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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link=blue vlink=purple><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal>Hello everyone,<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>I hope you will be able to join us for the National Federation of the Blind of Maryland’s upcoming state convention! It will take place Friday, November 10, through Sunday, November 12 in Towson. Please visit<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><a href="http://www.nfbmd.org">http://www.nfbmd.org</a><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>for all of the details and to register for the convention online. Convention registration needs to be completed by October 15 in order to get the best rates!<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>The MDPOBC will be holding some great events on Friday, November 10. We will be having a workshop where parents can learn all about a new way to save for their childrens’ future using an ABLE Account. Then, Steve Patten from the Colorado Center for the Blind will present a workshop all about travel, specifically the Structured Discovery method of travel. We will take a trip to the exhibit hall at the hotel, then we will venture to the mall in groups in order to do exploring. Children are encouraged to join their parents and a blind travel mentor for this mall experience. We will be having lunch together in the food court. After the mall, we will return to the hotel, have a discussion about the mall experience, and then watch a documentary called “Do You Dream In Color” which highlights the struggles and triumphs of four blind teenagers as they journey through the educational system. Friday evening we will have hospitality, and, for those children who participated in the NFB BELL Academy, we will be having a reunion and practice for our presentation later in the weekend.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Saturday morning we will be having a cane walk, general session, and then our parent lunch at noon. There will also be an activity for tweens on Saturday. That evening we will have a banquet—always a convention highlight! <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>The convention ends Sunday at noon, but if there is interest, parents are welcome to gather for a lunch after the convention closes so we can continue to network, talk about the weekend, and answer any questions you might have. If you are interested in staying for lunch, please contact Melissa Riccobono at<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><a href="mailto:melissa@riccobono.us">melissa@riccobono.us</a><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Childcare will be available for children 6 weeks through 10 years. You need to register for childcare separately. To complete childcare registration, please visit <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><a href="http://www.nfbmd.org/convention/childcare">http://www.nfbmd.org/convention/childcare</a> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>I hope to see many of you at convention! If you have questions, or if you need any type of help with convention registration and/or getting a hotel room, please do not hesitate to contact me. The Maryland Parents of Blind Children wants to help all families attend the convention as it is a one of a kind experience.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Sorry for the long email!<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Melissa<o:p></o:p></p></div><div id="DAB4FAD8-2DD7-40BB-A1B8-4E2AA1F9FDF2"><br />
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