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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link="#0563C1" vlink="#954F72"><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:6.0pt;punctuation-wrap:simple;vertical-align:baseline'>Hi All: <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:6.0pt;punctuation-wrap:simple;vertical-align:baseline'><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:6.0pt;punctuation-wrap:simple;vertical-align:baseline'>It is possible that the Blind Persons' Right to Parent Act will come before a meeting of the Assembly Judiciary Committee as early as Tuesday, February 11. We need letters from blind parents urging the Committee to consider our bill, and report it out favorably so that it can go to the full Assembly for a vote. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:6.0pt;punctuation-wrap:simple;vertical-align:baseline'>I suggest your letter address each of the following points: <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:6.0pt;punctuation-wrap:simple;vertical-align:baseline'>1) That you are writing in support of A 1721, The Blind Persons' Right to Parent Act. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:6.0pt;punctuation-wrap:simple;vertical-align:baseline'>2) Describe your personal background, that you are a blind parent of (number of children). <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:6.0pt;punctuation-wrap:simple;vertical-align:baseline'>3) Give examples of alternative nonvisual techniques you use in raising your children. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:6.0pt;punctuation-wrap:simple;vertical-align:baseline'>4) Give examples, if any, of times your competence has been questioned: medical professionals; social workers; school teachers; family members. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:6.0pt;punctuation-wrap:simple;vertical-align:baseline'>5) Indicate if you have been involved in any custody or visitation proceedings in which your blindness was raised as a reason for you not to have custody or visitation. Describe what occurred. For how long were you separated from your child or children, or for how long was your visitation restricted or limited? <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:6.0pt;punctuation-wrap:simple;vertical-align:baseline'>6) Address other issues not discussed above. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:6.0pt;punctuation-wrap:simple;vertical-align:baseline'>7) State that this legislation will protect you and other blind parents from occurrences such as the incidents described above. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:6.0pt;punctuation-wrap:simple;vertical-align:baseline'>8) Conclusion: Ask the Committee to support and help get this legislation passed. Thank them and provide your contact information. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:6.0pt;punctuation-wrap:simple;vertical-align:baseline'>Please feel free to add anything I have not thought of. You do not have to follow this model, but I think it will be helpful. Don't worry if you believe you are not a good writer. Writing ability is not a requirement for being a competent parent. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:6.0pt;punctuation-wrap:simple;vertical-align:baseline'>One or more of the parents in our affiliate will post their letters, if they have not already done so. Since the Judiciary Committee may consider this legislation as early as Tuesday, February 11, we need to work quickly. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:6.0pt;punctuation-wrap:simple;vertical-align:baseline'> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:6.0pt;punctuation-wrap:simple;vertical-align:baseline'>Below I have provided the email and snail mail addresses to which your letters should be sent. Email is preferable, but snail mail is fine. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:6.0pt;punctuation-wrap:simple;vertical-align:baseline'>If we can get this bill through the Judiciary Committee, our chances of getting it passed and signed into law are very good. Thank you all for your work on this. We can get it done! <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:6.0pt;punctuation-wrap:simple;vertical-align:baseline'><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>Letters should be sent either by email:<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText><a href="mailto:president@nfbny.org">president@nfbny.org</a><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>or by mail: NFBNYS, 2175 Sheridan Drive, Buffalo, NY 14223.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:6.0pt;punctuation-wrap:simple;vertical-align:baseline'><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:6.0pt;punctuation-wrap:simple;vertical-align:baseline'>Legislation Committee <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:6.0pt;punctuation-wrap:simple;vertical-align:baseline'>Ray Wayne, Chair<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:6.0pt;punctuation-wrap:simple;vertical-align:baseline'><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Mike Robinson, President<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>National Federation of the Blind of New York State, Inc.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>2175 Sheridan Drive<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Buffalo, New York 14223<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>716-222-3632<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>716-222-3NFB<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><i>“</i><i><span style='font-size:14.0pt;color:#333333;background:#F2F2F2'>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 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 you back.”</span></i><i><span style='font-size:14.0pt'><o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div></body></html>