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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link=blue vlink=purple style='word-wrap:break-word'><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal>Hello All,<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Please see the below Urgent Legislative Action. We need you all to write your Assemblymen & Senators regarding Older Blind Individuals and the need for support and funding. Please tell your story along with the sample language. If you need any assistance please feel free to reach out. You can contact either Shannon Dillon or myself.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Here is a web site to help find your members. The URL is <a href="https://findyourrep.legislature.ca.gov/">Find Your California Representatives</a>.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Thank you,<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Tiffany Manosh<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Legislative Coordinator<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>President River City Chapter<o:p></o:p></p><div style='border:none;border-top:solid #E1E1E1 1.0pt;padding:3.0pt 0in 0in 0in'><p class=MsoNormal><b>From:</b> Shannon Dillon <shannonldillon@gmail.com> <br><b>Sent:</b> Tuesday, June 9, 2026 10:33 AM<br><b>To:</b> nfbofca@groups.io<br><b>Subject:</b> Action required \u2013 important legislative alert<o:p></o:p></p></div><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><div><div><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;line-height:115%'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Good morning,<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;line-height:115%'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;line-height:115%'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Please write your state senators and assembly members today asking them to restore critical funding for Californians who are blind, have low vision, or are DeafBlind.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;line-height:115%'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;line-height:115%'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>It is important that this action be taken as soon as possible, but no later than this Friday, June 12.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;line-height:115%'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;line-height:115%'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Below is language you can use to provide your comments. There are words in brackets that you must personalize. I am listing them below so you can make sure to provide the information that must be personalized, or remove the item if it is optional. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=gmail-msolistparagraph style='mso-margin-top-alt:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:0in;margin-left:.5in;line-height:115%'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>1.</span><span style='font-size:7.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'> </span><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>[Assemblymember/senator]. Fill this field with the correct senator or assemblymember you are writing the letter to.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=gmail-msolistparagraph style='mso-margin-top-alt:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:0in;margin-left:.5in;line-height:115%'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>2.</span><span style='font-size:7.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'> </span><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>[Share a short personal story in 2 or 3 sentences here.]. This is where you share your story from your experience that will support the letter.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=gmail-msolistparagraph style='mso-margin-top-alt:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:0in;margin-left:.5in;line-height:115%'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>3.</span><span style='font-size:7.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'> </span><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>[Your Address]. This should be your address.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=gmail-msolistparagraph style='mso-margin-top-alt:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:0in;margin-left:.5in;line-height:115%'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>4.</span><span style='font-size:7.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'> </span><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>[Optional: Email or Phone Number] this is optional and should include your email or phone number if you choose to provide it.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=gmail-msolistparagraph style='mso-margin-top-alt:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:0in;margin-left:.5in;line-height:115%'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=gmail-msolistparagraph style='margin:0in;line-height:115%'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>You may want to call your senator or assemblymember's office to ask for an email address to send the letter to if the website they want you to use to submit comments is not accessible. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=gmail-msolistparagraph style='margin:0in;line-height:115%'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=gmail-msolistparagraph style='margin:0in;line-height:115%'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>If you have any questions or do not know who your state representative or senator is, please reach out to Tiffany Manosh <a href="mailto:tmanosh@gmail.com"><span style='color:windowtext'>tmanosh@gmail.com</span></a> or Shannon Dillon <a href="mailto:shannonldillon@gmail.com"><span style='color:windowtext'>shannonldillon@gmail.com</span></a>.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=gmail-msolistparagraph style='margin:0in;line-height:115%'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=gmail-msolistparagraph style='margin:0in;line-height:115%'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Sample language is attached and below.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=gmail-msolistparagraph style='mso-margin-top-alt:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:8.0pt;margin-left:0in;line-height:115%'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;line-height:115%'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Subject: Urgent Request to Restore Funding for Older Individuals Who Are Blind (OIB) Program<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;line-height:115%'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Dear [Assemblymember/Senator]:<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;line-height:115%'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>I am writing as a concerned member of our community to urge your support for restoring critical funding for Californians who are blind, have low vision, or are DeafBlind.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;line-height:115%'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>I respectfully ask that you support an immediate $5,000,000 budget appropriation for the Older Individuals Who Are Blind (OIB) program. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;line-height:115%'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>California is facing a growing crisis in services for people with vision loss. The federal government provides only about $3.3 million annually for the OIB program in our state\u2014despite nearly 1,000,000 Californians living with vision loss. Historically, the state supplemented this funding, but recent decisions have created a significant gap, resulting in an effective reduction of approximately 60% to an already underfunded system.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;line-height:115%'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>The impact of these cuts is immediate and deeply concerning. They will significantly reduce access to essential services such as orientation and mobility training (including white cane skills), assistive technology, daily living skills instruction, and transportation training. Without these supports, older adults who lose vision face increased risks of falls, isolation, hospitalization, and even premature placement in institutional care\u2014outcomes that are not only devastating for individuals but also costly for our healthcare system.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;line-height:115%'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>[Share a short personal story in 2 or 3 sentences here.]<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;line-height:115%'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Across California, service providers may be forced to scale back or eliminate programs, leaving thousands of people without the help they need to remain independent. For many individuals who lose their vision later in life, the experience can be overwhelming and life-altering. Programs like OIB help restore independence, dignity, and the ability to remain safely in one\u2019s home and community.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;line-height:115%'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>A $5 million investment would help stabilize this fragile network of services, protect access for vulnerable residents, and prevent far more expensive long-term outcomes.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;line-height:115%'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>I respectfully urge you to include this funding in the final state budget. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;line-height:115%'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Sincerely,<br>[Your Name]<br>[Your Address]<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;line-height:115%'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'> [Optional: Email or Phone Number]<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;line-height:115%'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=gmail-msolistparagraph style='mso-margin-top-alt:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:8.0pt;margin-left:0in;line-height:115%'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>--<o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:12.0pt'>SHANNON L. DILLON<br>Legislative Coordinator and<br>President of the California Association of Guide Dog Users,<br>A Division of the National Federation of the Blind of California<br><br>Find your local chapter at <a href="http://www.nfbcal.org" target="_blank">www.nfbcal.org</a><o:p></o:p></p></div></div></div></body></html>