<html><head></head><body><div style="color:#000; background-color:#fff; font-family:garamond, new york, times, serif;font-size:16px"><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1456177963630_8687" dir="ltr"> Attention Michigan Parents!</div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1456177963630_8729" dir="ltr"><br id="yui_3_16_0_1_1456177963630_8620">The National Organization of Parents of Blind Children (NOPBC) in Michigan is looking to<br id="yui_3_16_0_1_1456177963630_8622">reorganize and revitalize its state chapter and we need your assistance to generate ideas,<br id="yui_3_16_0_1_1456177963630_8624">provide leadership, or just be available to share experiences and hope with other parents.<br id="yui_3_16_0_1_1456177963630_8626">The NOPBC is a division of the National Federation of the Blind, a well-known organization<br id="yui_3_16_0_1_1456177963630_8628">that breaks down barriers while creating opportunities and maintaining high expectations<br id="yui_3_16_0_1_1456177963630_8630">for blind people. We would like to see NOPBC-MI become active in our communities by<br id="yui_3_16_0_1_1456177963630_8632">becoming more visible to encourage training in nonvisual skills for all blind/low-vision kids,<br id="yui_3_16_0_1_1456177963630_8634">creating face-to-face interaction between the sighted and the blind, and promoting our<br id="yui_3_16_0_1_1456177963630_8636">organization through teaching and learning...and fun events, too!<br id="yui_3_16_0_1_1456177963630_8638"></div><div dir="ltr"><br></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1456177963630_8696" dir="ltr">Are you looking for information on programs that could help your child improve their cane<br id="yui_3_16_0_1_1456177963630_8640">training or braille reading? Would you like to surround your blind child with blind adults<br id="yui_3_16_0_1_1456177963630_8642">who are successfully living their lives on their own terms? Do you have a partially-sighted<br id="yui_3_16_0_1_1456177963630_8644">or low-vision child and you want to know if he/she should be learning nonvisual skills?<br id="yui_3_16_0_1_1456177963630_8646">NOPBC can provide answers to your questions, guidance on finding helpful programs in<br id="yui_3_16_0_1_1456177963630_8648">your state, and encouragement from other parents.<br id="yui_3_16_0_1_1456177963630_8650"></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1456177963630_8730" dir="ltr"><br></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1456177963630_8731" dir="ltr">My name is Haley Dare and I am the coordinator and contact person for NOPBC-Michigan<br id="yui_3_16_0_1_1456177963630_8652">and the parent of a low-vision child. My son, Aron, is 10 years old and has severe amblyopia,<br id="yui_3_16_0_1_1456177963630_8654">strabismus, and visual processing disorder. He currently reads in large print, but is learning<br id="yui_3_16_0_1_1456177963630_8656">to read in braille...it’s THAT important! He also carries a long, white cane (yep, also VERY<br id="yui_3_16_0_1_1456177963630_8658">important!) that he utilizes most when it is too bright or too dark for his personal comfort. I<br id="yui_3_16_0_1_1456177963630_8660">would like to encourage you, help you find resources, and get involved with NOPBC-MI. I<br id="yui_3_16_0_1_1456177963630_8662">am available to chat with you by telephone at 269-372-2594 or you can contact me by email at<br id="yui_3_16_0_1_1456177963630_8664">haley.dare@yahoo.com . If you cannot connect with me by phone, please leave me a<br id="yui_3_16_0_1_1456177963630_8666">message...I will get back with you!<br id="yui_3_16_0_1_1456177963630_8668"></div><div dir="ltr"><br></div><div dir="ltr">If you want your blind child to meet competent blind adults and other blind/low-vision kids<br id="yui_3_16_0_1_1456177963630_8670">who may become special friends, NOPBC will help them feel that they are not alone and that<br id="yui_3_16_0_1_1456177963630_8672">they, too, can be okay with being blind and can gain confidence to know that they can still do<br id="yui_3_16_0_1_1456177963630_8674">anything they want to. Help us create a more positive understanding of and raise<br id="yui_3_16_0_1_1456177963630_8676">expectations for blind kids and their families by joining NOPBC-MI today!</div></div></body></html>