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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link=blue vlink=purple><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:16.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>For Immediate Release -<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><b><span style='font-size:16.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><b><span style='font-size:16.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>Governor Malloy:<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><b><span style='font-size:16.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>October 15<sup>th</sup> is Blind Americans Equality Day in Connecticut<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:16.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-indent:.5in'><b><span style='font-size:16.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>Governor Dannel Malloy has officially declared Saturday, October 15<sup>th</sup>, 2016, to be “Blind Americans Equality Day”. Beginning in 1964, October 15<sup>th</sup> has been recognized as White Cane Safety Day, a day to increase society’s awareness of the challenges of blindness. In recent years, the day has become known as “Blind Americans Equality Day”. “We as a state are committed to the independence and equality of our many friends and neighbors who are blind,” Governor Malloy said. “We urge all Connecticut residents to renew their commitment to full opportunity and inclusion for people with blindness”<span style='color:#1F497D'><o:p></o:p></span></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-indent:.5in'><b><span style='font-size:16.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:12.0pt;text-indent:.5in'><b><span style='font-size:16.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>“I join the Governor in celebrating the achievements of the many thousands of Connecticut’s citizens with blindness,” Lt. Governor Nancy Wyman said today. “Their success serves as a testament to their energy and their ambition to overcome obstacles and adversity,” added the Lt. Governor.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-indent:.5in'><b><span style='font-size:16.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>The proclamation reads, in part, “Connecticut’s citizens who are blind or visually impaired contribute much to our state,” and points out that “Connecticut law further encourages employers, in both the public and private sectors, to explore and utilize the skills and potential of Connecticut’s citizens who are blind, to recognize their capabilities and to respect their worth as individuals.”<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:16.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-indent:.5in'><b><span style='font-size:16.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>“In addition to employers, I encourage all of Connecticut’s people to renew their commitment to full opportunity and inclusion for people with blindness,” Malloy said. “And consistent with the purpose of the original White Cane Safety Day, I remind all citizens to redouble their awareness of and attention to the safety of people with blindness travelling on our sidewalks and streets every day,” the Governor added.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:16.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-indent:.5in'><b><span style='font-size:16.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>“I want to congratulate Governor Malloy for his ongoing recognition of the challenges faced by people with blindness,” said Amy Porter, Commissioner of the Department of Rehabilitation Services which houses the Bureau of Education and Services for the Blind. “I also want to commend his resolve to help all people, including people who are blind, achieve independence and success,” she added.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-indent:.5in'><b><span style='font-size:16.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:16.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>Contact:<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:16.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>Andrew Norton<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:16.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>Legislative Liaison<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:16.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>Department of Rehabilitation Services (DORS)<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:16.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>(860) 602-4078<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:16.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'> <o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:16.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'> </span></b><b><span style='font-size:16.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'><o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center;text-autospace:none'><b><span style='font-size:16.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>State of Connecticut<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center;text-autospace:none'><b><span style='font-size:16.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center;text-autospace:none'><b><span style='font-size:16.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>By His Excellency Dannel P. Malloy, Governor:<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center;text-autospace:none'><b><span style='font-size:16.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>An Official Statement<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-align:justify;text-autospace:none'><b><span style='font-size:16.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-align:justify;text-autospace:none'><b><span style='font-size:16.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>WHEREAS, Connecticut’s citizens who are blind or visually impaired contribute much to our state; and<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-align:justify'><b><span style='font-size:16.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-align:justify;text-autospace:none'><b><span style='font-size:16.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>WHEREAS, white canes and guide dogs have come to symbolize equal rights and equal access for persons with blindness; and <o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-align:justify'><b><span style='font-size:16.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-align:justify;text-autospace:none'><b><span style='font-size:16.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>WHEREAS, they are also reminders of the many achievements and tremendous potential of persons who are blind and of their willingness to live independently and compete in the marketplace; and<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-align:justify;text-autospace:none'><b><span style='font-size:16.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-align:justify;text-autospace:none'><b><span style='font-size:16.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>WHEREAS, Connecticut state law secures the right of persons with blindness to carry and use a white cane or be accompanied by a guide dog along our streets and thoroughfares, in residential settings, on public transportation, in public accommodations and in the workplace; and<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-align:justify;text-autospace:none'><b><span style='font-size:16.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-align:justify;text-autospace:none'><b><span style='font-size:16.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>WHEREAS, our law also requires that motorists exercise appropriate caution when approaching someone using a white cane or guide dog; and<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-align:justify;text-autospace:none'><b><span style='font-size:16.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-align:justify;text-autospace:none'><b><span style='font-size:16.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>WHEREAS, October 15<sup>th</sup> has been known as White Cane Safety Day across the United States since it was declared by Congress and the President in 1964; and<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-align:justify;text-autospace:none'><b><span style='font-size:16.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-align:justify;text-autospace:none'><b><span style='font-size:16.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>WHEREAS, the State of Connecticut encourages all its citizens to join in the effort to keep our streets and roadways safe for all pedestrians who are blind; and<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-align:justify;text-autospace:none'><b><span style='font-size:16.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-align:justify;text-autospace:none'><b><span style='font-size:16.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>WHEREAS, Connecticut law further encourages employers, in both the public and private sector, to explore and utilize the skills and potential of Connecticut’s citizens who are blind, to recognize their capabilities and to respect their worth as individuals; now<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-align:justify;text-autospace:none'><b><span style='font-size:16.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-align:justify'><b><span style='font-size:16.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>THEREFORE, to celebrate and honor the past achievements and future potential of all of Connecticut’s citizens with blindness, I, Dannel P. Malloy, Governor of the State of Connecticut, do hereby proclaim October 15, 2016 as<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-align:justify'><b><span style='font-size:16.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center;page-break-after:avoid'><b><span style='font-size:16.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";text-transform:uppercase'><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center;page-break-after:avoid'><b><span style='font-size:16.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";text-transform:uppercase'>Blind americans Equality day<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><b><span style='font-size:16.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>in the State of Connecticut.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><b><span style='font-size:16.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><b><i><span style='font-size:16.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>Signed</span></i></b><b><span style='font-size:16.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>: Dannel P. Malloy<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><b><span style='font-size:16.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>Governor<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:16.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:16.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center;text-autospace:none'><b><span style='font-size:16.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center;text-autospace:none'><b><span style='font-size:16.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:16.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:16.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p></div></body></html>