<div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif">Dear Federation Family,</span><br></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif">I hope this message finds everyone staying cool and safe.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif"><br></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>2026 American Action Fund Braille Calendars Available:<u></u><u></u></b></h3><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:0.25in"><span style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif">Thanks to the generosity of the American Action Fund for Blind Children and Adults, Individual blind people can order up to three Braille calendars for 2026. Requests from individuals will be fulfilled through the end of the year. Calendar requests should be sent to </span><a href="mailto:calendars@actionfund.org" target="_blank">calendars@actionfund.org</a><span style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif">. Please allow up to two weeks for delivery. </span><span style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif"><u></u><u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="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>National Convention Highlights:<u></u><u></u></b></h3><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:0.25in"><span style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif">Thanks again to our members, sponsors, exhibitors, and everyone who made #NFB25 a success. Access the </span><a href="https://nfb.org/get-involved/national-convention/past-conventions/2025-national-convention" target="_blank">2025 National Convention highlights</a><span style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif"> now to relive the most powerful moments.</span><span style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif"><u></u><u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="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>Save the Date: Bay Bridge Run as Part of Our Coast-to-Coast Movement Challenge:<u></u><u></u></b></h3><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:0.25in"><span style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif">The National Organization of Parents of Blind Children (NOPBC) is again welcoming any and all to participate in person by walking or running the Bay Bridge in Maryland on November 9. Mark your calendars and plan to move with us. Registration information will be coming soon. Learn more at </span><a href="https://nfb.org/movers" target="_blank">https://nfb.org/movers</a><span style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif">.<u></u><u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:0.25in"><span style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif"><br></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>Transformation to Competitive Integrated Employment Act Introduced in Congress:<u></u><u></u></b></h3><h3 style="margin:0in 0in 0in 0.25in;line-height:23px;font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;font-weight:normal">Late last month, Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Steve Daines (R-MT), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), and Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) introduced S. 2438, the Transformation to Competitive Integrated Employment Act. Representatives Bobby Scott (D-VA-3) and Pete Sessions (R-TX-17) also introduced an identical companion bill in the House, H.R. 4771. Now it\u2019s time for all of us to contact our senators and representatives to request they cosponsor this legislation so we can once and for all abolish subminimum wages for disabled Americans!<u></u><u></u></h3><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:0.25in"><br class="gmail-Apple-interchange-newline"></p><h3 style="margin:0in 0in 0in 0.25in;line-height:23px;font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;font-weight:normal"><b>Teachers of Tomorrow:<u></u><u></u></b></h3><p class="m_3349924537323049485MsoListParagraph" 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">We are excited to have selected the 2025-2026 National Federation of the Blind Teachers of Tomorrow cohort. This immersive professional development opportunity connects early career teachers of blind students with the lived experiences of blind people, helping them have higher expectations for their students throughout their careers. This year we are excited to have teachers from the following states: Alabama, Arizona, Georgia, Idaho, Maryland, New Mexico, New York, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, and Washington.<u></u><u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:0.25in"><br class="gmail-Apple-interchange-newline"></p><h3 style="margin:0in 0in 0in 0.25in;line-height:23px;font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;font-weight:normal"><b>Blind Equality Achievement Month Planning:<u></u><u></u></b></h3><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:0.25in"><span style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif">The National Federation of the Blind celebrates the organized blind movement during October each year. Chapters across the country organize local outreach events. Submit your events, activities, and celebrations to<span class="gmail-Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><a href="mailto:web@nfb.org" target="_blank">web@nfb.org</a><span style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif"><span class="gmail-Apple-converted-space"> </span>so they can be posted on<span class="gmail-Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><a href="https://nfb.org/blind-month" target="_blank">https://nfb.org/blind-month</a><span style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif">. Reminder: please use the terms Blind Equality Achievement Month, Blind Month, or #BlindMonth when referring to and promoting activities.<u></u><u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:0.25in"><span style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif"><u></u> <u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:0.25in"><span style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif">One idea for an activity for Blind Equality Achievement Month: Plan an event around virtual participation in the Coast-to-Coast Movement Challenge as a chapter or an affiliate. Members and friends can walk together on a date you choose. Visit<span class="gmail-Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><a href="https://nfb.org/movers" target="_blank">https://nfb.org/movers</a><span style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif"><span class="gmail-Apple-converted-space"> </span>and learn more.<span class="gmail-Apple-converted-space"> </span><u></u><u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:0.25in"><span style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif"><u></u> <u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:0.25in"><span style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif">Please consider organizing an event for White Cane Awareness Day on October 15 with the White Cane Awareness Day Proclamation template. The template is available to print or share digitally. Fill in the details of your local area and identify a city council member or mayor to sponsor the proclamation. Please note that the event can also take place the weekend before or after October 15 if needed.<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="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:10pt;margin-left:15px;line-height:23px"><a href="https://www.nfb.org/programs-services/meet-blind-month/white-cane-awareness-day-proclamation" target="_blank">White Cane Awareness Day Proclamation (HTML)</a><span style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif"><u></u><u></u></span></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:10pt;margin-left:15px;line-height:23px"><a href="https://nfb.org/images/nfb/documents/word/white-cane-awareness-day-proclamation-final.docx" target="_blank">White Cane Awareness Day Proclamation (Word)</a><span style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif"><u></u><u></u></span></li></ul><h2 style="margin:0in;font-size:14pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif"><a name="m_3349924537323049485__Hlk183426075">Dates to Keep in Mind:<u></u><u></u></a></h2><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif">(all times Eastern)<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>Save the Date<u></u><u></u></b></h3><ul type="disc" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-top:0in"><li class="m_3349924537323049485MsoListParagraph" 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">October: Blind Equality Achievement Month<u></u><u></u></span></li><li class="m_3349924537323049485MsoListParagraph" 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">January 26-29, 2026: Washington Seminar<u></u><u></u></span></li><li class="m_3349924537323049485MsoListParagraph" 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, 2026: National Convention; Austin, Texas<u></u><u></u></span></li></ul><p class="m_3349924537323049485MsoListParagraph" style="margin:0in 0in 0in 0.5in;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;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;color:black"><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>Introduction to the Organized Blind Movement<u></u><u></u></b></h3><ul type="disc" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-top:0in"><li class="m_3349924537323049485MsoListParagraph" 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-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>Chapter<span class="gmail-Apple-converted-space"> </span><span class="gmail-il">Presidents</span><span class="gmail-Apple-converted-space"> </span>Calls<u></u><u></u></b></h3><ul type="disc" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-top:0in"><li class="m_3349924537323049485MsoListParagraph" 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_3349924537323049485MsoListParagraph" 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><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:0.25in"><br class="gmail-Apple-interchange-newline"></p></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><div style="color:rgb(34,34,34)"><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Lato,sans-serif;color:black;background-image:none;background-position:0% 0%;background-repeat:repeat">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. Our collective power, determination, and diversity achieve the aspirations of all blind people.</span><u></u><u></u></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Lato,sans-serif;color:black;background-image:none;background-position:0% 0%;background-repeat:repeat"><br></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif">The following content contains information to share in your affiliate communications\u2014simply copy and paste to your affiliate\u2019s social media, newsletters, and direct communications as needed.<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>2026 American Action Fund Braille Calendars Available:<u></u><u></u></b></h3><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:0.25in"><span style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif">Thanks to the generosity of the American Action Fund for Blind Children and Adults, Individual blind people can order up to three Braille calendars for 2026. Requests from individuals will be fulfilled through the end of the year. Calendar requests should be sent to<span> </span></span><a href="mailto:calendars@actionfund.org" target="_blank">calendars@actionfund.org</a><span style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif">. Please allow up to two weeks for delivery.<span> </span></span><span style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif"><u></u><u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="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>National Convention Highlights:<u></u><u></u></b></h3><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:0.25in"><span style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif">Thanks again to our members, sponsors, exhibitors, and everyone who made #NFB25 a success. Access the<span> </span></span><a href="https://nfb.org/get-involved/national-convention/past-conventions/2025-national-convention" target="_blank">2025 National Convention highlights</a><span style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif"><span> </span>now to relive the most powerful moments.</span><span style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif"><u></u><u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="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>Save the Date: Bay Bridge Run as Part of Our Coast-to-Coast Movement Challenge:<u></u><u></u></b></h3><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:0.25in"><span style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif">The National Organization of Parents of Blind Children (NOPBC) is again welcoming any and all to participate in person by walking or running the Bay Bridge in Maryland on November 9. Mark your calendars and plan to move with us. Registration information will be coming soon. Learn more at<span> </span></span><a href="https://nfb.org/movers" target="_blank">https://nfb.org/movers</a><span style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif">.<u></u><u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br></p></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>
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