<html><head><meta http-equiv="content-type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"></head><body dir="auto"><p dir="ltr" id="docs-internal-guid-5c165e94-f7da-b2bd-16a4-187073cd9b82" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; line-height: 1.2; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 14pt;"><span style="font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><font face="Times New Roman">Hey there NABSters!</font></span></p><font face="Times New Roman"><br style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"></font><p dir="ltr" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; line-height: 1.2; margin-top: 14pt; margin-bottom: 14pt;"><span style="font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><font face="Times New Roman">October is here, and it's time to amp up the energy because BEAM is in full swing! This isn't just another month; it's a month of celebration, empowerment, and raising awareness about the incredible achievements of blind individuals.</font></span></p><font face="Times New Roman"><br style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"></font><p dir="ltr" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; line-height: 1.2; margin-top: 14pt; margin-bottom: 14pt;"><font face="Times New Roman"><span style="font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Blind Equality Achievement Month (BEAM), formerly known as Meet The Blind Month, is all about recognizing the talents, resilience, and contributions of blind people across diverse fields. It's a chance for us to reflect on how far we've come and where we're headed. Check out </span><a href="https://nfb.org/images/nfb/publications/bm/bm21/bm2111/bm211107.htm" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: rgb(17, 85, 204); font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">this article</span></a><span style="font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> from the Braille Monitor to dive deeper into what BEAM means to our community.</span></font></p><font face="Times New Roman"><br style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"></font><p dir="ltr" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; line-height: 1.2; margin-top: 14pt; margin-bottom: 14pt;"><span style="font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><font face="Times New Roman">Now, here's the exciting part – we invite you to join NABS in celebrating BEAM through a lineup of dynamic events and activities:</font></span></p><font face="Times New Roman"><br style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"></font><p dir="ltr" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; line-height: 1.2; margin-top: 14pt; margin-bottom: 14pt;"><font face="Times New Roman"><span style="font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Skills For Advocating In The Classroom</span><span style="font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">: Join our Advocacy Committee on October 15 from 6:30-8 PM EST for the launch of our Advocacy Series. We'll explore the skills needed to be a successful advocate in the classroom, touching on standardized testing, STEM education, and strategies you can start utilizing right now. Find the Zoom link </span><a href="https://zoom.us/j/4678833687" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: rgb(17, 85, 204); font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">here</span></a><span style="font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">. </span></font></p><font face="Times New Roman"><br style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"></font><p dir="ltr" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; line-height: 1.2; margin-top: 14pt; margin-bottom: 14pt;"><font face="Times New Roman"><span style="font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">BEAM Trivia Night:</span><span style="font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> Get ready for some friendly competition at the Fundraising Committee's annual BEAM Trivia Night on October 22 from 5-7 PM EST. Battle it out with questions ranging from NFB history to "guess that song." Plus, the winning student division gets a chance to take home a percentage of the proceeds. Entry fee is just $5, and you can register </span><a href="https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1mQeGswe41UliCly1e-RBpLUS9zAxhF4ibPY9gKd1zrg/edit" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: rgb(17, 85, 204); font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">here.</span></a></font></p><font face="Times New Roman"><br style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"></font><p dir="ltr" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; line-height: 1.2; margin-top: 14pt; margin-bottom: 14pt;"><font face="Times New Roman"><span style="font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Career Exploration Fair:</span><span style="font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> In the spirit of BEAM, the Membership Committee is hosting a career exploration fair on October 29 from 7-8:30 PM EST. Whether you're interested in business, art, healthcare, or any other field, come meet some remarkable blind professionals and learn more about their journeys. Register </span><a href="https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScrg6FZ-3SSsO4_b3kVCPKpVSTOhE05U0bX7xV80BgMiRFqQQ/viewform" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: rgb(17, 85, 204); font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">here.</span></a><span style="font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">. Please note: registration closes October 10. </span></font></p><font face="Times New Roman"><br style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"></font><p dir="ltr" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; line-height: 1.2; margin-top: 14pt; margin-bottom: 14pt;"><font face="Times New Roman"><span style="font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">And that's not all – our Content Creation Committee has some special treats for you. This month, we're releasing not one, but two episodes of the NABSNow Podcast! You can already listen to the first episode </span><a href="https://open.spotify.com/episode/5OPGnuhDDsZRUcTcm8zbJA" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: rgb(17, 85, 204); font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">here</span></a><span style="font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> where our incredible NABS President, Lauren Altman, discusses her blindness journey and path to acceptance. </span></font></p><font face="Times New Roman"><br style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"></font><p dir="ltr" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; line-height: 1.2; margin-top: 14pt; margin-bottom: 14pt;"><font face="Times New Roman"><span style="font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">For the second episode, we want to hear from YOU! Fill out </span><a href="https://forms.gle/pYpnGfukFdRb4qrt7" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: rgb(17, 85, 204); font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">this form</span></a><span style="font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> with an audio clip explaining what BEAM means to you for a chance to be featured. Please note, all submissions will close by October 10. </span></font></p><font face="Times New Roman"><br style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"></font><p dir="ltr" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; line-height: 1.2; margin-top: 14pt; margin-bottom: 14pt;"><span style="font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><font face="Times New Roman">But wait, there's more – NABS is hopping on the TikTok train! Stay tuned for more information later this month on how you can get involved with this exciting initiative!</font></span></p><font face="Times New Roman"><br style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"></font><p dir="ltr" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; line-height: 1.2; margin-top: 14pt; margin-bottom: 14pt;"><span style="font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><font face="Times New Roman">We hope you are able to join us at some, or all, of these events and enjoy our content! Let's make BEAM 2023 a month to remember, filled with learning, sharing, and celebrating the achievements of our blind community. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Manahil Jafri (manahiljafri@gmail.com). </font></span></p><font face="Times New Roman"><br style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"></font><p dir="ltr" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; line-height: 1.2; margin-top: 14pt; margin-bottom: 14pt;"><span style="font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><font face="Times New Roman">Get ready to BEAM with us NABSFam, and I wish you all a happy BEAM! </font></span></p><font face="Times New Roman"><br style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"></font><p dir="ltr" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; line-height: 1.2; margin-top: 14pt; margin-bottom: 14pt;"><span style="font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><font face="Times New Roman">Best</font></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; line-height: 1.2; margin-top: 14pt; margin-bottom: 14pt;"><span style="font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><font face="Times New Roman">Manahil </font></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; line-height: 1.2; margin-top: 14pt; margin-bottom: 14pt;"><span style="font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><font face="Times New Roman">-</font></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; line-height: 1.2; margin-top: 14pt; margin-bottom: 14pt;"><span style="font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><font face="Times New Roman">Manahil Jafri </font></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; line-height: 1.2; margin-top: 14pt; margin-bottom: 14pt;"><span style="font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><font face="Times New Roman">She/Hers/Her</font></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; line-height: 1.2; margin-top: 14pt; margin-bottom: 14pt;"><span style="font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><font face="Times New Roman">Board Member | National Association Of Blind Students </font></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; line-height: 1.2; margin-top: 14pt; margin-bottom: 14pt;"><font face="Times New Roman"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Chair | The Advocacy Committee of the National Association of Blind Students</span></font></p><p dir="ltr" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; line-height: 1.2; margin-top: 14pt; margin-bottom: 14pt;"><font face="Times New Roman"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Secretary and Treasurer | New York Association of Blind Students </span></font></p><p dir="ltr" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; line-height: 1.2; margin-top: 14pt; margin-bottom: 14pt;"><font face="Times New Roman"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">BS Policy Analysis and Management | Cornell University </span></font></p></body></html>