National Federation of the Blind Presidential Releases - English

Presidential Release #548, April 2025

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

Presidential Release #547, March 2025

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 #546, February 2025

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

Presidential Release #545, January 2025

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

Presidential Release #544, December 2024

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  

Presidential Release #543, November 2024

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

Presidential Release #542, October 2024

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.

Presidential Release #541

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

Presidential Release #540, August 2024

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.

Presidential Release #539, June 2024

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