<div>Oh thank you for telling me I did not know.</div><div><br><div class="gmail_quote gmail_quote_container"><div dir="ltr" class="gmail_attr">On Sat, Sep 20, 2025 at 7:36\u202fPM Cheryl and Ed via NFBF-Tampa <<a href="mailto:nfbf-tampa@nfbnet.org">nfbf-tampa@nfbnet.org</a>> wrote:<br></div><blockquote class="gmail_quote" style="margin:0px 0px 0px 0.8ex;border-left-width:1px;border-left-style:solid;padding-left:1ex;border-left-color:rgb(204,204,204)"><div lang="EN-US" link="blue" vlink="purple" style="overflow-wrap: break-word;"><div class="m_-3852426752229058970WordSection1"><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11pt">Bebbie no longer works at the courthouse. <u></u><u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11pt"><u></u> <u></u></span></p><div style="border-width:1pt medium medium;border-style:solid none none;padding:3pt 0in 0in;border-color:rgb(225,225,225) currentcolor currentcolor"><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">From:</span></b><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"> NFBF-Tampa <<a href="mailto:nfbf-tampa-bounces@nfbnet.org" target="_blank" style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">nfbf-tampa-bounces@nfbnet.org</a>> <b style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">On Behalf Of </b>Ineko Gary via NFBF-Tampa<br><b style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Sent:</b> Saturday, September 20, 2025 6:38 PM<br><b style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">To:</b> NFB of Florida Tampa Chapter List <<a href="mailto:nfbf-tampa@nfbnet.org" target="_blank" style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">nfbf-tampa@nfbnet.org</a>><br><b style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Cc:</b> Ineko Gary <<a href="mailto:rubiigary@gmail.com" target="_blank" style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">rubiigary@gmail.com</a>><br><b style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Subject:</b> Re: [NFBF-Tampa] Legislative Alert: Reinstate Funding for Blind Students<u style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"></u><u style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"></u></span></p></div><p class="MsoNormal"><u></u> <u></u></p><div><p class="MsoNormal">I know two Debbie\u2019s, which Debbie Debbie that works at the courthouse. Or the other debate that used to join the meetings in person on every third Saturday of the month.<u></u><u></u></p></div><div><p class="MsoNormal"><u></u> <u></u></p></div><div><p class="MsoNormal"><u></u> <u></u></p></div><div><p class="MsoNormal"><u></u> <u></u></p><div><div><p class="MsoNormal">On Sat, Sep 20, 2025 at 6:35<span style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif">\u202f</span>PM Tampa Bay President via NFBF-Tampa <<a href="mailto:nfbf-tampa@nfbnet.org" target="_blank">nfbf-tampa@nfbnet.org</a>> wrote:<u></u><u></u></p></div><blockquote style="border-width:medium medium medium 1pt;border-style:none none none solid;padding:0in 0in 0in 6pt;margin-left:4.8pt;margin-right:0in;border-color:currentcolor currentcolor currentcolor rgb(204,204,204)"><p class="MsoNormal">Two of two. <u></u><u></u></p><div><div><p class="MsoNormal"><u></u> <u></u></p><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%" style="width:100%"><tbody><tr style="height:15pt"><td style="padding:0in;height:15pt"><p class="MsoNormal"> <u></u><u></u></p></td></tr><tr><td valign="top" style="padding:0in"><div align="center"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" width="600" style="width:6.25in"><tbody><tr><td style="padding:0in;border-color:currentcolor"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="left" width="100%" style="width:100%"><tbody><tr style="height:7.5pt"><td width="100%" valign="top" style="width:100%;background:0% 0% repeat rgb(0,117,201);padding:0in;height:7.5pt;border-color:currentcolor"><div align="center"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0"><tbody><tr><td style="padding:0in"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0"><tbody><tr><td style="padding:0in;border-color:currentcolor"><p class="MsoNormal"><img border="0" width="600" height="28" style="width: 6.25in; height: 0.2916in;" id="m_-3852426752229058970_x0000_i1032" src="https://nfb.org/images/nfb/images/images/top-blue-bar.jpg"><u></u><u></u></p></td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr></tbody></table></div></td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr><tr><td style="padding:0in;border-color:currentcolor"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="left" width="100%" style="width:100%"><tbody><tr style="height:7.5pt"><td width="100%" valign="top" style="width:100%;padding:0in;height:7.5pt;border-color:currentcolor"><div align="center"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0"><tbody><tr><td style="padding:0in"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0"><tbody><tr><td style="padding:15pt;border-color:currentcolor"><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://nfb.org/civicrm/mailing/url?u=40221&qid=11643435" target="_blank"><span style="text-decoration:none"><img border="0" width="240" height="264" style="width: 2.5in; height: 2.75in;" id="m_-3852426752229058970_x0000_i1031" src="https://nfb.org/images/nfb/images/images/nfb-logo-for-email-template.jpg" alt="National Federation of the Blind logo and tagline live the life you want"></span></a><u></u><u></u></p></td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr></tbody></table></div></td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr><tr><td style="padding:0in;border-color:currentcolor"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="left" width="600" style="width:6.25in"><tbody><tr style="height:15pt"><td width="100%" valign="top" style="width:100%;padding:0in;height:15pt;border-color:initial"><h1><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;color:black">Blind Americans Urge the Department of Education to Reinstate Funding for Critical Programs that Benefit the Blind</span><u></u><u></u></h1><p><span style="font-size:14pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;color:black">Earlier this week, the National Federation of the Blind learned that the US Department of Education was canceling funding for twenty-five competitive grants that fall under Part D of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, and nine grants that are distributed by the Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA).</span><u></u><u></u></p><p><span style="font-size:14pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;color:black">Critically, of the programs being cut under the RSA is funding for 235E grants, which are specifically tailored to train educators of blind students to be more fluent in Braille. </span><u></u><u></u></p><p><span style="font-size:14pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;color:black">The National Federation of the Blind instigated the creation of these Braille demonstration program grants nearly thirty years ago and they have had a tremendous positive outcome on Braille literacy in that time. As if that wasn\u2019t bad enough, the grants that were cut also included federal funding for four technical assistance centers for families of deafblind children. </span><u></u><u></u></p><h2><span style="font-size:20pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;color:black">How Members Can Help</span><u></u><u></u></h2><p><span style="font-size:14pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;color:black">We know that Braille literacy in our youth often leads to better performance in school, the ability to obtain and keep employment as an adult, and the freedom to live a life of independence. That all begins with educators who understand and can teach Braille themselves. </span><u></u><u></u></p><p><span style="font-size:14pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;color:black">Additionally, we know that our deafblind brothers and sisters and their families truly benefit from the opportunity to utilize training centers across the country and that any decrease in funding will be detrimental to living independently. </span><u></u><u></u></p><p><span style="font-size:14pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;color:black">We need to flood the US Department of Education with calls and emails and urge them to maintain these important funding grants. That\u2019s where you come in. </span><u></u><u></u></p><p><span style="font-size:14pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;color:black">We are asking that you call or email the US Department of Education and urge them to reinstate this critical funding to support Braille literacy and independence. If you are emailing, please send your messages to <a href="https://nfb.org/civicrm/mailing/url?u=40222&qid=11643435" target="_blank" style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">IDEA@ed.gov</a> and <a href="https://nfb.org/civicrm/mailing/url?u=40223&qid=11643435" target="_blank" style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">linda.mcmahon@ed.gov.</a> If you are calling, please call 202-245-7468. </span><u></u><u></u></p><h3><span style="font-size:18pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;color:black">Sample Script</span><u></u><u></u></h3><p><span style="font-size:14pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;color:black">When you call or email you might say: \u201cMy name is [YOUR NAME] and I want to urge Secretary McMahon to reinstate the grant funding for IDEA Part D programs as well as the RSA 235E grants. This funding is critical to support increased Braille literacy for teachers of blind students and the blind youth of America. </span><u></u><u></u></p><p><span style="font-size:14pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;color:black">Studies have shown that students who can read Braille go on to have better education outcomes and better employment outcomes later in life. Additionally, I\u2019m also asking that you reinstate funding for the four deafblind technical assistance centers in Oregon, Washington, Wisconsin, and Massachusetts. Please allow today\u2019s blind and deafblind students to have an opportunity to better themselves for a brighter future for all of us.\u201d</span><u></u><u></u></p><p><span style="font-size:14pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;color:black">We suggest a subject like: \u201cPlease Reinstate Critical Funding for Blind and Deafblind Students\u201d </span><u></u><u></u></p><p><span style="font-size:14pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;color:black">If you email, please copy Justin Young at <a href="https://nfb.org/civicrm/mailing/url?u=40224&qid=11643435" target="_blank" style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">jyoung@nfb.org. </a></span><u></u><u></u></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:20pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;color:black">About the National Federation of the Blind</span> <u></u><u></u></p><p><span style="font-size:14pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;color:black">The National Federation of the Blind (NFB), headquartered in Baltimore, defends the rights of blind people of all ages and provides information and support to families with blind children, older Americans who are losing vision, and more. </span><u></u><u></u></p><p><span style="font-size:14pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;color:black">Founded in 1940, the NFB is the transformative membership and advocacy organization of blind Americans with affiliates, chapters, and divisions in the fifty states, Washington DC, and Puerto Rico. We believe in the hopes and dreams of blind people and work together to transform them into reality. Learn more about our many programs and initiatives at <a href="https://nfb.org/civicrm/mailing/url?u=40225&qid=11643435" target="_blank" style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">nfb.org</a>.</span><u></u><u></u></p><h2><span style="font-size:20pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;color:black">Government Affairs Contact:</span><u></u><u></u></h2><p><span style="font-size:14pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;color:black">Justin Young<br>Governmental Affairs Specialist<br>National Federation of the Blind<br>410-659-9314, extension 2210<br><a href="https://nfb.org/civicrm/mailing/url?u=40224&qid=11643435" target="_blank" style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">jyoung@nfb.org</a></span><u></u><u></u></p></td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr><tr style="height:6pt"><td style="padding:0in;height:6pt"><p class="MsoNormal"> <u></u><u></u></p></td></tr></tbody></table></div></td></tr></tbody></table><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="display:none"><u></u> <u></u></span></p><div align="center"><table 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style="padding:0in"><div><p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center"><b><span style="font-size:9pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:white"><a href="https://www.google.com/maps/search/200+East+Wells+Street?entry=gmail&source=g" target="_blank" style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif">200 East Wells Street</a> at Jernigan Place<br>Baltimore, MD 21230<br>United States<u style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif"></u><u style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif"></u></span></b></p></div><p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center"><b><span style="font-size:9pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:white">.. <u style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif"></u><u style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif"></u></span></b></p></td></tr></tbody></table></div><p class="MsoNormal"><u></u><u></u></p></div><div><p class="MsoNormal"><br clear="all"><u></u><u></u></p></div><div><p class="MsoNormal"><u></u> <u></u></p></div><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="m_-3852426752229058970gmailsignatureprefix">-- </span><u></u><u></u></p><div><div><div><div><div><p class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:Garamond,serif;color:black">Debbie Malone</span></i><u></u><u></u></p></div><div><div><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-repeat:initial"><i><span style="font-family:"Comic Sans MS";color:rgb(32,33,36)"><a href="http://DebbieMalone.org" target="_blank" style="font-family:"Comic Sans MS"">DebbieMalone.org</a></span></i><span style="color:rgb(34,34,34)"><u></u><u></u></span></p></div></div><div><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/~/e/B07RVCRR5R" target="_blank">Amazon Author Page</a><u></u><u></u></p></div><div><p class="MsoNormal"><u></u> <u></u></p></div></div></div></div></div></div><p class="MsoNormal"><br><br><br>-- <u></u><u></u></p><div><div><p style="margin:0in;font-size-adjust:none"><span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;color:rgb(34,34,34)">--</span><span style="font-size:10pt;color:rgb(34,34,34)"><u></u><u></u></span></p></div><div><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;color:rgb(34,34,34)">Christine Copley</span><span style="color:rgb(34,34,34)"><u></u><u></u></span></p></div><div><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;color:rgb(34,34,34)">President, Tampa Bay Chapter <br>National Federation of the Blind of Florida <br>Ph.: 813-493-7691<br>E-mail: <a href="mailto:nfbf.tampa@gmail.com" target="_blank" style="font-family:Verdana,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;color:rgb(17,85,204)">nfbf.tampa@gmail.com</span></a></span><span style="color:rgb(34,34,34)"><u></u><u></u></span></p></div><div><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:rgb(34,34,34)"><u></u> <u></u></span></p></div><div><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;color:rgb(34,34,34)">\u201cDon\u2019t listen to negative influences. Believe in yourself, and show others what you can do. Only \u201cyou\u201d can find your potential.\u201d Marla Runyan</span><span style="color:rgb(34,34,34)"><u></u><u></u></span></p></div><div><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;color:rgb(34,34,34)"><br>The National Federation of the Blind is a community of members and friends who believe in the hopes and dreams of the nation\u2019s blind. Everyday we work together to help blind people live the lives they want. </span><span style="color:rgb(34,34,34)"><u></u><u></u></span></p></div></div><p class="MsoNormal"><br>_______________________________________________<br>NFBF-Tampa mailing list<br><a href="mailto:NFBF-Tampa@nfbnet.org" target="_blank">NFBF-Tampa@nfbnet.org</a><br><a href="http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nfbf-tampa_nfbnet.org" target="_blank">http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nfbf-tampa_nfbnet.org</a><br>To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for NFBF-Tampa:<br><a href="http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nfbf-tampa_nfbnet.org/rubiigary%40gmail.com" target="_blank">http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nfbf-tampa_nfbnet.org/rubiigary%40gmail.com</a><u></u><u></u></p></blockquote></div></div></div></div>_______________________________________________<br>
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