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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link="#0563C1" vlink="#954F72"><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal>Good Evening Federation Family:<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>I wanted to reach out with some reminders and additional information as we work through the Covid-19 pandemic together. First, let me remind you of a page that has great Federation and other resources. This is also a great place to get educational ideas since our education team at the national level has also posted resources off of that page for several distance learning ideas. You can find all of this information at<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><a href="http://www.nfb.org/covid19">http://www.nfb.org/covid19</a><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>If students have questions, the Iowa Association of Blind Students is here to help. You can reach the division president, Katy Olsen, at <a href="mailto:president.iabs@gmail.com">president.iabs@gmail.com</a><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> I also received an update on the free white cane program. There will be weekly shipments of canes going out starting this Tuesday, March 31. If you have placed an order for one folks will be working to clear the backlog as soon as possible on a weekly basis at this time. If you need one, please feel free to fill out the form or get more information at<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><a href="https://www.nfb.org/programs-services/free-white-cane-program">https://www.nfb.org/programs-services/free-white-cane-program</a> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>and your name will be added to the list.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>If you or someone you know is blind and has transportation needs due to lack of access, please get in touch with me as soon as possible. The Federation and Lyft have joined forces to make a limited number of rides available through March 31.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Now, on to a bit of sad news. The Federation has lost what we believe to be its first member to Covid-19. It was reported today that Robert Gates from the Washington D.C affiliate passed away due to complications from Covid-19. Our thoughts go out to his family and the D.C. affiliate. We know that there are others throughout the country dealing with the effects of the virus, and some are not in the best of shape. Please keep everyone in your thoughts and prayers as we all continue to deal with this through the coming days and weeks.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>I’m sure more information will be coming out in the next few days as to what will happen with in-person gatherings and other events in the month of April. Stay tuned! In the meantime, stay healthy, and let’s all go build the National Federation of the Blind of Iowa!<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Scott Van Gorp, President<br>National Federation of the Blind of Iowa<br>Phone: 515-720-5282<br></span><a href="mailto:svangorp@nfbi.org"><span style='color:#0563C1'>Email</span></a><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><a href="http://www.nfbi.org/"><i><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#0563C1'>Website</span></i></a><i><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'> <br></span></i><a href="https://www.facebook.com/National-Federation-Of-the-Blind-Of-Iowa-372681823082570/posts"><i><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#0563C1'>Facebook</span></i></a><i><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'> <br></span></i><a href="https://twitter.com/nfb_iowa"><i><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#0563C1'>Twitter</span></i></a><i><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'> <br>Live the life you want.<br></span></i><br>The National Federation of the Blind of Iowa is a community of members and friends who believe in the hopes and dreams of the nation’s blind. Every day we work together to help blind people live the lives they want.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div></body></html>