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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link="#0563C1" vlink="#954F72"><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal>Fellow Federationists,<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>We had a very productive and successful Washington Seminar, and the Maryland affiliate did an outstanding job with our appointments and advocacy. In addition, the Maryland Congressional delegation knows how important our work is, as reflected in the fact that four out of the fifteen total Members of Congress who attended our NFB Congressional Reception on February 11, 2020 were from Maryland. These members were Senator Cardin, Majority Leader Hoyer, Congressman Raskin, and Congressman Sarbanes.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>We will spend each of the next several weeks focusing on one of our 2020 Legislative Priorities. To that end, we need your help, because it is our collective action that makes us the powerhouse advocacy organization we are.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>This week, we are focusing on the Access Technology Affordability Act (H.R. 2086 and S. 815).<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>This legislation removes an employment barrier commonly experienced by blind Americans who cannot afford the high cost of access technology by creating a refundable tax credit in the amount of $2,000 to offset the cost of these technologies.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>We are doing quite well in Maryland in terms of cosponsors on this bill, but we are so close to 100% that we need a strong push from our members this week.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Both of our Senators have already cosponsored this bill; in fact, one of our Senators is the lead sponsor. Five out of our eight Members of the House of Representatives have already cosponsored this bill as well, so we need to focus on the remaining three – Congressmen Andy Harris, Stenny Hoyer, and Anthony Brown. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>We need everyone to call Congressmen Harris, Hoyer, and Brown and urge them to cosponsor the Access Technology Affordability Act. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>When you call or email, you might say something like the following:<br><br><br><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>"Hello, my name is [your name] and I am a constituent of [your representative]. I live in [city, state]. I am calling to urge [your representative] to cosponsor H.R. 2086, the Access Technology Affordability Act. This legislation removes an employment barrier commonly experienced by blind Americans who cannot afford the high cost of access technology by creating a refundable tax credit in the amount of $2,000 to offset the cost of these technologies. I urge [your representative] to cosponsor the bill.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Thanks."<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>You can contact your member of Congress by calling the Capitol Switchboard and asking for the office in question. The number is 202-224-3121. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Your calls and emails do make a difference! <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Thanks for all you do.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>Ronza Othman, </span></b><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>President</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>National Federation of the Blind of Maryland<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>443-426-4110<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>The National Federation of the Blind of Maryland 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.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div></body></html>