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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link="#0563C1" vlink="#954F72"><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Hi You All<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Below is the text of a message written by Pearl Van Zandt that is/has gone out to NFB ACB and other community services for the blind. The targeted population (people under 55) does not clearly include the age range that we within the Senior Division serve. But you all should know this is happening. (A topic for possible discussion?)<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>(WIOA is mentioned in the below text, and refers to the Federal law Vocational Rehabilitation must follow.)<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Dear (Group name),<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>As you know, NCBVI will no longer have access to Part B funds for the provision of IL services to blind and visually impaired individuals under the age of 55 after <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>September 30, 2016. We are concerned about service options available to blind and visually impaired adults who are not looking for employment but who still need independent living services when NCBVI no longer has access to these funds.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Before WIOA, clients with a vocational goal of “homemaker” or “unpaid family worker” could be served with Title I funds for vocational rehabilitation services. These are no longer options under WIOA. Adult clients under the age of 55 must have a competitive vocational goal as a pre-requisite to receiving services. What we can and will do is to refer such individuals to other resources. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>This is not an especially large group of consumers, maybe 70 or 80 individuals statewide. For blind and visually impaired individuals with independent living rather than vocational rehabilitation goals, who need training in the alternative skills of blindness, would (group name)-N be able to provide training or other supports to these individuals? NCBVI will not have access to Part B funds after September, so this agency won’t be able to pay for any services or training provided by other entities.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>NCBVI is prepared to work with any appropriate service-N to build capacities to improve overall service delivery to blind and visually impaired consumers. We would like to explore strategies with you and your designees. Please let me know when we could meet to discuss this issue. I am available anytime, schedule permitting, including lunchtimes and evenings. We can also arrange for a conference call if there are others in your leadership you want to include in the discussion, but who are not in Lincoln. I look forward to meeting with you!<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Thank you.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black'>Dr. Pearl Van Zandt, Executive Director<br>Nebraska Commission for the Blind and Visually Impaired<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black'>Our Mission: Empowering Blind Individuals, Promoting Opportunities, and Building Belief in the Blind.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><a href="https://www.facebook.com/NCBVI"><span style='font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Gotham Narrow SSm";color:#292F33;text-decoration:none'><img border=0 width=100 height=26 id="Picture_x0020_2" src="cid:image001.png@01D1B8C6.41D57A80" alt="Visit us on Facebook"></span></a><span style='font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Gotham Narrow SSm";color:#292F33'> </span><a href="https://twitter.com/ncbvi"><span style='font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Gotham Narrow SSm";color:blue;text-decoration:none'><img border=0 width=32 height=32 id="Picture_x0020_1" src="cid:image002.png@01D1B8C6.41D57A80" alt="Follow us on Twitter"></span></a><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p></div></body></html>