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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link=blue vlink=purple><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><div><div style='border:none;border-top:solid #B5C4DF 1.0pt;padding:3.0pt 0in 0in 0in'><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"'>From:</span></b><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"'> NFBNet-Members-List [mailto:nfbnet-members-list-bounces@nfbnet.org] <b>On Behalf Of </b>Danielsen, Chris via NFBNet-Members-List<br><b>Sent:</b> Monday, January 09, 2017 3:05 PM<br><b>To:</b> nfbnet-members-list@nfbnet.org<br><b>Subject:</b> [Nfbnet-members-list] National Federation of the Blind Applauds Issuance of "508 Refresh" Regulations<o:p></o:p></span></p></div></div><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><b>FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE<br> <br>CONTACT:<br></b>Chris Danielsen<br>Director of Public Relations<br>National Federation of the Blind<br>(410) 659-9314, extension 2330<br>(410) 262-1281 (Cell)<br><a href="mailto:cdanielsen@nfb.org">cdanielsen@nfb.org</a><br><b> <o:p></o:p></b></p><p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><b>National Federation of the Blind Applauds Issuance of "508 Refresh" Regulations<o:p></o:p></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><b> <br>Baltimore, Maryland (January 9, 2017): </b>The National Federation of the Blind, the nation's leading advocate for blind Americans to gain equal access to information and technology, today applauded the publication of new technical standards to bring information and communication technology (ICT) into compliance with section 508 of the Rehabilitation act of 1973, which requires government agencies and contractors to make their electronic information and technology accessible to the blind and others with disabilities.<br> <br>Mark A. Riccobono, President of the National Federation of the Blind, said: "Information and communication Technology has changed a great deal since the last Section 508 regulations were issued, and has become an even more integral part of everyday life. Yet blind people, particularly blind federal employees, continue to struggle with access barriers when interacting with electronic and information technology used or procured by federal agencies. For these reasons, we are extremely pleased that the new Section 508 standards have finally been published. Government agencies and contractors should now understand how to make information and services accessible to the blind, allowing federal employees to perform their job functions effectively and other blind Americans to exercise our rights and responsibilities as citizens."<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><b> </b><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>In 1998, Congress amended the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 to require Federal agencies to make their ICT accessible to people with disabilities. Section 508 was enacted to eliminate barriers in information technology, open new opportunities for people with disabilities, and encourage development of technologies that will help achieve these goals. The law applies to all Federal agencies when they develop, procure, maintain, or use electronic and information technology. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><b> <br>###<o:p></o:p></b></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:12.0pt'><b> <br>About the National Federation of the Blind <br></b> <br>The National Federation of the Blind 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.<br> <br>Christopher S. Danielsen, J.D.<br>Director of Public Relations<br>200 East Wells Street, Baltimore, MD 21230<br>(410) 659-9314, extension 2330 | <a href="mailto:cdanielsen@nfb.org">cdanielsen@nfb.org</a> <br>Twitter: @rlawyer<br> <br><a href="https://nfb.org/"><span style='text-decoration:none'><img border=0 width=210 height=76 id="_x0000_i1025" src="cid:7.1.0.9.2.20170109160501.01a373a0@visi.com.4" alt="National Federation of the Blind"></span></a><br> <br> <a href="http://www.facebook.com/nationalfederationoftheblind"><span style='text-decoration:none'><img border=0 width=24 height=24 id="_x0000_i1026" src="cid:7.1.0.9.2.20170109160501.01a373a0@visi.com.5" alt=Facebook></span></a> <a href="https://twitter.com/NFB_Voice"><span style='text-decoration:none'><img border=0 width=24 height=24 id="_x0000_i1027" src="cid:7.1.0.9.2.20170109160501.01a373a0@visi.com.6" alt=Twitter></span></a> <a href="https://www.youtube.com/NationsBlind"><span style='text-decoration:none'><img border=0 width=24 height=24 id="_x0000_i1028" src="cid:7.1.0.9.2.20170109160501.01a373a0@visi.com.7" alt=Youtube></span></a><br> <br>The National Federation of the Blind is a community of members and friends who believe in the hopes and dreams of the nation’s blind. Every day we work together to help blind people live the lives they want. <br> <br><br><o:p></o:p></p></div></body></html>