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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>I find the action of the state legislature appalling. What can we do as anorganization to voice our opposition besides the resolution passed at the last convention? Thank you for this valuable information.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><div><div style='border:none;border-top:solid #E1E1E1 1.0pt;padding:3.0pt 0in 0in 0in'><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='mso-ligatures:none'>From:</span></b><span style='mso-ligatures:none'> NFBF-L <nfbf-l-bounces@nfbnet.org> <b>On Behalf Of </b>president--- via NFBF-L<br><b>Sent:</b> Saturday, March 2, 2024 9:28 AM<br><b>To:</b> NFB of Florida Internet Mailing List <nfbf-l@nfbnet.org>; nfbf-leaders@nfbnet.org<br><b>Cc:</b> president@nfbflorida.org<br><b>Subject:</b> [NFBF-L] Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI)<o:p></o:p></span></p></div></div><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Good morning Florida Federationists,<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>We as the organized blind oppose the stance that the Florida legislators and Board of Education has taken in removing all DEI (Diversity, equity, and Inclusion) from public institutions of higher education.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>The University of Florida has dismissed all DIE employees in compliance with state law. We as an Affiliate passed a resolution on our last state convention denouncing such legislation. We as a diverse group need to understand that such law could affect what we do to promote our movement in the state.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>We support our students on ensuring their educational environment is Diverse, equitable, and Inclusive. Such values enrich the life’s of all of us.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>You can read the article from the <a href="https://www.gainesville.com/story/news/education/campus/2024/03/01/university-of-florida-fires-all-diversity-equity-inclusion-employees/72807436007/">Gainesville Sun</a> here and the <a href="https://www.ufl.edu/about/diversity/">University of Florida</a> DEI values in the links below:<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Links:<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><a href="https://www.gainesville.com/story/news/education/campus/2024/03/01/university-of-florida-fires-all-">https://www.gainesville.com/story/news/education/campus/2024/03/01/university-of-florida-fires-all-</a><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>diversity-equity-inclusion-employees/72807436007/<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><a href="https://www.ufl.edu/about/diversity/">https://www.ufl.edu/about/diversity/</a><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Jorge Hernandez, President<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>National Federation of the Blind of Florida<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Board of Directors<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><a href="http://www.nfbflorida.org">www.nfbflorida.org</a><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>305.877.2311<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><a href="mailto:president@nfbflorida.org">president@nfbflorida.org</a><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>“Live the life you want”<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div></body></html>