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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><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Dear NFBCT Members,<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Please see the information Nathanael has provided regarding writing to your local politicians and signing up to testify for an Appropriation Committee Hearing on March 1<sup>st</sup>. We are also having a zoom meeting tomorrow night to answer any questions you may have on this subject. Let’s all pitch in and get for increased financial aid needed for adult services!<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'>SUBJECT: Please Write Your Legislators in Support of BESB Funding and Plan to Attend a Legislative Hearing<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'>Fellow Listers:<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'>Our state legislature is right now working on the state budget, and that includes funding for The Department of Aging and Disability Services and its Bureau of Education and Services for the Blind (BESB). As so many of you know, funding for adult services—the funding for blind adults who are seniors or are not planning to return to work—has been pitiful. There are very few resources for access technology, access technology training (to, say, use the Internet), and cane travel. This pitiful funding will not change unless we speak out. That includes you!<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'>You can do two things: 1) write your legislators and 2) plan to attend a public hearing on Wednesday, March 1 at 12:30 P.M. (either in person or over Zoom). Please read below for details.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><ol style='margin-top:0in' start=1 type=1><li class=MsoListParagraph style='color:#1F497D;margin-left:0in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo2'>We ask you to write your individual state assembly representative and senator and ask that funding be restored to historically higher levels: following cuts of over 60% since 2009—and further adjust for inflation. You can find contact information for your legislators by going to:<o:p></o:p></li></ol><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.25in'><a href="https://www.cga.ct.gov/asp/menu/cgafindleg.asp">https://www.cga.ct.gov/asp/menu/cgafindleg.asp</a><span style='color:#1F497D'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.25in'><span style='color:#1F497D'>and selecting (where you are registered to vote or, if not registered to vote, your residence) your town, then street, then house number. Your e-mail or letter should include your address and could say:<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.25in'><span style='color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.25in'><span style='color:#1F497D'>***<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.25in'><span style='color:#1F497D'>[Your address]<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.25in'><span style='color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.25in'><span style='color:#1F497D'>Dear Senator/Assembly Representative ___:<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.25in'><span style='color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.25in'><span style='color:#1F497D'>As a constituent, I write to you to ask that state funding for the Department of Aging and Disability Services, Bureau of Education and Services for the Blind line item for </span><span style='font-size:16.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Supplementary Relief and Services, often referred to as “adult services”, be restored to historically higher levels and adjusted for inflation, other economic factors, and the increasing elderly population. </span>In 2022, Connecticut spent only $44,847 on services to this population (along with additional minimal Federal funding). However, in 2008 and 2009, the amount of funding provided by the state was $115,425, meaning that funding has been cut by over 60%. It is inconceivable that the population of aging residents experiencing vision loss has decreased by over 60% since 2009. Rather, our experience shows that it is only increasing.<span style='color:#1F497D'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.25in'><span style='color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal>Consumers of adult services programs can only receive at best cursory services under this program. Additional funding could, for example, be well used to provide training in using assistive technology to access the Internet (for things such as grocery and pharmacy delivery services, banking, and accessing transportation). It could also be well used to provide cane travel instruction so that blind seniors can be confident traveling around their communities and prepare to, if they so choose, receive a guide dog.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.25in'><span style='color:#1F497D'>[Add in your own personal story of no or limited services or that of a blind senior.]<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.25in'><span style='color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.25in'><span style='color:#1F497D'>Please ask the Appropriations Committee to restore and adequately increase this needed funding. And please vote only for a state budget that does so.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Restoring and adequately increasing funding for adult services will enable the increasing population of blind seniors losing their vision to fully live the lives they want with a greater level of independence and dignity. As a constituent, I look forward to your response and action.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>[Your signature]<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.25in'><span style='color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.25in'><span style='color:#1F497D'>***<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.25in'><span style='color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><ol style='margin-top:0in' start=2 type=1><li class=MsoListParagraph style='color:#1F497D;margin-left:0in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo2'>Next, plan to attend a public hearing on Wednesday, March 1 at 12:30 P.M. (either in person or over Zoom). Specifically, <span style='color:windowtext'>the Appropriations Committee will hold a public hearing on Wednesday, March 1, 2023 at 12:30 P.M. in Room 2C of the LOB and via Zoom. The committee meeting can be viewed via YouTube Live:</span><o:p></o:p></li></ol><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.25in'><a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCOfAWcy03u07H8YyZblSbZw/live">https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCOfAWcy03u07H8YyZblSbZw/live</a><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.25in'>In addition, the public hearing may be recorded and broadcast live on CT-N.com. Individuals who wish to testify must register using the On-line Testimony Registration Form:<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.25in'><a href="https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_jfrmsIvIS_iX6-2DoD_pDA">https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_jfrmsIvIS_iX6-2DoD_pDA</a><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.25in'>The registration form must contain the name of the person who will be testifying. A unique email address must be provided for each person registered to speak. Registration will close on Tuesday, February 28, 2023 at 3:00 P.M. Speaker order of approved registrants will be listed in a randomized order and posted on the Appropriations Committee website on Tuesday, February 28, 2023 at 6:00 P.M. under Public Hearing Testimony. If you do not have internet access, you may provide testimony via telephone. To register to testify by phone, call the Phone Registrant Line at 860-240-0033 to leave your contact information. Finally, please submit written testimony using the On-line Testimony Submission form:<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.25in'><a href="https://www.cga.ct.gov/aspx/CGATestimonySub/CGAtestimonysubmission.aspx?comm_code=APP">https://www.cga.ct.gov/aspx/CGATestimonySub/CGAtestimonysubmission.aspx?comm_code=APP</a><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.25in'>Speakers will be limited to three minutes of testimony. The Committee encourages witnesses to submit a written statement and to condense oral testimony to a summary of that statement. The NFB of Connecticut as an organization is preparing its own written testimony, but your own personal experiences of not being able to get the technology and services you need to fully live the life you want will be even more impactful. All public hearing testimony, written and spoken, is public information. As such, it will be made available on the CGA website and indexed by internet search engines.<span style='color:#1F497D'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'>Your letters and e-mails to your legislators and your participation in this hearing will be critical in restoring and improving Adult Services at BESB.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'>--<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'>Nathanael<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>NFB Connecticut is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Topic: Appropriations Committee Hearing<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Time: Feb 23, 2023, 08:30 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Join Zoom Meeting<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><a href="https://zoom.us/j/96698873408?pwd=QTJOaW4weTFjSmJjOXVZVzg1RTBiZz09">https://zoom.us/j/96698873408?pwd=QTJOaW4weTFjSmJjOXVZVzg1RTBiZz09</a><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Meeting ID: 966 9887 3408<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Passcode: 929611<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>One tap mobile<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>+16468769923,,96698873408#,,,,*929611# US (New York)<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>+16469313860,,96698873408#,,,,*929611# US<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Dial by your location<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'> +1 646 876 9923 US (New York)<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'> +1 646 931 3860 US<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Meeting ID: 966 9887 3408<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Passcode: 929611<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Find your local number: <a href="https://zoom.us/u/ajhQrOFso">https://zoom. Us/u/ajhQrOFso</a><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Join by Skype for Business<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><a href="https://zoom.us/skype/96698873408">https://zoom.us/skype/96698873408</a><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Best Regards,<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Maryanne Melley<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>President<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>National Federation of the Blind of Connecticut<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>860-212-5549<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>maryanne.melley@gmail.com<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Together with love, hope, and determination, we transform dreams into reality<o:p></o:p></span></p></div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'>--<o:p></o:p></span></p></div></body></html>