<div dir="ltr"><div>Hello all,</div><div>Read below for the third Annapolis issue. Thank you for all of your efforts. Together we will convince the general assembly to enact these issues. <br></div><div><br></div><div><font size="2"><b><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">Subject: <span> </span>Appropriation for the Center of Excellence in Nonvisual
Access (CENA) to Education, Public Information, and Commerce <span></span></span></b></font><font size="2">
</font><p class="gmail-MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin:0in;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif"><font size="2"><b><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">To:<span> </span>Members
of the Maryland General Assembly<span></span></span></b></font></p><font size="2">
</font><p class="gmail-MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin:0in;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif"><font size="2"><b><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">From:<span> </span>Members of the National Federation of the Blind of
Maryland<span></span></span></b></font></p><font size="2">
</font><p class="gmail-MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin:0in;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif"><font size="2"><b><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">Contact:<span> </span>Sharon Maneki, Director of Legislation and Advocacy<span></span></span></b></font></p><font size="2">
</font><p class="gmail-MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin:0in 0in 0in 0.5in;text-indent:0.5in;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif"><font size="2"><b><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">National Federation of the Blind of
Maryland<span></span></span></b></font></p><font size="2">
</font><p class="gmail-MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin:0in 0in 0in 0.5in;text-indent:0.5in;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif"><font size="2"><b><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">9013 Nelson Way<span></span></span></b></font></p><font size="2">
</font><p class="gmail-MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin:0in 0in 0in 0.5in;text-indent:0.5in;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif"><font size="2"><b><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">Columbia, MD 21045<span></span></span></b></font></p><font size="2">
</font><p class="gmail-MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin:0in 0in 0in 0.5in;text-indent:0.5in;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif"><font size="2"><b><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">Phone: 410-715-9596<span></span></span></b></font></p><font size="2">
</font><p class="gmail-MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin:0in 0in 0in 0.5in;text-indent:0.5in;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif"><font size="2"><b><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">Email: </span></b><a href="mailto:nfbmdsm@gmail.com" style="color:blue;text-decoration:underline"><b><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">nfbmdsm@gmail.com</span></b></a><b><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><span></span></span></b></font></p><font size="2">
</font><p class="gmail-MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin:0in 0in 0in 0.5in;text-indent:0.5in;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif"><font size="2"><b><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><span> </span></span></b></font></p><font size="2">
</font><p class="gmail-MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin:0in;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif"><font size="2"><b><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">Date: <span> </span>January 2021<span></span></span></b></font></p><font size="2">
</font><p class="gmail-MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin:0in;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif"><font size="2"><span> </span></font></p><font size="2">
</font><p class="gmail-MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin:0in;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif"><font size="2"><b><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">PROPOSED
ACTION<span></span></span></b></font></p><font size="2">
</font><p class="gmail-MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin:0in;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif"><font size="2"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">The
Maryland General Assembly should keep the $250,000 appropriation in the
Governor’s Budget for the CENA to Education, Public Information, and Commerce. <span></span></span></font></p><font size="2">
</font><p class="gmail-MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin:0in;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif"><font size="2"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><span> </span></span></font></p><font size="2">
</font><p class="gmail-MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin:0in;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif"><font size="2"><b><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">BACKGROUND</span></b><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><br>
In 2014, the National Federation of the Blind (NFB) founded the NFB Center of Excellence
in Nonvisual Access (CENA). The CENA is a center of expertise, best practices,
and resources that enables business, government, and educational institutions
to more effectively provide accessible information and services to blind
citizens. The State of Maryland, through the Maryland Department of
Disabilities (MDOD), partners with the CENA to support a series of projects under
the Nonvisual Accessibility Initiative (NVAI) with an aim to establish Maryland
as a leader in nonvisual accessibility. <span></span></span></font></p><font size="2">
</font><p class="gmail-MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin:0in;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif"><font size="2"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><span> </span></span></font></p><font size="2">
</font><p class="gmail-MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin:0in;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif"><font size="2"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">The
public-private partnership between MDOD and the NFB has improved the standard
of accessibility throughout the state. Through the development and
implementation of a variety of projects within the following six focus areas,
we will continue to build a more accessible Maryland. <span></span></span></font></p><font size="2">
</font><p class="gmail-MsoNormalCxSpLast" style="margin:0in;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif"><font size="2"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><span> </span></span></font></p><font size="2">
</font><p class="gmail-MsoListParagraph" style="margin:0in 0in 0in 0.75in;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif"><font size="2"><b><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><span>I.<span style="font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;font-weight:normal;font-stretch:normal;line-height:normal;font-family:"Times New Roman";font-size-adjust:none;font-kerning:auto;font-feature-settings:normal">
</span></span></span></b><b><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">Enhancing
Access to Education Technology and Strategies<span></span></span></b></font></p><font size="2">
</font><p class="gmail-MsoNormalCxSpFirst" style="margin:0in;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif"><font size="2"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">Inaccessible
instructional materials prevent blind and low-vision students from accessing
the fundamental tools of education, leaving them woefully unprepared for their
futures. Under the NVAI the NFB will continue to address the lack of accessible
digital publications and instructional materials by conducting trainings on
tools, strategies, and best practices in the creation and dissemination of
materials that are “born accessible.” Through our continued partnership with
the Maryland Open Source Textbook initiative, the HathiTrust, the DAISY
Consortium, major publishing companies, and education technology developers,
the NFB will continue to assist in the development and implementation of
innovative accessible technologies and strategies.<span></span></span></font></p><font size="2">
</font><p class="gmail-MsoNormalCxSpLast" style="margin:0in;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif"><font size="2"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><span> </span></span></font></p><font size="2">
</font><p class="gmail-MsoListParagraph" style="margin:0in 0in 0in 0.75in;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif"><font size="2"><b><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><span>II.<span style="font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;font-weight:normal;font-stretch:normal;line-height:normal;font-family:"Times New Roman";font-size-adjust:none;font-kerning:auto;font-feature-settings:normal">
</span></span></span></b><b><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">Enhance
Access to Employment-Related Tools and Services<span></span></span></b></font></p><font size="2">
</font><p class="gmail-MsoNormalCxSpFirst" style="margin:0in;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif"><font size="2"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">The
Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) sought to create system change
to address the significant unemployment of people with disabilities by defining
the relationship between state Departments of Labor and Division of
Rehabilitation Services. Yet, there remains a 70 percent unemployment/underemployment
rate for blind people in this country. One of the contributing factors is that
many employers are using online applications, training tools, as well as
workplace technology that is inaccessible and makes it impossible for a blind
or low-vision job seeker to obtain, retain, or advance in employment. Under the
NVAI, the NFB will collaborate with the Maryland Department of Labor and the
Maryland Division of Rehabilitation Services, ensuring greater access to the
American Job Centers in an effort to improve access to employment systems and
services. In addition, the NFB will conduct outreach to employers in an effort
to provide them with the training and support required to eliminate the
employment barriers faced by blind and low-vision Maryland citizens.<span></span></span></font></p><font size="2">
</font><p class="gmail-MsoNormalCxSpLast" style="margin:0in;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif"><font size="2"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><span> </span></span></font></p><font size="2">
</font><p class="gmail-MsoListParagraph" style="margin:0in 0in 0in 0.75in;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif"><font size="2"><b><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><span>III.<span style="font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;font-weight:normal;font-stretch:normal;line-height:normal;font-family:"Times New Roman";font-size-adjust:none;font-kerning:auto;font-feature-settings:normal">
</span></span></span></b><b><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">Offering
Accessibility Boutiques and Other Training Seminars<span></span></span></b></font></p><font size="2">
</font><p class="gmail-MsoNormalCxSpFirst" style="margin:0in;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif"><font size="2"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">The
CENA will host informal accessibility-specific Accessibility Boutiques and
other training seminars. The Accessibility Boutiques are usually one or two
hours long, and are free and open to the public, and are designed to create
public awareness about accessibility and provide a brief orientation about
specific accessibility tools and strategies. Other larger trainings will offer
a more substantive exposure and training experience to the participants and address
major issues related to nonvisual accessibility. <span></span></span></font></p><font size="2">
</font><p class="gmail-MsoNormalCxSpLast" style="margin:0in;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif"><font size="2"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><span> </span></span></font></p><font size="2">
</font><p class="gmail-MsoListParagraph" style="margin:0in 0in 0in 0.75in;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif"><font size="2"><b><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><span>IV.<span style="font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;font-weight:normal;font-stretch:normal;line-height:normal;font-family:"Times New Roman";font-size-adjust:none;font-kerning:auto;font-feature-settings:normal">
</span></span></span></b><b><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">Maintaining
the Accessibility Switchboard and Community of Practice<span> </span><span></span></span></b></font></p><font size="2">
</font><p class="gmail-MsoNormalCxSpFirst" style="margin:0in;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif"><font size="2"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">The
NFB will continue to develop and market the Accessibility Switchboard, a
dynamic online portal consisting of an accessibility information resource for
consumers and a compliance information portal for organizations. This work will
be informed by the Accessibility Community of Practice, a volunteer group of
accessibility experts from educational institutions, corporations, and the
public sector.<span></span></span></font></p><font size="2">
</font><p class="gmail-MsoNormalCxSpLast" style="margin:0in;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif"><font size="2"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><span> </span></span></font></p><font size="2">
</font><p class="gmail-MsoListParagraph" style="margin:0in 0in 0in 0.75in;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif"><font size="2"><b><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><span>V.<span style="font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;font-weight:normal;font-stretch:normal;line-height:normal;font-family:"Times New Roman";font-size-adjust:none;font-kerning:auto;font-feature-settings:normal">
</span></span></span></b><b><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">Assisting
with the Integration of Smart Technologies for Accessible Cities<span> </span><span></span></span></b></font></p><font size="2">
</font><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif"><font size="2"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">In order
to facilitate the integration of innovative technologies and strategies toward
the creation of an accessible city that will provide the opportunity for blind
people to have equal access to essential information, resources, and services,
the NFB will: <span></span></span></font></p><font size="2">
</font><p class="gmail-MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin:0in 0in 0in 0.5in;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif"><font size="2"><span style="font-family:Symbol"><span>·<span style="font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;font-weight:normal;font-stretch:normal;line-height:normal;font-family:"Times New Roman";font-size-adjust:none;font-kerning:auto;font-feature-settings:normal">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">Continue
to participate in partnerships with technology developers and city planners in
the evaluation and implementation of various transportation and wayfinding strategies.
We will host quarterly meetings with our partners in order to share information
across disciplines.<span></span></span></font></p><font size="2">
</font><p class="gmail-MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin:0in 0in 0in 0.5in;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif"><font size="2"><span style="font-family:Symbol"><span>·<span style="font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;font-weight:normal;font-stretch:normal;line-height:normal;font-family:"Times New Roman";font-size-adjust:none;font-kerning:auto;font-feature-settings:normal">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">Continue
to investigate and evaluate the various tools being used for wayfinding and the
strategies for creating accessible public spaces. A summit will highlight the
work being done to create more accessible public and private programs and
services by bringing representatives from academic, public, and private
organizations together to share best practices and network. <span></span></span></font></p><font size="2">
</font><p class="gmail-MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin:0in 0in 0in 0.5in;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif"><font size="2"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><span> </span></span></font></p><font size="2">
</font><p class="gmail-MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin:0in 0in 0in 0.75in;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif"><font size="2"><b><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><span>VI.<span style="font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;font-weight:normal;font-stretch:normal;line-height:normal;font-family:"Times New Roman";font-size-adjust:none;font-kerning:auto;font-feature-settings:normal">
</span></span></span></b><b><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">Coordinating
the Accessibility Inclusion Fellowship Program<span></span></span></b></font></p><font size="2">
</font><p class="gmail-MsoNormalCxSpFirst" style="margin:0in;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif"><font size="2"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">The
“Final Report of the Study on Accessibility Concepts in Computer Science,
Information Systems and Information Technology Programs in Higher Education”
recommended that three annual fellowships be awarded to help instructors begin
to include accessibility concepts contained within the minimum areas of
instruction in at least one course offering in their institution. The CENA will
continue to recruit and support these fellows in the coming year. <span></span></span></font></p><font size="2">
</font><p class="gmail-MsoNormalCxSpLast" style="margin:0in;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif"><font size="2"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><span> </span></span></font></p><font size="2">
</font><h2 style="margin:0in;font-family:"Cambria",serif"><font size="2"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">CONCLUSION<span></span></span></font></h2><font size="2">
</font><p class="gmail-MsoNormalCxSpFirst" style="margin:0in;font-size:12pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><font size="2">Access
to information remains one of the greatest barriers faced by blind persons. To
reduce these barriers the National Federation of the Blind established the CENA
to provide information about best practices and to develop innovative
techniques for achieving nonvisual access. The Maryland General Assembly should
allow this state-of-the-art program to continue by approving the $250,000
appropriation in the Governor’s Budget under the Maryland Department of
Disabilities. </font><span></span></span></p>
</div><div><br></div><div><div><div dir="ltr" class="gmail_signature" data-smartmail="gmail_signature"><div dir="ltr"><div><b><font size="2">Sharon Maneki, Director of Legislation and Advocacy</font></b></div><div><font size="2">National Federation of the Blind of Maryland</font></div><div><font size="2">410-715-9596</font></div><div><font size="2"><br></font></div><div><font size="2">The National Federation of the Blind of Maryland knows that blindness is not the characteristic that defines you or your future. Everyday 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.<br></font></div><div><b><font size="2"></font></b></div><div><b><font size="2"><br></font></b></div></div></div></div></div></div>