Presidential Releases

The presidential release is a monthly audio message from President Mark A. Riccobono that highlights the current activities of the National Federation of the Blind. It is shared with every chapter of the organization.

President Riccobono delivers the 500th presidential release from the McGeorge Living RoomThe presidential release is typically available in English, Spanish, and as a text transcript in both languages. You can subscribe to the English and Spanish versions of the presidential release via your podcast client by searching for "National Federation of the Blind."

2021 Live Events

Join President Mark Riccobono each month as he delivers the presidential release of the National Federation of the Blind. Members of the Federation are encouraged to attend and non-members are warmly welcomed. Closed captions will be provided on the Zoom platform, and you may also access the closed captions/transcript through 1CapApp. There are several options to attend the release, and here are the upcoming dates:

  • Presidential Release #504, Monday, April 5, 2021 at 8:00 p.m. ET
  • Presidential Release #505, Sunday, May 3, 2021 at 8:00 p.m. ET
  • Presidential Release #506, Tuesday, June 1, 2021 at 8:00 p.m. ET

More Ways to Access

The scheduled presidential releases are available via Zoom in the event links above, but each month you can also access the live stream in the following ways:

April 2021

President Riccobono delivers the presidential release before a live virtual audience. He provides updates regarding our advocacy efforts, recent letters written to Congress, national convention with a special contest from NFB of Maryland and the door prize team, a Blind Driver Challenge update, and more.

March 2021

President Riccobono delivers the presidential release before a live virtual audience. He provides updates regarding our advocacy efforts, recent letters written to Congress, the Pedestrian Safety Enhancement Act, national convention, Independence Market specials, 2021 NFB BELL Academy In Home Edition, and more.

February 2021

President Riccobono delivers the presidential release before a live virtual audience. He discusses many celebrations to include Black History Month, the Blind Driver Challenge, and the Journal of Blindness Innovation and Research. President Riccobono also provides updates on the NFB Survivor Task Force, RAINN training, Diversity and Inclusion Committee initiatives, Washington Seminar, and more.

January 2021

President Riccobono delivers the presidential release before a live virtual audience. 

December 2020

President Riccobono delivers the presidential release before a live virtual audience. He discusses our education initiatives, independence market, the Smart Cities Summit, other CENA events, and more. The live event included a special conversation and celebration with Dr. Marc Maurer and Mrs. Mary Ellen Jernigan on the history of the presidential releases and the first presidential release by Dr. Kenneth Jernigan. This conversation and Q&A section are available as supplemental audio.

November 2020

President Riccobono delivers the presidential release before a live virtual audience. He discusses our eightieth anniversary, Washington Seminar, voting resources, the Teachers of Tomorrow training program, the Smart Cities Summit, our scholarship program, an update on the PAC plan, and more.

October 2020

President Riccobono presents the presidential release before a live virtual audience. He discusses the importance of voting, this year's Meet the Blind Month with an important gift match campaign with Vispero, an update on the PAC, and more. 

September 2020

President Riccobono presents the presidential release before a live virtual audience. He discusses the importance of voting, our advocacy and legal efforts, the education technology survey, a new theme for this year's Meet the Blind Month, the upcoming virtual seniors' retreat, and more.

August 2020

This month, President Riccobono recaps the 2020 National Convention, welcomes new members, and discusses our August 9 open house. He also looks ahead to the fall, mentions important research around Walmart and unemployment benefits, and provides updates regarding the Dream Makers Circle and our monthly giving program.

June 2020

President Riccobono again presents the presidential release before a live virtual audience. He delivers the NFB's public statement on racial injustice, and discusses the great work being done during COVID-19 as well as preparations for our national convention. The release includes a live Q&A session.

May 2020

President Riccobono again delivers the presidential release before a live virtual audience. He discusses the national convention, advocacy efforts, legal efforts, Global Accessibility Awareness Day, the Braille Monitor, the NFB BELL® Academy, and Giving Tuesday Now—all of which was followed by a live Q&A session. More than 900 people attended. 

April 2020

President Riccobono delivers this month's presidential release before a live online audience for the first time. He discusses COVID-19 resources, advocacy efforts, virtual events, the national convention, and more. More than 800 members and friends listened in and many asked questions in the Q&A portion of the release, which was moderated by NFB's first vice president, Pam Allen. 

March 2020 (2 of 2)

This is a special message from NFB President Mark A. Riccobono regarding the evolving coronavirus situation and public events.

March 2020 (1 of 2)

President Riccobono delivers breaking news from Washington Seminar, announces that registration for the 2020 National Convention is now open, and reminds everyone to complete the Braille Monitor survey. The President also provides updates from our Dream Makers Circle.

February 2020

As we dive into February, President Riccobono reviews the important legislative issues we'll address at this year's Washington Seminar. He also discusses upcoming summer programs, the 2020 National Convention, our Braille Monitor survey, and the PAC program.

January 2020

President Riccobono wishes everyone a Happy New Year and discusses World Braille Day, the 2020 Washington Seminar, the 2020 National Convention in Houston, including important details regarding hotel reservations, and our goals and priorities for 2020. The President also provides updates from our Dream Makers Circle.

Previous Presidential Releases

To listen to previous presidential releases, please visit the presidential release archive.