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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link="#0563C1" vlink="#954F72"><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal>Hi You All<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>RE: This action is to assist NCBVI to get more funding to serve Seniors!<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>As members of the NFBN Senior Division, we have an opportunity and obligation to make a difference. The Commission for the Blind is trying to get more money so that they can provide more services to older Blind Nebraskans.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>What we are being asked to do is: Next Thursday, February 28<sup>th</sup>, call the Senators from the appropriations committee. Note, all other divisions and chapters have their own date for members to call in. If all our division members call on one day it will make an impact. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>When you call ask for the legislative assistant, or if they are not available just give your pitch to the person who answers the phone, or even leave a voice mail if no one answers. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>If you have questions, call Chris Boone at 269-329-8500.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>To help you with your calls, below are two super helpful sections of text. First, is some sample dialog, and facts that may help you with knowing what to say (additionally, the attached document will give more usable facts). Second, at the bottom of this message, you will find the contact information for the nine Senators on the Appropriations Committee; call them all.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>#1 Sample dialog relating to NCBVI’S INDEPENDENT LIVING OLDER BLIND FUNDING REQUEST:<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Hello, my name is (your name) and I represent the National Federation of the Blind of Nebraska Senior division. I am calling today in support of the appropriation request for agency 81, the Nebraska Commission for the Blind and Visually Impaired. This will be heard by the Committee on March 7th, and the Commission is requesting $540,000 in funding for the services it provides to older blind Nebraskans. I want you to know that according to our research, this level of funding will actually result in a long-term cost savings for Nebraska; teaching blindness skills to blind seniors helps keep them out of care facilities and contributing to their family and community. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>We respectfully request Senator (last-name), support this new funding level. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>You can stop there if you like. If you want to say more, try something like this: <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Blindness is the second leading cause for older people to lose their independence and require nursing home care. Nebraska paid more than 55 million Medicaid dollars to nursing homes in 2017, just for older blind residents. When someone receives services from the Commission for the Blind, they can keep living independently, saving the state about $90,000 a year on nursing home care, and more Medicaid dollars are saved because people no longer need other support services or assisted living. Besides this, older people who have regained their independence after blindness comes, continue to be vital to their home communities, giving back to society in so many ways. I am a blind person myself, and I have received training in the skills I need to live a very full life. As an example, here is something I do that you may not have thought someone who is blind could accomplish: tell your story here.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>These are only suggested talking points. If you have other ideas, go for it. You are not required to use any of these suggestions. We do ask that you give your name, and request the senator’s support. Please say that you represent the National Federation of the Blind of Nebraska, Senior Division. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>#2 Appropriations Committee members and contact info: <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Stinner, John; District 48, Gering: 402-471-2802. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Bolz, Kate; District 29, Lincoln: 402-471-2734.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Clements, Robert; District 2, Elmwood: 402-471-2613. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Dorn, Myron; District 30, Beatrice: 402-471-2620. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Erdman, Steve; District 47, Bayard: 402-471-2616. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Hilkemann, Robert; District 4, Omaha: 402-471-2621. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>McDonnell, Mike; District 5, Omaha: 402-471-2710. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Vargas, Tony; District 7, Omaha: 402-471-2721. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Wishard, Anna; District 27, Lincoln: 402-471-2632.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div></body></html>