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<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:16.0pt">For immediate release<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">National Federation of the Blind of Colorado announces prominent blindness education and public policy expert Anil Lewis to speak at statewide convention.
<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">October 30 through November 2<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Westin Westminster<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">10600 Westminster Blvd, Westminster, CO 80020<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt">Long-time director of the National Federation of the Blind Jernigan Research and Training Center. Anil Lewis is known for his ability to connect with blind, low vision, and non-blind audiences wherever he
speaks. For more than 25 years, Mr. Lewis has been regarded as a true thought leader and champion for the rights of blind Americans. He is known for his wit and wisdom. According to Jessica Beecham, President National Federation of the Blind of Colorado, “we
always have incredible presenters at our National Federation of the Blind of Colorado annual state convention. This year, we are extremely honored to feature a man of extraordinary capacity. People always come away feeling touched and invigorated by Mr. Lewis’s
humor and humanity. I serve on our National Board of Directors, and I feel honored to work with my friend Anil on a regular basis.” Anil will be providing convention attendees a report detailing the programs, perspectives, struggles, and successes of the
organized blind movement on Saturday morning. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt">On Saturday evening, Anil will deliver they keynote address at the annual banquet. “Members and guests always come away from Anil’s banquet remarks feeling inspired and joyful. I’ve heard this man speak many
times. I’m always filled with the laughter and motivation I get when I listen to Anil’s perspectives on blindness and his personal story,” Said Julie Deden, executive director, Colorado Center for the Blind.
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt">Anil Lewis was born in 1964 in Atlanta, Georgia. He is the third of four children. Both his older brother and older sister became legally blind at an early age from retinitis pigmentosa. Lewis was originally
labeled educably mentally retarded but eventually became the first member of his family to graduate from college.
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt">Currently employed as the executive director for Blindness Initiatives for the National Federation of the Blind, located in Baltimore, Maryland, he coordinates outreach, marketing, and fundraising activities
for a national nonprofit organization. He leads a dynamic team of individuals responsible for the creation, development, implementation, and replication of innovative projects and programs throughout a nationwide network of affiliates that work to positively
affect the education, employment, and quality of life of all blind people.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt">As the director of Advocacy and Policy for the NFB, Lewis was responsible for a variety of public policy and strategic programs. Most notably, he was the legislative lead of the NFB’s efforts to repeal Section
14(c) of the Fair Labor Standards Act, an obsolete provision that allows employers to pay workers with disabilities less than the federal minimum wage. As the director of Strategic Communications for the NFB, Lewis coordinated the public relations campaign
for the NFB’s Blind Driver Challenge™, an innovative research project to develop nonvisual access technology that made it possible for a blind person to safely and independently operate an automobile.
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt">The convention activities at the Westin Westminster Hotel begin on Thursday afternoon, October 30, and conclude following the Sunday morning organizational business meeting. Throughout the weekend, there will
be a number of social activities, breakout discussion sessions, and webinars. This year's convention will feature a number of program items highlighting the blind in the recording industry, production, songwriting, promotion, and marketing in the area of performing
arts. For more information about the National Federation of the Blind of Colorado and the state convention, visit
<a href="http://www.nfbco.org">www.nfbco.org</a>. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><a href="https://www.marriott.com/event-reservations/reservation-link.mi?id=1740775326672&key=GRP&guestreslink2=true&app=resvlink">Book your group rate for National Federation of the Blind of Colorado</a><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt">Please note the deadline for hotel reservations is September 26<sup>th</sup>. Room rates are only $125 per night plus 11.5% tax.
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt">Pre-registration fees: BEFORE October 15<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt">$35 registration<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt">$35 Saturday luncheon<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt">$55 Saturday banquet<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt">Total: $125.00 <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt">Registration fees: AFTER October 15<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt">$40 registration<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt">$40 Saturday luncheon<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt">$75 Saturday banquet<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt">Total: $155.00. You save $30 by pre-registering, and you are guaranteed those meals that you register for. Folks who register at the door are not guaranteed the same meals as those who pre-registered.
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><a href="https://nfbco.org/civicrm/event/info?reset=1&id=4">Attendees click here to register</a><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Abadi",sans-serif">At your service,
</span><span style="font-family:"Abadi",sans-serif;mso-ligatures:none"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Abadi",sans-serif">Kevan Worley<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Abadi",sans-serif">303-929-2369<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Abadi",sans-serif">Manager Project Literacy, National Federation of the Blind of Colorado<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Abadi",sans-serif">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></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Abadi",sans-serif">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></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
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