<html><head><meta http-equiv="content-type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"></head><body dir="auto"><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Please read this important message from President Riccobono</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Dear Colleagues:<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><o:p style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"> </o:p></p><p class="MsoPlainText" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">As you know, The CW television network, which is affiliated with CBS, plans to launch a television series called <i>In The Dark</i>that features a blind character who is not played by a blind actor. We issued a strong<a href="https://nfb.org/about-us/press-room/blind-americans-protest-refusal-entertainment-industry-cast-them">statement</a> urging the cancellation of the series and reached out to all of the executives affiliated with the show. We have received a response but have yet to secure a meeting prior to the planned <a href="x-apple-data-detectors://0" dir="ltr" x-apple-data-detectors="true" x-apple-data-detectors-type="calendar-event" x-apple-data-detectors-result="0" style="-webkit-text-decoration-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.258824);">April 4</a>debut. We now need to follow up with action. We cannot allow Hollywood to define us any longer. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoPlainText" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><o:p style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"> </o:p></p><p class="MsoPlainText" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">We plan to protest at one of the CBS facilities in New York City. Please reach out to the members in your area so that they can plan to attend the protest. It will be <a href="x-apple-data-detectors://1" dir="ltr" x-apple-data-detectors="true" x-apple-data-detectors-type="calendar-event" x-apple-data-detectors-result="1" style="-webkit-text-decoration-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.258824);">on April 2, 2019</a>, in New York City <a href="x-apple-data-detectors://2" dir="ltr" x-apple-data-detectors="true" x-apple-data-detectors-type="calendar-event" x-apple-data-detectors-result="2" style="-webkit-text-decoration-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.258824);">from 11:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m.</a> We will provide the exact address early next week. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoPlainText" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><o:p style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"> </o:p></p><p class="MsoPlainText" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">The blind belong at the center of our own stories, playing blind characters and taking our place on screen alongside our sighted colleagues. Together with love, hope, and determination, we transform dreams into reality with authentic casting.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><o:p style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">As with any situation we are involved in, circumstances are changing constantly. I have written back to the executives and requested that we meet prior to <a href="x-apple-data-detectors://3" dir="ltr" x-apple-data-detectors="true" x-apple-data-detectors-type="calendar-event" x-apple-data-detectors-result="3" style="-webkit-text-decoration-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.258824);">April 2.</a> If that meeting happens and if we feel that our perspective is sufficiently understood—including a clear plan for follow up—we may decide this action is not necessary. However, we should plan to be together in New York City <a href="x-apple-data-detectors://4" dir="ltr" x-apple-data-detectors="true" x-apple-data-detectors-type="calendar-event" x-apple-data-detectors-result="4" style="-webkit-text-decoration-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.258824);">on April 2</a>until further notice. Please email Kyle Walls at<a href="mailto:kwalls@nfb.org">kwalls@nfb.org</a> if you intend to participate so we can coordinate details with you. When we know more we will put together a teleconference to share details with you.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Let’s raise our voice,<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Mark A. Riccobono, President<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><font color="#000000"><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><a href="x-apple-data-detectors://6/1" dir="ltr" x-apple-data-detectors="true" x-apple-data-detectors-type="address" x-apple-data-detectors-result="6/1" style="-webkit-text-decoration-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.258824);">200 East Wells Street, Baltimore, MD 21230</a><o:p></o:p></span></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><font color="#000000"><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><a href="tel:(410)%20659-9314" dir="ltr" x-apple-data-detectors="true" x-apple-data-detectors-type="telephone" x-apple-data-detectors-result="6/2" style="-webkit-text-decoration-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.258824);">(410) 659-9314</a> | <a href="mailto:Officeofthepresident@nfb.org" dir="ltr" x-apple-data-detectors="true" x-apple-data-detectors-type="link" x-apple-data-detectors-result="6/3" style="-webkit-text-decoration-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.258824);">Officeofthepresident@nfb.org</a><o:p></o:p></span></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Twitter: @Riccobon</span></p><br><div id="AppleMailSignature" dir="ltr">Maryanne Melley<div>President </div><div>National Federation of</div><div>the Blind of Connecticut </div></div></body></html>