blind community. It also serves as a governing body, democratically electing our leadership and establishing...

National Federation of the Blind of Florida 54th Annual State Convention | National Federation of the Blind of Florida The National Federation of the Blind of Florida State Convention is the largest gathering of blind people in the State of Florida. It is the premier event for training, support, and information for the blind community. It also serves as a governing body, democratically electing our leadership and es...

Meet Justin and Ryan. They are members of the National Federation of the Blind of Oregon who have been instrumental in voter education and public policy. Justin and Ryan have created voter accessibility workshops that teach blind Oregonians how to vote independently. The workshops also encourage blind people to become active voters who exercise their right to vote, participate in every election cycle, and push legislation that is important to the community.

To learn more about their story and advocacy work, read our latest blog:

Getting out the Vote in Oregon | National Federation of the Blind Over the years, the National Federation of the Blind of Oregon has pursued a mix of legislative priorities in the stat

Tune in for our latest episode of the Nations Blind Podcast where we cover your questions and concerns about voting as a blind person. We’re featuring experts who provide resources and information about accessible ballots, the Help America Vote Act (HAVA), voting advocacy efforts and more.

Listen to this episode on our website:

Nation's Blind Podcast | National Federation of the Blind The Nation's Blind Podcast highlights different themes related to blindness, independent living, and news from the National Federation of the Blind.

Today is National Voter Registration Day, a nonpartisan civic holiday dedicated to celebrating democracy by registering Americans all over the country to vote. Since its beginning in 2012, National Voter Registration Day and its partners have registered over five million Americans. Are you registered to vote? Comment below.

Join us to protest rideshare discrimination against blind people using guide dogs and white canes. Uber and Lyft have not met their obligations to ensure that blind individuals are not discriminated against. So, we are organizing a rally in San Francisco on October 15 from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Pacific Time. Uber and Lyft have not upheld the requirements to maintain a Zero Tolerance Policy for violators, reduce the burden imposed on blind passengers to report denials when they happen, and deliver better driver education on the policy and laws regarding blind passengers, especially guide dog users.

The discrimination must end. If you are interested in attending the demonstration, please complete the Rideshare Rally Interest Form: https://buff.ly/3zpc1K7

Fall is a great season to try tasty recipes like pumpkin spice and apple pie. As we prepare for Autumn and Blind Equality Achievement Month in October, we reflect on the recipe for success as a blind person.

What is one ingredient to living the life you want? Comment below.

President Riccobono will speak at the United Blind Leaders forum tomorrow, September 12, at 7:00 p.m. Melbourne time. He will discuss the international relevance of the campaign for inclusive leadership in organizations that serve the blind community.

To learn more or register, visit https://buff.ly/4d0hu7N

A settlement agreement with the California Department of Insurance (CDI) and PSI Services LLC (PSI) will ensure access for blind insurance license applicants who use screen reader software. In August, three blind individuals and the National Federation of the Blind reached a settlement that resolves claims that both CDI and PSI failed to ensure the accessibility of CDI’s insurance agent licensing examinations for blind applicants who use screen reading software to non-visually access text.

Under the settlement agreement, among other things, CDI agreed to no longer require blind or low-vision test-takers who use screen access software to first provide medical documentation. Individuals will be able to self-certify their need for the technology based on blindness or low vision, and PSI will ensure its online testing technology is independently usable by blind and low-vision users in accordance with Americans with Disabilities Act accessibility and communication regulations.

We’re acknowledging Disability Voting Rights Week, a nonpartisan movement that advocates for accessible voting, encourages voter registration and emphasizes the importance and right for disabled people to vote. Are you registered to vote? Learn more about blind voter resources at nfb.org/vote

The National Federation of the Blind is excited to announce that we have engaged Jonathan Mosen to help advance our strategic priorities in technology, accessibility, and communications to build further capacity within the organized blind movement. Jonathan Mosen has been a well-known and trusted voice in the blind community for over a quarter of a century—his most recent work includes the Living Blindfully podcast, which won the Dr. Jacob Bolotin Award this year at the National Convention. Along with podcasting and commercial radio experience, Jonathan has held various positions including CEO, thought leader, advocate, government relations professional, author, information technology consultant, and more.

We commend and thank Mr. Mosen for the significant contributions to the global blind community. Indeed, it is this stellar work on Living Blindfully and throughout his career that makes Mosen an ideal fit for our mission.

“Jonathan Mosen is one of the everyday blind people who has demonstrated an extraordinary commitment to living the life he wants while making the world better for all blind people,” President Riccobono said.

“Having the opportunity to work with the organized blind movement feels like coming home,” Jonathan shared. “For decades, the Federation has provided me with solidarity and solace. Now, it is my honor to participate in its important work.”

We are excited to welcome the Caravan for Disability Freedom and Justice to our headquarters next week. The Caravan is a collective of disabled people, and our allies, driving across America this year, visiting several cities including many that are important to our history. If you are in the neighborhood, please plan to visit the caravan at the NFB Jernigan Institute between 11:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. ET. We are also offering two public tours of the NFB Jernigan Institute at 11:30 and 1:30. Please RSVP and sign up for one of the tours. https://buff.ly/3Mn9aV0

The 2024 Paralympics will be from August 28 to September 8 with over 4,400 Paralympic athletes from around the world. Which sports are you going to be following? Comment below.

Edit: the September Presidential Release will be Tuesday, September 3, at 8:00 p.m. eastern.

Mark your calendars for our next presidential release. It will be streamed live on YouTube and on Zoom. Closed captions and Spanish will be provided on Zoom. President Riccobono will discuss recent developments and legislative alerts, important dates and upcoming events, and news from the Federation family.

What questions do you have? Comment below and the President will answer questions during the release.

Upcoming Event: Advanced PDF Tagging Techniques: Forms. Inaccessible documents are a huge issue for screen reader users, especially when they are fillable PDFs. Join us and the Maryland Department of Disabilities on Tuesday, August 27, from 2:00 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. eastern to learn how to create accessible PDF forms. Register today for the August 27 Advanced PDF Tagging for Forms Boutique:

Accessibility Boutique Registration | National Federation of the Blind Please complete the following form to register to attend one or more of our upcoming accessibility boutiques and seminars.

Join Us for an Inspiring Evening of Blind Archery

On Tuesday, August 20th at 6 PM Eastern, the National Federation of the Blind of South Carolina Sports and Rec Division invites you to a special Zoom event featuring Janice Walth, a Paralympic blind archer with 20 years of experience!

Janice has competed in six world championships, winning gold, silver, and bronze medals, and has held world records in her category. She’s a shining example of perseverance and skill, showing the world that blindness is no barrier to success. Outside of archery, Janice is also on the board of directors for Society for the Blind in Sacramento and participates in a service group called Sisters of the White Cane.

Join us to hear Janice share her incredible journey in archery, how she shoots as a person who is blind, and her achievements as a world-class athlete.

Date: Tuesday, August 20th
Time: 6 PM Eastern
Zoom Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/8648789090?pwd=TkZqZDZKOERvNzJsOUZIcWo3aGExdz09
Zoom Call-in Number: +1 (929) 205-6099,,8648789090 #

Check out this short video featuring Janice at the World Championships in the Czech Republic: https://www.facebook.com/reel/6396800200411684

Don’t miss this opportunity to be inspired by Janice’s story and learn more! In this image, Janice Walth, a competitive blind archer, is at full draw with her bow during a world championship competition. She is standing on a grassy field, focused on her target, with a tripod acting as her guide. Wearing a red and blue uniform, sunglasses, and black sneakers, Janice exemplifies concentration and determination in the sport. The backdrop includes tents and other archers, highlighting the competitive atmosphere. Janice’s poised stance and specialized equipment showcase her skill and the precision required for blind archery.

Join us for the next Where the Blind Work Webinar on Thursday, August 22, at 8:00 p.m., Eastern via Zoom. We will feature blind professionals who are finding success in the world of remote work. Moderated by National Employment Committee Co-chair Lia Stone, this event will highlight how blind people are working to achieve their employment aspirations every day. Register for Zoom details: https://buff.ly/3KYZo9a

In our next episode of the Nation's Blind Podcast, we will discuss voting. What questions or concerns do you have about voting this year? Comment below and we will address questions on the podcast.

The extended deadline to register is today.

National Association of Blind Students 2024 Mid-Atlantic Seminar | National Association of Blind Students | National Federation of the Blind Welcome to the registration form for the Maryland Association of Blind Students in conjunction with the National Association of Blind Students 2024 Mid-Atlantic Student Seminar: Who Am I?, Who Are You?, Who Are We?”, taking place August 16, 2024, 5:00 p.m.- August 18, 2024, 12:00 p.m. This semin....

The disruption to our phone system has now been resolved. We apologize for any inconvenience. Thank you for your patience and understanding.

We are currently experiencing a disruption with our phone system for internal and external calls. Please know we are working to resolve the issue as quickly as possible. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause. Thank you for your patience. You can still reach us via email. Our contact us page shares email addresses that may be helpful:

Contact Us | National Federation of the Blind The National Federation of the Blind consists of affiliates, chapters, and divisions in all fifty states, Washington,

Braille calendars available!

Every year, the American Action Fund for Blind Children and Adults provides, free of charge, more than 10,000 Braille calendars to blind and deafblind people throughout the United States.

Request your 2025 Braille calendars here. 

http://actionfund.org/resources/braille-calendars

Congratulations, Kinshuk!

We have many great dishes that come out our Home Management classes. Today, Kinshuk completed his final project in the class - the large group meal. After planning, shopping for, and preparing the dishes, he set them out on the kitchen island to be served buffet style. He served butter chicken (with a tofu version), rice, bread pudding, and mango lassi. In the photo, Kinshuk is standing at the island with his dishes laid out and ready to serve.

We’re pleased to announce Living Blindfully as a winner of our seventeenth annual Dr. Bolotin Awards presented at . Jonathan Mosen is the host of the Living Blindfully podcast that provides information to help blind people live their best lives.

“This is incredibly special, so thank you so much to the Bolotin committee and the National Federation of the Blind in general for this award,” Jonathan said. “Media usually ignores us and when it doesn’t, we often wish it did because it frequently underestimates us and misrepresents us…So, Living Blindfully seeks to give you an oasis from all of that…Remember that when you’re out there with your guide dog, you’ve harnessed success and with your cane, you’re able.”

Congratulations to all of the Dr. Bolotin Award winners! Read more about the Dr. Bolotin Awards Program on our website: https://buff.ly/3Wi6UTj

Join us in celebrating Handid Braille Services for being selected as a winner of the Dr. Jacob Bolotin Award presented at . Don Winiecki is the founder of Handid Braille Services, which provides Braille documents in multiple languages, including many (such as Arabic and Japanese) that do not use the Latin alphabet.

“Learning to read these languages has changed my life,” Don said. “The knowledge that I’m producing materials enabling independence is transformational…It is immeasurably more meaningful to me that the National Federation of the Blind recognizes this and ratifies what I do with the Bolotin award. There is no collection of individuals more able to assess the value of what I do than you, my federation family.”

Congratulations to all of the Dr. Bolotin Award winners! Learn more about the Dr. Bolotin Awards Program on our website: https://buff.ly/3Wi6UTj

We are honored to have been invited by The White House Office of Public Engagement to attend The White House Disability Pride Month Convening yesterday afternoon. President Riccobono joined senior disabled Biden-Harris Administration leaders and advocates to discuss the 34th Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act ( ), disability pride, and our shared mission to promote independence and ensure that blind people and all other disabled people are given the opportunities and respect that we deserve so we can live the lives we want.

Watch the full White House Disability Pride Month Convening on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-lk-FFV1r2E

We are excited to announce Donna Posont as a winner of the Dr. Jacob Bolotin Award presented at . Donna is the founder of an innovative program at the Environmental Interpretive Center at the University of Michigan-Dearborn that helps blind people of all ages learn about birding and explore nature.

“I wanted to learn about nature, so that I could share it with others who are blind,” Donna said. “It wasn’t so much about me anymore. I wanted to make it accessible to other blind people because through working at camps and so forth, I realized that they had been often denied the opportunity to learn about the birds and the trees and the insects and the frogs and I wanted to change that. So, during that time I started a program called “Birding by Ear and Beyond” where we learned to identify birds by their sound…It’s not about the birds, it’s about sharing with blind people and helping them gain the confidence they need to travel the trails of life.”

Congratulations to all of the Dr. Bolotin Award winners! Read more about the Dr. Bolotin Awards Program on our website: https://buff.ly/3Wi6UTj