<html xmlns:v="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:vml" xmlns:o="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" xmlns:w="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:word" xmlns:m="http://schemas.microsoft.com/office/2004/12/omml" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/TR/REC-html40"><head><META HTTP-EQUIV="Content-Type" CONTENT="text/html; charset=us-ascii"><meta name=Generator content="Microsoft Word 15 (filtered medium)"><style><!--
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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link="#0563C1" vlink="#954F72"><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal>Hello All,<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Maryland does not have any co-sponsors on the GAIN Act, H.R. 3929, yet. Let’s change this. Please read John Pare’s message below and call your Congressman. Thank you!<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>“We are officially in the third and final week of our Congressional support blitz. The bill we’re focusing on this week is our newest piece of legislation, and it is critical that we build support for it. This week’s bill is the Greater Access and Independence through Nonvisual Access Technology (GAIN) Act.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Greater Access and Independence through Nonvisual Access Technology (GAIN) Act<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>House – H.R. 3929 – Sponsored by Jan Schakowsky (D-IL-9) – 4 cosponsors<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>This legislation permits the Access Board to establish nonvisual accessibility guidelines for manufacturers, conduct training on these guidelines, and give authority to appropriate agencies to enforce these guidelines pertaining to home use medical devices, exercise equipment, and home appliances. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Please call or email your representative and urge them to cosponsor the Greater Access and Independence through Nonvisual Access Technology (GAIN) Act if they have not already done so. A complete list of current cosponsors is included at the end of this email. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>When you call or email, you might say something like the following:<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>"Hello, my name is [your name] and I am a constituent of [your representative]. I live in [city, state]. I am calling to urge [your representative] to cosponsor H.R. 3929, the Greater Access and Independence through Nonvisual Access Technology (GAIN) Act. This legislation permits the Access Board to establish nonvisual accessibility guidelines for manufacturers, conduct training on these guidelines, and give authority to appropriate agencies to enforce these guidelines pertaining to home use medical devices, exercise equipment, and home appliances.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Thanks."<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>You can contact your member of Congress by calling the Capitol Switchboard and asking for the office in question. The number is 202-224-3121. If you email your representative, please copy John Pare at <a href="mailto:jpare@nfb.org">jpare@nfb.org</a>. Your calls and emails do make a difference.”<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><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>Sharon Maneki, Director of Legislation and Advocacy</span></b><span style='font-size:12.0pt'><o:p></o:p></span></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><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>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</span>.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div></body></html>