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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='color:#1F497D'>Please find an opportunity below of particular interest to our deaf-blind as well as our blind members.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>The Maryland Accessible Telecommunications Program (MAT) is hosting a series of focus groups this fall, and we need your help! We are looking for volunteers to help us better understand the needs of the community, and to test new telecommunications equipment that we are considering adding to our program. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>We are looking for 10 volunteers from each of the following community groups:<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:1.0in;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo3'><![if !supportLists]><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Symbol'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>·<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> </span></span></span><![endif]><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Deaf<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:1.0in;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo3'><![if !supportLists]><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Symbol'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>·<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> </span></span></span><![endif]><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Hard of Hearing<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:1.0in;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo3'><![if !supportLists]><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Symbol'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>·<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> </span></span></span><![endif]><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>DeafBlind<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:1.0in;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo3'><![if !supportLists]><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Symbol'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>·<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> </span></span></span><![endif]><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Blind/low vision<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:1.0in;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo3'><![if !supportLists]><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Symbol'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>·<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> </span></span></span><![endif]><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Speech differences<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:1.0in;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo3'><![if !supportLists]><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Symbol'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>·<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> </span></span></span><![endif]><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Mobility differences<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:1.0in;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo3'><![if !supportLists]><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Symbol'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>·<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> </span></span></span><![endif]><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Cognitive differences<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:1.0in'><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>With feedback from each of these groups, we can continue to improve the MAT Program and ensure the variety of equipment we offer meets the needs of each and every individual.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>To volunteer for a focus group, <b>please contact MAT Program Manager Kevin Steffy at 410-246-4418 or at <a href="mailto:kevin.steffy@maryland.gov">kevin.steffy@maryland.gov</a></b> before Friday, August 21. Kevin will provide projected dates, times and locations for each group. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>The MAT program is always looking for new pieces of technology to better serve our clients, so if you, or someone you know, are aware of any new or existing telecommunication device that can meet your specific telecommunication needs, <b>please email these suggestions to Kevin Steffy (<a href="mailto:kevin.steffy@maryland.gov">kevin.steffy@maryland.gov</a>)</b> for future consideration. Thank you in advance for your thoughts and participation! <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='color:#1F497D'>Ronza Othman, </span></b><span style='color:#1F497D'>President<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'>National Federation of the Blind of Maryland<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'>443-426-4110<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'>Pronouns: she, her, hers<o:p></o:p></span></p></div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p></div></body></html>