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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 style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;background:white'><span style='font-size:11.5pt;color:#050505'>PLEASE SHARE!</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;background:white'><span style='font-size:11.5pt;color:#050505'>Editor: (Of course, We need letters of support from everyone for this very important legislation)</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;background:white'><span style='font-size:11.5pt;color:#050505'> </span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;background:white'><span style='font-size:11.5pt;color:#050505'>Hi All: </span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;background:white'><span style='font-size:11.5pt;color:#050505'> </span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;background:white'><span style='font-size:11.5pt;color:#050505'>The Blind Persons’ Right to Parent Act has passed in both the Assembly and the Senate. But our work is not finished. It still requires Governor Cuomo’s signature in order to become law. Assemblywoman Simon’s staff has asked that we pull together documents in support of this legislation. Most of all, we need letters from blind parents describing their experiences, and why this law is vitally important. These letters can be sent to <a href="mailto:president@nfbny.org" target="_blank">president@nfbny.org</a> or mailed to 2175 Sheridan Drive, Buffalo, New York 14223</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;background:white'><span style='font-size:11.5pt;color:#050505'> </span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;background:white'><span style='font-size:11.5pt;color:#050505'>I suggest your letter address each of the following points: </span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;text-indent:.5in;background:white'><span style='font-size:11.5pt;color:#050505'>1) That you are writing in support of A 2113 and S 4407, The Blind Persons' Right to Parent Act. </span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;text-indent:.5in;background:white'><span style='font-size:11.5pt;color:#050505'>2) Describe your personal background, that you are a blind parent of (number of children). </span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;text-indent:.5in;background:white'><span style='font-size:11.5pt;color:#050505'>3) Give examples of alternative nonvisual techniques you use in raising your children. </span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;text-indent:.5in;background:white'><span style='font-size:11.5pt;color:#050505'>4) Give examples, if any, of times your competence has been questioned: medical professionals; social workers; school teachers; family members. </span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;text-indent:.5in;background:white'><span style='font-size:11.5pt;color:#050505'>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? </span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;text-indent:.5in;background:white'><span style='font-size:11.5pt;color:#050505'>6) Address other issues not discussed above. </span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;text-indent:.5in;background:white'><span style='font-size:11.5pt;color:#050505'>7) State that this legislation will protect you and other blind parents from occurrences such as the incidents described above. </span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;background:white'><span style='font-size:11.5pt;color:#050505'> </span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;background:white'><span style='font-size:11.5pt;color:#050505'><img border=0 width=16 height=16 style='width:.1666in;height:.1666in' id="gmail-m_5044893397101831180Picture_x0020_1" src="cid:image001.png@01D76210.E47BB3F0" alt="😎">Conclusion: Ask the Governor to sign this vital legislation. Thank him and provide your contact information. </span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;background:white'><span style='font-size:11.5pt;color:#050505'>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. </span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;background:white'><span style='font-size:11.5pt;color:#050505'> </span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;background:white'><span style='font-size:11.5pt;color:#050505'>One or more of the parents in our affiliate will post their letters, if they have not already done so. </span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;background:white'><span style='font-size:11.5pt;color:#050505'> </span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;background:white'><span style='font-size:11.5pt;color:#050505'>Your letters should go to Mike Robinson, email <a href="mailto:president@nfbny.org" target="_blank">president@nfbny.org</a> </span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;background:white'><span style='font-size:11.5pt;color:#050505'>or National Federation of the Blind of New York State, 2175 Sheridan Drive, Buffalo, New York 14223. Email is preferable, but snail mail is fine. We need to get this done by next Friday, June 18 so we can send a complete electronic packet to Assemblywoman Simon’s office. That office will then forward it to Governor Cuomo’s office. </span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;background:white'><span style='font-size:11.5pt;color:#050505'> </span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;background:white'><span style='font-size:11.5pt;color:#050505'>Thank you all for your work on this. We can get it done! </span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;background:white'><span style='font-size:11.5pt;color:#050505'> </span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;background:white'><span style='font-size:11.5pt;color:#050505'>Legislation Committee </span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;background:white'><span style='font-size:11.5pt;color:#050505'> </span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;background:white'><span style='font-size:11.5pt;color:#050505'>Ray Wayne, Chair</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div></body></html>