NABS Notes – March 2025
“Love recognizes no barriers. It jumps hurdles, leaps fences, penetrates walls to arrive at its destination full of hope.” — Maya Angelou
Welcome to the March edition of our NABS Notes! As we step into a season of renewal and momentum, we're excited to bring you another edition filled with the latest updates. Whether you're embracing new beginnings, gearing up for exciting challenges, or simply enjoying the transition into spring, we hope this month fuels your passion and drive. March is a time of growth, perseverance, and fresh opportunities—let’s make the most of it together!
We’re eager to share what’s been happening within our student movement, and there’s so much more ahead. If you have any questions as you read through, don’t hesitate to reach out to the respective committee chair or anyone from NABS leadership—we’re always here to connect with you.
In this edition you will find:
- A message from the First Vice President
- Letter from NFB President Mark A. Riccobono
- Committee Changes
- Committee Updates
- Washington Seminar Recap
- State Division Spotlights
- NFB Scholarship Resources
A Message from the First Vice President
Dear National Association of Blind Students,
March is here, and with it, a renewed sense of energy and purpose! Our Washington Seminar was a powerful reminder of what we can accomplish together. From thought-provoking Winter Seminar sessions to the smash success that was our energetic auction and thrilling raffle, every moment was made possible because of you —our passionate, engaged, and unstoppable NABS family!
But as we celebrate these victories, we must also recognize that our advocacy doesn’t stop on Capitol Hill. Right now, a major fight for disability rights is unfolding in Texas v. Becerra, where several states are challenging the protections of Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act. This law is foundational to ensuring blind students have equal access to education, and the outcome of this case could impact all of us.
Our voices matter now more than ever. Stay tuned to our channels, as we’ll be sharing ways you can take action—whether it’s reaching out to legislators, amplifying our message, or staying informed on key developments. Together, we will continue to push forward, ensuring that blind students are heard, valued, and empowered.
So let’s keep this momentum going! Get involved, stay engaged, and never stop advocating for the future we deserve. I can’t wait to see all that we accomplish next!
With determination,
Manahil Jafri
Letter from the NFB President
Dear Federation Members,
A number of you have asked about the below matter. The National Federation of the Blind is deeply concerned about the Texas v. Becerra case that has been brought by seventeen states’ attorney generals. These seventeen states (Alaska, Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, South Carolina, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, and West Virginia) have sued the federal government regarding updated rules which add “gender dysphoria” to the federal definition of “disability” under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act.
As a result, these states have charged that this addition to the regulations renders Section 504 unconstitutional. As a reminder, Section 504 requires that entities which receive federal funding, like schools and hospitals, cannot discriminate on the basis of disability.
Fortunately, we are not alone in our concerns. Other organizations, such as the National Disability Rights Network, the National Council on Independent Living, the American Association of People with Disabilities, the Disability Rights Education and Defense Fund, and many, many more have also voiced their displeasure with this lawsuit.
You can help in this cause! If you live in one of the states listed above, you can contact your state’s attorney general and/or the Governor and ask that the state drop the lawsuit. Be sure to tell them who you are and why Section 504 is important to you so they can fully understand the gravity of the situation. Remind them that Section 504 protects blind and other disabled people from discrimination by entities that receive federal funds. We are carefully monitoring this situation and will keep everyone advised of any new developments.
Sincerely,
Mark A. Riccobono, President
Committee Changes
After the Washington Seminar, President Lauren Altman and First Vice President Manahil Jafri reorganized the committee members to offer individuals new experiences and opportunities. This restructuring aims to help committee members grow, develop existing skills, and acquire new ones. The Advocacy Committee is chaired by Kaleigh Brendle, with co-chairs Avah Orellana, Osoluchukwu Ozo-, Lucas Grease, and Sergio Arvizu Arguelles. The Content Committee is led by Chair Noah Carver, with co-chairs Amina Orzueva, James Yesel, Lindsay Adair, and Ben Grelk. The Fundraising Committee is chaired by Zachary Ledford, with co-chairs Akliesia Teshome, Majed Alhuwayri, Svetlana Ehlers, and Ammar Tarin. Finally, the Membership Committee is headed by Chair Talia Woodard, with co-chairs Nikhil Dadlani, Christopher Suplice, Kunyeul Lee, and Casey Rayes.
Committee Updates
The four committees have been hard at work by planning various events, keeping the community informed, raising money, and helping students across the nation.
Advocacy Committee
In January, we held our Washington Seminar prep call, where participants gave brief speeches about various issues before engaging in a mock meeting with space for questions. During Washington Seminar, we had the annual NABS Winter Seminar, which focused on the theme of Empowerment Through Resources. Topics covered included structure discovery training, living with multiple disabilities, and legislative advocacy within the Federation.
Our February DARE call took place on Sunday, February 23, at 8 PM Eastern. This call centered on advocacy in relation to rideshare services like Uber and Lyft for guide dog users. Students learned how to advocate in real-time with drivers and afterwards. The session featured insights from an attorney specializing in this area, as well as an Uber driver who explained the contractual obligations drivers must adhere to.
If you have any questions or suggestions, please reach out to Kaleigh Brendle, chair of the Advocacy Committee at kaleighbrendle@gmail.com
Content Creation Committee
The NABS Content Creation Committee has been hard at work developing new and exciting podcasts, videos, and content for you. In February, we released an episode entitled “Love Is Blind – a Guide to Embracing Relationships” in which cohosts Noah Carver and Selene Monjaraz discuss the dynamics of relationships with two couples, one blind and one sighted/blind. We would like to especially shout out our newest editor Patrick Wilson, along with Naudia Graham and Manahil Jafri, for their work in making this episode a reality. As always, subscribe to the NABS NOW Podcast to be the first to know when we drop new episodes. Thanks for listening!
Our video and social media subcommittee has also been hard at work. If scrolling the Gram is your guilty pleasure (no judgment here), you may have noticed much more activity on the NABS Insta account where we’re releasing posts, videos, and stories promoting NABS events as well as introducing you to committees and their work. We’ve appreciated your likes, comments, and shares—please keep it up so we can spread our message and events to interested students. Also, stay tuned for some videos highlighting students making a difference in the recently concluded Washington Seminar. If you don’t have Instagram, no problem: our content is also posted to TikTok, and YouTube Shorts. Also, we’re now posting recordings of many of our in-person and virtual events to our YouTube channel. Recent uploads include our 2025 NABS Winter Seminar, a webinar presented jointly by NABS and the NFB’s Science and Engineering Division entitled “How The Blind Can Do STEM,” and the January 2025 NABS Town Hall.
we at the Content Creation Committee love the work that we do, but we can’t do it without you. We’ve already begun production (or are preparing to do so) on several podcast episodes suggested by members—yours could be next. Or maybe you have new ideas for videos or want to put your writing, video and audio editing, or logistical skills to use spreading our message? Please reach out to Noah Carver, Chair of the Content Creation Committee, via email at noah.t.carver@outlook.com. Or, if you’re feeling adventurous, you can drop a message in the Content Creation Committee WhatsApp group, which you can join as part of the NABS WhatsApp community. Either way, we’d love to hear from you, and we greatly appreciate your help and support.
Fundraising Committee
The NABS Fundraising Committee is continuing their work to help support NABS and its members by raising funds! In conjunction with our amazing Auction Committee, we recently held a successful Auction during the 2025 NFB Washington Seminar. Thank you to all that participated in some way such as through donations or bidding on items! While in Washington D.C., we also had our 50/50 raffle and that was just as exciting!
Interested in helping us fund by participating in one of our fundraisers? Don’t worry! We are going to be having some more fundraising opportunities, especially ones that some may be familiar with from previous years that coincides with the NFB National Convention, so be on the lookout for more information as it becomes available!
Please reach out to Zachary Ledford, chair of the Fundraising Committee at ledford.zachary38@gmail.com with any questions.
Membership Committee
The Membership Committee would like to remind all students that membership resets at the beginning of each year. Please fill out this form and send in the $5 dues through Zel at nabs.president@gmail.com , PayPal @NabsPayments or through the website.
Additionally, we have connected interested mentees with mentors based on similar interests and career plans. These mentors will provide students with advice, introduce them to the various sectors within the NFB, and serve as role models.
We are also looking forward to hosting game nights and other virtual social events throughout the month.
Please reach out to Talia Woodard, committee chair at taliawoodard17@gmail.com.
Washington Seminar Recap
Washington Seminar 2025 marked a first-time experience for many, including attendees who were new to both Washington, D.C. and a NABS seminar. Washington Seminar is a time for blind individuals to go to the capitol and talk to lawmakers about the three priorities that the NFB chooses that year. You can find more information about the priorities here. Upon arrival in D.C., attendees were able to independently navigate the public transit system, gaining confidence in the process.
Throughout the seminar, participants had the chance to learn from diverse presentations and panel discussions. One of the key highlights was the "Multiply Disabled" panel, where insights were shared about how individuals with blindness and additional disabilities live productive and independent lives. This panel, provided valuable lessons on engaging with panelists and tailoring questions for the audience’s understanding.
The employment panel offered firsthand accounts from individuals with disabilities working both on and off college campuses. A surprising revelation was the experience of a blind individual working as a Resident Assistant, prompting curiosity about how such a role is carried out. The resource round also provided useful information on various programs, from internships and job opportunities to training centers and technology demonstrations, including an opportunity for students to test a Monarch device.
The mock legislative meeting served as a unique opportunity for attendees to practice their advocacy skills, delivering their pitches in a formal setting that helped refine their communication with lawmakers.
The next three days involved students working in teams with individuals in their states to effectively talk to lawmakers about the four priorities.
Tuesday night was the annual congressional reception where attendees were able to engage with lawmakers and their staff members in a less formal environment. One of the speakers was the first legally blind Congresswoman Lateefa Simon from the state of California. She shared her experiences of growing up as a legally blind individual and promising the blind community that she will do anything she can to help.
Overall, Washington Seminar 2025 proved to be an enriching experience, offering new skills, invaluable networking opportunities, and a platform to engage in meaningful dialogue about Issues facing blind residents with their local lawmakers.
State Division Spotlight
We are incredibly proud of all of our student divisions across the country doing phenomenal things inside and outside of the student movement. For this edition, we would like to highlight Utah Association of Blind Students.
In January, they hosted a discussion on Braille and its importance in fostering independence and accessibility. The event brought together a large group of individuals and sparked meaningful conversations about literacy, and inclusion in the community.
Their next event will focus on the importance of networking inside and outside of the classroom and workplace.
Additionally, they are preparing for the state convention which will take place in May.
NFB Scholarship Resources
The 2024-2025 scholarship application is now open and will close on March 31, 2025, at midnight Eastern. To be eligible, applicants must be legally blind in both eyes and reside in the U.S.’s 50 states, the District of Columbia, or Puerto Rico. Applicants must also be 18 years of age by July 8, 2025, and must be pursuing or planning to pursue full-time post-secondary studies at a U.S. institution in the fall of 2025. Beginning in 2025, part-time students may be eligible if they meet all other requirements. Applicants must also commit to participating in person in the entire NFB National Convention and all scholarship program activities.
The National Federation of the Blind awards over $250,000 annually in scholarships, thanks to generous partners, with thirty $8,000 merit-based scholarships available. These scholarships recognize academic excellence, community service, and leadership. Finalists are announced in spring, and winners are selected during the NFB National Convention in July. Scholarship recipients have gone on to succeed in careers in fields such as computer science, engineering, law, and diplomacy. Check out the FAQ page for more information.
The National Scholarship committee will be hosting a webinar focusing on how to submit a strong application and answer any questions. Please keep an eye out on our various channels for further details.
The Dos and Don’ts while applying by Logan Stenzel
Hey NABS Nation,
It’s Logan Stenzel, a member of the 2020 National Federation of the Blind Scholarship class, coming at you today with two do’s and one don’t when applying for your 2025 NFB scholarship.
First, DO have a compelling story about why the scholarship committee should pick you. The committee has to sift through a tremendous number of applications each year to select a winner, so make sure yours stands out. Think of a unique, interesting, and impressive aspect of your life that you can share. They literally want to give money away—so tell them a story that makes it easy for them to choose you.
Second, DO put your best foot forward. As I mentioned, the committee reviews tons of applications, so make sure yours is as polished as possible. Thoroughly edit and revise your application before submitting it. I’d also recommend having one or two people you trust provide feedback—a fresh perspective can be really helpful.
Third, DON’T come off as overly entitled or act like you’re the greatest thing since sliced bread just because you did thing X and happen to be blind. The NFB and the scholarship class are filled with incredible blind people. We’re always looking for more awesome individuals, but keep your audience in mind!
And one more bonus DO and DON’T:
✅ DO make sure you complete every piece of your application.
❌ DON’T wait until the very last minute. Your best and most thoughtful work is never rushed. Plus, scheduling an affiliate interview can take time!
Closing and contact info
This concludes March’s edition of NABS Notes. If you have any questions, concerns, or suggestions for future editions, please reach out to Amina Orzueva at aminaorzueva@gmail.com.