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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link="#0563C1" vlink="#954F72"><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></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><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>From:</b> Nikki Jackson <njackson@BISM.org> <br><b>Sent:</b> Monday, November 8, 2021 11:49 AM<br><b>To:</b> Cumberland Times <ctn@times-news.com>; WCBC Radio <Newsroom@wcbcradio.com>; Forever Cumberland <jvan@forevermediainc.com>; WJAZ Jonestown PA <news@wjactv.com>; NFBMD <nfbmd@nfbnet.org>; Rhonza Offman, NFBMD President <president@nfbmd.org>; Jennifer Bopp <jbopp@BISM.org>; Sen. George C. Edwards <george.edwards@senate.state.md.us>; Del. Wendell R. Beitzel <wendell.beitzel@house.state.md.us>; Del. Jason Buckel <jason.buckel@house.state.md.us>; Del. Michael McKay <mike.mckay@house.state.md.us>; Sec. of Commerce - Kelly M. Schultz <kelly.schulz@maryland.gov>; Sec. of Labor - Tiffany P. Robinson <tiffany.robinson@maryland.gov>; County Commissioner Jacob C. Shade <commissioner.shade@alleganygov.org>; County Commissioner Creade V. Brodie, Jr. <commissioner.brodie@alleganygov.org>; County Commissioner David J. Caporale <commissioner.caporale@alleganygov.org>; Mayor Raymond M. Morriss <ray.morriss@cumberlandmd.gov>; Councilman Eugene T. Frazier <eugene.frazier@cumberlandmd.gov>; Councilman Seth D. Bernard <seth.bernard@cumberlandmd.gov>; Councilman Richard J. Cioni <richardjcioni@hotmail.com>; Councilwoman Laurie P. Marchini <laurie.marchini@cumberlandmd.gov><br><b>Subject:</b> Blind Industries and Services of Maryland (BISM) to Expand Independence Training and Rehabilitation Services to The Blind Community in Western Maryland Counties<o:p></o:p></p></div></div><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNoSpacing><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNoSpacing><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>November 8, 2021<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNoSpacing><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>Contact Nikki Jackson <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNoSpacing><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>Communications Manager <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNoSpacing><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>410-737-2615<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNoSpacing><a href="mailto:njackson@bism.org"><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>njackson@bism.org</span></a><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:#4472C4'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>Blind Industries and Services of Maryland (BISM) to Expand Independence Training and Rehabilitation Services to The Blind Community in Western Maryland Counties<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>BISM has announced that it will expand its independence training and rehabilitation programming to better serve the Western Maryland counties of Washington, Allegany and Garrett. Training and programs will be provided by BISM’s Independence Training and Rehabilitation Department instructors Cindy Holden and Robert Morgan. BISM plans to implement programming and services five (5) days a week, with two (2) days in Cumberland, Maryland at 322 Paca Street, two (2) days in Hagerstown, Maryland at Trinity Lutheran Church, 15 Randolph Avenue, and are finalizing plans to provide training one (1) day each week in Frostburg, Maryland. Schedules of services and programming can be found on BISM’s website, </span><a href="http://www.bism.org/rehabilitation"><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>www.bism.org/rehabilitation</span></a><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>The Primary focus of instruction will be in the areas of Technology, Braille, Independent Living and Orientation and Mobility. Additional services in the areas of Job training/placement, support group services, and community instruction/outreach will be available as well. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>“This is an exciting opportunity to not only continue blind services in Western Maryland, but expand the availability of those services even further” says Independence Training and Rehabilitation Department Director Andy McIver. We are planning to fund this project internally, but looking to grow services through increasing BISM’s partnership with the State of Maryland.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>For more information about BISM’s Training Programs and Services, contact Andy McIver at 410-737-2648 or at </span><a href="mailto:amciver@bism.org"><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:windowtext'>amciver@bism.org</span></a><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-indent:.5in'><b><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>About Blind Industries and Services of Maryland<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>Blind Industries and Services of Maryland (BISM) was established in 1908 by the Maryland General Assembly and has evolved into a multifaceted company that offers diverse employment opportunities and comprehensive training programs and services for blind and low vision people of all ages. BISM currently employs over 500 Associates, the majority of whom are blind or low vision, at 14 locations in five states.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>###<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-align:justify'><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Nikki Jackson She/Her</span><span style='font-size:14.0pt'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-align:justify'><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Communications Manager <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-align:justify'><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Blind Industries and Services of Maryland <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-align:justify'><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>3345 Washington Blvd. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-align:justify'><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Baltimore, MD 21227<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-align:justify'><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Phone: 410-737-2615<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-align:justify'><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Email: <a href="mailto:njackson@bism.org">njackson@bism.org</a> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-align:justify'><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'> “We Positively Change People’s Attitudes About Blindness.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Find us on the web at <span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>: <a href="https://www.bism.org/">https://www.bism.org/</a></span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Like us on Facebook: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/BISMpage/"><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>https://www.facebook.com/BISMpage/</span></a><u><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:#0563C1'><o:p></o:p></span></u></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Follow us on Twitter: <a name="_Hlk72237171"></a><a href="https://twitter.com/BISM_Blind"><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk72237171'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>https://twitter.com/BISM_Blind</span></span><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk72237171'></span></a><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk72237171'></span><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Check us out on YouTube: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/user/BlindIndustriesBISM"><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>https://www.youtube.com/user/BlindIndustriesBISM</span></a><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div></body></html>