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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link="#0563C1" vlink="#954F72"><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal>Friends,<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>The MG Car Club of Washington D.C. is holding a car rally on September 23, 2023 beginning at approximately 9:45AM. They are seeking blind navigators. The event takes place at Burke Lake Park in Fairfax Station, Virginia NFB of Maryland may be able to coordinate transportation for those leaving from Baltimore, and I believe those coming from closer to DC can get there on the Metro.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>This is a road rally where blind and low vision navigators, using braille or large print instructions, give directions to the driver we pair them with. Teams follow the designated public route through lightly populated Virginia countryside to a checkpoint midway through the drive, and then return to Burke Lake Park. The complete trip takes about an hour and starts off around 10:30 a.m. or so, After everyone completes the course, they provide lunch, and awards are given for those with the "best" times. (Importantly, to encourage strict adherence to speed limits, points are deducted if you go too fast, as well as too slow.) Last year's overall winner was a 12 year old school boy from Fairfax Virginia. <br><br>Most, but not all, of the drivers are driving MG cars. Last year, the organizer<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>s navigator (a woman he met about ten years ago through a tandem bicycle group) brought her 2 year old toddler, so they did the rally in his modern Volkswagen, as his MG would not accommodate the youngster's car seat. They can accommodate passengers, such as spouses or parents, if desired, although most of the teams consist of one navigator and one driver. <br><br>There is no cost to attend the rally and they can arrange transportation for navigators. In some cases, it is provided by club members, in other cases, they utilize Uber or another ride service to transport navigators to and from the park. NFB of Maryland may have a van leaving from NFB if interest is high. <br><br>The club's braille rally dates back to 1962. They believe it is the first event of its type in the U.S. After 57 years, the event was cancelled in 2020 and 2021 due to Covid, but they brought it back last year (on October 22) and it was very well received. They had six navigators last year, and they hope to double or triple that number this year. (they are also considering audio instructions this year - something they have not done in the past). <br><br>The MG Car Club of Washington D.C. was founded in 1951 and is an official "centre" of the MG Car Club in Britain that was formed by MG in the early 1930's to promote interest in the brand. They have approximately 200 members.<br><br>Please feel free to contact Dr. Maurer at <a href="mailto:MMaurer@nfb.org">MMaurer@nfb.org</a> or Tom Renda at the information below if you have any questions.<br><br>Tom Renda<br>President<br>MG Car Club, Washington D.C. Centre<br>410-804-7017<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>Ronza Othman, </span></b><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>President</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>National Federation of the Blind of Maryland<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>443-426-4110<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Pronouns: she, her, hers<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>The National Federation of the Blind of Maryland 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>