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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link="#0563C1" vlink="#954F72"><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;color:black'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><h2><span style='font-size:11.0pt;color:black'>News:</span><span style='color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></h2><p class=MsoPlainText style='margin-left:.25in'><i><span style='font-size:12.0pt;color:black'>In the Dark</span></i><span style='font-size:12.0pt;color:black'>: <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoPlainText style='margin-left:.25in'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;color:black'>On April 4, the CW television network, which is affiliated with CBS, plans to launch a television series called <i>In the Dark</i> that features a blind character. This series is just the latest in a long line of shows and movies about the blind, without the blind. The National Federation of the Blind was not consulted at all by the CW during the writing or casting process, and the producers claim they could not find a blind actress to play the leading role. For this reason, and in light of resolutions passed by our conventions on this topic, we issued a strong </span><span class=MsoHyperlink><span style='font-size:12.0pt;color:black'><a href="https://nfb.org/about-us/press-room/blind-americans-protest-refusal-entertainment-industry-cast-them"><span style='color:blue'>statement</span></a></span></span><span style='font-size:12.0pt;color:black'> urging the cancellation of the series. We now need to follow up with action. We cannot allow Hollywood to define us any longer. The blind belong at the center of our own stories, playing blind characters and taking our place on screen alongside our sighted colleagues. All affiliates should be amplifying this message on your social media platforms using the hash tag #LetUsPlayUs. Members who have been rejected for acting roles on the basis of blindness or who have successfully participated in acting or performance should email their stories to Chris Danielsen at </span><span class=MsoHyperlink><span style='font-size:12.0pt;color:black'><a href="mailto:cdanielsen@nfb.org"><span style='color:blue'>cdanielsen@nfb.org</span></a></span></span><span style='font-size:12.0pt;color:black'>. Finally, it may be necessary for us to publicly protest if the CW and the show’s producers do not respond to efforts we have made to discuss this issue with them. Please stay tuned for word of action that may be planned in the New York City area in early April.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoListParagraph><span style='font-size:12.0pt;color:black'> </span><span style='font-size:12.0pt;color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoListParagraph><span style='font-size:12.0pt;color:black'>Introduction of ATAA:</span><span style='font-size:12.0pt;color:black'><br>Last week the Access Technology Affordability Act (ATAA) (S. 815) was introduced 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.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoListParagraph><span style='font-size:12.0pt;color:black'> </span><span style='font-size:12.0pt;color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormalCxSpFirst style='margin-left:.25in;mso-add-space:auto'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;color:black'>Blind Users Innovating and Leading Design (BUILD):<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormalCxSpLast style='margin-left:.25in;mso-add-space:auto'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;color:black'>Technologies are being developed every day that affect the way we all live, work, and play. Given the continuing and rapid proliferation of advanced technology, we need your help to ensure that this technology is accessible to blind people. The NFB is growing a database of blind users to test and evaluate the accessibility of websites, home-use medical devices, home appliances, fitness equipment, and other products and services. Testers in our BUILD program will periodically receive requests to evaluate various websites, products, or services for usability and accessibility. In order for us to obtain real-world experiences, we are seeking information from novices to experts. Although most are volunteer opportunities, some of these projects may offer compensation, premiums like gift cards, or product discounts. If you are interested in building the next generation of accessible products and services, please register to become a tester in our BUILD program by visiting the following link and completing an application: <a href="https://nfb.org/programs-services/center-excellence-nonvisual-access/blind-users-innovating-and-leading-design"><span style='color:blue'>https://nfb.org/programs-services/center-excellence-nonvisual-access/blind-users-innovating-and-leading-design</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoListParagraph><span style='font-size:12.0pt;color:black'> <o:p></o:p></span></p><h2><span style='font-size:11.0pt;color:black'>Reminders:</span><span style='color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></h2><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;color:black'>Convention Preregistration Opened March 1:<br>Online prereg</span><span style='color:black'>istration will be </span><span style='font-size:12.0pt;color:black'>available from March 1 to May 31, 2019. Additionally, registration will be available on site in Las Vegas. When purchased online by May 31, the preregistration fee for convention is $25 ($30 on site) and the cost of a banquet ticket is $70 ($75 on site). For more information regarding preregistration and other details, please visit </span><span class=MsoHyperlink><span style='font-size:12.0pt'><a href="https://nfb.org/get-involved/national-convention">https://nfb.org/get-involved/national-convention</a></span></span><span style='font-size:12.0pt;color:black'>. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;color:black'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal>NOTE:<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Applications for the 2019 NFB Scholarship closes on March 31.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Here is the date for the 2020 Washington Seminar:<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;color:black'>February 10, 2020: </span><span style='font-size:12.0pt;color:black'>Great Gathering-In; Washington Seminar begins<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;color:black'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal>Milton Ota, President<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>National Federation of the Blind of North Dakota<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Web: http://nfbnd.org/<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>4273 Coventry Drive, South<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Unit E<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Fargo, ND 58104-4498<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Cell: (701) 731-0511<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>E-mail: mota1252@gmail.com<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>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>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>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><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>With Love, Hope and Determination, We Turn Dreams Into Reality.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Together We Change What It Means to Be Blind.<o:p></o:p></p></div></body></html>