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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link="#0563C1" vlink="#954F72" style='word-wrap:break-word'><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Dear Federation Family,<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Below and attached is information from the national office on how to help respond to any questions you may get from the public on the sexual misconduct and abuse at our NFB training centers. There are also links to the training centers themselves. Please do not answer any questions for the media without consulting Chris Danielson first, his email is listed in the correspondence.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Best Regards,<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Maryanne Melley<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>President<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>National Federation of the Blind of Connecticut<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>860-212-5549<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>mvcmelley@gmail.com<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>“Live the Life You Want”<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt'>Nationals Advice on Sexual Misconduct and Abuse<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt'> </span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt'>Here are the notes regarding communications if you are asked for information or if you are wondering what to say about the current situation regarding sexual misconduct and abuse<span style='color:#1F497D'>.</span> To start, we understand that this is a difficult and often uncomfortable topic to discuss. Please be respectful and compassionate with anyone in our community:</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt'> </span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt'>Survivors: We support survivors who experienced any form of abuse and stand with them. While this is a difficult topic, it’s important to show compassion. Please know there is no need to debate specific circumstances.</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt'> </span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt'>Commitment: We all take this extremely seriously. The National Federation of the Blind does not condone or excuse any form of abuse, and we are committed to learning and creating change. Feel free to refer people to the open letter of apology which is listed on our home page at nfb.org. </span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt'> </span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt'>Stronger Together: We want to understand how to engage in conversations with survivors and utilize experts from outside organizations as well as the other steps addressed in the open letter of apology. Finally, we should acknowledge our support of the leadership of President Riccobono and the board of directors during this time – if that’s your stance and you’re comfortable doing so. </span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt'> </span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt'>We will share more information and communication suggestions as we move forward. </span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt'> </span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt'> </span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>As an update, our centers have published statements of their own regarding current issues around abuse. Below are the links to the three statements: </span><o:p></o:p></p><ul style='margin-top:0in' type=disc><li class=MsoListParagraph style='margin-left:0in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1'><a href="https://www.blindinc.org/statement-of-acknowledgement-and-commitment-to-change/"><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>BLIND Inc Statement</span></a><o:p></o:p></li><li class=MsoListParagraph style='margin-left:0in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1'><a href="https://cocenter.org/our-statement-endorsing-the-open-letter-of-apology-from-mark-riccobono/"><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>Colorado Center for the Blind Statement</span></a><o:p></o:p></li><li class=MsoListParagraph style='margin-left:0in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1'><a href="http://www.louisianacenter.org/commitment-to-change"><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>Louisiana Center for the Blind Statement</span></a><o:p></o:p></li></ul><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;color:#1F497D'> </span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>If anyone receives media inquiries regarding any of the statements or these matters, please connect with Chris Danielsen at <a href="mailto:cdanielsen@nfb.org">cdanielsen@nfb.org</a>. </span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt'> </span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div></body></html>