National Federation of the Blind Presidential Releases - English

President Mark Riccobono presents the National Federation of the Blind Presidential Release #561. He highlights the significance of the upcoming national convention in Austin, Texas. He emphasizes the importance of members’ engagement in shaping local and national policy, regardless of whether they attend the convention in person. He also announces the spring fundraising drive, which offers contri...

President Mark Riccobono presents the National Federation of the Blind (NFB) Presidential Release #560. He shares the announcement of the US Department of Justice’s interim final rule delaying the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Title II web accessibility rule, which requires and enforces accessibility standards for state and local government websites and mobile applications. He explains the...

President Mark Riccobono presents the National Federation of the Blind (NFB) Presidential Release #559. He shares an update on the upcoming national convention. He discusses the NFB’s involvement in shaping Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act and its impact on people with disabilities. He also emphasizes the importance of preserving the history of the organized blind movement and encourages chap...

President Mark Riccobono presents the National Federation of the Blind Presidential Release #558. He encourages all to attend the national convention in Austin, Texas, and emphasizes the importance of membership in setting the organization’s priorities and policies. He also announces a survey that will be distributed to new members to gather feedback on the onboarding process. He provides legislat...

President Mark Riccobono presents the National Federation of the Blind Presidential Release #557. He recaps our week of advocacy at the NFB Washington Seminar and shares highlights from his trip to the World Blind Union meeting, underscoring the Federation’s influence among blind organizations worldwide. He also includes his opening remarks from the Great Gathering-In, emphasizing the importance o...

President Mark Riccobono presents the National Federation of the Blind (NFB) Presidential Release #556. He reminds members to pay their annual dues and browse their member profile to access exclusive member benefits. He outlines the 2026 legislative priorities and emphasizes the importance of advocating for legislation that improves the lives of blind Americans. He also encourages engagement with...

President Mark Riccobono presents the National Federation of the Blind (NFB) Presidential Release #555. He champions the accomplishments the organized blind movement made this year through our collective action, advocacy, and commitment to raising expectations for blind people. He encourages members to share their ideas about how we can strengthen the movement and shape our priorities for 2026. He...

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...

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 a...

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...

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 peo...

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 A...

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 nati...

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...

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....

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....

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   Barb...

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. Pres...

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 Boo...

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 Paraly...

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...

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...

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 i...

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 a...