<html xmlns:v="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:vml" xmlns:o="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" xmlns:w="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:word" xmlns:m="http://schemas.microsoft.com/office/2004/12/omml" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/TR/REC-html40"><head><meta http-equiv=Content-Type content="text/html; charset=us-ascii"><meta name=Generator content="Microsoft Word 15 (filtered medium)"><style><!--
/* Font Definitions */
@font-face
{font-family:"Cambria Math";
panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4;}
@font-face
{font-family:Calibri;
panose-1:2 15 5 2 2 2 4 3 2 4;}
/* Style Definitions */
p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal
{margin:0in;
font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;}
a:link, span.MsoHyperlink
{mso-style-priority:99;
color:#0563C1;
text-decoration:underline;}
span.EmailStyle18
{mso-style-type:personal-compose;
font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;
color:windowtext;}
.MsoChpDefault
{mso-style-type:export-only;
font-size:10.0pt;}
@page WordSection1
{size:8.5in 11.0in;
margin:1.0in 1.0in 1.0in 1.0in;}
div.WordSection1
{page:WordSection1;}
--></style><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:shapedefaults v:ext="edit" spidmax="1026" />
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:shapelayout v:ext="edit">
<o:idmap v:ext="edit" data="1" />
</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link="#0563C1" vlink="#954F72" style='word-wrap:break-word'><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal>Please see the below call to action, Your immediate action is necessary to secure services for blind seniors.<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><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:6.0pt'>CALL TO ACTION<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:6.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:6.0pt'>Hi All:<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:6.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:6.0pt'>We have a real chance to secure our request for increased funding for non-vocational rehabilitation services for blind seniors! But we all need to ask quickly!<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:6.0pt'>Senator Diane Savino of Brooklyn has requested an additional $5 million in funding to the New York State Commission for the Blind (Commission) per year exclusively for such services. We got a great deal of support for this request during our virtual Albany Seminar. However, it is ultimately up to the Assembly Speaker, the Majority Leader of the Senate, and the Governor to determine what goes into New York State’s budget for this year. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:6.0pt'>This process has to be completed by Friday of this coming week, April 1. The more support we get from other assembly members and senators, the better chance we have of getting this done.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:6.0pt'>This is where everyone can help! Please write or call your assembly member and senator by Wednesday, March 30, and urge them to support Senator Savino’s request for an additional $5 million to the Commission specifically for non-vocational rehabilitation services to blind seniors. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:6.0pt'>When you call or write, indicate your name, where you live, and that you are a constituent. Explain that you are asking them to support Senator Savino’s request for an additional $5 million to the Commission for non-vocational rehabilitation services for blind seniors.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:6.0pt'>You might indicate that as more seniors are losing vision, they need training in cane travel, Braille, cooking, and managing their finances in order to stay independent in their communities. This funding would result in a cost savings to the state because it would keep many seniors out of nursing homes who do not need to be there.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:6.0pt'>If you are a senior losing vision, or know or work with any such person, please indicate that, and give examples of how this funding would help you or your loved one, student, or client. You may be asked if there is a bill number regarding this issue. There is not; it is a budget request. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:6.0pt'>You can find your assembly representative or senator on the Assembly’s and Senator’s respective websites. If you do not have access to the Internet, you can call your local board of elections or the New York State Board of Elections. The phone number for the New York State Board of Elections is 518-473-5086.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:6.0pt'>Your phone calls and letters last year helped get our Blind Persons’ Right to Parent legislation passed and signed into law. We can do it again for blind seniors!<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:6.0pt'>If you email, please copy me at<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:6.0pt'><a href="mailto:Raywayne1959@gmail.com">Raywayne1959@gmail.com</a><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:6.0pt'>If you have any questions, you may email me or any member of the legislation committee, or call me at 718-491-0053. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:6.0pt'>Thank you all!<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:6.0pt'>Ray Wayne<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:6.0pt'>Chair<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:6.0pt'>Legislation Committee<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:6.0pt'>National Federation of the Blind of New York State, Inc.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:6.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:6.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div></body></html>