<div dir="ltr"><div>Greetings all -</div><div><br></div><div>Yes, we'll meet at the Capitol this tuesday at 11:00 in the Old State Library. This is on the second floor near the elevators, so we'll have a marshal or two out there to guide folks in. We'll go over our issues, break up into groups and set out to meet the Senators and Representatives of the 2025 Colorado General Assembly. Hope to see you there. And below find the full legislative memorandum that we'll be giving to our legislators on Tuesday. It's several pages long, and I will also attach it.</div><div><br></div><div>Best,</div><div>Dan</div><div><br></div><div>




















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<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center;margin:0in;font-size:14pt;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif"><b><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">MEMORANDUM<span></span></span></b></p>

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<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;font-size:14pt;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">To:<span>      </span>The Members of the Colorado General
Assembly<span></span></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;font-size:14pt;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">From:<span>  </span>The Members of the National Federation of the
Blind of Colorado<span></span></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;font-size:14pt;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">Date:<span>   </span>February 18, 2025<span></span></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;font-size:14pt;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">Re:<span>       </span>Legislative Concerns of Blind Coloradans<span></span></span></p>

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<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center;margin:0in;font-size:14pt;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif"><b><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">GENERAL
BACKGROUND<span></span></span></b></p>

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<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;margin:0in;font-size:14pt;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif"><a name="_Hlk190423108"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">The National
Federation of the Blind (NFB) is the oldest and largest organization of the
blind in the United States and in Colorado. The primary mission of the
Federation is to work toward full access for the blind to participation in all
aspects of society, including insuring basic civil rights, securing meaningful employment
and education for the blind, thus allowing us, the blind, to live the lives we
want. <span></span></span></a></p>

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<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;margin:0in;font-size:14pt;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif"><span><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">Founded officially
in 1955, the NFB of Colorado (NFBCO) engages in several programs specifically
designed to create greater opportunities for the blind. For example, NFBCO is
the founder and chief sponsor of the Colorado Center for the Blind, an agency
which provides training in the alternative skills blind people need to become
fully participating members of society. Additionally, NFB offers national and
statewide scholarships to blind students. We also provide a free talking
newspaper called NFB-NEWSLINE®, a service which enables the blind of our state
to read daily newspapers and many other on-demand publications just as easily
as their sighted peers.<span>  </span>We advocate for
the rights of the blind in all areas ranging from education to employment,
including recent legislation strengthening the rights of parents with
disabilities and accessible prescription labeling.<span>  </span>Where positive changes are happening in the
blindness field, there is a good chance that the Federation is involved.<span></span></span></span></p>

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<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center;margin:0in;font-size:14pt;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif"><span><b><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">2025 LEGISLATIVE
AGENDA<span style="color:red"><span></span></span></span></b></span></p>

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<p class="gmail-MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin:0in 0in 0in 0.25in;text-align:justify;font-size:14pt;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif"><span><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><span>1.<span style="font:7pt "Times New Roman"">     </span></span></span><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><span> </span>Maintain access to critical news sources for
blind Coloradans through funding for NFB-Newsline®<span></span></span></span></p>

<p class="gmail-MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin:0in 0in 0in 0.25in;text-align:justify;font-size:14pt;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif"><span><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><span>2.<span style="font:7pt "Times New Roman"">     </span></span></span><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">Empanel an interim
study committee to hold public hearings to discover and highlight the systemic
and rampant discrimination against blind guide dog users by rideshare drivers,
and to develop a legislative solution.<span></span></span></span></p>

<p class="gmail-MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin:0in 0in 0in 0.25in;text-align:justify;font-size:14pt;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif"><span><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><span>3.<span style="font:7pt "Times New Roman"">     </span></span></span><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">We include a fact
sheet on federal laws and funded programs which are critical to blind
Coloradans.<span></span></span></span></p>

<span></span>

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<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;font-size:14pt;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><span> </span></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center;margin:0in;font-size:14pt;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">For further
information on any of these issues contact:<span></span></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center;margin:0in;font-size:14pt;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">Jessica Beecham,
President, National Federation of the Blind of Colorado<span></span></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center;margin:0in;font-size:14pt;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">Phone:
615-497-0435<span>   </span>|<span>   </span>Email: <a href="mailto:jbbeecham@gmail.com">jbbeecham@gmail.com</a><b><span></span></b></span></p>

<b><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><br clear="all" style="break-before:page">
</span></b>

<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center;margin:0in;font-size:14pt;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif"><b><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">MAINTAIN ACCESS TO
CRITICAL NEWS SOURCES FOR BLIND<span></span></span></b></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center;margin:0in;font-size:14pt;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif"><b><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">COLORADANS THROUGH
FUNDING FOR NFB-NEWSLINE</span></b><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">®<b><span></span></b></span></p>

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<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;margin:0in;font-size:14pt;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">Access to information from the newspapers
and magazines of our nation and state plays a critical role for each of us as
informed and participating citizens. NFB-NEWSLINE® is a free audio news service
for anyone who is blind, low-vision, deafblind, or otherwise print-disabled,
providing access to more than 500 publications, emergency weather alerts, job
listings, and more. Currently, over 1500 blind Coloradans have access to
500-plus newspapers, 75 magazines, and other publications on NFB-NEWSLINE®,
including the Denver Post, Grand Junction Sentinel, Colorado Springs Gazette,
Fort Collins Coloradoan, and Colorado Springs Independent. About once every two
minutes, a blind Coloradan taps into the vast wealth of information available
through NFB-NEWSLINE® - all available in formats accessible to the assistive
technology the blind use to read printed information.<span></span></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;margin:0in;font-size:14pt;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><span> </span></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;margin:0in;font-size:14pt;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">For nearly two decades, the Colorado
General Assembly has funded NFB-NEWSLINE® from the Telephone Users with
Disabilities Fund (TUDF), currently at $120,000 a year. The funding is
allocated to the Colorado Department of Education, Colorado State Library’s Colorado
Talking Book Library and issued through a grant to the National Federation of
the Blind of Colorado to manage the NFB-NEWSLINE® program. Because TUDF funding
comes from a small (currently 3 cents per phone line) tax on land and VOIP
mobile phones, there is not a direct impact on the General Fund.<span></span></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;margin:0in;font-size:14pt;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><span> </span></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;margin:0in;font-size:14pt;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">This year, HB25-1154 seeks to create an
enterprise that would house other programs that rely on TUDF funds, principally
those in the Commission for the Deaf, Hard of Hearing, and Deaf-blind. Initial
drafts included NFB-NEWSLINE</span>®<span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"> and AfterSight, the two reading services for the
blind housed in the Colorado State Library’s Talking Book Library. At the time
of this writing, possible amendments to HB25-1154 may result in keeping the
reading services for the blind, including NFB-NEWSLINE</span>®<span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">, in the Library.
We are comfortable with either option, so long as the NFB-NEWSLINE</span>®<span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"> funding of
$120,000 doesn’t get lost somewhere along the way.<span></span></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;margin:0in;font-size:14pt;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><span> </span></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;margin:0in;font-size:14pt;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">Thus, we ask your support for maintaining the
current funding of $120,000 for NFB-NEWSLINE</span>®<span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"> regardless of where it is finally
located for FY 2026.<span></span></span></p>

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<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;margin:0in;font-size:14pt;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><span> </span></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;margin:0in;font-size:14pt;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><span> </span></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;margin:0in;font-size:14pt;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><span> </span></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center;margin:0in;font-size:14pt;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">For further
information on this issue contact:<span></span></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center;margin:0in;font-size:14pt;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">Jessica Beecham,
President<span></span></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center;margin:0in;font-size:14pt;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">National
Federation of the Blind of Colorado<span></span></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center;margin:0in;font-size:14pt;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">Phone:
615-497-0435<span></span></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center;margin:0in;font-size:14pt;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">Email:
<a href="mailto:jbbeecham@gmail.com">jbbeecham@gmail.com</a><span></span></span></p>

<b><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><br clear="all" style="break-before:page">
</span></b>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;font-size:14pt;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><span> </span></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center;margin:0in;font-size:14pt;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif"><b><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">CALL FOR INTERIM STUDY TO DETERMINE ACTION
TO PREVENT ONGOING DISCRIMINATION AGAINST THE BLIND BY TRANSPORTATION NETWORK
COMPANIES<span></span></span></b></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;font-size:14pt;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><span> </span></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;margin:0in;font-size:14pt;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">Access to transportation means access to
employment, education, family, worship, medical care, and civic life. For more
than a decade, transportation network companies (also known as rideshare
providers) such as Uber and Lyft have changed the transportation landscape for tens
of thousands of Colorado residents. Transportation network companies have
become an indispensable option in the Colorado transit system, especially as
public transit options have failed to fully rebound since the COVID pandemic.
This is certainly true for many Coloradans who are blind, low vision, or
deafblind, for whom driving is not an option.<span></span></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;margin:0in;font-size:14pt;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><span> </span></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;margin:0in;font-size:14pt;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">Far too often, however, blind riders with guide
dogs are denied transportation when drivers find out that they will be
transporting a passenger with a guide dog, leaving the erstwhile rider
stranded, causing them to be late for work, medical appointments, or picking up
children from childcare or activities. These service denials are discriminatory
and create unwarranted obstacles to the ability of the blind to live the lives we
want on terms of equality with our peers who can see. Despite our concerted
advocacy, we who are blind are finding denial of transportation services by
transportation network companies to be increasing in frequency—to the extent
that some guide dog handlers are being forced to consider abandoning the use of
guide dogs as a primary and equalizing travel tool. What should be a great
equalizer for people with disabilities has become a source of exclusion and
profound anxiety.<span></span></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;margin:0in;font-size:14pt;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><span> </span></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;margin:0in;font-size:14pt;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">For many years, the National Federation of
the Blind of Colorado has worked diligently with community partners to end the
horrendous practice of discrimination by transportation network company drivers,
which is a clear violation of state and federal laws. Although there seems to
be some progress on the national level through increased dialog with Uber,
constant denials of service continue to blight the everyday lives of riders
with service animals, creating unwarranted barriers to jobs, education, and
community life. Attempts by the National Federation of the Blind of Colorado to
engage in productive dialog with the Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies
have met with little response, making the need for higher-level intervention
abundantly clear.<span></span></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;margin:0in;font-size:14pt;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><span> </span></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;margin:0in;font-size:14pt;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">We call upon the Colorado General Assembly
to <a name="_Hlk158208690">hold public hearings, possibly through an interim
study committee, to discover and highlight the systemic and rampant
discrimination against blind guide dog users by rideshare drivers, and to
develop a legislative solution for the same.<span></span></a></span></p>

<span></span>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;margin:0in;font-size:14pt;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><span> </span></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;margin:0in;font-size:14pt;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><span> </span></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;margin:0in;font-size:14pt;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><span> </span></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;margin:0in;font-size:14pt;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><span> </span></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;margin:0in;font-size:14pt;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><span> </span></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;margin:0in;font-size:14pt;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><span> </span></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;margin:0in;font-size:14pt;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><span> </span></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;margin:0in;font-size:14pt;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><span> </span></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;margin:0in;font-size:14pt;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><span> </span></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;margin:0in;font-size:14pt;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><span> </span></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;margin:0in;font-size:14pt;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><span> </span></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;margin:0in;font-size:14pt;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><span> </span></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;margin:0in;font-size:14pt;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><span> </span></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center;margin:0in;font-size:14pt;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">For further
information on this issue contact:<span></span></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center;margin:0in;font-size:14pt;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">Jessica Beecham,
President<span></span></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center;margin:0in;font-size:14pt;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">National
Federation of the Blind of Colorado<span></span></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center;margin:0in;font-size:14pt;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">Phone:
615-497-0435<span></span></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center;margin:0in;font-size:14pt;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">Email:
<a href="mailto:jbbeecham@gmail.com">jbbeecham@gmail.com</a><span></span></span></p>

<span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><br clear="all" style="break-before:page">
</span>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;font-size:14pt;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><span> </span></span></p>

<h1 align="center" style="text-align:center;margin:12pt 0in 0in;break-after:avoid;font-size:16pt;font-family:"Cambria",serif;color:rgb(54,95,145);font-weight:normal"><b><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:windowtext">LAWS THE BLIND DEPEND ON<span></span></span></b></h1>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;font-size:14pt;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif"><span> </span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;margin:0in;font-size:14pt;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">Fifteen members of the National Federation
of the Blind of Colorado attended our annual Washington Seminar from Feb. 3 to
Feb. 6 in our nation’s capital. Along with our other legislative priorities in
Congress, we shared this fact sheet with the members of the Colorado
delegation. The following are federal laws that impact the lives of Blind
Coloradans, and are offered for information purposes:<span></span></span></p>

<h2 style="margin:2pt 0in 0in;break-after:avoid;font-size:13pt;font-family:"Cambria",serif;color:rgb(54,95,145);font-weight:normal"><b><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:windowtext"><span> </span></span></b></h2>

<h2 align="center" style="text-align:center;margin:2pt 0in 0in;break-after:avoid;font-size:13pt;font-family:"Cambria",serif;color:rgb(54,95,145);font-weight:normal"><b><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:windowtext">THE REHABILITATION ACT OF
1973<span></span></span></b></h2>

<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center;margin:0in;font-size:14pt;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif"><span> </span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;margin:0in;font-size:14pt;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">Section 501 prohibits the federal
government from discriminating against people with disabilities in employment
and requires reasonable accommodations for federal employees. <span></span></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;margin:0in;font-size:14pt;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><span> </span></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;margin:0in;font-size:14pt;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">Section 503 prohibits federal contractors
from discriminating against individuals with disabilities in employment,
including requiring reasonable accommodations. <span></span></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;margin:0in;font-size:14pt;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><span> </span></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;margin:0in;font-size:14pt;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">Section 504 prohibits the federal
government and federal grantees from discriminating on the basis of disability
in providing programs and services.<span></span></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;margin:0in;font-size:14pt;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><span> </span></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;margin:0in;font-size:14pt;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">Section 508 requires federal technology,
including websites, software, and technology provided by vendors, to be
accessible to the blind. <span></span></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;margin:0in;font-size:14pt;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif"><b><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><span> </span></span></b></p>

<h2 align="center" style="text-align:center;margin:2pt 0in 0in;break-after:avoid;font-size:13pt;font-family:"Cambria",serif;color:rgb(54,95,145);font-weight:normal"><b><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:windowtext">THE AMERICANS WITH
DISABILITIES ACT<span></span></span></b></h2>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;font-size:14pt;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><span> </span></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;margin:0in;font-size:14pt;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">Title I of the ADA prohibits
discrimination against people with disabilities by private and public
employers.<span></span></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;margin:0in;font-size:14pt;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><span> </span></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;margin:0in;font-size:14pt;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">Title II of the ADA prohibits state and
local governments from discriminating on the basis of disability in their
programs and services, including requiring reasonable modifications and
requiring their websites and applications to be accessible to the blind. Title
II ensures that voting, transportation, justice systems and government services
are accessible to the blind. <span></span></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;margin:0in;font-size:14pt;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><span> </span></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;margin:0in;font-size:14pt;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">Title III of the ADA prohibits disability
discrimination by private public accommodations in their goods, services, and
information, including reasonable modifications and accessible websites and
applications. <span></span></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;font-size:14pt;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><span> </span></span></p>

<h2 align="center" style="text-align:center;margin:2pt 0in 0in;break-after:avoid;font-size:13pt;font-family:"Cambria",serif;color:rgb(54,95,145);font-weight:normal"><b><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:windowtext">INDIVIDUALS WITH
DISABILITIES EDUCATION ACT<span></span></span></b></h2>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;font-size:14pt;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><span> </span></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;margin:0in;font-size:14pt;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">The IDEA requires public schools to
accommodate students with disabilities and to provide specialized education
services when students need them. Braille literacy is essential to blind
students and, therefore, they need specialized Braille instruction and Braille
equipment. They also need access technology, such as screen reading software,
audio materials, large print materials, and tactile graphics, all of which are
considered special education. The IDEA provides for important due process
protections that allow parents of students with disabilities to resolve
disputes with their schools without resorting to the courts.<span></span></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;margin:0in;font-size:14pt;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><span> </span></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;font-size:14pt;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><span> </span></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;font-size:14pt;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><span> </span></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center;margin:0in;font-size:14pt;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">For further
information on this issue contact:<span></span></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center;margin:0in;font-size:14pt;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">Jessica Beecham,
President<span></span></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center;margin:0in;font-size:14pt;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">National
Federation of the Blind of Colorado<span></span></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center;margin:0in;font-size:14pt;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">Phone:
615-497-0435<span></span></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center;margin:0in;font-size:14pt;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">Email:
<a href="mailto:jbbeecham@gmail.com">jbbeecham@gmail.com</a><span></span></span></p>

<h1 align="center" style="text-align:center;margin:12pt 0in 0in;break-after:avoid;font-size:16pt;font-family:"Cambria",serif;color:rgb(54,95,145);font-weight:normal"><b><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:windowtext">FEDERAL FUNDING THE BLIND
DEPEND ON<span></span></span></b></h1>

<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center;margin:0in;font-size:14pt;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif"><b><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><span> </span></span></b></p>

<h2 align="center" style="text-align:center;margin:2pt 0in 0in;break-after:avoid;font-size:13pt;font-family:"Cambria",serif;color:rgb(54,95,145);font-weight:normal"><b><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:windowtext">SPECIAL EDUCATION<span></span></span></b></h2>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;font-size:14pt;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif"><span> </span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;margin:0in;font-size:14pt;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">The Individuals with Disabilities
Education Act provides federal funding to states to provide required “special
education” services for public school students with disabilities. While states
provide most of the special education funding, the federal government provides
about $15 billion. This serves some 7.5 million students. Special education
services for the blind include Braille instruction, access technologies, and
specialized teachers of the blind.<span></span></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;font-size:14pt;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><span> </span></span></p>

<h2 align="center" style="text-align:center;margin:2pt 0in 0in;break-after:avoid;font-size:13pt;font-family:"Cambria",serif;color:rgb(54,95,145);font-weight:normal"><b><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:windowtext">VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION<span></span></span></b></h2>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;font-size:14pt;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><span> </span></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;margin:0in;font-size:14pt;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">The federal government provides grants to
states to provide “vocational rehabilitation” (VR) programs to help people with
disabilities become employed. The federal government provides about 79 percent
of the funding, with states providing the rest. VR programs serve over 800,000
individuals each year. Without VR services, many blind people would be unable
to gain employment, leaving them reliant on public benefits to survive.<span></span></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;font-size:14pt;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><span> </span></span></p>

<h2 align="center" style="text-align:center;margin:2pt 0in 0in;break-after:avoid;font-size:13pt;font-family:"Cambria",serif;color:rgb(54,95,145);font-weight:normal"><b><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:windowtext">FREE MATTER FOR THE BLIND<span></span></span></b></h2>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;font-size:14pt;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif"><span> </span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;margin:0in;font-size:14pt;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">The US Postal Service provides free
postage for special material used by blind individuals, such as Braille or
audio material. Organizations who serve the blind rely on this service to keep
costs down, which, due to the size of the materials, would be cost-prohibitive.
<i>(Note: The Colorado Talking Book Library relies on the Free Matter program
to move its specialized formats and equipment to and from its patrons.)</i><span></span></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;margin:0in;font-size:14pt;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><span> </span></span></p>

<h2 align="center" style="text-align:center;margin:2pt 0in 0in;break-after:avoid;font-size:13pt;font-family:"Cambria",serif;color:rgb(54,95,145);font-weight:normal"><b><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:windowtext">NATIONAL LIBRARY SERVICE
FOR THE BLIND AND INSTITUTE OF <span></span></span></b></h2>

<h2 align="center" style="text-align:center;margin:2pt 0in 0in;break-after:avoid;font-size:13pt;font-family:"Cambria",serif;color:rgb(54,95,145);font-weight:normal"><b><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:windowtext">MUSEUM AND LIBRARY
SERVICES<span></span></span></b></h2>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;font-size:14pt;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif"><span> </span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;margin:0in;font-size:14pt;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">NLS provides free Braille and recorded
materials to the blind. IMLS is a federal agency that helps libraries and
museums. An important part of IMLS funding supports libraries to be accessible
to the blind. Without access to library services, blind people would lose
access to information, education, and entertainment others take for granted.<span></span></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;margin:0in;font-size:14pt;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><span> </span></span></p>

<h2 align="center" style="text-align:center;margin:2pt 0in 0in;break-after:avoid;font-size:13pt;font-family:"Cambria",serif;color:rgb(54,95,145);font-weight:normal"><b><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:windowtext">OLDER BLIND PROGRAMS<span></span></span></b></h2>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;font-size:14pt;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif"><span> </span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;margin:0in;font-size:14pt;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">Federally-funded state-run older blind
programs serve blind individuals over age 54 to help them live independently.
The programs teach independent living skills so blind people can remain in
their homes and communities and avoid placement in expensive nursing homes.<span></span></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;margin:0in;font-size:14pt;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><span> </span></span></p>

<h2 align="center" style="text-align:center;margin:2pt 0in 0in;break-after:avoid;font-size:13pt;font-family:"Cambria",serif;color:rgb(54,95,145);font-weight:normal"><b><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:windowtext">PROTECTION & ADVOCACY<span></span></span></b></h2>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;font-size:14pt;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif"><span> </span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;margin:0in;font-size:14pt;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">Each state has a federally-funded
“protection and advocacy” program that represents people with disabilities
facing abuse, civil rights violations, denials of benefits, and lack of access
to health care, education, employment, housing, transportation, and voting.<span></span></span></p>

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<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;font-size:14pt;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><span> </span></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;font-size:14pt;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><span> </span></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;font-size:14pt;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><span> </span></span></p>

<h2 align="center" style="text-align:center;margin:2pt 0in 0in;break-after:avoid;font-size:13pt;font-family:"Cambria",serif;color:rgb(54,95,145);font-weight:normal"><b><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:windowtext">MEDICAID<span></span></span></b></h2>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;font-size:14pt;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif"><span> </span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;margin:0in;font-size:14pt;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">Medicaid is a federal grant program to
states to cover health care for low-income and disabled individuals. The
federal government provides about 70 percent of the funding and states making
up the rest. Without Medicaid funding, many blind people would lose access to
health care, including treatment for their vision disabilities.<span></span></span></p>

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<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center;margin:0in;font-size:14pt;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><span> </span></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center;margin:0in;font-size:14pt;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><span> </span></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center;margin:0in;font-size:14pt;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><span> </span></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center;margin:0in;font-size:14pt;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><span> </span></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center;margin:0in;font-size:14pt;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">For further
information on this issue contact:<span></span></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center;margin:0in;font-size:14pt;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">Jessica Beecham,
President<span></span></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center;margin:0in;font-size:14pt;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">National
Federation of the Blind of Colorado<span></span></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center;margin:0in;font-size:14pt;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">Phone:
615-497-0435<span></span></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center;margin:0in;font-size:14pt;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">Email:
<a href="mailto:jbbeecham@gmail.com">jbbeecham@gmail.com</a><span></span></span></p>

<b><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><br clear="all" style="break-before:page">
</span></b>

<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center;margin:0in;font-size:14pt;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif"><b><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">SUPPORT
THE COLORADO CENTER FOR THE BLIND AND<span></span></span></b></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center;margin:0in;font-size:14pt;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif"><b><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">NFB SCHOLARSHIP
PROGRAMS<span></span></span></b></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;font-size:14pt;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><span> </span></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;margin:0in;font-size:14pt;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">Founded in 1988 by the NFB of Colorado,
the Colorado Center for the Blind (CCB) offers world class rehabilitation and
adjustment to blindness training to blind/low vision individuals in our state
and from all over the world. </span><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">We believe blind
people can do anything. Every day, we encourage and challenge each student—and
they come to understand their potential as they build the skills and confidence
to live the life they want. Because when you believe in yourself and experience
a thriving community of positive blind people, nothing can hold you back from
pursuing your dreams.<span></span></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;margin:0in;font-size:14pt;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><span> </span></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;margin:0in;font-size:14pt;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">CCB programs serve all ages from kids as
young as elementary age to seniors. CCB teaches cane travel/orientation and
mobility, Braille, technology, independent daily living skills, employment
skills, and much, much more. Nearly all of the teaching staff are blind
instructors who serve as excellent role models.<span> 
</span>Please read the CCB brochure in your packet for more information or go
to <a href="http://www.cocenter.org">www.cocenter.org</a>. Our Center is located in Littleton, and you are always
welcome and encouraged to visit.<span></span></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;font-size:14pt;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><span> </span><span></span></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center;margin:0in;font-size:14pt;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif"><b><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">SCHOLARSHIPS<span></span></span></b></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;font-size:14pt;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><span> </span></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;margin:0in;font-size:14pt;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">The National Federation of the Blind, on a
national basis, offers thirty scholarships to talented blind men and women
attending a post-secondary institution. Over two hundred thousand dollars are
awarded each year and provide real opportunity for deserving students. Interested
applicants can find more information at </span><a href="https://nfb.org/scholarships" style="color:blue;text-decoration:underline"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">https://nfb.org/scholarships</span></a><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">. <span></span></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;margin:0in;font-size:14pt;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><span> </span></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify;margin:0in;font-size:14pt;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">On a state level, the NFB of Colorado
offers up to five scholarships to blind students attending a post-secondary
institution. Scholarships range from $1,500.00 to $5,000.00. More information
on how to apply is contained in your legislative packet. Please inform your
local high schools, colleges, and universities as well as any blind/low vision
post-secondary student you know about these valuable scholarship opportunities.<span></span></span></p>

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information on this issue contact:<span></span></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center;margin:0in;font-size:14pt;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">Jessica Beecham,
President<span></span></span></p>

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Federation of the Blind of Colorado<span></span></span></p>

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<br></div><br><span class="gmail_signature_prefix">-- </span><br><div dir="ltr" class="gmail_signature" data-smartmail="gmail_signature">Dan Burke<br><br>National Federation of the Blind of Colorado Legislative Co-chair <br><br>"Blindness is not what holds you back.  You can live the life you want!"<br><br>My Cell:  406.546.8546<br><br></div></div>