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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link="#0563C1" vlink="#954F72"><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal style='text-autospace:none'>I have edited the original message for clarity and provided phone numbers for you to our Congressional Deligates.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-autospace:none'><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-autospace:none'>Dear Federation Family,<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-autospace:none'> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-autospace:none'>Last week was a beautiful reminder of why I love the people in this organization. The outpouring of love and support that came from all of our affiliates for the loss of Rachel Olivero was really tremendous. You should know that we had a wonderful celebration of her life here at the National Federation of the Blind Jernigan Institute on Friday, which was helpful to Rachel's biological and Federation families. In case you missed it, you can write a note that will be included in a book about Rachel at <u><span style='color:blue'><http://www.bit.ly/rachelolivero></span></u>.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-autospace:none'> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-autospace:none'>Things have really taken off since our Washington Seminar. I believe we can get a lot of movement on our priorities by the time of our national convention. Now is the time for you to make the local follow up and help push some of our initiatives forward. Please note the legislative items below.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-autospace:none'><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-autospace:none'>Supporting Elimination of 14(c): Transformation to Competitive Employment Act:<br>H.R. 873 was introduced on Wednesday, January 30, 2019, by Chairman Bobby Scott and Congresswoman Cathy McMorris Rodgers. S. 260 was introduced on Tuesday, January 29, 2019, by Senators Bob Casey and Chris Van Hollen. This bill phases out and sunsets Section 14(c) of the Fair Labor Standards Act over a six-year period.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-autospace:none'><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-autospace:none'>You can reach our Congressional Deligates at the following numbers:<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-autospace:none'>Senator Hoeven: <span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Courier;color:black'>(202) 224-2551<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-autospace:none'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Courier;color:black'>Senator Cramer: (202) 224-2043<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-autospace:none'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Courier;color:black'>Representative Armstrong: (202) 225-2611<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-autospace:none'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Courier;color:black'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-autospace:none'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Courier;color:black'>These numbers that I have provided are direct numbers to their offices in Washington, D.C.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-autospace:none'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Courier;color:black'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-autospace:none'> <b>News:<o:p></o:p></b></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-autospace:none'>Ratification of Marrakesh Treaty:<br>On Friday February 8, 2019, over a decade of our persistent advocacy culminated with the United States’ official ratification of the Marrakesh Treaty. By submitting the necessary paperwork with the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), the United States is days away from benefiting from access to the world’s knowledge. Read our news brief at <u><span style='color:blue'><https://nfb.org/about-us/press-room/national-federation-blind-celebrates-ratification-marrakesh-treaty></span></u>, and WIPO’s announcement at <u><span style='color:blue'><https://www.wipo.int/pressroom/en/articles/2019/article_0002.html></span></u>.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-autospace:none'><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-autospace:none'>Lawsuit Against EPIC Systems: <br>I had the opportunity to talk to Wisconsin Public Radio about our legal action and this piece gives a nice overview of our work, perspectives, and strategy. The interview is available at <u><span style='color:blue'><https://www.wpr.org/listen/1395591></span></u>.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-autospace:none'><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.25in;text-autospace:none'>Internal Revenue Service Forms and Written Communication:<b><o:p></o:p></b></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.25in;text-autospace:none'>The NFB is investigating the accessibility of Internal Revenue Service (IRS) forms and written communication. If you have requested or would like to request alternative format documents from the IRS-such as Braille, large print, or audio-please contact Valerie Yingling, legal program coordinator, at <u><span style='color:blue'>vyingling@nfb.org <mailto:vyingling@nfb.org></span></u> or 410-659-9314, extension 2440.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.25in;text-autospace:none'> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.25in;text-autospace:none'>Job Search Engines and Pre-Employment Testing:<b><o:p></o:p></b></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.25in;text-autospace:none'>The NFB is investigating the accessibility of job search engines and pre-employment assessments offered by companies including Zip Recruiter, Caliper, and Indeed. If you have encountered access barriers while searching or applying for a job, please contact Valerie Yingling at <u><span style='color:blue'>vyingling@nfb.org <mailto:vyingling@nfb.org></span></u> or 410-659-9314, extension 2440.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.25in;text-autospace:none'> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.25in;text-autospace:none'>Milton Ota, President<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.25in;text-autospace:none'>National Federation of the Blind of North Dakota<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.25in;text-autospace:none'>Web: http://nfbnd.org/<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.25in;text-autospace:none'>4273 Coventry Drive, South<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.25in;text-autospace:none'>Unit E<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.25in;text-autospace:none'>Fargo, ND 58104-4498<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.25in;text-autospace:none'>Cell: (701) 731-0511<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.25in;text-autospace:none'>E-mail: mota1252@gmail.com<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.25in;text-autospace:none'><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.25in;text-autospace:none'>THE NATIONAL FEDERATION OF THE BLIND KNOWS THAT BLINDNESS IS NOT THE CHARACTERISTIC THAT DEFINES YOU OR YOUR FUTURE. EVERY DAY WE RAISE THE EXPECTATIONS<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.25in;text-autospace:none'>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<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.25in;text-autospace:none'>YOU BACK. THE NATIONAL FEDERATION OF THE BLIND IS NOT AN ORGANIZATION SPEAKING FOR THE BLIND--IT IS THE BLIND SPEAKING FOR OURSELVES.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.25in;text-autospace:none'><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.25in;text-autospace:none'>With Love, Hope and Determination, We Turn Dreams Into Reality.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.25in;text-autospace:none'><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.25in;text-autospace:none'>Together We Change What It Means to Be Blind.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.25in;text-autospace:none'><o:p> </o:p></p></div></body></html>