<html xmlns:v="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:vml" xmlns:o="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" xmlns:w="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:word" xmlns:m="http://schemas.microsoft.com/office/2004/12/omml" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/TR/REC-html40"><head><meta http-equiv=Content-Type content="text/html; charset=us-ascii"><meta name=Generator content="Microsoft Word 14 (filtered medium)"><style><!--
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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link=blue vlink=purple><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:18.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'>Hello </span><span style='font-size:18.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>NFBO,<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:18.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'>This alert concerns the Service Animal bill that </span><span style='font-size:18.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>we brought to our Columbus Seminar in May. It has now become HB 30<span style='color:#1F497D'>3</span> that Representative <span style='color:#1F497D'>Scott Lipps</span> and Representative <span style='color:#1F497D'>Brigid Kelly</span> are sponsoring. The bill h<span style='color:#1F497D'>as been dropped in the House Economic Development, Commerce, and Labor</span> committee. The initial sponsor testimony has been done. This bill is already being co-sponsored by Rep<span style='color:#1F497D'>resentatives Ingram, LaTourette, Smith, Dean, Brenner, Lepore-Hagan, Kent, Boggs, Sweeney, Miller, Schaffer, Holmes, Carfagna, Fedor and Dever.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:18.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>Now, here is where we all need to get back involved. Proponent testimony will be next to come before the committee and they will want to hear from us. <span style='color:#1F497D'>Are you a guide dog user or are passionate about the rights of guide dog users? Are you a trainer of a guide dog or are passionate about the rights of trainers of guide dogs? Have you ever been asked to leave a public establishment because of your guide dog? Have you ever been witness to a person trying to pass off their pet as a guide dog? How did that make you feel? Do you believe that the Ohio Code should be compliant to the ADA in regards to service animals? </span>Please email me off list at <a href="mailto:sheri.albers87@gmail.com">sheri.albers87@gmail.com</a>.<span style='color:#1F497D'><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:18.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>The schedule for committee testimony is unfortunately on a weekly basis, so I do not know when we will be needed to appear. As soon as I have a date, however, I will let you know. Thank you and, as always, let’s go build the Federation!<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:18.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:18.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>Best Regards,<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:18.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>Sheri Albers, Vice President<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:18.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>National Federation of the Blind of Ohio<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:18.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>513.886.8697<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:18.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'><a href="mailto:Sheri.albers87@gmail.com">Sheri.albers87@gmail.com</a><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:18.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:18.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>The National Federation of the Blind knows that blindness is not the characteristic that defines you or your future. Every day we raise the expectations of blind people, because low expectations create obstacles between blind people and our dreams. You can live the life you want; blindness is not what holds you back.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div></body></html>