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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:12.0pt'>Greetings;<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>I have had the pleasure of meeting with many of you to discuss the National Federation of the Blind but, unfortunately, have not yet visited every agency serving the blind in New York State. I very much would like that opportunity in the future.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>Today is a historic day. The New York Board of Elections has reached a settlement with the National Federation of the Blind, Disability Rights, New York, The Center for Disability Rights and the American Council of the Blind to provide a fully accessible absentee voting system for print-disabled New York State voters. (see the attached press release from the National Federation of the Blind.) This a great victory and will finally allow print-disabled New Yorker’s to request an absentee ballot and submit their ballot independently. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>We need your help. We need eligible voters to use the new system and also let us know their experiences.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><ul style='margin-top:0in' type=disc><li class=MsoListParagraph style='margin-left:0in;mso-list:l2 level1 lfo1'><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>Request an absentee ballot independently before the June 16th deadline. The request may be made through the following address: <a href="https://www.elections.ny.gov/MeetingVoterAccessNeeds.html">https://www.elections.ny.gov/MeetingVoterAccessNeeds.html</a> or their county Board of Elections website.<o:p></o:p></span></li><li class=MsoListParagraph style='margin-left:0in;mso-list:l2 level1 lfo1'><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>Receive their ballot by email as a fillable PDF document.<o:p></o:p></span></li><li class=MsoListParagraph style='margin-left:0in;mso-list:l2 level1 lfo1'><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>Complete and submit the ballot either by postal mail or hand-delivery to their county Board of Elections as per the instructions provided by their county. We will also be having a zoom discussion about the ascendible voting in New York on Tuesday, June 9<sup>th</sup> at 6:330 pm. <o:p></o:p></span></li></ul><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:1.0in;text-indent:.5in'><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>Join Zoom Meeting<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:1.5in;text-indent:.5in'><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>https://zoom.us/j/5288506207<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:1.5in;text-indent:.5in'><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>Meeting ID: 528 850 6207<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:1.5in;text-indent:.5in'><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>One tap mobile<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:1.5in;text-indent:.5in'><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>+16468769923,,5288506207# US (New York)<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:1.5in;text-indent:.5in'><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>+13126266799,,5288506207# US (Chicago)<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><ul style='margin-top:0in' type=disc><li class=MsoListParagraph style='margin-left:0in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo3'><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>Contact us to complete a brief questionnaire. We need to collect voter’s experiences to assess the system the Board of Elections has implemented. Voters may call 716-222-3632 or visit <a href="http://nfbny.org/voter-survey">http://nfbny.org/voter-survey</a> </span><span style='font-size:12.0pt'> </span><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>to complete their questionnaire.</span><span style='font-size:12.0pt'><o:p></o:p></span></li></ul><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>Due to election deadlines, disseminating this information to your clients as soon as possible is essential. We also need to utilize the new system so please share this message as widely as you can.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>Everyone has the right to an independent, private vote, and, with your help, we will ensure all print-disabled New Yorkers are afforded their constitutional rights.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>Feel free to contact me if you have any questions.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>Michael Robinson, President<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>National Federation of the Blind of New York State, Inc.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>716-222-3632<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p></div></body></html>