NABS Notes - April 2026
“Let the word go out from this place and this moment that the torch has been passed to a new generation… a generation committed to the belief that all men are capable of independence and self-direction… of walking alone and marching together.” - Dr. Kenneth Jernigan (National Convention Speech from 1968)
Leadership isn’t something we wait for, it’s something we step into. We don’t need to have everything figured out before we begin; we just need the willingness to move forward, to take initiative, and to bring others along with us.
That idea continues to shape who we are in the National Association of Blind Students. Leadership here isn’t about titles or standing at the front of the room, it’s about showing up, trying something new, supporting one another, and helping move our organization forward together.
Welcome to the April edition of NABS Notes! The official newsletter of the National Association of Blind students. This edition includes tantalizing tidbits of leadership in action. As you read, you’ll find exciting updates from our committees. We’re also excited to highlight the incredible work of the California Association of Blind Students, and we will conclude with a NABsters favorite, the resource of the month.
Allow me to remind you of the first phrase of the NFB pledge, “I pledge to participate actively in the efforts of the National Federation of the Blind…”. As you read, I encourage you to think about the role you play in shaping the future of our movement.
In this edition you will find:
- A message from NABS Board Member Lizzie Myner
- Student Division Spotlight
- Committee Updates
- Resource of the month: NFB National Scholarship
A Message from NABS Board Member Lizzie Myner
Hello NABS Family, and happy April,
This is a time of year full of renewed hope and optimism. The flowers are blooming, birds are singing, and we all wait with anxious anticipation for what comes next. By now, we have finished our scholarship, internship, and summer job applications and are eagerly awaiting a response. This feeling can often place a damper on the otherwise sunny season of life; however, I am here to remind you all to never give up hope, that sometimes you must ride through uncertainty to reach your next best victory.
If you know me, you know that history is never far from my mind, and as April 2026 marks an in-between moment between two massive anniversaries in our history, March 1776 saw the end of the siege of Boston. In July 1776, the Declaration of Independence was adopted. Like now, that April was full of uncertainties, what would happen next, where would the next challenge come from, and would something better be waiting around the corner?
We know how our founding story unfolded, marked by highs and lows. However, we do not know how our stories will unfold, and while I wish I could give you all the answers here, I sadly cannot. What I can do, however, is tell you that it will work out as it is meant to, that this time of questions and doubts is a normal part of the journey, and that you will achieve the victory you seek as long as you stay dedicated to the journey, committed to the effort. Nothing worth doing is done easily; nothing worth achieving comes without a degree of work. In this season of renewal and rebirth, dedicate yourself to that journey. Look towards your support team: NABS is here to help you along the way, as is the Federation as a whole and countless others in your corner are looking to see you thrive.
So, as we all come out of winter shelters and feel the warm sunshine of something brighter on the horizon, I encourage you to take a deep breath and march ahead with purpose and conviction, make the journey with it, and know that every high, low, and uncertainty along the way is there to make that final victory all the more special.
With warmth and support,
Lizzy Miner
National Association of Blind Students Board Member and Membership Committee Chair.
Student Division Highlight: California Association of Blind student
In March, we went through elections and now have a brand new board, so it’s been a lot of transition and getting everyone settled into their roles. We also wrapped up our See’s Candies fundraiser and it went really well, which was super exciting. It’s been nice bringing in new people, ideas, and perspectives.
For April, we’re looking forward to building momentum with the new board, and we have our committee call planned, so we’re excited to start getting more organized and keep members involved and engaged.
Committee Updates!
Membership Committee
The Membership Committee had a successful March and is looking forward to a successful rest of the year. We hosted our annual National Federation of the Blind Student Scholarship call, where Scholarship Chairperson Cayte Mendez answered participants' questions about the application process, what to look out for when applying, and other useful and encouraging tips. During this call, we also heard from past scholarship finalist Zachary Ledford, who answered additional questions about the process, the common need to apply multiple times, and the best places to turn for information.
March additionally saw the launch of the NABS Book Club! The first meeting will be held on Sunday, April 19th, at 8:00 PM EST, and we will be reading Andy Weir's 2021 novel Project Hail Mary, available on platforms such as BookShare, BARD, and Audible. There is still time to join us for the meeting; reach out in the NFBook Club group on NABS WhatsApp or contact NABS directly.
Though the date is still to be determined, likely during the week in late April, Membership will be hosting a call centered on what it means to be a member and what that looks like, whether it is a member of NABS, an affiliate, or the NFB as a whole, and how to get involved. Learn why some of your fellow Federationist are members and how to keep the momentum and leadership skills you created in NABS going once you leave.
May will see a game night with a history-themed Jeopardy; think Federation History, general history, and Revolutionary War History, as Membership does its part to mark the 250th! It is sure to be a fun night of games and trivia, a way to relax after final exams.
That is all from Membership. Please feel free to join us on any call, and never hesitate to get involved! Thank you.
Advocacy Committee
Hello hello and happy spring officially! The Advocacy Committee has been hard at work planning calls and discussing how we can lead by advocating. We held a successful DARE call on 3/29 where we had four guests from different states explain how they advocated for policy change on the local level.
Coming up in April, we have a DARE Call which Interpersonal will be leading about the importance of traveling and how to do it effectively if you are blind or have low vision. So please join us if you are attending a convention or are going on vacation at some point soon. We are also working on a chance for NABS Nation to hear from folks who are educated on the Texas v Kennedy lawsuit. Part of how we lead is through educating ourselves on policies, acting professionally around others and gaining new skills or ideas through each other. We have also reengaged our What’s App channel with weekly discussions related to advocacy. Feel free to chime in and ask your own question anytime! We believe that part of leadership is being able to listen to our community in an active way.
Thank you for reading - I hope the flowers are blooming around you as you read this and keep up the good fight advocating!
Fundraising Committee
The fundraising committee has been diligently working to raise funds to support our students! We successfully wrapped up our 2026 auction at the Washington seminar in January. We did not pause and jumped right into planning fun and engaging fundraisers for the spring semester. We will be having a double good fundraiser from April 2nd to April 6th! So please share the word with family and friends during the holiday season and support the National Association of blind students! We are also hard at work planning our finances 101 call that will take place on April 26th at 8:00 p.m. Eastern. Join us to hear from some amazing panelists who can offer advice and information on various Financial related topics. Some topics that could be covered include credit/credit history, what is ssi/ssdi, what is enable account? How to save as a student. And so much more! Stay tuned in and we hope you can give back to our community by supporting our fundraisers!
Content Creation Committee
Hello NABS!
By now, the flowers have bloomed, and spring has officially sprung!
Thank you to everyone who welcomed the return of NABS Notes last month. This is an immense undertaking, and it would not be possible without the dedication of our content Committee co-chairs, the thoughtful contributions from all NABS committees, and the continued support from each of you reading.
The Content Committee has been hard at work bringing the most exciting updates from all corners of NABS straight to your inboxes, social media feeds, emails, and WhatsApp.
The Midwest Student Seminar was a smashing success! We loved hearing how the weekend encouraged you to present yourself with confidence and step into leadership. If you were not able to attend, be sure to check out our social media, where we captured and shared them.
On March 22, we released an enlightening podcast episode highlighting families who have taken the leap into parenthood. It offers thoughtful insight into what leadership can look like within the home. Find it on your favorite podcast platform, and give it a listen.
Looking ahead, we are excited to continue sharing upcoming calls, fundraisers, and podcasts across NABS.
As always, if there is something you would like to see more of, or if you are interested in getting involved and helping NABS continue to shine, please reach out at noorkhraisat06@gmail.com.
Stay connected with us:
Resource of the month: Team See Possibilities Scholars Program
The Team See Possibilities Scholars program supports 20-30 blind and low visions college students who strive for leadership, and they foster personal and professional growth through three key revenues:
Leadership Development: Skill building workshops and real-life leadership roles through our student leadership council.
Mentorship: Guidance, career insight, and connections from experienced blind and sighted professionals across industries.
Scholarships: Awards up to $5,000 that reduce financial burdens and allow students to focus on growth and achievement.
Community: A peer-led environment where students connect, support each other, and build lifelong networks.