<html xmlns:v="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:vml" xmlns:o="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" xmlns:w="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:word" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/TR/REC-html40">
<head>
<META HTTP-EQUIV="Content-Type" CONTENT="text/html; charset=us-ascii">
<meta name=Generator content="Microsoft Word 11 (filtered medium)">
<style>
<!--
/* Style Definitions */
p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal
{margin:0in;
margin-bottom:.0001pt;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Arial;
letter-spacing:-.15pt;}
a:link, span.MsoHyperlink
{color:blue;
text-decoration:underline;}
a:visited, span.MsoHyperlinkFollowed
{color:purple;
text-decoration:underline;}
p.Style1, li.Style1, div.Style1
{margin:0in;
margin-bottom:.0001pt;
font-size:18.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";
letter-spacing:-.15pt;}
span.EmailStyle18
{mso-style-type:personal-compose;
font-family:Arial;
color:windowtext;}
@page Section1
{size:8.5in 11.0in;
margin:1.0in 1.0in 1.0in 1.0in;}
div.Section1
{page:Section1;}
-->
</style>
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:shapedefaults v:ext="edit" spidmax="1026" />
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:shapelayout v:ext="edit">
<o:idmap v:ext="edit" data="1" />
</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]-->
</head>
<body lang=EN-US link=blue vlink=purple>
<div class=Section1>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt'>Hello
Missouri Parents,<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt'>This
message is two fold. <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt'>I
first wanted to say hello and let you know that I am also on the Missouri
Parents Network. As a blind adult, I would have given anything if my parents
and I had a way to connect with other families and blind adults to explore
opportunities and brainstorm ideas when we had questions and problems. One of
the most positive influences in my life has been being a part of a network of
blind people and I hope that in some way that we in the NFB of Missouri can
serve in that way for you. We are here to support and encourage you; to share
what experience has taught us in hopes that you can benefit and avoid some of
the speed bumps in the road. <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt'>Secondly,
Now that the Missouri Parents Network seems to be up and running, I’d
like to be sure that you are aware of the list serve we have created
specifically for your blind children. It is the </span></font><font
face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-family:"Times New Roman"'>Missouri
Youth Connection<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman"'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman"'>This list is exclusively for Missouri
Youth who are blind and visually impaired. It is a place where they can connect
with other kids (grades 6th<sup> - </sup>12th) who are blind and visually
impaired. This list is designed to give them an opportunity to encourage
one another and share ideas that may help them be more confident in both social
and educational settings. We here parents say so often “my son or
daughter is the only blind student in his/her school.” This list can help
your children realize that they are not alone and give them an opportunity to
get connected with other blind and visually impaired students.<sup><o:p></o:p></sup></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman"'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman"'>This is a private list and list
participants will be approved by the list moderator in order to assure this
list is a safe place for kids. Parental consent will be required. There will be
several blind mentors from our Youth Outreach Team available to facilitate
discussions on the list when appropriate. <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman"'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman"'>The list moderator will be Shelia Wright.
Youth interested in participating on this list should email the moderator at: <a
href="mailto:First-VP@nfbmo.org" title="mailto:First-VP@nfbmo.org">First-VP@nfbmo.org</a>
or at <a href="mailto:sbwright95@att.net" title="mailto:sbwright95@att.net">sbwright95@att.net</a>.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman"'>We want your blind children to feel
welcome to join and post to this list. The extra step of contacting the
Moderator is not in any way to discourage youth participation. We want to
assure you that we will not allow anyone unknown to us to join this list
and will monitor posts to be certain content is appropriate for the age group.
If you have a middle school or high school age student who is interested
in Participating in this list serve, please let me know. Also feel free to
recommend this list as an avenue through which youth who are blind and visually
impaired can communicate with one another.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman"'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman"'>Shelia Wright<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman"'>816-741-6402<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
</body>
</html>