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<DIV>Fellow NFB of Connecticut Members:</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>All of you should have received by now from any of our NFB listserves a
request to provide letters opposing E-reader manufacturers’, such as Kindle’s,
petition asking the FCC to not require accessibility for the blind to their
E-readers. Of course, we want accessibility. It only takes about 15
minutes to take the skeleton letter, add in your information, include a very
short story, pick the talking points you most like (and re-word them if you
wish), and enter your signature text. As an example, I’ve attached
mine.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>If you have 15 minutes this weekend, please do this! Let me or the
list know if we can help you in any way.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>Best,</DIV>
<DIV>Nathanael Wales</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV
style="FONT-SIZE: small; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri'; FONT-WEIGHT: normal; COLOR: #000000; FONT-STYLE: normal; TEXT-DECORATION: none; DISPLAY: inline">
<DIV style="FONT: 10pt tahoma">
<DIV><FONT size=3 face=Calibri></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV style="BACKGROUND: #f5f5f5">
<DIV style="font-color: black"><B>From:</B> <A title=ntwales@omsoft.com
href="mailto:ntwales@omsoft.com">Nathanael T. Wales</A> </DIV>
<DIV><B>Sent:</B> Friday, August 30, 2013 5:54 PM</DIV>
<DIV><B>To:</B> <A title=vyingling@nfb.org
href="mailto:vyingling@nfb.org">vyingling@nfb.org</A> </DIV>
<DIV><B>Subject:</B> Fw: URGENT: WE NEED LETTERS TO MAKE E-READERS ACCESSIBLE BY
LABOR DAY </DIV></DIV></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV></DIV>
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<DIV style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri'; COLOR: #000000">
<DIV>Valerie,</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>Please find my letter attached, as requested. Let me know if you have
any questions.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>Nathanael T. Wales</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV
style="FONT-SIZE: small; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri'; FONT-WEIGHT: normal; COLOR: #000000; FONT-STYLE: normal; TEXT-DECORATION: none; DISPLAY: inline">
<DIV style="FONT: 10pt tahoma">
<DIV><FONT size=3 face=Calibri></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV style="BACKGROUND: #f5f5f5">
<DIV style="font-color: black"><B>From:</B> <A title=LMcLarney@nfb.org
href="mailto:LMcLarney@nfb.org">McLarney, Lauren</A> </DIV>
<DIV><B>Sent:</B> Wednesday, August 28, 2013 5:06 PM</DIV>
<DIV><B>To:</B> <A title=alaskanfb@yahoo.com
href="mailto:alaskanfb@yahoo.com">alaskanfb@yahoo.com</A> ; <A
title=kccajun@att.net href="mailto:kccajun@att.net">kccajun@att.net</A> ; <A
title=Pat.nfb@att.net href="mailto:Pat.nfb@att.net">Pat.nfb@att.net</A> ; <A
title=tosheeler@cox.net href="mailto:tosheeler@cox.net">State President,
Arkansas</A> ; <A title=donaldpfield@gmail.com
href="mailto:donaldpfield@gmail.com">donaldpfield@gmail.com</A> ; <A
title=info@michaelhingson.com
href="mailto:info@michaelhingson.com">info@michaelhingson.com</A> ; <A
title=rhouston58@gmail.com
href="mailto:rhouston58@gmail.com">rhouston58@gmail.com</A> ; <A
title=nfbcrivercity@gmail.com
href="mailto:nfbcrivercity@gmail.com">nfbcrivercity@gmail.com</A> ; <A
title=woodseric3@gmail.com
href="mailto:woodseric3@gmail.com">woodseric3@gmail.com</A> ; <A
title=jbeecham@cocenter.org
href="mailto:jbeecham@cocenter.org">jbeecham@cocenter.org</A> ; <A
title=kevanworley@worleyenterprises.com
href="mailto:kevanworley@worleyenterprises.com">kevanworley@worleyenterprises.com</A>
; <A title=president@alumni.ecu.edu
href="mailto:president@alumni.ecu.edu">president@alumni.ecu.edu</A> ; <A
title=ntwales@omsoft.com href="mailto:ntwales@omsoft.com">ntwales@omsoft.com</A>
; <A title=callaway.shawn@gmail.com href="mailto:callaway.shawn@gmail.com">State
President, District of Columbia</A> ; <A title=smith990@gmail.com
href="mailto:smith990@gmail.com">smith990@gmail.com</A> ; <A
title=majla@verizon.net href="mailto:majla@verizon.net">majla@verizon.net</A> ;
<A title=valkemadenise@aol.com
href="mailto:valkemadenise@aol.com">valkemadenise@aol.com</A> ; <A
title=danjhicks@yahoo.com href="mailto:danjhicks@yahoo.com">State President,
Florida</A> ; <A title=gscott@nfbga.org href="mailto:gscott@nfbga.org">State
President, Georgia</A> ; <A title=stootle@nfbga.org
href="mailto:stootle@nfbga.org">stootle@nfbga.org</A> ; <A
title=nanifife@aol.com href="mailto:nanifife@aol.com">State President,
Hawaii</A> ; <A title=one.fisherman@hawaiiantel.net
href="mailto:one.fisherman@hawaiiantel.net">one.fisherman@hawaiiantel.net</A> ;
<A title=young.brandon4@gmail.com
href="mailto:young.brandon4@gmail.com">young.brandon4@gmail.com</A> ; <A
title=michael.nfbi@gmail.com href="mailto:michael.nfbi@gmail.com">State
President, Iowa</A> ; <A title=hoovere74@gmail.com
href="mailto:hoovere74@gmail.com">hoovere74@gmail.com</A> ; <A
title=pattichang@att.net href="mailto:pattichang@att.net">State President,
Illinois</A> ; <A title=rosesloan2013@u.northwestern.edu
href="mailto:rosesloan2013@u.northwestern.edu">rosesloan2013@u.northwestern.edu</A>
; <A title=highlander@indy.rr.com
href="mailto:highlander@indy.rr.com">highlander@indy.rr.com</A> ; <A
title=donnajwood@cox.net href="mailto:donnajwood@cox.net">State President,
Kansas</A> ; <A title=rob.tabor@sbcglobal.net
href="mailto:rob.tabor@sbcglobal.net">rob.tabor@sbcglobal.net</A> ; <A
title=pam.glisson@insightbb.com
href="mailto:pam.glisson@insightbb.com">pam.glisson@insightbb.com</A> ; <A
title=lizngraves@gmail.com
href="mailto:lizngraves@gmail.com">lizngraves@gmail.com</A> ; <A
title=aelia@mac.com href="mailto:aelia@mac.com">aelia@mac.com</A> ; <A
title=wa2ios.mark@gmail.com
href="mailto:wa2ios.mark@gmail.com">wa2ios.mark@gmail.com</A> ; <A
title=nfbmd@earthlink.net
href="mailto:nfbmd@earthlink.net">nfbmd@earthlink.net</A> ; <A
title=leonproctorjr@yahoo.com href="mailto:leonproctorjr@yahoo.com">State
President, Maine</A> ; <A title=f.wurtzel@att.net
href="mailto:f.wurtzel@att.net">f.wurtzel@att.net</A> ; <A
title=suncat0@gmail.com href="mailto:suncat0@gmail.com">suncat0@gmail.com</A> ;
<A title=jennifer.dunnam1829@gmail.com
href="mailto:jennifer.dunnam1829@gmail.com">State President, Minnesota</A> ; <A
title=hstevens@blindinc.org
href="mailto:hstevens@blindinc.org">hstevens@blindinc.org</A> ; <A
title=sbwright95@att.net href="mailto:sbwright95@att.net">sbwright95@att.net</A>
; <A title=glsbyrd@att.net href="mailto:glsbyrd@att.net">glsbyrd@att.net</A> ;
<A title=burke.dall@gmail.com
href="mailto:burke.dall@gmail.com">burke.dall@gmail.com</A> ; <A
title=chiefblindtech@gmail.com href="mailto:chiefblindtech@gmail.com">State
President, Montana</A> ; <A title=angusparker@suddenlink.net
href="mailto:angusparker@suddenlink.net">angusparker@suddenlink.net</A> ; <A
title=sharon_newton@bellsouth.net
href="mailto:sharon_newton@bellsouth.net">sharon_newton@bellsouth.net</A> ; <A
title=Anthony@olivero.us href="mailto:Anthony@olivero.us">Anthony@olivero.us</A>
; <A title=cemcnabb21@yahoo.com href="mailto:cemcnabb21@yahoo.com">State
President, New Hampshire</A> ; <A title=tti777@gmail.com
href="mailto:tti777@gmail.com">tti777@gmail.com</A> ; <A
title=martinez.joni@gmail.com
href="mailto:martinez.joni@gmail.com">martinez.joni@gmail.com</A> ; <A
title=avigil74@gmail.com href="mailto:avigil74@gmail.com">State President, New
Mexico</A> ; <A title=realhappygirl1@gmail.com
href="mailto:realhappygirl1@gmail.com">State President, Nevada</A> ; <A
title=winds159@yahoo.com href="mailto:winds159@yahoo.com">winds159@yahoo.com</A>
; <A title=ajacobs633@aol.com
href="mailto:ajacobs633@aol.com">ajacobs633@aol.com</A> ; <A
title=chrisminkler@gmail.com
href="mailto:chrisminkler@gmail.com">chrisminkler@gmail.com</A> ; <A
title=BBPierce@pobox.com href="mailto:BBPierce@pobox.com">Pierce, Barbara</A> ;
<A title=brian_royko@live.com
href="mailto:brian_royko@live.com">brian_royko@live.com</A> ; <A
title=eduffy@pobox.com href="mailto:eduffy@pobox.com">State President, Ohio</A>
; <A title=Gfarnum@cox.net href="mailto:Gfarnum@cox.net">Gfarnum@cox.net</A> ;
<A title=jmassay1@cox.net href="mailto:jmassay1@cox.net">State President,
Oklahoma</A> ; <A title=admin@mainstreetmontessori.org
href="mailto:admin@mainstreetmontessori.org">State President, Oregon</A> ; <A
title=artds55@comcast.net
href="mailto:artds55@comcast.net">artds55@comcast.net</A> ; <A
title=michelleandremy@gmail.com
href="mailto:michelleandremy@gmail.com">michelleandremy@gmail.com</A> ; <A
title=Angies143@verizon.net
href="mailto:Angies143@verizon.net">Angies143@verizon.net</A> ; <A
title=debracanc2@myfrontiermail.com
href="mailto:debracanc2@myfrontiermail.com">debracanc2@myfrontiermail.com</A> ;
<A title=trevorwhite79@gmail.com
href="mailto:trevorwhite79@gmail.com">trevorwhite79@gmail.com</A> ; <A
title=jrs3147@comcast.net
href="mailto:jrs3147@comcast.net">jrs3147@comcast.net</A> ; <A
title=jose.marquez.texas@gmail.com
href="mailto:jose.marquez.texas@gmail.com">jose.marquez.texas@gmail.com</A> ; <A
title=baconev@yahoo.com href="mailto:baconev@yahoo.com">State President,
Utah</A> ; <A title=karl@axistech.net
href="mailto:karl@axistech.net">karl@axistech.net</A> ; <A
title=sachin.pavithran@usu.edu
href="mailto:sachin.pavithran@usu.edu">sachin.pavithran@usu.edu</A> ; <A
title=gyeager12@gmail.com
href="mailto:gyeager12@gmail.com">gyeager12@gmail.com</A> ; <A
title=deannaljones@comcast.net href="mailto:deannaljones@comcast.net">State
President, Vermont</A> ; <A title=hviens76@gmail.com
href="mailto:hviens76@gmail.com">hviens76@gmail.com</A> ; <A
title=k7uij@panix.com href="mailto:k7uij@panix.com">State President,
Washington</A> ; <A title=mjc59@q.com href="mailto:mjc59@q.com">mjc59@q.com</A>
; <A title=wolvessarah@hotmail.com
href="mailto:wolvessarah@hotmail.com">wolvessarah@hotmail.com</A> ; <A
title=krnfbmbwv@gmail.com
href="mailto:krnfbmbwv@gmail.com">krnfbmbwv@gmail.com</A> ; <A
title=slk5111@hotmail.com
href="mailto:slk5111@hotmail.com">slk5111@hotmail.com</A> ; <A
title=kthornbury@bresnan.net href="mailto:kthornbury@bresnan.net">State
President, Wyoming</A> </DIV>
<DIV><B>Cc:</B> <A title=msidhu@nfb.org
href="mailto:msidhu@nfb.org">Sidhu,Mehgan</A> ; <A title=Vyingling@nfb.org
href="mailto:Vyingling@nfb.org">Yingling, Valerie</A> ; <A title=JPare@nfb.org
href="mailto:JPare@nfb.org">Pare, John</A> ; <A title=JHartle@nfb.org
href="mailto:JHartle@nfb.org">Hartle, Jesse</A> ; <A title=ALewis@nfb.org
href="mailto:ALewis@nfb.org">Lewis, Anil</A> </DIV>
<DIV><B>Subject:</B> URGENT: WE NEED LETTERS TO MAKE E-READERS ACCESSIBLE BY
LABOR DAY </DIV></DIV></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV></DIV>
<DIV
style="FONT-SIZE: small; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri'; FONT-WEIGHT: normal; COLOR: #000000; FONT-STYLE: normal; TEXT-DECORATION: none; DISPLAY: inline">
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<P class=MsoNormal>Hello Legislative Directors,<o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><o:p><FONT size=3></FONT></o:p> </P>
<P class=MsoNormal>We need your help! The Coalition of E-Reader
Manufacturers has submitted a Petition for Waiver to the FCC asking that
e-readers be exempt from the Twenty First Century Communications and Video
Accessibility Act (CVAA) accessibility requirements. I have attached the
Petition. NFB has written comments opposing the request, and we are asking
other groups to sign on. I have also attached those comments. But
the FCC needs to hear from our members – blind people who want access to
e-readers – and the more people they hear from, the better. We are asking
all Legislative Directors to find people in their respective affiliates to edit
the attached skeleton letter and return it to us. The letter is already
formatted and has an outline, but it is up to each person to make it personal
and select which talking points they want to use. Finished letters should
be sent to Valerie Yingling at <A
href="mailto:vyingling@nfb.org">vyingling@nfb.org</A> by <B>8pm on Monday,
September 2</B>. Valerie will proofread each document to make sure there
are no typos and the customized points are still on message, and then we will
submit the letters all at once when they are due on September
3<SUP>rd</SUP>. We are short on time but I trust that this issue is
pressing to our membership and we will get a good amount of letters.
<o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><o:p><FONT size=3></FONT></o:p> </P>
<P class=MsoNormal>For some background: The CVAA requires that all mobile
devices with advanced communications services (ACS) be accessible to blind
people, but the law allows manufacturers to request a waiver for equipment that
is not intended for ACS. The Coalition (comprised of Amazon, Sony and
Kobo) claims that the primary purpose of e-readers is reading, and that the ACS
found in e-readers is so incidental and ancillary that it is not an intended
purpose of the device. We know this is not true – e-readers are outfitted
with built-in web browsers and designed for social media. The Coalition
also claims that to make e-readers accessible would require a fundamental
overhaul that would render e-readers obsolete, harm the public interest, and not
provide substantial benefit to blind people. We know that this offensive
claim is also not true. It is critical that the FCC hear from all of us –
it is the only thing that can defeat the petition. Regulation is
legislation’s sister, so I know we can count on all of you to get a good amount
of feedback to the FCC. If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to email
me or Valerie. Looking forward to seeing everyone’s letters.
<o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><o:p></o:p> </P>
<P class=MsoNormal>Cheers,<o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal>Lauren<o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><B><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'"><o:p></o:p></SPAN></B> </P>
<P class=MsoNormal><B><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'">Lauren
McLarney</SPAN></B><o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'">Government Affairs
Specialist</SPAN><o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'">NATIONAL FEDERATION
OF THE BLIND</SPAN><o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'">200 East Wells
St.</SPAN><o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'">Baltimore, MD
21230</SPAN><o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'">(410) 659 9314 ext.
2207</SPAN><o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'"><A
href="mailto:lmclarney@nfb.org"><SPAN
style="COLOR: blue">lmclarney@nfb.org</SPAN></A></SPAN><o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal> <o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal> <o:p></o:p></P>
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