<HTML><body>Dear Federation Colleagues,<BR>
<BR>
I was asked to share the following.<BR>
<BR>
Ellen<BR>
<BR>
We are launching a survey on general web accessibility as part of the Center of Excellence in Nonvisual Access (CENA) to Education, Public Information, and Commerce to gather more information in Maryland especially on internet usage by blind and low vision consumers and the barriers they encounter. <BR>
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The notice and link are below. Thanks!<BR>
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Help Create a Nonvisually Accessible Maryland<BR>
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Technology that is nonvisually accessible, which can be accessed and operated using audio and Braille, creates opportunities for the blind to live, work, and play as fully participating members of our communities. When done correctly, building innovative, universally designed technologies is simple, cost effective, and beneficial to blind and sighted users alike. The National Federation of the Blind (NFB), in collaboration with Maryland Department of Disabilities (MDOD), through Center of Excellence in Nonvisual Access (CENA) to Education, Public Information, and Commerce, works to ensure that websites, employment systems, educational technology, consumer electronics, and other devices and systems are nonvisually accessible to the blind citizens of Maryland. <BR>
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We have developed an online accessibility survey to determine the greatest areas of need, to provide a vehicle for discovery of future gaps, and to create training programs and resources to fill the need for more significant reform related to nonvisual accessibility. The survey is available online at: <a href="https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/CENAsurvey" target="_blank">https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/CENAsurvey</a><BR>
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Please assist us in our effort to create a nonvisually accessible Maryland by completing the survey and by sharing this link with your network. <BR>
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Please let me know if you have any questions.<BR>
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Best,<BR>
<BR>
Clara<BR>
<BR>
Clara Van Gerven<BR>
Manager of Accessibility Programs<BR>
National Federation of the Blind<BR>
200 East Wells Street <BR>
at Jernigan Place<BR>
Baltimore, MD 21230<BR>
410-659-9314 x-2410<BR>
<a href="mailto:cvangerven@nfb.org">cvangerven@nfb.org</a><BR>
The Access Technology Blog<BR>
The National Federation of the Blind 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.<BR>
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