President Mark Riccobono presents the National Federation of the Blind (NFB) Presidential Release #554. He highlights the upcoming eighty-fifth anniversary of the NFB’s founding on November 16 and emphasizes the importance of understanding history to help shape the future of the movement. He encourages members and chapters to listen to the new podcast, Walking Alone and Marching Together, to spark conversation about how our collective action can continue to advance equality, affirm self-expression, and raise expectations for the blind. He concludes with Federation family news and his customary closing remarks.

October 2025   President Mark Riccobono presents the National Federation of the Blind (NFB) Presidential Release #553. He welcomes us to Blind Equality Achievement Month and encourages chapters and divisions to participate in the Coast-to-Coast Movement Challenge, either on-site or virtually, to support the NFB. He also announces the introduction of the Medical Device Nonvisual Accessibility Act and the CONNECT for Health Act in Congress. He concludes with Federation family news and his customary closing remarks.   Important link: nfb.org/movers

President Mark Riccobono presents the National Federation of the Blind (NFB) Presidential Release #552. He emphasizes continued advocacy as Congress reconvenes and informs members about upcoming legislative updates. He announces several events, including Blind Equality Achievement Month, the NFB Virtual Career Fair, and the NFB Coast-to-Coast Movement Challenge. He details his involvement with the World Blind Union and highlights the importance of collaboration with international blind movements. He concludes with Federation family news and customary closing remarks.   Important links: Nfb.org/movers Nfb.org/employment

President Mark Riccobono presents the National Federation of the Blind (NFB) Presidential Release #551. He celebrates another successful NFB National Convention and encourages everyone to revisit highlights through NFB publications. President Riccobono reminds chapters to start preparing for Blind Equality Achievement Month in October. He highlights legislation that advances the lives of blind people and urges advocates to maintain their efforts on these initiatives. He concludes with Federation family news, customary closing remarks, and a trailer for the new podcast coming this Fall, Walking Alone and Marching Together.

President Mark Riccobono presents the National Federation of the Blind Presidential Release #550. He encourages all to register for the 2025 National Convention by June 1. He notes that on-site and virtual registration options will still be available. President Riccobono emphasizes the importance of continued advocacy work, specifically mentioning the recent introduction of the Access Technology Affordability Act and the Websites and Software Applications Accessibility Act. He also discusses the partnership with Innosearch AI and its accessibility benefits for blind people. He concludes with Federation family news and customary closing remarks.   Important Links: Nfb.org/convention

President Mark Riccobono presents the National Federation of the Blind Presidential Release #549. He encourages all to register for the NFB National Convention, taking place from July 8–13 in New Orleans, Louisiana. Virtual attendance options are available for those who can't attend in person. The deadline to register is May 30.   He emphasizes the importance of chapter-level input in shaping national policies, specifically through the resolution process. He also announces the spring fundraising drive, which offers contributors of $25 or more a chance to win prizes.   He concludes with Federation family news and customary closing remarks.   Important links: nfb.org/convention

President Mark Riccobono presents the National Federation of the Blind Presidential Release #548. He discusses our recent advocacy efforts on several issues, including promoting the Access Technology Affordability Act, opposing the Texas v. Kennedy lawsuit which threatens protections under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, protecting programs for people with disabilities within the Department of Education, and much more. He continues to encourage ongoing advocacy and political engagement.   He concludes with Federation family news and customary closing remarks.   Important Links: nfb.org/advocacy

This is National Federation of the Blind Presidential Release #547 with Mark A. Riccobono, President. President Riccobono announces the launch of NFBRN (National Federation of the Blind Radio Network), providing members with 24/7 access to Federation content. He encourages members to attend the 2025 National Convention in New Orleans to participate in setting the organization’s policies and goals. Finally, he emphasizes the importance of collective action, diversity, and inclusion in addressing threats to civil rights protections for the blind.

Presidential Release February 2025 President Mark Riccobono presents presidential release #546. He discusses the legislative priorities of the organized blind movement—specifically the Websites and Software Applications Accessibility Act, Medical Device Nonvisual Accessibility Act, and Blind Americans Return to Work Act. President Riccobono also shares Federation family news and customary endings.    References: Washington Seminar: https://nfb.org/washington-seminar 2024 Washington Seminar Round Up https://nfb.org//images/nfb/publications/bm/bm24/bm2403/bm240302.htm

President Mark Riccobono presents presidential release #545. He celebrates the new year and World Braille Day. President Riccobono discusses membership for the year and strengthening our financial position of the organized blind movement. He also shares reference articles and customary endings.   References: Jeannie Massay: https://nfb.org/images/nfb/publications/bm/bm19/bm1904/bm190403.htm   Barbara Pierce’s article about becoming a member: https://nfb.org/images/nfb/publications/bm/bm19/bm1904/bm190404.htm   Stephanie Cascone’s article on members who both dive in and hang back and how we are all making a difference: https://nfb.org/images/nfb/publications/bm/bm19/bm1904/bm190406.htm   A blog post by Cayte Mendez about how scholarships are more than the money: https://nfb.org/blog/so-much-more-money-scholarship-story

This is the National Federation of the Blind Presidential Release #544 with Mark Riccobono. President Riccobono delivers a message of gratitude and unity. He emphasizes the importance of being blind-centered and blind-led. He also highlights the significance of the upcoming year, calling on members to set goals and work together to make 2025 the best year yet for the organized blind movement. President Riccobono concludes by expressing gratitude for the dedication to our community and requests for Chapters to offer time this month for members to share reflections about the people and moments we are thankful for in our movement.   Important links: Blind Courtesy by Marc Maurer HTML: https://nfb.org//images/nfb/publications/bm/bm24/bm2404/bm240410.htm Blind Courtesy by Marc Maurer MP3: https://nfb.org/images/nfb/audio/braille_monitor/2024/apr/12_blind_courtesy.mp3 Washington Seminar: https://nfb.org/washington-seminar National Convention: https://nfb.org/convention  

This is the National Federation of the Blind Presidential Release #543 with Mark Riccobono. President Riccobono celebrates the Federation Anniversary, shares how our stories are one of the most powerful tools we have, and highlights a Kernel Book story. For your chapter meeting, share this release and discuss the questions and topics that President Riccobono presents.   Important Links: Kernel Books: https://nfb.org/resources/jacobus-tenbroek-library/collections/kernel-books

This is the National Federation of the Blind Presidential Release #542 with Mark Riccobono. President Riccobono welcomes us to Blind Equality Achievement Month. He shares perspective on our commitments as members. For your chapter meeting, share this release and discuss the principles President Riccobono mentions so that we can continue to fulfill these commitments together.

President Mark Riccobono presents presidential release number #541. He discusses entering the season of change, season of action, season of building. He shares information on voting, the upcoming Rideshare Rally, and AbilityOne. President Riccobono announces the upcoming Bay Bridge Run led by our National Organization of Parents of Blind Children. He wraps up with celebrating the Paris 2024 Paralympics, Federation family news, and customary endings.   Important link: https://nfb.org/vote

President Mark Riccobono presents presidential release number #540. He reflects on the 2024 National Convention, the Americans with Disabilities Act anniversary, and the announcement regarding Blind Barbie. He discusses updates regarding the Blind Americans Return to Work Act, Monarch funding, and NFB-NEWSLINE. President Riccobono shares information about Blind Equality Achievement Month and blind voter registration drives. He wraps up with Federation family news and customary endings.

President Mark Riccobono presents presidential release #539. He shares the National Federation of the Blind belief statement and welcomes the first IEP Advocacy Academy cohort to the Jernigan Institute. He discusses Pride Month and the work we are doing to make the 2024 National Convention welcoming and inclusive for all members. He introduces us to Equality Florida and announces the NFB24 Social Offset Campaign. President Riccobono reminds us of the many volunteer opportunities and the Dream Big: Give $25 Drive. Lastly, he shares congratulations to our tremendous work to pass H.R. 3935, the legislation that reauthorized the Federal Aviation Administration for the next five years.   Important links: https://nfb.org/convention https://nfb.org/give25 https://nfb.org/bell

President Mark Riccobono presents presidential release #538. He shares more updates about the 2024 National Convention, including important information about our overflow hotels, the need for members to volunteer as ambassadors, how and when to submit resolutions, and the national convention career fair. All members are encouraged to exercise their legal right to vote privately and independently in primary elections and in the general election in November, and to report to the Department of Justice and the national office if they are unable to do so. President Riccobono also shares information about our “Dream Big: Give $25 Drive” and the chance for those who contribute to win a Monarch (a Braille and tactile graphic display), a new official and accessible Rubik’s Cube (developed in partnership with the Federation), and more. He wraps up with Federation family news and customary endings. Important links:nfb.org/convention Voting.section@usdoj.gov resolutions@nfb.org https://nfb.org/get-involved/national-convention/give-25

President Mark Riccobono presents presidential release #537. He shares more updates about the 2024 National Convention including the Service Support Provider volunteers, the annual Book Fair, and NAGDU opportunity. President Riccobono discusses employers illegally require driver’s licenses in job applications when driving is not an essential function of the job and how we can combat that, and he announces Teachers of Tomorrow program, Self-Advocacy Toolkit and Tracking Form for Nonvisual Accessibility, the 2025 Washington Seminar, and more. President Riccobono also shares Federation Family news and customary endings.   Important links:nfb.org/conventionbookfair@actionfund.org https://nagdu.org/sponsorshipNFB.org/CENA

President Mark Riccobono presents presidential release #536 on Leap Day with the 94th Leadership Seminar at the Jernigan Institute. He shares reminders about the scholarship applications and the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion calendar for planning Federation events. President Riccobono discusses the importance of national convention and announces the convention theme, registration, first timer opportunities, the ambassador program, and the convention ally network. President Riccobono also shares Federation Family news and customary endings.

President Mark Riccobono presents presidential release #535, recorded in the NFB studio. He gives us a recap on the Great Gathering-In and congressional reception, the anniversary of the Jernigan Institute groundbreaking, and a request for members to share their stories. He discusses our publications, the Federation’s award programs, and more. President Riccobono also shares Federation Family news and customary endings.