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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>Seeking Members for Blind Unbound Focus Group:</b><o:p></o:p></h3><p class=MsoListParagraph style='line-height:115%'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>As part of Blind Unbound, we are developing resources for educating students in grades K through 12 about blind people. To shape this project, we would like to hear from members who have given a presentation or lesson about blind people in their local school, scout group, or other community youth group. Your input will help ensure that these educational resources reflect authentic stories of blind people and break down misconceptions. We are holding focus groups on Thursday, September 17, at 4:00 p.m., Eastern, and Monday, September 28, at 8:00 p.m., Eastern. If you have participated in a lesson about blind people for students in any grades from kindergarten through 12th grade and would like to share your experience, please email </span><a href="mailto:atyler@nfb.org"><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>atyler@nfb.org</span></a><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'> with your name and your preferred focus group date. Thank you for sharing your story and shaping Blind Unbound.</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoListParagraph style='line-height:115%'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'> </span><o:p></o:p></p><h3><b>Big Advocacy Win:</b><o:p></o:p></h3><p class=MsoListParagraph style='line-height:115%'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>A federal court has vacated the Department of Education’s December 2025 decision limiting the Randolph-Sheppard priority for Army dining facility contracts. The ruling protects blind entrepreneurs, reinforces the required public process, and recognizes that the department’s closed process caused substantial prejudice. This victory follows the National Federation of the Blind’s December statement and January lawsuit with blind entrepreneurs and partners. Read and share our press release on the update: </span><a href="https://nfb.org/about-us/press-room/federal-court-vacates-department-education-decision-limiting-randolph-sheppard" title="https://nfb.org/about-us/press-room/federal-court-vacates-department-education-decision-limiting-randolph-sheppard"><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Federal Court Vacates Department of Education Decision Limiting Randolph-Sheppard Priority for Army Dining Contracts</span></a><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoListParagraph style='line-height:115%'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'> </span><o:p></o:p></p><h3><b>Advocacy and Policy Job Openings:</b><o:p></o:p></h3><p class=MsoListParagraph style='line-height:115%'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Our Advocacy and Policy Department has two job openings that need to be filled. We are looking for a qualified NFB-NEWSLINE contract specialist and an Independence Market specialist. For more information on both of these positions, please visit our </span><a href="https://nfb.org/about-us/career-opportunities"><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Career Opportunities</span></a><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'> page. </span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoListParagraph style='line-height:115%'><b><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'> </span></b><o:p></o:p></p><h3><b>Legislative Alert on Removing Barriers to Work for Disabled Americans Act, H.R. 8884:</b><o:p></o:p></h3><p class=MsoListParagraph style='line-height:115%'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>On July 23, the Removing Barriers to Work for Disabled Americans Act, H.R. 8884, passed the House of Representatives. In short, this bill authorizes the Social Security Administration to conduct demonstration projects, like the one outlined in the Blind Americans Return to Work Act, within the Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) program. The bill still needs to pass the Senate before it can be signed into law by the president, which means we need your help to advocate for this. For more details, please review the </span><a href="https://nfb.org/programs-services/advocacy/legislative-priorities/legislative-alerts/removing-barriers-work"><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>legislative alert on H.R. 8884</span></a><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'> that was sent out by our Advocacy and Policy Department last week. </span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoListParagraph style='line-height:115%'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'> </span><o:p></o:p></p><h3><b>Fall Conference for Blindness Professionals:</b><o:p></o:p></h3><p class=MsoListParagraph style='line-height:115%'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>The National Federation of the Blind invites education and rehabilitation professionals to the Dare to Be Remarkable Conference, November 18–20, 2026, at the NFB Jernigan Institute in Baltimore. This immersive training challenges us to teach with purpose, lead with high expectations, and strengthen outcomes for blind people nationwide. Grounded in Structured Discovery, this national training brings together practitioners, administrators, and emerging leaders for practical skill-building and thought-provoking discussions. Registration is now open. </span><a href="https://nfb.org/programs-services/employment/dare-be-remarkable"><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Dare to Be Remarkable | National Federation of the Blind</span></a><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoListParagraph style='line-height:115%'><b><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'> </span></b><o:p></o:p></p><h3><b>Plan Today. Build Tomorrow:</b><o:p></o:p></h3><p class=MsoListParagraph style='line-height:115%'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>August is Make-A-Will Month, a good reminder that planning for the future helps sustain the programs and services of the National Federation of the Blind. Please consider joining our Dream Makers Circle by including the NFB in your estate plans or naming the Federation as a beneficiary of your IRA, life insurance, or retirement plan. For more information, contact Patti Chang at extension 2422 or </span><a href="mailto:pchang@nfb.org"><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>pchang@nfb.org</span></a><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>.</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoListParagraph style='line-height:115%'><b><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'> </span></b><o:p></o:p></p><h3><b>Student Seminar in September:</b><o:p></o:p></h3><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>The National Federation of the Blind Southwest Student Seminar, “The Power of Connection: Networking with Intention,” September 18-20 in Tucson, Arizona. Designed for blind students at all stages of their educational journey, the seminar is hosted by the National Association of Blind Students and will feature interactive workshops, engaging discussions, and opportunities to connect with blind peers and mentors from across the region. Participants will explore topics ranging from accommodations and advocacy to identity, leadership, and building meaningful professional networks. NABS is committed to ensuring that finances are not a barrier to participation and encourages interested students to </span><a href="https://nabslink.org/civicrm/event/info?id=8&reset=1"><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>learn more and register by August 21</span></a><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>.</span><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p></o:p></span></p></div></body></html>