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<div dir="ltr"><b>From:</b> Jordan Moon <JMoon@saavi.us><br>
<b>Date:</b> April 24, 2026 at 12:32:02\u202fPM MST<br>
<b>To:</b> Amy Porterfield <APorterfield@saavi.us>, NFBAZ President <nfb.az.president@gmail.com>, Emily Papenfus <epapenfus@saavi.us>, Kimberly Fetterman <kfetterman@saavi.us>, Mark Feliz <mafeliz0641@gmail.com>, Joanne Williams <JWilliams@saavi.us>, Tarik
Williams <TWilliams@saavi.us><br>
<b>Cc:</b> NFBAZ Phoenix <nfbphoenixchapter@gmail.com>, Michael Smith <mikeshangout@cox.net>, Heather Bowes <1ofbeauty@gmail.com>, Maranda Ulvestad <ulvestadmaranda@gmail.com>, Abdallah Shuli <AShuli@saavi.us>, Jordan Moon <JMoon@saavi.us><br>
<b>Subject:</b> <b>Please send to Members: ACTION NEEDED: Final Push for SB1001 \u2013 Contact Speaker Montenegro and Senate President Petersen Today</b><br>
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<p>Dear Federation Family, <o:p></o:p></p>
<h1>The finish line is in sight \u2014 but we need one final push. <o:p></o:p></h1>
<p>As I shared in my last update, Representative Livingston has committed to including SB1001's $1,000,000 appropriation for the Older Blind program in the final state budget, and we have been actively engaging with the Governor's office. That is incredible
progress \u2014 and it is a direct result of your advocacy.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p>But we are not done yet. The budget is now in final negotiations, and we need to make sure that SB1001 is not lost or dropped in the final stretch. We have been fighting for this funding for four years. Last year, we came agonizingly close \u2014 only to have
the appropriation pulled out at the last minute. We cannot let that happen again.
<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<h1>ACTION NEEDED <span style="color:windowtext">Today</span><o:p></o:p></h1>
<p>Please send TWO brief emails \u2014 one to House Speaker Steve Montenegro and one to Senate President Warren Petersen \u2014 urging them to ensure that SB1001's $1,000,000 appropriation for the Older Blind program is included in the final budget agreement.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p>This will take less than five minutes, and it matters enormously. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p>Template emails and contact information are included below. As always, please add one or two personal sentences about why this issue matters to you or someone you know \u2014 those personal touches make a real difference.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p>PLEASE ATTACH THE FACT SHEET included with this email to both messages before sending. It provides legislators with key data and context that can make a powerful impression.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p>Please also CC me on all emails so I can track our campaign: jmoon@saavi.us <o:p>
</o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<h2>EMAIL #1 \u2014 HOUSE SPEAKER STEVE MONTENEGRO <o:p></o:p></h2>
<p>Email: SMontenegro@azleg.gov <o:p></o:p></p>
<p>Subject: Please Include SB1001 in the Final Budget \u2013 $1M for the Older Blind Program
<o:p></o:p></p>
<p>Dear Speaker Montenegro, <o:p></o:p></p>
<p>I am writing to respectfully urge you to ensure that the $1,000,000 appropriation for the Older Individuals Who Are Blind (OIB) Program \u2014 as provided in SB1001 \u2014 is included in the final state budget agreement.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p>The National Federation of the Blind of Arizona has been advocating to secure this funding for four years. Last year, we came heartbreakingly close, only to have the appropriation pulled from the budget at the last minute.
<o:p></o:p></p>
<p>This funding would restore resources to a program that has not received a meaningful funding increase in over fourteen years, despite Arizona's rapidly growing aging population. Approximately 72,000 Arizonans over the age of 65 are blind or have low vision,
and that number is expected to double by 2030. Without timely access to independent living services, many blind seniors are forced to leave their homes prematurely, increasing reliance on far more costly state-funded alternatives such as assisted living and
nursing home care.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p>[Add 1\u20132 sentences about why this matters to you personally.] <o:p></o:p></p>
<p>I have attached a fact sheet with additional information about the OIB program and the impact of this investment. Investing $1,000,000 in the Older Blind program is smart, cost-effective, and the right thing to do for Arizona's seniors. I respectfully ask
that you champion this funding as the budget is finalized.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p>Thank you for your service to Arizona. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p>Sincerely, <br>
[Your Name] <br>
[Your City, Arizona] <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<h2>EMAIL #2 \u2014 SENATE PRESIDENT WARREN PETERSEN <o:p></o:p></h2>
<p>Email: WPetersen@azleg.gov <o:p></o:p></p>
<p>Subject: Please Include SB1001 in the Final Budget \u2013 $1M for the Older Blind Program
<o:p></o:p></p>
<p>Dear Senate President Petersen, <o:p></o:p></p>
<p>I am writing to thank you and your colleagues for your support of SB1001 as it passed the Senate, and to respectfully urge you to ensure that the $1,000,000 appropriation for the Older Individuals Who Are Blind (OIB) Program is preserved in the final budget
agreement.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p>The National Federation of the Blind of Arizona has been advocating to secure this funding for four years. Last year, we came heartbreakingly close, only to have the appropriation pulled from the budget at the last minute. With your help, we are determined
not to let that happen again.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p>This funding addresses a critical and longstanding gap in services for blind seniors across Arizona. The OIB program has not received a meaningful funding increase since a $500,000 cut in 2009, while Arizona's aging blind population has continued to grow
significantly. Average waiting lists now exceed 200 blind seniors, with wait times often lasting a year or longer.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p>[Add 1\u20132 sentences about why this matters to you personally.] <o:p></o:p></p>
<p>I have attached a fact sheet with additional information about the OIB program and the impact of this investment. With your leadership, we can ensure that this investment in Arizona's blind seniors finally crosses the finish line after four years of advocacy.
I respectfully ask that you advocate for SB1001's inclusion in the final budget.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p>Thank you for your continued leadership and support. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p>Sincerely, <br>
[Your Name] <br>
[Your City, Arizona] <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<h1>FACT SHEET \u2014 KEY TALKING POINTS FOR SB1001 <o:p></o:p></h1>
<p>The attached fact sheet contains all of the key data points below and is ready to attach to your emails. Here is a quick summary of the most important facts:<o:p></o:p></p>
<p>\u2022 Approximately 178,000 blind and low vision individuals live in Arizona. More than 40% \u2014 approximately 72,000 people \u2014 are over the age of 65. This population is expected to double by 2030.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p>\u2022 The OIB program has not received a meaningful funding increase since a $500,000 budget cut in 2009 \u2014 more than fourteen years of flat funding despite significant population growth.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p>\u2022 Independent living services for blind individuals are not covered by health insurance and are not provided through the medical system. Without them, blind seniors have no alternative.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p>\u2022 Average waiting lists exceed 200 blind seniors, with wait times often lasting a year or longer. These delays force many seniors to leave their homes prematurely.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p>\u2022 With proper training and rehabilitation tools, blind seniors can remain safely in their homes, maintain independence, and avoid far more costly alternatives such as assisted living or nursing home care.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p>\u2022 This is a targeted, cost-effective investment that reduces long-term public expenditures and supports personal independence.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p>THANK YOU <o:p></o:p></p>
<p>Four years of advocacy has brought us to this moment. You have already made a tremendous difference this session, and this final push is our opportunity to see it all the way through. Please send your emails this week with the fact sheet attached, and feel
free to reach out if you need any help.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p>Sincerely, <o:p></o:p></p>
<p>Jordan Moon <br>
1st Vice-President/Legislative Director <br>
National Federation of the Blind of Arizona <br>
(951) 316-5363 | jmoon@saavi.us <o:p></o:p></p>
<p>"You can live the life you want; blindness is not what holds you back." <o:p></o:p></p>
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