Braille Monitor

Vol. 68, No. 11                                                                                                December 2025

Convention Bulletin 2026

Running for the Federation: Meet Roger Oberholzer

Double Your Impact: A Matching Gift Challenge to Advance the Lives of Blind People

Fifty Years of Federation Love: The DC Affiliate Honors Gail Snider with the 2025 Presidential Award

by Shawn Callaway

Social Security Disability Insurance and Supplemental Security Income Updates for 2026

by Jesse Shirek

Accessible Independent Check-Out: Blind-Centered Leadership Makes All the Difference

by Jake Konerza, Rick Walstrom, and Steve Decker

Owner of “Blind Guy Boards” Travels to DC on a Mission to Save Services for His Community

by John Hult

A Failure of Access, a Betrayal of Trust: Why Two Blind Students Are Suing West Virginia University

by Gary Wunder

LightHouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired of San Francisco Seeks Its Way through a Storm, but May Hit the Rocks

by Chris Danielsen

iOS 26 and Braille Access: Apple’s Impressive Investment in Braille Literacy

by Jonathan Mosen

Announcing the 2026 NFB Scholarship Program

Monitor Miniatures

Photo and Web List

Issue: [DECEMBER 2025]

Photos:

Roger Oberholzer

Shawn Callaway

Gail Snider

Jesse Shirek

Jake Konerza

Rick Walstrom

Steve Decker

John Hult

Gary Wunder

Chris Danielsen

Jonthan Mosen

Web Links:

www.nfb.org

www.nfbnet.org

Facebook.com/nationalfederationoftheblind

YouTube.com/NationsBlind

www.nfb.org/planned-giving

www.nfb.org/make-gift

https://www.abletoday.org/

www.nfb.org/pac

www.nfb.org/scholarships

nfb.org/donate

https://nfb.org/resources/publications-and-media/braille-monitor/early-access-articles/beacon-over-troubled-waters

https://nfb.org/braille-monitor

Vol. 68, No. 10                                                                       November 2025

Illustration: Ray Kurzweil Honored at his Alma Mater, MIT

Running for the Federation: Meet Ken Duke

Bountiful Expressions of Thanksgiving from the Mississippi Affiliate

Compiled by LaShawna Fant

Back to School Bags for Braille Readers

by Peggy Chong

United States Department of Justice Sues Uber for $125 Million

by Chris Danielsen

Graduating from the Colorado Center for the Blind Means More Than Skills

by Jeremy Smith

National Federation of the Blind Commends House Introduction of Medical Device Nonvisual Accessibility Act

National Federation of the Blind Denounces Devastating Job Cuts Within the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services

When Cuts Become Catastrophe: Defending Braille and Deafblind Education

by Justin Young

Equal Access to Live Theater: Opening New Worlds through Audio Description and Touch Tours

by Cindy Scott-Huisman

Blind-Centered Innovations through JAWS for Windows: Celebrating Thirty Years and a Commitment to Leadership into the Future

by Glen Gordon and Ryan Jones

A Commitment to High Expectations: Leadership through Reflecting the Hopes of Blind People in Education

by Anne Lancaster

Monitor Miniatures

Photo and Web List

Issue: [November 2025]

Photos:

Ken Duke

LaShawna Fant

Peggy Chong

Chris Danielsen

Jeremy Smith

Justin Young

Cindy Scott-Huisman

Glen Gordon

Ryan Jones

Anne Lancaster

Web Links:

www.nfb.org

www.nfbnet.org

Facebook.com/nationalfederationoftheblind

YouTube.com/NationsBlind

www.nfb.org/planned-giving

www.nfb.org/make-gift

www.touchofgeniusprize.org

https://nfb.org/programs-services/advocacy/legislative-priorities/legislative-alerts/reinstate-funding-critical.

freedomscientific.com/insertjclub

Vol. 68, No. 9                                                                October 2025

What is Braille Monitor Early Access?

by Chris Danielsen

Twenty Years of Dr. Edward C. Bell and the Institute on Blindness

by Gary Wunder

Remembering the Why, the Purpose, and the Philosophy: My Journey to Becoming a Structured Discovery Cane Travel Teacher

by Denise Mackenstadt

The New NLS DTB Player: A Compelling Upgrade

by Karl Belanger

“Access On” through Collective Action: Mobilizing Leadership through Blind-Centered Technology Perspectives

by Jonathan Mosen

Collective Action through Financial Technology: Utilizing Disability Wisdom to Build Meaningful Innovations

by John Ciocca

From the NFB Archives: A Story of tenBroek’s Groundbreaking Work in Civil Rights

A Bridge to Myself, a Bridge to Our Dreams

by Melissa Riccobono

Remembering Ruth Miriam Swenson: Advocate, Leader, and Friend

by Gary Wunder

From the President’s Desk

Monitor Miniatures

Photo and Web List

Issue: [OCTOBER 2025]

Photos:

Chris Danielsen

Gary Wunder

Dr. Edward Bell

Denise Mackenstadt

Jonathan Mosen

John Ciocca

Melissa Riccobono

Ruth Miriam Swenson

President Riccobono

Web Links:

www.nfb.org

www.nfbnet.org

Facebook.com/nationalfederationoftheblind

YouTube.com/NationsBlind

www.nfb.org/planned-giving

www.nfb.org/make-gift

www.nfb.org/pac

www.blindpilots.org.

https://nfb.org/images/nfb/publications/bm/bm25/bm2507/bm250707.htm

https://nfb.org/donate.

https://nfb.org/movers,

https://nfb.org/baybridge

Vol. 68, No. 8                                                                         August/September 2025

The #NFB25 Convention Roundup

by Chris Danielsen

2025 Presidential Report

An Address Delivered by Mark A. Riccobono

Employment Events at the 2025 National Convention

by Nikki Jackson

Screen Readers and Street Smarts: How Travel Taught Me Tech

by Brett Boyer

Creativity, Persistence, and Hope: Reclaiming Our Stories through the Organized Blind Movement

An Address Delivered by Mark A. Riccobono

Distinguished Educator of Blind Students Award Presentation

Blind Educator of the Year Award Presentation

The Eighteenth Annual Dr. Jacob Bolotin Awards

Jacobus tenBroek Award Presentation

Kenneth Jernigan Award Presentation

Remarks of the 2025 National Federation of the Blind Scholarship Class

Resolutions Adopted by the 2025 National Convention

Monitor Miniatures

© 2025 by the National Federation of the Blind

Photos:

Chris Danielsen

Mark Riccobono

Nikki Jackson

Brett Boyer

Dan Kelley

Maurice Peret

Lee Martin

Sam Seavey

Mika Baugh

Dr. Casey Roberts

Julie Deden

Glen Gordon

Scholarship Class

Convention photos

Web Links:

www.nfb.org

www.nfbnet.org

Facebook.com/nationalfederationoftheblind

YouTube.com/NationsBlind

www.nfb.org/planned-giving

www.nfb.org/make-gift

https://nfb.org/get-involved/national-convention/first-timers-guide.

www.nfb.org/pac

https://withpurple.com.

https://blindlawyers.net

https://museum.nfb.org

https://nfb.org/ecommerce

https://nfb.org/convention

https://nfb.org/member.

https://nfb.org/presidential-releases

https://nfb.org/committee-interest

https://bookshare.org/nfb

https://nfb.org/get-involved/ways-give

https://nfb.org/movers

https://nfb.org/donate

https://www.nfb.org/get-involved/ways-give/planned-giving

Vol. 68, No. 7                                                                                             July 2025

Taking Back My Life: A Journey from Control to Freedom

by Mary Azatyan-Witmeyer

No Sights Necessary: Firearm Safety and Range Experience

by Christine Faltz Grassman

Dedicated Determination Can Help Create Change

by Cindy Scott-Huisman houseman

Looking Towards Our Future: Making Healthy Aging Accessible

by Rishika Kartik and Christopher Liu lay-o

Social Determinants of Health: A Framework for Communicating with Health Care Professionals and Policy Specialists about the Work of the Organized Blind Movement

by Justin Salisbury

Building a Museum Beyond Expectations: Blueprints for Change

Book Review: Connecting Dots: A Blind Life

Reviewed by Deborah Kendrick

Legislative Update

by Chris Danielsen

Living by Standards: When Blindness Isn’t the Limitation

by Kristopher I. Crawley

Innosearch AI and National Federation of the Blind Announce Strategic Partnership to Advance Digital Accessibility for Blind and Low-Vision Communities

Google and Aira Launch AI Visual Interpreter Pilot Project

by Chris Danielsen

From the President’s Desk

Monitor Miniatures

Photo and Web List

Issue: [JULY 2025]

Photos:

Mary Elizabeth Azatyan-Witmeyer

Christine Faltz Grassman

Rishika Kartik

Christopher Lui

Justin Salisbury

A Blind Life by Joshua Miele (book)

Deborah Kendrick

Chris Danielsen

Kristopher I Crawley

President Riccobono

Museum photos – within article

Web Links:

www.nfb.org

www.nfbnet.org

Facebook.com/nationalfederationoftheblind

YouTube.com/NationsBlind

www.nfb.org/planned-giving

www.nfb.org/make-gift

https://nfb.org/get-involved/national-convention/first-timers-guide.

www.troubledefense.com/blind-and-low-vision-firearms-training.

www.blindmuse.org.

https://www.SaatvaADAsettlement.com.

https://eastendtrialgroup.com.

www.sfl.org;

https://nfb.org/museum.

nfb.org/convention.

nfb.org/publications

Vol. 68, No. 6                                                                                             June 2025

Convention Bulletin 2025

Welcome to New Orleans

A Handful of Blind Little Boys and Girls from Tennessee Just Beat the Speaker of the House

My Kids Knew Their Dad Was Enough

Blind Americans and the End of Paper Benefit Checks: What You Need to Know

A Comparison of the Brailliant BI 40X and Braille eMotion Smart Displays

What Is Your “Of”?

Progress and Peril: Developments in Texas v. Kennedy

My Antarctic Journey

Lead and Drive: Give $25 in ’25

Staying True to Our Mission While Respecting Our Differences

Always Partisan for Blind People

Striking the Technology Balance

A Tribute to Patricia Grebloski: Founding Member of the Keystone Chapter, Philadelphia

Photo and Web List

Issue: [JUNE 2025]

Photos:

James Brown

Bruce Sexton

Jesse Shirek

Karl Belanger

Shannon Cook

Chris Danielsen

Erin Daley

Gary Wunder

Melissa Riccobono

Mark Riccobono

Jeff Altman

Patricia Grebloski 

Lisa Bryant

Web Links:

www.nfb.org

www.nfbnet.org

Facebook.com/nationalfederationoftheblind

YouTube.com/NationsBlind

www.nfb.org/planned-giving

www.nfb.org/make-gift

https://nfb.org/get-involved/national-convention/first-timers-guide.

https://www.airportshuttleneworleans.com.

https://www.norta.com/ride-with-us/know-before-you-go/transit-accessibility/paratransit-service or call 504-248-3900

Vol. 68, No. 5                                                                                                                                                     May 2025

                Contents

Convention Bulletin 2025

New on the Agenda: The United States Access Board will be at National Convention

From Fear to Empowerment: Moms’ Stories of Raising Blind Children

by Z’Leah N. Liburd

Crossing the Bay Bridge

by Cassie McKinney

A Mother of Faith and Strength: Interview with Mississippi's Linda Lankston Clay

by LaShawna Fant

Beyond the Chatbot: Innovations in the Fast-Changing World of AI

by Jonathan Mosen

Blindness in Current Political Discourse: Stemming a Toxic Tide

by Chris Danielsen

From the President’s Desk

National Federation of the Blind and Blind Students Sue West Virginia University for Discrimination

Resolution Reminders

by Donald Porterfield

Lawsuit Alleges that New York Courts Systemically Discriminate Against Blind Jurors in Grand Jury System

Disability Advocates Sue Social Security Administration and DOGE to Stop Unlawful Cuts to Social Security Services

Monitor Miniatures

Photo and Web List

Issue: [MAY 2025]

Photos:

Z’Leah N. Liburd

Cassie McKinney

LaShawna Fant

Linda Lankston Clay

Jonathan Mosen

Chris Danielsen

Mark Riccobono

Donald Porterfield

2 photos came with bay bridge article- in need of captions

Web Links:

www.nfb.org

www.nfbnet.org

Facebook.com/nationalfederationoftheblind

YouTube.com/NationsBlind

www.nfb.org/planned-giving

www.nfb.org/make-gift

https://nfb.org/get-involved/national-convention/first-timers-guide.

https://www.access-board.gov,

https://www.bookshare.org/

https://www.stepupforstudents.org/for-parents/scholarship-details/unique-abilities/

https://www.fsdbk12.org/cane-quest

https://dbs.fldoe.org/?utm_source=chatgpt.com

https://www.fsdbk12.org/https://www.fsdbk12.org/braille-challenge

https://hadley.edu

https://lighthouseblv.org/?utm_source=chatgpt.com

https://www.maxiaids.com/?utm_source=chatgpt.com

https://www.loc.gov/nls/

https://lighthouseblv.org/

https://notebooklm.google.com

https://browngold.com/

https://www.drofwv.org/

nopbc.org

Vol. 68, No. 4                                                                                             April 2025

Convention Bulletin 2025

A Correction and a Legislative Update

by Chris Danielsen

The Lawsuit That Could Kill Section 504

by Chris Danielsen

National Federation of the Blind Comments on Reduction in Force at Department of Education, Office of Civil Rights

The Role of the Department of Education in Specialized Teacher Training and Beyond

by Amy Parker

Louis Braille: More Anniversaries Ahead

by Philippa Campsie

The Power of Audio Description

by Corey Grandstaff

From No Blind Life to Rockin’ the Blind Life

by Charles Tate

The Courtesy Rules of Blindness

Blind Enough

by Renée Valdez

Raising Expectations for the Blind of the World

by Nicholas Hoekstra

Blindness Beyond Borders

by Abdi Ali-Mumin moo a min

How Do We Make Real and Lasting Changes for the Blind: A Discussion That Needs Your Input

by Gary Wunder

The Intersection of Law and Love

An Address Delivered by Marc Maurer

iCanConnect Helps Bridge the Communication Gap for Individuals with Combined Vision and Hearing Loss

by Perkins School for the Blind

NFB Kids Camp: Tons of Fun!

by Harriet Go

Photo and Web List

Issue: [APRIL 2025]

Photos:

Convention hotel images

Chris Danielsen

Amy Parker

Philippa Campsie

Corey Grandstaff

Charles Tate

Renee Valdez

Nicholas Hoekstra

Abdi Ali-Mumin

Gary Wunder

 Marc Maurer

Perkins School for the Blind

Harriet Go

Web Links:

www.nfb.org

www.nfbnet.org

Facebook.com/nationalfederationoftheblind

YouTube.com/NationsBlind

www.nfb.org/planned-giving

www.nfb.org/make-gift

https://www.icanconnect.org.

https://www.youtube.com/@iCanConnectCampaign

https://nfb.org/get-involved/national-convention/first-timers-guide

https://dredf.org/protect-504

https://doi.org/10.1177/0888406412444455

https://dsq-sds.org/index.php/dsq/article/view/7499/5947

https://nfb.org/images/nfb/publications/braille/thefirstpublicationofthebraillecode.html

https://nfb.org/sites/nfb.org/files/images/nfb/publications/bm/bm03/bm0309/bm030906.htm

https://nfb.org/programs-services/meet-blind-month/courtesy-rules-blindness.

iCanConnect.org

https://nfb.org/nfb-camp-registration-formform.

https://doi.org/10.1177/0888406412444455

Vol. 68, No. 3                                                                                             March 2025

Convention Bulletin

The 2025 Washington Seminar: New President, New Congress, New Approach

by Chris Danielsen

The Significance of Washington Seminar 2025

by Mark Riccobono

Legislative Agenda of Blind Americans: Priorities for the 119th Congress, First Session

Laws and Funding the Blind Depend On

Websites and Software Applications Accessibility Act

Medical Device Nonvisual Accessibility Act

Blind Americans Return to Work Act

Additional Legislative Concerns of Blind Americans for the 119th Congress

A Report from Washington Seminar by the South Carolina Delegation

by Janice Bright

Leading Disability Organizations: President Trump’s Blame of Deadly Plane Crash on Disabled Federal Workers Is Baseless, Irresponsible

The Why and How of Service Animal Self-ID in Rideshare

by Al Elia

A Tribute to Tom Stevens: A Leader and a Friend

by Gary Wunder

Making Meta Accessible: Update on Latest Improvements

Building the Future: Shaping Accessible Learning Together

by Kaili Kameoka

Springing Forward Successfully

by LaShawna Fant

Who Says Blind People Can’t Get Foul Balls? Three Parks, Three Years, Three Souvenir Balls

by Rose Warner

NFB BELL®: It’s Not just for the Kids!

by Karen Anderson

Learning, Leading, and Living the Life I Want

by Cole Carper

Monitor Miniatures

Photo and Web List

Issue: [MARCH 2025]

Photos:

Chris Danielsen

Washington Seminar photos

Mark Riccobono

Al Elia

Gary Wunder

Tom Stevens

Kaili Kameoka

Dr. LaShawna Fant

Rose Warner

Cole Carper

Web Links:

www.nfb.org

www.nfbnet.org

Facebook.com/nationalfederationoftheblind

YouTube.com/NationsBlind

www.nfb.org/planned-giving

www.nfb.org/make-gift

https://nfb.org/get-involved/national-convention/first-timers-guide

https://nfb.org/cena.

https://nfb.org/bolotin

https://nfb.org/donate.

https://www.pewresearch.org/internet/fact-sheet/internet-broadband/

https://www.disabilitystatistics.org/acs/1

https://www.siteimprove.com/blog/a-complete-overview-of-canadas-accessibility-laws/

https://www.levelaccess.com/compliance-overview/european-accessibility-act-eaa/#:~:text=The%20European%20Accessibility%20Act%20(EAA,accessible%20to%20people%20with%20disabilities.

https://connectedmed.com/resources/post-pandemic-telehealth-utilization-settles-in-at-20-or-less-of-medical-appointments/

https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2018/12/12/how-far-americans-live-from-the-closest-hospital-differs-by-community-type/

https://www.japha.org/article/S1544-3191(22)00233-3/fulltext

https://ncd.gov/progressreport/2016/progress-report-october-2016

https://www.facebook.com/?force_mobile=1

https://nfb.org/programs-services/center-excellence-nonvisual-accessibility/self-advocacy-toolkit-and-tracking-form

https://nfb.org/programs-services/center-excellence-nonvisual-access/inaccessibility-tracker-form

bit.ly/3DR5ucT.

https://www.birdability.org/blind-birder-birdathon

Footnotes:

  Pew Research Center. “Internet, Broadband Fact Sheet.” November 13, 2024. https://www.pewresearch.org/internet/fact-sheet/internet-broadband/

  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.” https://www.disabilitystatistics.org/acs/1

  Siteimprove. “A complete overview of Canada’s Accessibility Laws.” August 2, 2024. https://www.siteimprove.com/blog/a-complete-overview-of-canadas-accessibility-laws/

  Level Access. “European Accessibility Act (EAA).” https://www.levelaccess.com/compliance-overview/european-accessibility-act-eaa/#:~:text=The%20European%20Accessibility%20Act%20(EAA,accessible%20to%20people%20with%20disabilities.

  See Center for Connected Medicine, Telehealth utilization settles in at 20% or less of medical appointments, available at https://connectedmed.com/resources/post-pandemic-telehealth-utilization-settles-in-at-20-or-less-of-medical-appointments/

  See Pew Research Center, How far Americans live from the closest hospital differs by community type, available at https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2018/12/12/how-far-americans-live-from-the-closest-hospital-differs-by-community-type/

  See Journal of the American Pharmacists Association, Access to community pharmacies: A nationwide geographic information systems cross-sectional analysis available at https://www.japha.org/article/S1544-3191(22)00233-3/fulltext

  See National Council on Disabilities, National Disability Policy Progress Report: Technology that enables access to the full opportunities of citizenship under the Constitution is a right at 19 (October 7, 2016), available at https://ncd.gov/progressreport/2016/progress-report-october-2016

  42 U.S.C. Sec. 423.

  Commitment to Serve, A presentation given at the 2018 NIB/NAEPB Training Conference and Expo.

  Ibid.

Vol. 68, No. 2                                                                                   February 2025

Convention Bulletin 2025

A Brief Report of the Meeting of the National Federation of the Blind Board of Directors Held December 6 and 7, 2024

Blind Merchants Lift Off in Nashville

Bullish on BLAST and the Blind

We Dare to Be Remarkable

Evolving Principles, Practices, and Philosophy

Evolving Principles, Practices, and Philosophy at the Rehabilitation Services Administration

Innovate to Elevate: Fostering Excellence in Rehabilitation Services for Blind Youth

Shaping Twenty-First Century Rehabilitation Systems: Leadership, Partnership, and High Expectations

We Need Your Help

Why Every Blind Postsecondary Student Should Apply for an NFB Scholarship

The 2025 Distinguished Educator of Blind Students Award

The 2025 Blind Educator of the Year Award

Monitor Miniatures

Photo and Web List

Issue: [FEBRUARY 2025]

Photos:

Gary Wunder

Terry C. Smith

James Gashel

Anil Lewis

Mark Riccobono

Dante Allen

Carlos Servan

Anil Lewis

Cassondra Williams-Stokes

Stephen Wooderson

Cayte Mendez

Carla McQuillan

Robin House

Web Links:

www.nfb.org

www.nfbnet.org

Facebook.com/nationalfederationoftheblind

YouTube.com/NationsBlind

www.nfb.org/planned-giving

www.nfb.org/make-gift

www.nfb.org/convention

www.nfb.org/scholarships.

www.hiohare.com

https://nfb.org/get-involved/national-convention/first-timers-guide.

https://nfb.org/convention

https://nfb.org/images/nfb/documents/pdf/distinguished-educator-of-blind-students-award-form-fillable.pdf

https://nabslink.org/civicrm/event/info?id=5&reset=1

nfb.org/brand