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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link="#0563C1" vlink="#954F72"><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal>Dear students, parents, and teachers,<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>The National Federation of the Blind of Georgia and the Georgia Association of Blind Students are excited to announce the 2017 Student Seminar, as well as several other student activities during the 2017 State Convention of the NFB of Georgia. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>This year’s student seminar will be an excellent opportunity for blind students to connect with other students from across the state, meet local and national leaders and mentors in the blindness movement, learn how to advocate for your needs in college and the workplace, explore different aspects of employment, and hear about the latest in assistive technology. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>The seminar will be held from 1:00-5:00 PM on Friday, October 13 at the Holiday Inn Airport North, the same site as the NFB of GA convention. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>On Saturday, there will also be a student lunch, hosted by the Georgia Association of Blind Students (free with convention registration), and a Career Exploration Seminar, led by Nancy Parkin-Bashizi of VRS of Georgia. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>For any questions about student activities at convention or how to get involved in the Georgia Association of Blind Students, please contact Justin Heard, the President of the Georgia Association of Blind Students, at <a href="mailto:braillemasterjustin@gmail.com">braillemasterjustin@gmail.com</a>. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>There is funding available for students to attend the NFB of GA convention so that they may participate in the student and transition activities! <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Thanks to a partnership with Georgia Vocational Rehabilitation Agency, Georgia students between the ages of 14 and 22 will have the cost of convention registration, convention hotel room for Friday and Saturday nights, a ticket to the banquet on Saturday evening, and all other meals covered. Students are not required to have an open case with GVRA but must have a referral to GVRA in the system. Students, parents, and teachers can contact Shirley Robinson (<a href="mailto:Shirley.robinson@gvs.ga.gov">Shirley.robinson@gvs.ga.gov</a>, 404-783-3545) to ensure students are in the system and to sign up for funding for convention. All students under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. Convention expenses for the parent or guardian will not be covered, except that the parent or guardian will share the hotel room with their student. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>For any questions about taking advantage of this funding opportunity, please contact Shirley Robinson at <a href="mailto:Shirley.robinson@gvs.ga.gov">Shirley.robinson@gvs.ga.gov</a>, 404-783-3545. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>For more information about the 2017 State Convention, please visit http:bit.ly/nfbga2017 <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Please respond quickly, as the last day to book a room at the hotel is September 22, 2017. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Please share this information and the attached flyer with any students, parents, or teachers who may be interested. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Sincerely,<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Greg Aikens, President<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><a href="http://www.nfbga.org/"><span style='color:#0563C1'>National Federation of the Blind of Georgia</span></a><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Email: <a href="mailto:gaikens@nfbga.org"><span style='color:#0563C1'>gaikens@nfbga.org</span></a><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Cell: (404) 444-8661<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><img border=0 width=271 height=115 style='width:2.8263in;height:1.2013in' id="Picture_x0020_1" src="cid:image003.png@01D32B1E.54FD0E40" alt="Title: NFB of GA Logowith tag line, "Live the life you want.""><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>The National Federation of the Blind knows that blindness is not the characteristic that defines you or your future. Every day we raise the expectations of blind people, because low expectations create obstacles between blind people and our dreams. You can live the life you want; blindness is not what holds you back.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div></body></html>