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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link="#0563C1" vlink="#954F72"><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><div><div style='border:none;border-top:solid #E1E1E1 1.0pt;padding:3.0pt 0in 0in 0in'><p class=MsoNormal><b>From:</b> State-Affiliate-Leadership-List <state-affiliate-leadership-list-bounces@nfbnet.org> <b>On Behalf Of </b>Danielsen, Chris via State-Affiliate-Leadership-List<br><b>Sent:</b> Friday, March 15, 2019 8:46 AM<br><b>To:</b> Danielsen, Chris <CDanielsen@nfb.org><br><b>Cc:</b> Danielsen, Chris <CDanielsen@nfb.org><br><b>Subject:</b> [State-affiliate-leadership-list] National Federation of the Blind Applauds the Introduction of the Access Technology Affordability Act<o:p></o:p></p></div></div><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:12.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE </span></b><o:p></o:p></p><h1><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:windowtext'>National Federation of the Blind Applauds the Introduction of the Access Technology Affordability Act</span><o:p></o:p></h1><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:12.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'> </span></b><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:12.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Baltimore, Maryland (March 15, 2019): </span></b><span style='font-size:12.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>The National Federation of the Blind, the oldest and largest organization of blind Americans, applauds the introduction of the Access Technology Affordability Act (ATAA) of 2019 (S. 815) by Senators John Boozman (R-AR) and Ben Cardin (D-MD). This bipartisan legislation removes an employment barrier commonly experienced by blind Americans who cannot afford the high cost of access technology by creating a refundable tax credit in the amount of $2,000 to offset the cost of these technologies. Additional champions include Senators Richard Burr (R-NC), Robert Casey (D-PA), Susan Collins (R-ME), Maggie Hassan (D-NH), Doug Jones (D-AL), Dan Sullivan (R-AK), Jon Tester (D-MT), and Ron Wyden (D-OR). </span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'> </span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Senator Boozman said: “As an optometrist, I know how essential access technology is for blind Americans to achieve educational and employment goals. The high cost of this technology continues to be a barrier for so many who are ready and willing to work. With almost 71 percent of blind Americans unemployed, I am pleased to work with my colleagues and re-introduce this commonsense bipartisan legislation that will reduce the financial burden associated with these items and ensure that blind Americans can receive the tools they need to succeed in the classroom, the workplace, and within the community.”</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'> </span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>“Making access technology affordable is critical to ensuring that blind individuals can participate fully in our communities and have equal access to every opportunity,” said Senator Ben Cardin. “I am proud we have bipartisan support for this empowering legislation, which gives blind Marylanders, and all blind Americans, flexible economic support to help them lead full and successful lives.”</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'> </span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Mark A. Riccobono, President of the National Federation of the Blind, said: “My wife, my two daughters, and I are all blind, and the children’s technology needs are going to increase as they continue their education and start their careers. My family is not unique; blind people across the nation face this challenge, and this legislation will provide critical assistance. We thank and commend our outstanding senate champions for putting forward this legislation, which will help give blind people the technology they need to live the lives they want.” </span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:12.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'> </span></b><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><b><span style='font-size:12.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>###</span></b><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:12.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'> </span></b><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><i><span style='font-size:12.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>About the National Federation of the Blind </span></i></b><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>The National Federation of the Blind (NFB), headquartered in Baltimore, is the oldest and largest nationwide organization of blind Americans. Founded in 1940, the NFB consists of affiliates, chapters, and divisions in the fifty states, Washington DC, and Puerto Rico. The NFB defends the rights of blind people of all ages and provides information and support to families with blind children, older Americans who are losing vision, and more. We believe in the hopes and dreams of blind people and work together to transform them into reality. Learn more about our many programs and initiatives at <span class=MsoHyperlink><a href="http://www.nfb.org">www.nfb.org</a></span>. </span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'> </span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>CONTACT:</span></b><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Chris Danielsen</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Director of Public Relations</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>National Federation of the Blind</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>410-659-9314, extension 2330</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>410-262-1281 (Cell)</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span class=MsoHyperlink><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><a href="mailto:cdanielsen@nfb.org">cdanielsen@nfb.org</a></span></span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'> </span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Christopher S. Danielsen, J.D.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Director of Public Relations<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>200 East Wells Street, Baltimore, MD 21230<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>(410) 659-9314, Ext. 2330 | cdanielsen@nfb.org<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Twitter: @rlawyer <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><a href="https://nfb.org/"><span style='color:blue;border:solid windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in;text-decoration:none'><img border=0 width=210 height=76 style='width:2.1875in;height:.7916in' id="_x0000_i1028" src="cid:image001.jpg@01D4DB14.9A8BF780" alt="Image removed by sender. National Federation of the Blind"></span></a><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> <a href="http://www.facebook.com/nationalfederationoftheblind"><span style='color:blue;border:solid windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in;text-decoration:none'><img border=0 width=24 height=24 style='width:.25in;height:.25in' id="_x0000_i1027" src="cid:image002.jpg@01D4DB14.9A8BF780" alt="Image removed by sender. Facebook"></span></a> <a href="https://twitter.com/NFB_Voice"><span style='color:blue;border:solid windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in;text-decoration:none'><img border=0 width=24 height=24 style='width:.25in;height:.25in' id="_x0000_i1026" src="cid:image002.jpg@01D4DB14.9A8BF780" alt="Image removed by sender. Twitter"></span></a> <a href="https://www.youtube.com/NationsBlind"><span style='color:blue;border:solid windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in;text-decoration:none'><img border=0 width=24 height=24 style='width:.25in;height:.25in' id="_x0000_i1025" src="cid:image002.jpg@01D4DB14.9A8BF780" alt="Image removed by sender. Youtube"></span></a><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>The National Federation of the Blind is a community of members and friends who believe in the hopes and dreams of the nation’s blind. Every day we work together to help blind people live the lives they want. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> <o:p></o:p></p></div></body></html>