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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link="#0563C1" vlink="#954F72"><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'>Just to let you know I haven’t received as of yet the Braille Monitor. So I hope that I will receive it soon.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'>Bob<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><div><div style='border:none;border-top:solid #B5C4DF 1.0pt;padding:3.0pt 0in 0in 0in'><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"'>From:</span></b><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"'> MD-AtLarge [mailto:md-atlarge-bounces@nfbnet.org] <b>On Behalf Of </b>nfbmd via MD-AtLarge<br><b>Sent:</b> Friday, February 12, 2016 5:24 PM<br><b>To:</b> 'NFB of Maryland At Large Chapter List'<br><b>Cc:</b> nfbmd<br><b>Subject:</b> [MD-AtLarge] {Spam?} Chapter Reminder and Minutes<o:p></o:p></span></p></div></div><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Hello all,<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Happy Valentine’s Day! The regular meeting of the At-Large Chapter will take place on Tuesday, February 16. As usual, the National President’s Message starts at 7:30. The meeting begins at 8 pm. For your reference, the calling number is 641-715-3272. The access code is 720125. Read the minutes below: <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in;text-indent:-.5in'>Minutes for the At large chapter of the National Federation of the Blind of Maryland<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in;text-indent:-.5in'>Date: Tuesday, January 19, 2016<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in;text-indent:-.5in'><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>The meeting was called to order at 8:00 P.M. via conference call by Marguerite Woods. There were around 16 people on the call. Everyone gave their first and last name and where they were calling from.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-autospace:none'><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-autospace:none'>Everyone was asked whether they receive the Braille monitor and if it is in the format they prefer. It was pointed out that there is information in the front about national convention which will be in July in Orlando.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-autospace:none'><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-autospace:none'>Sharon explained that there is currently a petition to persuade the Obama administration to create regulations to make the internet accessible as a public accommodation. The goal is 100,000 signatures by February 11. You must have an email address to sign it. For those that receive Sharon's monthly email announcements, there is a link there to the petition.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-autospace:none'><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-autospace:none'>The library for the blind will have a workshop in April on how to write Unified English Braille, or UEB.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-autospace:none'><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-autospace:none'>Sharon made announcements concerning the state convention for this year. This year is the 50th anniversary of the NFB of MD, so it will be held at the Baltimore Marriott next to Camden Yards. It will be October 28-30. Further information will be provided in Sharon's monthly announcements as details are worked out. Room rates will be $92 plus tax. Several people made suggestions about things that could be part of the weekend, such as a tour of the ballpark and of the Jernigan institute.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-autospace:none'><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-autospace:none'>Several people will be going to Annapolis on Thursday, January 21 to meet with state legislators. Those attending will meet at 8:00 A.M. They will talk about getting rid of the special certificate used by sheltered workshops to pay people with disabilities less than minimum wage. Sharon explained that when this program was started, there were not as many jobs, and less was known about what those with disabilities could do. Sharon said the bill they are trying to pass would involve gradually getting rid of these certificates by not allowing any more of them to be issued and funding being cut to places that utilize the program. The second issue that will be talked about will involve blind parents having more rights in the legal system in child custody cases. This will include the burden of proof being shifted to those making accusations against blind parents instead of being on the parent. It will also require that a blind parent that has a challenge be given a chance to make things better, and judges involved in these cases will be required to give a decision in writing when ruling against a blind parent.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-autospace:none'><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-autospace:none'>Michael asked about ideas related to keeping oneself safe and defending oneself against others. Suggestions were given including doing things in daylight instead of darkness, staying away from high-crime areas, and wearing a whistle or making other noise. It was said that if people were interested there is a possibility of getting someone to provide us with personal safety and self-defense techniques. Some people said they carry things like tasers and pepper spray, though it was pointed out that these are not always legal so it is important to look into laws before choosing such options. It was also suggested that one be confident in their mobility & other blindness skills which will be more of a deterrent to those who may consider doing them harm.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-autospace:none'><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-autospace:none'>The Washington seminar is coming up on Monday and Tuesday, January 25 and 26. There will be several meetings with legislators involving people from all over the country. It will end with a reception with all the legislators.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>The meeting ended at 9:00 P.M.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in;text-indent:-.5in'><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in;text-indent:-.5in'>Submitted by Danielle Shives<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><b>Sharon Maneki, </b>President<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>National Federation of the Blind of Maryland<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>410-715-9596<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div></body></html>