<div dir="ltr"><div>A message from Jordan Moon:</div><div><br></div><div><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:normal;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial;margin:0in 0in 8pt;font-size:12pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif">Dear Federation Family,</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:normal;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial;margin:0in 0in 8pt;font-size:12pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif">I hope this message finds you all well! As we move into the
second quarter of 2026, I wanted to share a comprehensive update on where
things stand both here in Arizona and at the federal level. There is a lot
happening, and as always, your engagement makes all the difference.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;line-height:normal;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial;font-size:12pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0.25in 0in 4pt;line-height:normal;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial;font-size:12pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:20pt;font-family:"Aptos Display",sans-serif;color:rgb(15,71,97)">ARIZONA STATE LEGISLATIVE UPDATE</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;line-height:normal;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial;font-size:12pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:8pt 0in 4pt;line-height:normal;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial;font-size:12pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:16pt;font-family:"Aptos Display",sans-serif;color:rgb(15,71,97)">SB1001: OLDER BLIND PROGRAM APPROPRIATION</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:normal;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial;margin:0in 0in 8pt;font-size:12pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif">First, thank you \u2014 again \u2014 for everything you have done on
SB1001. As I shared last week, both appropriations chairs are on board, and
Representative Livingston has committed to including the $1,000,000
appropriation for the Older Blind program in the final state budget. That is a
direct result of your voices and your advocacy.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:normal;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial;margin:0in 0in 8pt;font-size:12pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif">We are now entering the next phase. We are actively
engaging with the Governor's office, and we will soon be sending out a call to
action asking members to contact the House Speaker and Senate President to urge
them to keep this funding in the final budget. We are in the home stretch \u2014
please be on the lookout for that message and be ready to act when it arrives.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;line-height:normal;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial;font-size:12pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:8pt 0in 4pt;line-height:normal;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial;font-size:12pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:16pt;font-family:"Aptos Display",sans-serif;color:rgb(15,71,97)">SB1690: BLIND AND LOW VISION VOTERS; ELECTRONIC VOTING
ACCESS</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:normal;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial;margin:0in 0in 8pt;font-size:12pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif">This is an election year, and voting access for blind
Arizonans has never been more important. SB1690 aims to ensure that blind
voters have full access to electronic ballots and electronic ballot return \u2014
critical tools for truly independent and private voting.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:normal;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial;margin:0in 0in 8pt;font-size:12pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif">At this time, the bill appears to have stalled in the
Senate Judiciary and Elections Committee and has not advanced further this
session. We are disappointed by that, but we are not done pushing. Accessible,
independent voting is a right, not a privilege, and we will continue to
advocate for this legislation and engage with election officials directly.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:normal;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial;margin:0in 0in 8pt;font-size:12pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif">We are proud to give a special shout-out to our Tucson
Chapter, who have done fantastic work engaging in direct conversations with the
Pima County Recorder's office on this very issue. That kind of local,
relationship-based advocacy is exactly what moves the needle, and we are
grateful for their efforts on the ground.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;line-height:normal;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial;font-size:12pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:8pt 0in 4pt;line-height:normal;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial;font-size:12pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:16pt;font-family:"Aptos Display",sans-serif;color:rgb(15,71,97)">SB1577: WEBSITE ACCESSIBILITY AS PUBLIC ACCOMMODATION</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:normal;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial;margin:0in 0in 8pt;font-size:12pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif">SB1577 addresses a critical issue for our community:
ensuring that websites are treated as places of public accommodation under
Arizona law, rather than being allowed to operate as private entities exempt
from accessibility requirements. For blind Arizonans who rely on screen readers
and other assistive technology, an inaccessible website is the same as a locked
front door.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:normal;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial;margin:0in 0in 8pt;font-size:12pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif">This bill was referred to the Senate Government
Institutions Committee and has not moved further this session. We are
monitoring its progress closely. Accessible websites are not a luxury \u2014 they
are a necessity, and we will continue to advocate for this standard to be
enshrined in Arizona law.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;line-height:normal;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial;font-size:12pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:8pt 0in 4pt;line-height:normal;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial;font-size:12pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:16pt;font-family:"Aptos Display",sans-serif;color:rgb(15,71,97)">SB1824: BLINDNESS COMPENSATORY SKILLS; TEACHING
CERTIFICATES</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:normal;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial;margin:0in 0in 8pt;font-size:12pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif">SB1824, sponsored by our ally Senator David Farnsworth,
addresses certification requirements for instructors who teach blindness
compensatory skills across the state. Ensuring that qualified, credentialed
professionals are available to serve blind and low vision Arizonans is
essential to the independence and opportunity our community deserves.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:normal;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial;margin:0in 0in 8pt;font-size:12pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif">Many of you will remember that Senator Farnsworth was the
proud recipient of the Legislative Ally Award at our 2025 NFB of Arizona
Legislative Seminar during our state convention \u2014 an honor he earned in part
through his tremendous work helping us update Arizona's Braille standards last
year. We are grateful for his continued partnership and dedication to our
community.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:normal;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial;margin:0in 0in 8pt;font-size:12pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif">We are still working to add amendment language to SB1824
that would strengthen the bill further. If that is not possible before the
session closes, we are committed to working with Senator Farnsworth's office to
come back in 2027 with everything we need. This work will get done.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;line-height:normal;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial;font-size:12pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0.25in 0in 4pt;line-height:normal;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial;font-size:12pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:20pt;font-family:"Aptos Display",sans-serif;color:rgb(15,71,97)">FEDERAL LEGISLATIVE UPDATE</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;line-height:normal;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial;font-size:12pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:8pt 0in 4pt;line-height:normal;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial;font-size:12pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:16pt;font-family:"Aptos Display",sans-serif;color:rgb(15,71,97)">RECONCILIATION AND THE OPPORTUNITY BEFORE US</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:normal;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial;margin:0in 0in 8pt;font-size:12pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif">On the federal side, our national office has an important
spring advocacy push underway, and I want to make sure our members are informed
and prepared.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:normal;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial;margin:0in 0in 8pt;font-size:12pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif">As you may have seen in the news, Congress is currently
considering a second budget reconciliation package. Reconciliation is a special
legislative process that allows certain bills to move through the Senate
without being subject to a filibuster \u2014 meaning it can pass with 51 votes
rather than the 60 typically required. This is a significant and time-sensitive
opportunity for our movement.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:normal;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial;margin:0in 0in 8pt;font-size:12pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif">The national office believes there are real opportunities
to include two critical pieces of legislation in this package:</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:normal;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial;margin:0in 0in 8pt;font-size:12pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif">The Access Technology Affordability Act (ATAA), which would
make assistive technology more affordable and accessible for blind Americans.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:normal;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial;margin:0in 0in 8pt;font-size:12pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif">The Blind Americans Return to Work Act, which would remove
barriers that currently discourage blind individuals from entering or returning
to the workforce.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:normal;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial;margin:0in 0in 8pt;font-size:12pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif">It is worth noting that Arizona does not currently have any
sponsors on either of these bills, which makes the engagement of our members
with their representatives all the more important. You will be receiving action
alerts from the national office with specific steps you can take. When those
alerts arrive, please act promptly \u2014 timely responses from constituents truly
move the needle with congressional offices.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;line-height:normal;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial;font-size:12pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0.25in 0in 4pt;line-height:normal;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial;font-size:12pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:20pt;font-family:"Aptos Display",sans-serif;color:rgb(15,71,97)">CLOSING</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:normal;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial;margin:0in 0in 8pt;font-size:12pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif">Thank you for all that you do for blind Arizonans and
across the nation. The work you do matters deeply, and it shows in the progress
we continue to make together.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:normal;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial;margin:0in 0in 8pt;font-size:12pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif">In Federation,</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:normal;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial;margin:0in 0in 8pt;font-size:12pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif">Jordan Moon<br>
1st Vice-President/Legislative Director<br>
National Federation of the Blind of Arizona</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:115%;font-size:12pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"> </p></div><div><br></div><span class="gmail_signature_prefix">-- </span><br><div dir="ltr" class="gmail_signature" data-smartmail="gmail_signature"><div dir="ltr">Mark Feliz<br>NFBA. East Valley Chapter member<br>Cell: 480-560-0641<br>LIVE THE LIFE YOU WANT</div></div></div>