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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link="#0563C1" vlink="#954F72"><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal>Fellow Federationists,<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>On Tuesday, April 2, 2019, the National Federation of the Blind will be holding a protest in New York concerning the use of sighted actors to portray blind characters in the entertainment industry. The Maryland affiliate will be participating in the protest, and we need to know who will be able to attend. We will be providing transportation and leaving from the National Center in Baltimore at 5:30AM and returning at about 6:00PM. If you are able to attend, please let me know off-line by email at <a href="mailto:President@nfbmd.org">President@nfbmd.org</a> or by calling 443-426-4110 by the end of the day Tuesday, March 26, 2019.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>As you know, The CW television network, which is affiliated with CBS, plans to launch a television series called <i>In The Dark</i> that features a blind character who is not played by a blind actor. We issued a strong <a href="https://nfb.org/about-us/press-room/blind-americans-protest-refusal-entertainment-industry-cast-them">statement</a> urging the cancellation of the series and reached out to all of the executives affiliated with the show. We have received a response but have yet to secure a meeting prior to the planned April 4 debut. We now need to follow up with action. We cannot allow Hollywood to define us any longer. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>The blind belong at the center of our own stories, playing blind characters and taking our place on screen alongside our sighted colleagues. Together with love, hope, and determination, we transform dreams into reality with authentic casting.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact me.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Yours,<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Ronza<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'>Ronza Othman, </span></b><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>President</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>National Federation of the Blind of Maryland<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>443-426-4110<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>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.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div></body></html>