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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link="#0563C1" vlink="#954F72"><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNoSpacing align=center style='text-align:center'><b>Pandemic Has Not Kept Blind Americans in Their Thousands from Meeting in Annual National Convention.<o:p></o:p></b></p><p class=MsoNoSpacing align=center style='text-align:center'><b>Hundreds Across Colorado Join National Federation of the Blind Convention for Motivation, Education, and Connection.<o:p></o:p></b></p><p class=MsoNoSpacing align=center style='text-align:center'><b><o:p> </o:p></b></p><p class=MsoNoSpacing><b>For Immediate Release<o:p></o:p></b></p><p class=MsoNoSpacing><b><o:p> </o:p></b></p><p class=MsoNoSpacing><b>Colorado Springs, Colorado (July 15, 2020):</b> Celebrating 80 years, the National Federation of the Blind was not about to let the COVID-19 stop them from assembling for annual convention. Participating from living rooms, offices, patios, and parks people who are blind or have low vision are using zoom and other platforms to experience new technologies. They are sharing ways to confront new challenges faced by people who are blind during pandemic and beyond. The annual, ever-popular youth tracks for blind students of all ages are at capacity. Programs for parents of blind children, blind entrepreneurs, blind lawyers, blind teachers, and sports and recreation enthusiasts are being met with record attendance. 366 people from Colorado registered prior to the June 15<sup>th</sup> deadline. But hundreds more are joining on multiple platforms from zoom to YouTube, from all over the state. <b>#NFB20</b> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNoSpacing><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNoSpacing>According to Scott LaBarre, a Denver based blind attorney and President of the National Federation of the Blind of Colorado, “we are proud to be one of the strongest affiliates of the Federation. There are new challenges for blind people due to the pandemic. But, in most ways, our collective struggle for equality of opportunity continues. We know that blindness is not the characteristic that defines us or our dreams.” <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNoSpacing><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>On Friday, July 17, Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi will engage in a colloquy with National Federation of the Blind President, Mark Riccobono, following his annual report to the blind of the nation at 11:30 a.m. Mountain Time. <a href="https://www.nfb.org/get-involved/national-convention">https://www.nfb.org/get-involved/national-convention</a>.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNoSpacing><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNoSpacing>The National Federation of the Blind of Colorado has chapters throughout the state. Including the At Large, “Mountains and Plains” chapter which has been meeting virtually, for a long time, to meet the needs of rural Coloradans. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNoSpacing><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNoSpacing>Jessica Beecham, a blind entrepreneur from Colorado Springs, serves as President of the National Federation of the Blind Sports and Recreation Division. She says, “while many blind people enjoy participating in sports and recreation activities, we know that people with disabilities have social and other barriers that keep us from participation. Adaptive sports for blind people are one answer. But we are creating more opportunities for the blind to get up, get out, and move!” Beecham will Chair the Sports and Rec Division meeting on Thursday. Dozens of special interest divisions of interest to Colorado citizens will conduct workshops throughout the week culminating in a virtual banquet at 5:30 Mountain time, Saturday, July 18.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNoSpacing><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNoSpacing># # # #<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNoSpacing><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNoSpacing><b>About the National Federation of the Blind of Colorado<o:p></o:p></b></p><p class=MsoNoSpacing>The National Federation of the Blind of Colorado is the oldest and largest organization of blind Coloradans. 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></p><p class=MsoNoSpacing><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNoSpacing><b>CONTACT<o:p></o:p></b></p><p class=MsoNoSpacing>For information about this initiative please contact<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNoSpacing>Kevan Worley<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNoSpacing>Manager, National Federation of the Blind of Colorado Project Literacy<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNoSpacing><a href="mailto:Kevan@nfbco.org">Kevan@nfbco.org</a><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNoSpacing>303-929-2369<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>At Your Service,<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal>Kevan Worley<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><i>Manager, Project Literacy<o:p></o:p></i></p><p class=MsoNormal>303-929-2369<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><a href="http://www.nfbco.org/"><span style='color:blue'>www.nfbco.org</span></a> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div></body></html>