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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>Hello, <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>I think it is a wonderful idea.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Delcenia Brown<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><div><div style='border:none;border-top:solid #E1E1E1 1.0pt;padding:3.0pt 0in 0in 0in'><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='mso-ligatures:none'>From:</span></b><span style='mso-ligatures:none'> NFB-DB <nfb-db-bounces@nfbnet.org> <b>On Behalf Of </b>Robin Diane Graves via NFB-DB<br><b>Sent:</b> Friday, July 14, 2023 9:31 AM<br><b>To:</b> 'NFB Deaf-Blind Division Mailing List' <nfb-db@nfbnet.org><br><b>Cc:</b> rdgraves2007@gmail.com<br><b>Subject:</b> [NFB-DB] Suggestion for Possible Division Activity<o:p></o:p></span></p></div></div><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Good Morning All,<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>In contemplating possible interactions and activities for the division going forward, I am wondering what others might think about having periodic Zoom meetings regarding the various challenges we face as deaf-blind individuals. This would give us the opportunity to brainstorm, support one another and share various tips and tricks with one another. Each meeting could be centered on a specific topic.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>For instance, one of the very real challenges I face as someone with a “severe” hearing impairment is navigating the wide open, “echoy” spaces such as the lobby of the Hilton hotel at this past convention. Most hotel lobies offer this challenge for that matter.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>I had no problem at all navigating the halls of the sleeping area or that in which the presidential and host suites were located. But I was very uncomfortable and had a hard time navigating the lobby and finding the various restaurants and elevator banks because of the echo and the cacophony of sound. How do others handle these environments successfully and minimize the frustration involved?<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>This is just one topic we might explore. Another might be how best to work on dispelling the myths associated with blindness while struggling with the challenges associated with hearing loss.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>My thought is that the division was formed so that we can be of support to one another, and address issues that even our blind brothers and sisters who are not dealing with the challenges of hearing loss can’t quite grasp. Does this make sense? What do others think? <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Diane Graves<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div></body></html>