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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><h3><b>Upcoming Event: Information Session with Tonya Baņa:</b><o:p></o:p></h3><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.25in'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>As part of our safety and support work, the National Federation of the Blind Code of Conduct Feedback Committee has been gathering information for improving the participant experience, socializing the code itself and associated procedures, and any barriers to understanding the policies and standards established for our community. There is an upcoming information session on Sunday, October 23, at 8:00 p.m., eastern, with Tonya Baņa, our external investigator. </span><a href="https://nfb.org/civicrm/event/info?id=537&reset=1"><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Zoom and details are available on the nfb.org event page for the information session</span></a><span class=MsoHyperlink><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>.</span></span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'> </span><o:p></o:p></p><h2><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>News:</span><o:p></o:p></h2><h3><b>Blind Voter Survey:</b><o:p></o:p></h3><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.25in'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act requires that voters with disabilities must be afforded an opportunity to vote privately and independently that is equivalent to the opportunity afforded to voters without disabilities. This requirement applies to both in-person voting and voting by mail for the upcoming general election on November 8, 2022.</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.25in'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'> </span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.25in'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>After exercising the fundamental right to vote, all blind and low-vision voters are encouraged to complete our 2022 Blind and Low-Vision Voter Experience Survey! The 2022 survey consists of two separate surveys: one survey for those who voted in person at an early voting center or their local polling place, and a second survey for blind and low-vision voters who voted by mail. Both surveys can be accessed from our </span><a href="https://nfb.org/resources/voting-resources"><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Voting Resources webpage.</span></a><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoListParagraph><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'> </span><o:p></o:p></p><h3><b>Help Us Meet the Match: Vispero Is Matching Donations through December 31, 2022:</b><o:p></o:p></h3><p class=MsoListParagraph style='mso-margin-top-alt:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:8.0pt;margin-left:.75in;mso-add-space:auto;text-indent:-.25in;line-height:105%;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1'><![if !supportLists]><span style='font-family:Symbol'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>·<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> </span></span></span><![endif]><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:105%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Give online at </span><a href="https://nfb.org/donate"><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:105%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>nfb.org/donate</span></a><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoListParagraph style='margin-left:.75in;mso-add-space:auto;text-indent:-.25in;line-height:105%;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1'><![if !supportLists]><span style='font-family:Symbol'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>·<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> </span></span></span><![endif]><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:105%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Mail a check to National Federation of the Blind, 200 East Wells Street, Baltimore, MD 21230</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoListParagraph style='margin-left:.75in;mso-add-space:auto;text-indent:-.25in;line-height:105%;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1'><![if !supportLists]><span style='font-family:Symbol'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>·<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> </span></span></span><![endif]><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:105%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Contribute by phone using a credit card by calling 410-659-9314, extension 2430</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoListParagraph style='margin-left:.75in;mso-add-space:auto;text-indent:-.25in;line-height:105%;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1'><![if !supportLists]><span style='font-family:Symbol'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>·<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> </span></span></span><![endif]><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:105%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Share this information with family and friends!</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.25in'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'> </span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.25in'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Thank you for contributing to our mission and helping<span style='color:black;background:white'> blind people live the lives they want</span>. </span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'> </span><o:p></o:p></p><h3><b>Websites and Software Applications Accessibility Act (S. 4998/H.R. 9021):</b><o:p></o:p></h3><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.25in'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Since the introduction of the Websites and Software Applications Accessibility Act in both the House and the Senate, we have been copied on a number of your emails urging members of Congress to cosponsor the bills. This is fantastic, and really demonstrates the power we have when we all set out to accomplish one goal. Please keep up this great work and continue to email and call your members of Congress to urge them to cosponsor the Websites and Software Applications Accessibility Act (S. 4998/H.R. 9021). </span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'> </span><o:p></o:p></p><h3><b>It's Still Blind Equality Achievement Month!:</b><o:p></o:p></h3><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.25in'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Let’s keep engaging on social media using the hashtag #BlindMonth. Members of the National Federation of the Blind are still conducting activities in local communities such as white cane walks, film screenings, and social events. If you still have events or have had one, please share a description of your affiliate- or chapter-related #BlindMonth activities, including the white cane proclamations, to </span><a href="mailto:web@nfb.org"><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>web@nfb.org</span></a><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'> so they can be posted on the </span><a href="https://nfb.org/blind-month"><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Blind Equality Achievement Month page.</span></a><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'> </span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'> </span><o:p></o:p></p><h3><b>Social Security Administration Announces 2023 Cost-of-Living Adjustment:</b><o:p></o:p></h3><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.25in'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>On Thursday, October 13, 2022, the Social Security Administration (SSA) announced the cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) for the 2023 benefit amounts. The increase for 2023 is 8.7 percent and will have the following impact on benefit amounts beginning in January of next year:</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.25in;mso-add-space:auto'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Supplemental Security Income (SSI)</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.25in;mso-add-space:auto'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>2022 benefit: $841</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.25in;mso-add-space:auto'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>2023 benefit: $914</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.25in;mso-add-space:auto'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'> </span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.25in;mso-add-space:auto'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI)</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.25in;mso-add-space:auto'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Average 2022 benefit: $1,364</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.25in;mso-add-space:auto'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Average 2023 benefit: $1,483</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.25in;mso-add-space:auto'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'> </span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.25in;mso-add-space:auto'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>SSDI Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA) Threshold for Blind People</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.25in;mso-add-space:auto'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>2022: $2,260</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.25in;mso-add-space:auto'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>2023: $2,460</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'> </span><o:p></o:p></p><h3><b>NIH RADx COVID-19 At-Home-Test-Experience Survey:</b><o:p></o:p></h3><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.25in'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>The National Institutes of Health Rapid Acceleration of Diagnostics (NIH RADx) has extended the closing date for its COVID-19 At-Home-Test-Experience survey. If you haven’t already, please take time to complete this important survey: </span><a href="https://nam12.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fprotect-us.mimecast.com%2Fs%2FG08iCn5ND2f7xNz9S9VZdJ%3Fdomain%3Dgatech.co1.qualtrics.com&data=05%7C01%7Cvyingling%40nfb.org%7Ce86041fd47d24dd4b9d108daab13fe89%7C538f3d4b739545cf93fa8dfc2b4a7f62%7C1%7C0%7C638010399780995579%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000%7C%7C%7C&sdata=8%2BbjZYZQF7%2BDFNcQBKvFksqzFntf%2FpHJgjKDwCiU%2FT8%3D&reserved=0" target="_blank"><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>https://gatech.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_bdqaz5GtByY4H1I</span></a><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'> </span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'> </span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'> </span><o:p></o:p></p><h3><b>Where the Blind Work:</b><o:p></o:p></h3><p style='mso-margin-top-alt:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:15.0pt;margin-left:.25in;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black'>Join us on Friday, October 21, at 8:00 p.m., eastern, as we celebrate the work and accomplishments of successfully employed blind professionals. Register at </span><span style='color:black'><a href="https://nfb.org/programs-services/employment/where-the-blind-work-webinars-registration"><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>https://nfb.org/programs-services/employment/where-the-blind-work-webinars-registration</span></a></span><span class=MsoHyperlink><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>.</span></span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.25in'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Fearless Job Interview Part 2: the Dos and Don’ts of Business Communication, October 13, 2022, at 7:00 p.m., eastern. Join Zoom: </span><a href="https://zoom.us/j/93698466990"><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>https://zoom.us/j/93698466990</span></a><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.25in'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'> </span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.25in;mso-add-space:auto;background:white'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black'>Fall virtual career fair on Wednesday, October 26, from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m., eastern. The deadline to register is Friday, October 14, at noon, eastern.</span><o:p></o:p></p><ul type=disc><li class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;margin-left:.25in;mso-list:l1 level1 lfo2;background:white'><span style='color:black'><a href="https://nfb.org/form/career-fair-jobseeker-registration"><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black'>Registration for Job Seekers</span></a></span><o:p></o:p></li><li class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;margin-left:.25in;mso-list:l1 level1 lfo2;background:white'><span style='color:black'><a href="https://nfb.org/form/career-fair-employer-registration"><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black'>Registration for Employers</span></a></span><o:p></o:p></li></ul><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><h2><span style='font-size:12.0pt'> </span><o:p></o:p></h2><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div></body></html>