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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link="#0563C1" vlink="#954F72" style='word-wrap:break-word'><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal>Greetings Fellow Federationists!<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Welcome to 2023! I hope the new year is off to a great start for each of you! Things have sure been busy planning for the 52<sup>nd</sup> Annual NFBN State convention! We have a couple of things coming up before convention that I wanted to make you aware of…<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>It is now a new year which means it’s time to pay dues! Dues to chapters and divisions is only $10 and can be paid directly to the chapter or division or through the <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><a href="https://ne.nfb.org/become-member">Website</a><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Keep in mind there is a $1.00 processing fee for all online transactions. Members must pay dues to hold office, vote in meetings and at state convention.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>At the end of this month a few Nebraskans will be traveling to DC for the annual<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><a href="https://nfb.org/programs-services/advocacy/washington-seminar">Washington Seminar</a><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Where they will meet with members of congress to improve the lives of blind American’s! The three issues we are working on this year are:<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><a href="https://nfb.org/programs-services/advocacy/washington-seminar/websites-and-software-applications-accessibility-act">Websites and Software Applications Accessibility Act</a><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><a href="https://nfb.org/programs-services/advocacy/washington-seminar/medical-device-nonvisual-accessibility-act">Medical Device Nonvisual Accessibility Act</a><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><a href="https://nfb.org/programs-services/advocacy/washington-seminar/blind-americans-return-work-act">Blind Americans Return to Work Act</a><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>On Monday, January 30, 2023, at 5:00 p.m. Eastern the opening of Washington Seminar will begin with the Great Gathering-In which can be attended via Zoom.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:0in;margin-left:.5in;line-height:normal'><span style='font-size:16.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>Join Zoom Meeting <span style='color:#1F497D'><br></span></span><a href="https://zoom.us/j/93463900517"><span style='font-size:16.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>https://zoom.us/j/93463900517</span></a><span style='font-size:16.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:#1F497D'> </span><span style='font-size:16.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:0in;margin-left:.5in;line-height:normal'><span style='font-size:16.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>Meeting ID: 934 6390 0517 <br>One tap mobile <br>+13017158592,,93463900517# US (Washington DC) <br>+16468769923,,93463900517# US (New York) <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Shortly after returning from Washing Seminar, we will have our quarterly NFBN Board of Directors meeting on Saturday, February 11 starting at 9:00 a.m. It will be held at the <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><a href="https://www.marriott.com/en-us/hotels/lnkfs-the-lincoln-marriott-cornhusker-hotel/overview/">Lincoln Marriott Cornhusker Hotel</a><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Which is the site of our 2023 state convention March 23-26<sup>th</sup>. We will discuss final convention details and tour the facilities in preparation of the convention. Everyone is welcome!<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>In 63 days, we will all gather for our state convention! A save the date announcement was sent earlier this week. The agenda is filling up and it is sure to be an excellent convention to celebrate being back in-person! Registration and room information will be available February 1<sup>st</sup>, but you can start making your plans to join us for the kick off of convention on Thursday, March 23<sup>rd</sup> with registration packet pick-up and a welcome reception. General session will start right away Friday morning! So, mark your calendars, start gathering those fantastic door prizes and get ready to Dream, Dare, Discover!<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Now to some other business… Below is a message from Carlos Servan, Executive Director, Nebraska Commission for the Blind.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>At a public hearing in April 2021, it was agreed that the Technology Access Assurances Clause will be reviewed every odd numbered year. The purpose of this was to see if there were complaints from consumers on access technology in State government and/or services. As we are approaching 2023, please let me know if you have heard from any of your members having issues with access technology with State government. If things are not accessible, To make a strong case, I would need to have documentation. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Please E-Mail Carlos at:<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><a href="mailto:carlos.servan@nebraska.gov">carlos.servan@nebraska.gov</a><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>With any questions or comments.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Finally, I want to thank each of you from the bottom of my heart for your support over the last few months. This fall wasn’t easy for Jeremy and I and we couldn’t be prouder to be a part of this great organization. Life is a rollercoaster ride, but with support from our family and friends nothing can derail us!<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Enjoy a fresh start in 2023 and let’s make it a great one! <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal'>Sincerely,<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal'>Jamie K. Richey, President<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal'>National Federation of the Blind of Nebraska<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal'><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal'><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal'>Cell: (308) 520-9024<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal'>Office: (402) 477-7711<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal'>E-Mail: <a href="mailto:president@ne.nfb.org">president@ne.nfb.org</a><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div></body></html>