<div dir="ltr"><div><h1 style="margin:0in;font-size:14pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;line-height:23px"><span style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif;font-size:12pt;font-weight:normal">Dear Federation Family,</span><br></h1><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif"><u></u> <u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">Happy Thanksgiving week and much gratitude for all that you do.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">As the 118^th<span class="gmail-Apple-converted-space"> </span>Congress comes near closing, there are a number of strategic opportunities for us to push forward in the final minutes. One is to keep the Access Technology Affordability Act on the radar. The other is to push hard to get the Transformation to Competitive Integrated Employment Act over the line. Both of these could still become law this year. If each of us takes some time to make some calls and encourage others to do the same, we can make this happen.<u></u><u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif"><u></u> <u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">Thank you in advance for this work. After you take these actions, I hope that you have a blessed holiday with family and friends. Travel safe and take many moments to thank those you appreciate.<u></u><u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif"><u></u> <u></u></span></p><h2 style="margin:0in;line-height:23px;font-size:14pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">Critical Actions:<u></u><u></u></h2><h3 style="margin:0in 0in 0in 0.25in;line-height:23px;font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;font-weight:normal"><b>Blind Voters Survey—Final Call:<u></u><u></u></b></h3><p class="m_-8052478582769878580MsoListParagraph" style="margin:0in 0in 0in 0.25in;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;line-height:23px"><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:23px;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">Our online Blind Voters Survey is available, and we encourage anyone who has already voted to complete it so that your experiences, whether positive or negative, can be documented. Please complete the survey either online or by phone:<u></u><u></u></span></p><ul type="disc" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-top:0in"><li class="m_-8052478582769878580MsoListParagraph" style="margin:0in;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;line-height:23px"><a href="https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/VDJGSS8" target="_blank"><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:23px;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">Voter Survey for In-Person via web.</span></a><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:23px;font-family:Arial,sans-serif"><u></u><u></u></span></li><li class="m_-8052478582769878580MsoListParagraph" style="margin:0in;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;line-height:23px"><a href="https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/VYYJDXT" target="_blank"><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:23px;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">Voter Survey for Absentee or Mail via web.</span></a><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:23px;font-family:Arial,sans-serif"><u></u><u></u></span></li><li class="m_-8052478582769878580MsoListParagraph" style="margin:0in;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;line-height:23px"><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:23px;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">Voter Survey via phone: call 229-632-7878 or toll-free 833-632-7878. Please note that the phone number above provides the survey in an automated system and will require the survey to be completed in one session. There is an option to pause the survey for five minutes and the pause can be extended as needed. Push the pound key for help and the star key exits the help menu.<u></u><u></u></span></li><li class="m_-8052478582769878580MsoListParagraph" style="margin:0in;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;line-height:23px"><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:23px;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">Spanish Survey via web:<span class="gmail-Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><a href="https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/7J3G7FH" target="_blank"><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:23px;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">Encuesta de votantes ciegos en español</span></a><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:23px;font-family:Arial,sans-serif"><u></u><u></u></span></li></ul><p class="m_-8052478582769878580MsoListParagraph" style="margin:0in 0in 0in 0.25in;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;line-height:23px"><u><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:23px;font-family:Arial,sans-serif"><u></u><span style="text-decoration:none"> </span><u></u></span></u></p><p class="m_-8052478582769878580MsoListParagraph" style="margin:0in 0in 0in 0.25in;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;line-height:23px"><b><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:23px;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">Upcoming Presidential Release for Chapters:</span></b><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:23px;font-family:Arial,sans-serif"><u></u><u></u></span></p><p class="m_-8052478582769878580MsoListParagraph" style="margin:0in 0in 0in 0.25in;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;line-height:23px"><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:23px;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">The next National Federation of the Blind Presidential Release chapter version will be published on Monday, December 2. The chapter version is intended to be played during each chapter meeting throughout the month. As a reminder, there will not be a Presidential Release Live in December.<span class="gmail-Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><a href="https://nfb.org/resources/publications-and-media/presidential-releases" target="_blank"><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:23px;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">Access the chapter version and live details</span></a><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:23px;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">.<u></u><u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif"><u></u> <u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif"><u></u> <u></u></span></p><h2 style="margin:0in;line-height:23px;font-size:14pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">News:<u></u><u></u></h2><h3 style="margin:0in 0in 0in 0.25in;line-height:23px;font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;font-weight:normal"><b>2025 Washington Seminar Registration:<u></u><u></u></b></h3><p class="m_-8052478582769878580MsoListParagraph" style="margin:0in 0in 0in 0.25in;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;line-height:23px"><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:23px;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">For 2025, we are trying something new with regard to the Washington Seminar. We are asking that all attendees complete a registration form so that we can keep those who are attending better informed about the events taking place that week. There is no fee associated with registration for the Washington Seminar, and the form is quick and easy to complete. It can be found on our<span class="gmail-Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><a href="https://nfb.org/programs-services/advocacy/washington-seminar" target="_blank"><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:23px;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">Washington Seminar page</span></a><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:23px;font-family:Arial,sans-serif"><span class="gmail-Apple-converted-space"> </span>along with many other helpful pieces of information about the 2025 Washington Seminar.<u></u><u></u></span></p><p class="m_-8052478582769878580MsoListParagraph" style="margin:0in 0in 0in 0.25in;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;line-height:23px"><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:23px;font-family:Arial,sans-serif"><u></u> <u></u></span></p><p class="m_-8052478582769878580MsoListParagraph" style="margin:0in 0in 0in 0.25in;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;line-height:23px"><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:23px;font-family:Arial,sans-serif"><u></u> </span><b style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif;font-size:12pt">Legislative Alert: Transformation to Competitive Integrated Employment Act:</b></p><p class="m_-8052478582769878580MsoListParagraph" style="margin:0in 0in 0in 0.25in;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;line-height:23px"><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:23px;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">On Friday, November 22, we sent out a legislative alert regarding the inclusion of the Transformation to Competitive Integrated Employment Act. We are coming down to the wire on the 118th Congress and we want to make sure that we’ve done everything that we possibly can in order to advocate for our legislative priorities. In this case, we are trying to ensure that the Transformation to Competitive Integrated Employment Act (TCIEA) is included in the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) reauthorization bill that is currently being considered. Right now is a crucial time for this initiative because Congress wants to pass the WIOA reauthorization when they return after Thanksgiving. Please urge your chapter members to follow up regarding the details of the report. If you need a copy of the alert, please contact Justin Young at<span class="gmail-Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><a href="mailto:jyoung@nfb.org" target="_blank"><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:23px;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">jyoung@nfb.org</span></a><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:23px;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">.  Or see attached below.<u></u><u></u></span></p><p class="m_-8052478582769878580MsoListParagraph" style="margin:0in 0in 0in 0.25in;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;line-height:23px"><b><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:23px;font-family:Arial,sans-serif"><u></u> <u></u></span></b></p><p class="m_-8052478582769878580MsoListParagraph" style="margin:0in 0in 0in 0.25in;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;line-height:23px"><b><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:23px;font-family:Arial,sans-serif"><u></u> </span></b><b style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif;font-size:12pt">Catch Up on Content and Share on Social Media:</b></p><p class="m_-8052478582769878580MsoListParagraph" style="margin:0in 0in 0in 0.25in;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;line-height:23px"><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:23px;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">NEW Publication: As announced in the November Presidential Release, the National Federation of the Blind has launched a new podcast,<span class="gmail-Apple-converted-space"> </span><i>Access On</i>, with host Jonathan Mosen, executive director of Accessibility Excellence. Whether you’re a technology expert or just trying to make sense of it all,<span class="gmail-Apple-converted-space"> </span><i>Access On</i><span class="gmail-Apple-converted-space"> </span>has something for you. Subscribe and listen on your podcast client.<u></u><u></u></span></p><p class="m_-8052478582769878580MsoListParagraph" style="margin:0in 0in 0in 0.25in;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;line-height:23px"><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:23px;font-family:Arial,sans-serif"><u></u> <u></u></span></p><p class="m_-8052478582769878580MsoListParagraph" style="margin:0in 0in 0in 0.25in;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;line-height:23px"><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:23px;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">Additionally, catch up on highlights, news, and stories in the most recent<span class="gmail-Apple-converted-space"> </span><i>Braille Monitor</i>,<span class="gmail-Apple-converted-space"> </span><i>Future Reflections</i>, and<span class="gmail-Apple-converted-space"> </span><i>Nation’s Blind Podcast</i>. The links below are National Federation of the Blind publications for you to access and share with Federationists. These articles and episodes are great to share on affiliate and division social media to create discussions on various topics.<span class="gmail-Apple-converted-space"> </span><u></u><u></u></span></p><ul type="disc" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-top:0in"><li class="m_-8052478582769878580MsoListParagraph" style="margin:0in 0in 0in 0.25in;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;line-height:23px"><a href="https://nfb.org/images/nfb/publications/bm/bm24/bm2410/bm2410tc.htm" target="_blank"><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:23px;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">November<i><span class="gmail-Apple-converted-space"> </span>Braille Monitor</i></span></a><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:23px;font-family:Arial,sans-serif"><u></u><u></u></span></li><li class="m_-8052478582769878580MsoListParagraph" style="margin:0in 0in 0in 0.25in;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;line-height:23px"><a href="https://nfb.org/images/nfb/publications/fr/fr43/3/fr4303tc.htm" target="_blank"><i><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:23px;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">Future Reflections, Volume 43 Number 3</span></i></a><i><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:23px;font-family:Arial,sans-serif"><u></u><u></u></span></i></li><li class="m_-8052478582769878580MsoListParagraph" style="margin:0in 0in 0in 0.25in;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;line-height:23px"><a href="https://nfb.org/resources/publications-and-media/nations-blind-podcast" target="_blank"><i><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:23px;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">Nation’s Blind Podcast</span></i><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:23px;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">, “Preserving Our Dignity as Blind People"</span></a><i><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:23px;font-family:Arial,sans-serif"><u></u><u></u></span></i></li></ul><p class="m_-8052478582769878580MsoListParagraph" style="margin:0in 0in 0in 0.25in;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;line-height:23px"><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:23px;font-family:Arial,sans-serif"><u></u> <u></u></span></p><p class="m_-8052478582769878580MsoListParagraph" style="margin:0in 0in 0in 0.25in;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;line-height:23px"><b><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:23px;font-family:Arial,sans-serif"><u></u> <u></u></span></b></p><h3 style="margin:0in 0in 0in 0.25in;line-height:23px;font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;font-weight:normal"><b>Upcoming Accessibility Boutique for Family and Friends:<u></u><u></u></b></h3><p class="m_-8052478582769878580MsoListParagraph" style="margin:0in 0in 0in 0.25in;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;line-height:23px"><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:23px;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">Join the National Federation of the Blind on Tuesday, November 26, 2024, from 2:00 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. to learn how to teach a friend or family member the basics of using a screen reader. We will cover how screen readers present content, common keyboard shortcuts, helpful training and learning techniques for screen readers, and more.<span class="gmail-Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><a href="https://nfb.org/form/accessibility-boutique-reg" target="_blank"><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:23px;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">Register for the November 26 boutique today.</span></a><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:23px;font-family:Arial,sans-serif"> <u></u><u></u></span></p><p class="m_-8052478582769878580MsoListParagraph" style="margin:0in 0in 0in 0.25in;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;line-height:23px"><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:23px;font-family:Arial,sans-serif"><u></u> <u></u></span></p><p class="m_-8052478582769878580MsoListParagraph" style="margin:0in 0in 0in 0.25in;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;line-height:23px"><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:23px;font-family:Arial,sans-serif"><u></u> <u></u></span></p><h3 style="margin:0in 0in 0in 0.25in;line-height:23px;font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;font-weight:normal"><b>Braille Readers Are Leaders:<u></u><u></u></b></h3><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:0.25in"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">The Braille Readers Are Leaders contest opened registration on November 15, 2024. Registration lasts through the end of the contest, which will be January 17, 2025. Logging of your reading minutes does not start until December 2, 2024.<u></u><u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:0.25in"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif"><u></u> <u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:0.25in"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">This year we will have the youth, adult, and teachers of blind students contests. Be sure to complete the first activity as that will give us your address so that we can send any prizes you win along the way.<u></u><u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:0.25in"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">Use the Beanstack website or the Beanstack app to log your many minutes of reading. Have fun and challenge your friends, family members, and colleagues who read Braille to join you. </span><span style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif;font-size:12pt"> </span></p><p class="m_-8052478582769878580MsoListParagraph" style="margin:0in 0in 0in 0.25in;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;line-height:23px"><span style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif;font-size:12pt"> </span><br></p><h2 style="margin:0in;line-height:23px;font-size:14pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">Dates to Keep in Mind:<u></u><u></u></h2><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">(all times eastern)<u></u><u></u></span></p><ul type="disc" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-top:0in"><li class="m_-8052478582769878580MsoListParagraph" style="margin:0in;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;line-height:23px"><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:23px;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">February 3, 2025: Great Gathering-In<u></u><u></u></span></li><li class="m_-8052478582769878580MsoListParagraph" style="margin:0in;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;line-height:23px"><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:23px;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">February 3-6, 2025: Washington Seminar<u></u><u></u></span></li><li class="m_-8052478582769878580MsoListParagraph" style="margin:0in;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;line-height:23px"><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:23px;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">July 8-13, 2025: National Convention; New Orleans, Louisiana<u></u><u></u></span></li></ul><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif"><u></u> <u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">Introduction to the Organized Blind Movement<u></u><u></u></span></p><ul type="disc" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-top:0in"><li class="m_-8052478582769878580MsoListParagraph" style="margin:0in;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;color:black;line-height:23px;background-image:none;background-position:0% 0%;background-size:auto;background-repeat:repeat;background-origin:padding-box;background-clip:border-box"><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:23px;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">Wednesday, February 5<u></u><u></u></span></li><li class="m_-8052478582769878580MsoListParagraph" style="margin:0in;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;color:black;line-height:23px;background-image:none;background-position:0% 0%;background-size:auto;background-repeat:repeat;background-origin:padding-box;background-clip:border-box"><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:23px;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">Wednesday, May 7<u></u><u></u></span></li><li class="m_-8052478582769878580MsoListParagraph" style="margin:0in;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;color:black;line-height:23px;background-image:none;background-position:0% 0%;background-size:auto;background-repeat:repeat;background-origin:padding-box;background-clip:border-box"><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:23px;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">Wednesday, August 6<u></u><u></u></span></li><li class="m_-8052478582769878580MsoListParagraph" style="margin:0in;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;color:black;line-height:23px;background-image:none;background-position:0% 0%;background-size:auto;background-repeat:repeat;background-origin:padding-box;background-clip:border-box"><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:23px;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">Wednesday, November 5<u></u><u></u></span></li></ul><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif"><u></u> <u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">Chapter Presidents Calls<u></u><u></u></span></p><ul type="disc" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-top:0in"><li class="m_-8052478582769878580MsoListParagraph" style="margin:0in;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;color:black;line-height:23px;background-image:none;background-position:0% 0%;background-size:auto;background-repeat:repeat;background-origin:padding-box;background-clip:border-box"><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:23px;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">Thursday, December 19, and Sunday, December 22<u></u><u></u></span></li><li class="m_-8052478582769878580MsoListParagraph" style="margin:0in;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;color:black;line-height:23px;background-image:none;background-position:0% 0%;background-size:auto;background-repeat:repeat;background-origin:padding-box;background-clip:border-box"><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:23px;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">Thursday, March 13 and Sunday, March 16<u></u><u></u></span></li><li class="m_-8052478582769878580MsoListParagraph" style="margin:0in;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;color:black;line-height:23px;background-image:none;background-position:0% 0%;background-size:auto;background-repeat:repeat;background-origin:padding-box;background-clip:border-box"><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:23px;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">Thursday, June 12 and Sunday, June 15<u></u><u></u></span></li><li class="m_-8052478582769878580MsoListParagraph" style="margin:0in;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;color:black;line-height:23px;background-image:none;background-position:0% 0%;background-size:auto;background-repeat:repeat;background-origin:padding-box;background-clip:border-box"><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:23px;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">Thursday, September 11 and Sunday, September 14<u></u><u></u></span></li><li class="m_-8052478582769878580MsoListParagraph" style="margin:0in;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;color:black;line-height:23px;background-image:none;background-position:0% 0%;background-size:auto;background-repeat:repeat;background-origin:padding-box;background-clip:border-box"><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:23px;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">Thursday, December 11 and Sunday, December 14<u></u><u></u></span></li></ul><br class="gmail-Apple-interchange-newline"></div><span class="gmail_signature_prefix">-- </span><br><div dir="ltr" class="gmail_signature" data-smartmail="gmail_signature"><div dir="ltr"><div><div dir="ltr"><div><div dir="ltr"><div><div dir="ltr">Dorothy Griffin - President <div>National Federation of the Blind of Georgia</div><div><a href="mailto:dgriffin@nfbga.org" target="_blank">dgriffin@nfbga.org</a></div><div>770-374-4832</div><div><br></div><div><p class="MsoNormal" style="color:rgb(34,34,34)"><span style="font-size:19.5pt;font-family:Lato,sans-serif;color:black;background-image:none;background-position:0% 0%;background-repeat:repeat">The <span>National</span> <span>Federation</span> 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. Our collective power, determination, and diversity achieve the aspirations of all blind people.</span><span style="font-size:12pt"><u></u><u></u></span></p></div><div><span style="font-size:19.5pt;font-family:Lato,sans-serif;color:black;background-image:none;background-position:0% 0%;background-repeat:repeat"><br></span></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>