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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link="#467886" vlink="#96607D" style='word-wrap:break-word'><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal>Greetings Florida Federationists: <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>We have received an update on the status of the bills aiming to consolidate all disability agencies into one general disabilities agency, the Agency for Persons with Disabilities. After speaking with colleagues from the Florida Council of the Blind, who had a meeting with the Deputy Director of the Agency for Persons with Disabilities, we will be stepping up our efforts to “kill” this bill in the state legislature! APD is stressing that a “one stop shop” for people with disabilities will be better for all disabled people. This comes after a barrage of letters, emails and phone calls to the introducing Senate member, Senator Jennifer Bradley. We will not give up and will fight to the end! I have composed a new template for everyone to use and let us continue the pressure! <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Contact: Senator Jennifer Bradley <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span lang=FR>Email: <a href="mailto:Bradley.Jennifer.Web@FLSenate.gov">Bradley.Jennifer.Web@FLSenate.gov</a> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span lang=FR>Capital Office : 850 487 5006 <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span lang=FR><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal>You may say or write something like this: <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Dear Senator Bradley: <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>My name is [insert name]. I live in [insert city, state]. I am a member of the National Federation of the Blind of Florida and urge you to pull from consideration SB 1050, Agency for Persons with Disabilities. This legislation aims to consolidate all disability agencies into one general agency. Moving the Division of Blind Services and Division of Vocational Rehabilitation will harm me as a blind person. A “one stop shop” is ineffective and ineffectual. Given the amount of blind or low vision citizens in Florida who are on track to become educated and employable citizens or who wish to continue and maintain current employment, with the goal of advancing in our careers, this consolidation will negatively impact our ability to be part of the socio-economic fabric of our communities. The needs of blind people are specialized, with different tools and training requirements. We will become lost in the shuffle of a system that is more of a circular track. This legislation will be a major step backward in the progress blind people have made in recent decades to be productive, educated and employed Floridians. While this consolidation may seem efficient, in the end it fails to steer blind people into the workforce and be a support for our communities. Blind people will not receive the services and equipment, not to mention the training needed to be independent and maintain employment under such a consolidation. I urge you to support blind people and all people who are disabled by not consolidating us into one service agency. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Sincerely, <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>[insert name] <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>[insert any NFB titles] <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>C<span style='font-size:11.0pt'>amille Tate, president</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>National Federation of the Blind of Florida <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Board of Directors <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><a href="http://www.nfbflorida.org/"><span style='color:blue'>www.nfbflorida.org</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Tel: 321.372.4899<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>With love, hope and determination, we transform dreams into reality.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div></body></html>