<html aria-label="message body"><head><meta http-equiv="content-type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"></head><body style="overflow-wrap: break-word; -webkit-nbsp-mode: space; line-break: after-white-space;"><br id="lineBreakAtBeginningOfMessage"><div><br><blockquote type="cite"><div>Begin forwarded message:</div><br class="Apple-interchange-newline"><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px;"><span style="font-family: -webkit-system-font, Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, sans-serif; color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 1.0);"><b>From: </b></span><span style="font-family: -webkit-system-font, Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Michael Smith <mikeshangout@cox.net><br></span></div><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px;"><span style="font-family: -webkit-system-font, Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, sans-serif; color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 1.0);"><b>Subject: </b></span><span style="font-family: -webkit-system-font, Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Fwd: To NFB AZ Leaders: ACTION REQUIRED: Three Advocacy Fronts \u2014 State Budget, Title II, and Federal OIB Funding | All Documents Attached</b><br></span></div><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px;"><span style="font-family: -webkit-system-font, Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, sans-serif; color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 1.0);"><b>Date: </b></span><span style="font-family: -webkit-system-font, Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, sans-serif;">May 16, 2026 at 6:21:47\u202fpm GMT-7<br></span></div><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px;"><span style="font-family: -webkit-system-font, Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, sans-serif; color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 1.0);"><b>To: </b></span><span style="font-family: -webkit-system-font, Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, sans-serif;">megsvending@gmail.com<br></span></div><br><div><meta charset="UTF-8"><div dir="ltr" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; text-decoration-thickness: auto; text-decoration-style: solid;"><br class="Apple-interchange-newline">Sent from my iPad</div><div dir="ltr" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; text-decoration-thickness: auto; text-decoration-style: solid;"><br>Begin forwarded message:<br><br></div><blockquote type="cite" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; text-decoration-thickness: auto; text-decoration-style: solid;"><div dir="ltr"><b>From:</b><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Jordan Moon <<a href="mailto:JMoon@saavi.us">JMoon@saavi.us</a>><br><b>Date:</b><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>May 13, 2026 at 4:12:07\u202fPM MST<br><b>To:</b><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Abdallah Shuli <<a href="mailto:AShuli@saavi.us">AShuli@saavi.us</a>>, Tarik Williams <<a href="mailto:TWilliams@saavi.us">TWilliams@saavi.us</a>>, Joanne Williams <<a href="mailto:JWilliams@saavi.us">JWilliams@saavi.us</a>>, Jordan Moon <<a href="mailto:JMoon@saavi.us">JMoon@saavi.us</a>>, Joe Goode <<a href="mailto:jgoode@saavi.us">jgoode@saavi.us</a>>, Michael <<a href="mailto:mikeshangout@cox.net">mikeshangout@cox.net</a>>, Heather Bowes <<a href="mailto:1ofbeauty@gmail.com">1ofbeauty@gmail.com</a>>, Mark Feliz <<a href="mailto:mafeliz0641@gmail.com">mafeliz0641@gmail.com</a>>, Maranda Ulvestad <<a href="mailto:ulvestadmaranda@gmail.com">ulvestadmaranda@gmail.com</a>>, Megan Homrighausen <<a href="mailto:megan.homrighausen@yahoo.com">megan.homrighausen@yahoo.com</a>>, NFBAZ Phoenix <<a href="mailto:nfbphoenixchapter@gmail.com">nfbphoenixchapter@gmail.com</a>>, Kimberly Fetterman <<a href="mailto:kfetterman@saavi.us">kfetterman@saavi.us</a>>, Sharonda Goode <<a href="mailto:sgoode@saavi.us">sgoode@saavi.us</a>>, Kristopher Crawley <<a href="mailto:kcrawley@saavi.us">kcrawley@saavi.us</a>><br><b>Cc:</b><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Amy Porterfield <<a href="mailto:APorterfield@saavi.us">APorterfield@saavi.us</a>>, Arizona State President <<a href="mailto:nfb.az.president@gmail.com">nfb.az.president@gmail.com</a>>, Emily Papenfus <<a href="mailto:epapenfus@saavi.us">epapenfus@saavi.us</a>>, Bob Kresmer <<a href="mailto:krezguy@cox.net">krezguy@cox.net</a>><br><b>Subject:</b><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><b>To NFB AZ Leaders: ACTION REQUIRED: Three Advocacy Fronts \u2014 State Budget, Title II, and Federal OIB Funding | All Documents Attached</b><br><br></div></blockquote><blockquote type="cite" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; text-decoration-thickness: auto; text-decoration-style: solid;"><div dir="ltr">\ufeff<div class="WordSection1" style="page: WordSection1;"><p><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">Dear NFBAZ Leaders:</span><o:p></o:p></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">I am writing to give our chapter and division leaders everything you need to lead our advocacy efforts right now</span><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">\u2014 at both the state and federal level. This email is designed so that anyone can step in and lead, whether or not I am available. Please read it carefully, share it with your members, and reference all documents included with this message.</span><o:p></o:p></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">We have three fronts of advocacy happening simultaneously. Each one matters. Each one has clear action steps your members can take now. I suggest other chapters and Divisions mock what the Tucson chapter is doing and have a chapter Advocacy night/day.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p><o:p> </o:p></p><div style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Aptos, sans-serif;"><o:p> </o:p></div><p><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">STATE ISSUE ONE: SB1001 AND THE OLDER BLIND PROGRAM</span><o:p></o:p></p><div style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Aptos, sans-serif;"><o:p> </o:p></div><p><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">WHAT IS HAPPENING</span><o:p></o:p></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">For four years, NFB of Arizona has fought to secure $1,000,000 in state General Fund money for the Independent Older Blind program \u2014 known in state government as ILoB and federally as the Older Individuals Who Are Blind program, or OIB. SB1001 carried this appropriation in the 2026 session and passed the Senate unanimously, 27 to 0 with three not voting, on March 11, 2026.</span><o:p></o:p></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">The Republican-controlled House passed a budget on April 29 that did not include this funding. Governor Hobbs vetoed that budget. Both chambers are on recess until June 1. That means there is one more round of final negotiations ahead, and this is our last window to get this appropriation included.</span><o:p></o:p></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">WHY IT MATTERS</span><o:p></o:p></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">Approximately 72,000 Arizonans over age 65 are blind or have low vision. That number is expected to double by 2030. The ILoB program has not seen a meaningful funding increase in over 14 years. Without services, blind seniors are forced into assisted living and nursing facilities that cost the state far more than this program ever would. Average waiting lists exceed 200 people, with wait times often lasting a year or longer.</span><o:p></o:p></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">WHAT YOUR MEMBERS SHOULD DO</span><o:p></o:p></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">Amy has prepared a comprehensive advocacy toolkit, which is attached to this email. Please distribute it to every member of your chapter or division. Here is the plan in brief:</span><o:p></o:p></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">WAVE ONE \u2014 email and call all six of these priority targets this week:</span><o:p></o:p></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">1. Senate President Warren Petersen</span><br><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">2. Speaker of the House Steve Montenegro</span><br><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">3. Senate Appropriations Chair David Farnsworth</span><br><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">4. Senate Appropriations Vice Chair Mitzi Epstein</span><br><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">5. House Appropriations Chair David Livingston</span><br><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">6. House Appropriations Vice Chair Matt Gress</span><o:p></o:p></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">WAVE TWO \u2014 expand outreach to all members of both Appropriations Committees. The full list is in the toolkit.</span><o:p></o:p></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">ALSO contact the Governor's office. Phone: 602-542-4331. Online:<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><a href="http://azgovernor.gov/engage">azgovernor.gov/engage</a>.</span><o:p></o:p></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">Capitol Switchboard for both House and Senate: 602-926-3559.</span><o:p></o:p></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">The toolkit includes three ready-to-use email templates, a phone script, guidance on writing a personal statement, and a quick action checklist. Always attach the Arizona ILoB Fact Sheet when emailing legislators. The fact sheet is also included with this message.</span><o:p></o:p></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">Please CC me on all outreach so we can track the campaign:<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><a href="mailto:jmoon@saavi.us">jmoon@saavi.us</a></span><o:p></o:p></p><div style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Aptos, sans-serif;"><o:p> </o:p></div><p><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">STATE AND FEDERAL ISSUE TWO: TITLE II WEB ACCESSIBILITY</span><o:p></o:p></p><div style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Aptos, sans-serif;"><o:p> </o:p></div><p><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">WHAT IS HAPPENING</span><o:p></o:p></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">On April 20, 2026 \u2014 four days before the original deadline \u2014 the United States Department of Justice published a rule postponing the Title II web accessibility compliance dates. Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act covers all state and local governments, including city websites, public schools, public universities, courts, public libraries, and transit agencies.</span><o:p></o:p></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">The original rule required government websites and mobile apps to meet the WCAG 2.1 Level AA accessibility standard \u2014 meaning websites that work with screen readers like JAWS and NVDA, with captions on video, keyboard navigation, and image descriptions. The new dates push the deadline back by a full year for large jurisdictions, and two years for smaller ones. Even more concerning, the DOJ has signaled it may weaken the technical standard itself in future rulemaking.</span><o:p></o:p></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">NFB National President Mark Riccobono has been clear: there is no basis for reconsidering this rule, which went through 14 years of consideration and public input. The underlying ADA obligation has been in place since 1990. Every additional year of delay is another year of blind Arizonans being shut out of government services their taxes fund.</span><o:p></o:p></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">WHAT YOUR MEMBERS SHOULD DO</span><o:p></o:p></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">Amy has also prepared a Title II Advocacy Toolkit and Facilitator's Guide, which is attached. It includes everything a chapter leader needs to run a 90-minute advocacy session in person or by Zoom. Here are the three key actions:</span><o:p></o:p></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">1. SUBMIT A PUBLIC COMMENT to the Department of Justice by June 22, 2026.</span><br><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">Submit at:<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><a href="http://www.regulations.gov/commenton/DOJ-CRT-2026-0067-0001">www.regulations.gov/commenton/DOJ-CRT-2026-0067-0001</a></span><br><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">The toolkit includes a complete template. Every individual comment from a blind Arizonan strengthens the official record.</span><o:p></o:p></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">2. FILE AN INACCESSIBILITY REPORT with the NFB Center of Excellence in Nonvisual Access.</span><br><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">Tracker and resources at:<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><a href="http://nfb.org/cena">nfb.org/cena</a></span><br><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">If a member has ever been shut out of an Arizona government website or app, that experience needs to be documented. The tracker is how we build the evidentiary record nationally.</span><o:p></o:p></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">3. CONTACT YOUR FEDERAL REPRESENTATIVES.</span><br><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">Senator Mark Kelly, Senator Ruben Gallego, and your U.S. House member.</span><br><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">Federal Capitol Switchboard: 202-224-3121</span><br><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">Ask them to publicly oppose the postponement and oppose any weakening of the WCAG 2.1 Level AA standard.</span><o:p></o:p></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">The toolkit includes email templates and a phone script for all three of these steps. It also has specific guidance for members at all skill levels \u2014 confident computer users, members who prefer phone calls, and seniors or newly blind members not yet trained in nonvisual computer skills. No member has to be left out of this effort.</span><o:p></o:p></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">Justice ADA Information Line (for members who want to call DOJ directly):</span><br><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">Voice: 800-514-0301</span><br><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">TTY: 1-833-610-1264</span><o:p></o:p></p><div style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Aptos, sans-serif;"><o:p> </o:p></div><p><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">FEDERAL ISSUE THREE: OIB FEDERAL FUNDING INCREASE</span><o:p></o:p></p><div style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Aptos, sans-serif;"><o:p> </o:p></div><p><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">WHAT IS HAPPENING</span><o:p></o:p></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">In addition to our state fight for SB1001, the NFB national office has issued a federal legislative alert calling on members to urge Congress to increase federal funding for the OIB program nationwide. The OIB program is currently severely underfunded \u2014 allocating less than $10 per eligible individual per year. This alert, forwarded to us from Amy Porterfield, calls for members to contact their U.S. Representative and two U.S. Senators and ask them to support an increase in funding by contacting the Subcommittee Chairs.</span><o:p></o:p></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">WHAT YOUR MEMBERS SHOULD DO</span><o:p></o:p></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">Call and email your U.S. Representative and both Arizona Senators \u2014 Senator Mark Kelly and Senator Ruben Gallego.</span><o:p></o:p></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">Sample script:</span><br><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">"My name is [YOUR NAME] and I want to urge [REPRESENTATIVE OR SENATOR NAME] to support the Independent Living Services for Older Individuals Who Are Blind program by contacting Subcommittee Chair Aderholt in the House or Subcommittee Chair Capito in the Senate to show support for an increase in funding. This program helps blind Americans over age 55 learn to live with their blindness through independent living training. It is currently severely underfunded, allocating less than $10 per eligible individual per year."</span><o:p></o:p></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">Suggested email subject: "Help us increase independence for blind Americans in their golden years."</span><o:p></o:p></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">Copy Jesse Shirek, NFB Director of Advocacy, on all emails:<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><a href="mailto:jshirek@nfb.org">jshirek@nfb.org</a></span><o:p></o:p></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">I am attaching the House and Senate contact spreadsheets from the national office so your members can find the contact information for their specific representative and senators.</span><o:p></o:p></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">Federal Capitol Switchboard: 202-224-3121</span><br><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">NFB National Office: 410-659-9314</span><o:p></o:p></p><div style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Aptos, sans-serif;"><o:p> </o:p></div><p><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">FOR CHAPTER AND DIVISION LEADERS \u2014 HOW TO RUN YOUR ADVOCACY SESSION</span><o:p></o:p></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">The Title II Facilitator's Guide includes a complete 90-minute session plan you can use for any of these three issues. Here is the simple framework:</span><o:p></o:p></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">10 minutes \u2014 Explain the issue in plain language using the summaries above.</span><br><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">20 minutes \u2014 Story circle. Ask each member to share one specific time they experienced a barrier. Take notes.</span><br><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">50 minutes \u2014 Action time. Members work on their emails, calls, and public comments based on their skill and comfort level.</span><o:p></o:p></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">15 minutes \u2014 Inaccessibility Tracker filing, if relevant to the session topic.</span><br><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">5 minutes \u2014 Wrap up, confirm what each person completed, and identify follow-up needs.</span><o:p></o:p></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">Make sure no member is left out. For those not yet trained in nonvisual computer skills, center their participation around phone calls and sharing their story verbally with a chapter helper who can submit on their behalf.</span><o:p></o:p></p><div style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Aptos, sans-serif;"><o:p> </o:p></div><p><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">DOCUMENTS ATTACHED TO THIS EMAIL</span><o:p></o:p></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">1. ILoB Advocacy Toolkit \u2014 Amy's full two-wave campaign plan, three email templates, phone script, and action checklist for SB1001.</span><o:p></o:p></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">2. Arizona ILoB Fact Sheet \u2014 Key data and talking points for legislators. Always attach this to legislator emails.</span><br><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">3. Title II Advocacy Toolkit and Facilitator's Guide \u2014 Full session plan, templates, phone scripts, and member support guidance for the DOJ web accessibility fight.</span><o:p></o:p></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">4. Federal Funding Alert \u2014 National office alert on the federal OIB funding push.</span><br><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">5. House Contact Spreadsheet \u2014 Federal House member contact information.</span><br><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">6. Senate Contact Spreadsheet \u2014 Federal Senate contact information.</span><o:p></o:p></p><div style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Aptos, sans-serif;"><o:p> </o:p></div><p><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">KEY CONTACTS AT A GLANCE</span><o:p></o:p></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">NFB of Arizona: 888-899-6322</span><br><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">NFB National Office: 410-659-9314</span><br><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">NFB Advocacy Director Jesse Shirek:<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><a href="mailto:jshirek@nfb.org">jshirek@nfb.org</a></span><br><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">Arizona Capitol Switchboard: 602-926-3559</span><br><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">Federal Capitol Switchboard: 202-224-3121</span><br><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">Governor Hobbs Office: 602-542-4331</span><br><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">DOJ ADA Information Line: 800-514-0301</span><br><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">Jordan Moon:<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><a href="mailto:jmoon@saavi.us">jmoon@saavi.us</a></span><o:p></o:p></p><div style="margin: 0in; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Aptos, sans-serif;"><o:p> </o:p></div><p><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">CLOSING</span><o:p></o:p></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">This is a big moment for our community \u2014 on three fronts at once. I know that is a lot to hold. But our chapters and divisions have shown time and again that when we move together, we produce real results. You have everything you need in this email and in the attached documents to lead your members through all three of these efforts.</span><o:p></o:p></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">Please do not hesitate to reach out if you have any questions. And please let me know when your sessions are scheduled so we can coordinate across the state.</span><o:p></o:p></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">Thank you for everything you do for the organized blind movement in Arizona.</span><o:p></o:p></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">In Federation,</span><o:p></o:p></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">Jordan Moon</span><br><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">1st Vice-President/Legislative Director</span><br><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">National Federation of the Blind of Arizona</span><br><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">Director of Strategic Initiatives, Saavi Services for the Blind</span><br><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">(951) 316-5363 |<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><a href="mailto:jmoon@saavi.us">jmoon@saavi.us</a></span><o:p></o:p></p><p><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">"You can live the life you want; blindness is not what holds you back."</span><o:p></o:p></p></div></div></blockquote></div></blockquote></div></body></html>