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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link="#467886" vlink="#96607D" style='word-wrap:break-word'><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Dear friends and colleagues, <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>More details will be coming soon. But we need to make plans now to attend our National Federation of the Blind of Colorado, NFBCO, day at the capital. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>This year's arrangements will be somewhat different than past years. For many years it has almost become tradition that we meet early the morning of our NFBCO day at the capital in the old supreme court chambers. This will not be possible this year. This year our members and supporters will be meeting with members of the general assembly at their offices at the capital and the state representatives and senators whose offices are in the building across the street from the capital beginning midday and early afternoon Monday February 12. Please spread the word and encourage our members and friends to come and help us promote the 2024 legislative agenda of Colorado's blind citizens. This year there will be 2 briefing sessions over Zoom prior to the big day. There will be a Zoom session on Thursday evening February 8<sup>th</sup> and Sunday, February 11<sup>th</sup>. Times to be determined. We will be asking folks who wish to attend our day at the capital to register in advance. This will allow us to be more efficient in our work. There will be teams assigned to visit general assembly member offices. Each team will have 2 team leaders. More information about legislative packet distribution, team assignments, and registration coming soon. In the meantime, please spread the word and plan to attend at least one of the Zoom briefing sessions and the day at the capital. Our day at the capital is also a great opportunity for us to invite blind youth interested in civics, teachers, and families. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>This year's important legislative work is powered by our members. That means each and every one of us. Our legislative agenda is inspired by and informed by our people and policies. We are in the process of drafting our fact sheets and legislative language. This year's legislative steering committee is made up of Dan Burke, Curtis Chong, Erin Daley, Nate Hecker, and Kevan Worley. Feel free to contact any of us with questions and input. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>We will be educating the legislature and their staff about 4 issues of significant importance to the blind of Colorado. <o:p></o:p></p><ol style='margin-top:0in' start=1 type=1><li class=MsoListParagraph style='margin-left:0in;mso-list:l1 level1 lfo3'>We wish to discuss the potential mismanagement of and the shortfall in funding for the SSP program that serves our deaf-blind and senior deaf-blind populations. <o:p></o:p></li><li class=MsoListParagraph style='margin-left:0in;mso-list:l1 level1 lfo3'>It is important that we discuss and promote our NFB Newsline/Project Literacy program to members of the general assembly. We will be asking the members of the general assembly for a grant from the general fund to fund these valuable services. <o:p></o:p></li><li class=MsoListParagraph style='margin-left:0in;mso-list:l1 level1 lfo3'>We have begun working on an act that will bring accessible prescription label information to a pharmacy near you. <o:p></o:p></li><li class=MsoListParagraph style='margin-left:0in;mso-list:l1 level1 lfo3'>We will be talking to the general assembly members about how we can best establish a legislative study committee to investigate and suggest actions to end the blatant and unacceptable discrimination by rideshare drivers who consistently refuse to accept customers with guide dogs. <o:p></o:p></li></ol><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>We will also be urging members of the general assembly to visit our extraordinary Colorado Center for the Blind. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Please stay tuned for more information. Promote this at your chapter meetings. Join us for one of our Zoom briefings. Plan to register for the day at the capital when information is released and by all means, join us midday on Monday, February 12 for a meaningful and fun day at your state capital. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>At your service, <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Kevan Worley<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>303-929-2369<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Manager Project Literacy, National Federation of the Blind of Colorado<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>The National Federation of the Blind is a community of members and friends who believe in the hopes and dreams of the nation’s blind. Every day we work together to help blind people live the lives they want.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Colorado Center for the Blind believes when you believe in yourself and experience a thriving community of positive blind people, nothing can hold you back from pursuing your dreams.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div></body></html>