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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 style='margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'>The next meeting of the At-Large chapter will be on Saint Patrick’s day, March 17<sup>th</sup>. The National President’s message begins at 7:30 followed by the meeting from 8 pm to 9 pm. Our special guest for this meeting will be <span style='font-size:9.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Susanne Forno from the Maryland Department on Aging. She will discuss the new senior call check program and more. Remember the call in number is 605-313-4818 and the access code is 720125. Don’t miss this chance to get together with your NFB friends and learn some important information. Read the minutes below from the February meeting. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p style='margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:9.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal>At Large Chapter Meeting Minutes for February 18, 2020. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>The Presidential Release was started at 7:30 Pm.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>The meeting was started at 8:00 PM by Marguerite Woods, President.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>There was approximately 20 members on the call.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Marguerite discussed upcoming events being held at the Library for the Blind:<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>March 14<sup>th</sup> TUG – March topic is OrCam. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> This meeting is now streamed or can be found on the library’s website to be watched later. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>March 26<sup>th</sup> Baltimore Center Stage. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Sharon gave an update on legislative items happening in Annapolis. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>On February 12 and 13 the NFB testified at the legislative hearings in support of renaming the Maryland State Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped to the Maryland State Library for the Blind and Print Disabled and to ensure that one member of the Maryland State Library Board is blind. The Maryland State Senate passed the bill on February 27, 2020, and on March 2<sup>nd</sup> or 3<sup>rd</sup> the Maryland House of Delegates is expected to bring it to a vote. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>On February 20<sup>th</sup> the NFB testified at the Maryland House of Delegates on the bill to ensure that blind people have equal access to information about dockless electric scooter contact information so that we can contact the company when scooters are causing access problems. The Senate version of this bill will have its hearing on March 11th. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>The funding for the Center for Excellence in Non-visual Access is currently in the Governor’s Budget. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>On March 3<sup>rd</sup> and March 5<sup>th,</sup> the hearings to restore the secret ballot and desegregate voting based on disability will take place.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Sharon gave an update on Washington Seminar and Eddie gave his experience on it.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Tonight’s guest speaker was Toni March, Director of the Office on Blindness and Visual Services. She spoke on the following topics that her agency provides. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Can self-refer yourself to DORS; <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Independent Living for the older blind program no longer provides computers or software; <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Able Program gives you training in Braille, technology, Independent Living, and O &M; <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Contract out to Blind Industries to provide home teaching and O&M Training; <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>RISE Program to assist people in self-employment;<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Randal Shepherd Program; <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Vocational Outcome will provide computers, software, and training if your outcome requires it; <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Job Placement is their poorest area and they are looking into contracting out to help with placing clients into jobs.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Toni’s direct phone number is 410-554-9219. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Phone number for Toni’s secretary Terri is 410-554 9277. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Respectfully Submitted by Danielle Earl, Secretary. <o:p></o:p></p><p style='margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><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>