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<DIV dir=ltr class=OutlookMessageHeader align=left><FONT size=2
face=Tahoma>-----Original Message-----<BR><B>From:</B> Freeh, Jessica
[mailto:JFreeh@nfb.org]<BR><B>Sent:</B> Tuesday, October 11, 2011 9:18
AM<BR><B>To:</B> Alpidio Rolon; Amy Buresh; Art Schreiber; Beth Rival; Bill
Packee; Bob Kresmer; Carl Jacobsen; Cassandra McNabb; Cathy Jackson; Charlene
Smyth; Christine G. Hall; Dan Hicks; Daniel Burke; Don Galloway; Donna Wood;
Duane Iverson; Elsie Dickerson; Frank Lee; Franklin Shiner; Fred Schroeder;
Garrick Scott; Gary Ray; Gary Wunder; Grace Pires; J.W. Smith; James Antonacci;
Jeannie Massay; Jennifer Dunnam; Joe Ruffalo; John Batron; John Fritz; Joy
Harris; Joyce Scanlan; Ken Rollman; Kim Williams; Kimberly Flores; Larry Posont;
Lynn Majewski; Mary Willows; Melissa Riccobono; Michael Barber; Michael Freeman;
Mika Pyyhkala; Nani Fife; Pam Allen; Parnell Diggs; Patti Chang; Rena Smith; Ron
Brown; Gardner, Ron; Sam Gleese; Scott LaBarre; Terry Sheeler<BR><B>Subject:</B>
National Federation of the Blind and Penn State Resolve Accessibility
Complaint<BR><BR></FONT></DIV>
<DIV><B style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><FONT face=Helvetica><FONT
size=4>FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></B></DIV>
<DIV>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><B
style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><o:p><FONT size=5
face=Helvetica> </FONT></o:p></B></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><B
style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt"><FONT
face=Helvetica>CONTACT:<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></B></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt"><FONT face=Helvetica>Chris
Danielsen<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt"><FONT face=Helvetica>Director of Public
Relations<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt"><FONT face=Helvetica>National Federation of the
Blind<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt"><FONT face=Helvetica>(410) 659-9314, extension
2330<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt"><FONT face=Helvetica>(410) 262-1281
(Cell)<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt"><A
href="mailto:cdanielsen@nfb.org"><FONT
face=Helvetica>cdanielsen@nfb.org</FONT></A><o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt"><o:p><FONT face=Helvetica> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P
style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0in 0in 21pt; mso-pagination: none; mso-layout-grid-align: none"
class=MsoNormal align=center><A name=_GoBack></A><FONT size=4><B><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt">National Federation of
the Blind and</SPAN></B><B><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'MS Mincho'; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: 'MS Mincho'">
</SPAN></B><st1:place w:st="on"><st1:PlaceName w:st="on"><B><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt">Penn</SPAN></B></st1:PlaceName><B><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt"> <st1:PlaceType
w:st="on">State</st1:PlaceType></SPAN></B></st1:place></FONT><FONT
size=4><B><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt">
<BR>Resolve Accessibility Complaint</SPAN></B><B><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt"><o:p></o:p></SPAN></B></FONT></P>
<P
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-pagination: none; mso-layout-grid-align: none"
class=MsoNormal><B><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; FONT-SIZE: 12pt">Baltimore,
Maryland (October 11, 2011):</SPAN></B><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; FONT-SIZE: 12pt"> The <A
href="http://www.nfb.org/"><SPAN
style="COLOR: #0030f6; TEXT-DECORATION: none; text-underline: none">National
Federation of the Blind</SPAN></A> (NFB) and <A
href="http://www.equity.psu.edu/ods/"><SPAN
style="COLOR: #0030f6; TEXT-DECORATION: none; text-underline: none">The
Pennsylvania State University (Penn State)</SPAN></A> announced today that
they have reached an agreement that will resolve a complaint filed against Penn
State by the NFB with the United States Department of Education, Office for
Civil Ri<SPAN style="COLOR: #0b0b0b">ghts. <SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>There was no admission of any
wrongdoing.</SPAN><o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-pagination: none; mso-layout-grid-align: none"
class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; COLOR: #0b0b0b; FONT-SIZE: 12pt"> </SPAN><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; FONT-SIZE: 12pt"><o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-pagination: none; mso-layout-grid-align: none"
class=MsoNormal><st1:place w:st="on"><st1:PlaceName w:st="on"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; COLOR: #0b0b0b; FONT-SIZE: 12pt">Penn</SPAN></st1:PlaceName><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; COLOR: #0b0b0b; FONT-SIZE: 12pt"> <st1:PlaceType
w:st="on">State</st1:PlaceType></SPAN></st1:place><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; COLOR: #0b0b0b; FONT-SIZE: 12pt"> has agreed to
continue implementing a strategy to make all electronic and information
technology systems used on its campuses fully accessible to blind students,
faculty, and staff. The information technology systems covered include
course management systems, Web sites, classroom technology, library resources,
banking services, and more. <SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>University Spokesman Lisa Powers said
that <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:PlaceName w:st="on">Penn</st1:PlaceName>
<st1:PlaceType w:st="on">State</st1:PlaceType></st1:place> strives to maintain
strong academic leadership and has a long record of providing equal access to
educational information and services for all students, faculty, and
staff.</SPAN><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; FONT-SIZE: 12pt"><o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-pagination: none; mso-layout-grid-align: none"
class=MsoNormal><B><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; COLOR: #0b0b0b; FONT-SIZE: 12pt"> </SPAN></B><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; FONT-SIZE: 12pt"><o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-pagination: none; mso-layout-grid-align: none"
class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; COLOR: #0b0b0b; FONT-SIZE: 12pt">Dr. Marc Maurer,
President of the National Federation of the Blind, said: “Universities must
commit to making sure all of the technology that they use is accessible to blind
students, or else the blind will be left behind in education and denied
opportunity. We are pleased that <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:PlaceName
w:st="on">Penn</st1:PlaceName> <st1:PlaceType
w:st="on">State</st1:PlaceType></st1:place>, one of the largest and most
recognized public universities in the country, has agreed to take additional
steps to create an environment of equality in which blind students can pursue
their educational and career aspirations without unnecessary barriers. The
National Federation of the Blind hopes and believes that the steps that
<st1:place w:st="on"><st1:PlaceName w:st="on">Penn</st1:PlaceName>
<st1:PlaceType w:st="on">State</st1:PlaceType></st1:place> is taking will set an
example for colleges and universities throughout the nation.”</SPAN><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; FONT-SIZE: 12pt"><o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-pagination: none; mso-layout-grid-align: none"
class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; COLOR: #0b0b0b; FONT-SIZE: 12pt"> </SPAN><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; COLOR: #0b0b0b; FONT-SIZE: 12pt"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-pagination: none; mso-layout-grid-align: none"
class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; COLOR: #0b0b0b; FONT-SIZE: 12pt">"For more than
twenty years <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:PlaceName w:st="on">Penn</st1:PlaceName>
<st1:PlaceType w:st="on">State</st1:PlaceType></st1:place> has provided
assistive technologies to students, faculty, and staff," Powers said. <SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>"We will work with the National
Federation of the Blind and the Department of Education, Office of Civil Rights,
to put in place the additional technologies, procedures, and ongoing policies
that will help us continue meeting our strong commitment to access.”</SPAN><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; FONT-SIZE: 12pt"><o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-pagination: none; mso-layout-grid-align: none"
class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; COLOR: #0b0b0b; FONT-SIZE: 12pt"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-pagination: none; mso-layout-grid-align: none"
class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; COLOR: #0b0b0b; FONT-SIZE: 12pt">The university has
had a number of policies and programs in place to help individuals with
disabilities, such as a classroom note-taking service, textbooks and course
materials in electronic format, technology assistance, and adjustments in
testing procedures, to name just a few. <SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>The university has a longstanding policy
of providing reasonable accommodations to anyone requesting
assistance.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-pagination: none; mso-layout-grid-align: none"
class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; COLOR: #0b0b0b; FONT-SIZE: 12pt"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-pagination: none; mso-layout-grid-align: none"
class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; COLOR: #0b0b0b; FONT-SIZE: 12pt">"We can always do
more," Powers said. <SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>"In addition to
any continued adjustments to our policies, we also are working with our outside
vendors to see if their products and procedures can be adjusted to meet the
needs of our students."</SPAN><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; FONT-SIZE: 12pt"><o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-pagination: none; mso-layout-grid-align: none"
class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; COLOR: #0b0b0b; FONT-SIZE: 12pt"> </SPAN><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; FONT-SIZE: 12pt"><o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; COLOR: #0b0b0b; FONT-SIZE: 12pt">Russlynn Ali,
assistant secretary for civil rights, with the U.S. Department of Education,
said: “Colleges and universities have specific legal obligations to provide
students, faculty, and staff with disabilities the same benefits, programs, and
services. <SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>This office is committed
to working with complainants and institutions to ensure that the important
nondiscrimination provisions of this nation’s laws are enforced and
implemented.”</SPAN><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; FONT-SIZE: 12pt"><o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt"><o:p><FONT face=Helvetica> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal
align=center><B style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt"><o:p><FONT
face=Helvetica> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></B></P>
<P style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal
align=center><B style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt"><FONT
face=Helvetica>###<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></B></P>
<P style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal
align=center><B style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt"><o:p><FONT
face=Helvetica> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></B></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 12pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto"
class=MsoNormal><B><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; FONT-SIZE: 12pt">About the
National Federation of the Blind<o:p></o:p></SPAN></B></P>
<P
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: 45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt"
class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; FONT-SIZE: 12pt">With more than
50,000 members, the National Federation of the Blind is the largest and most
influential membership organization of blind people in the <st1:country-region
w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">United
States</st1:place></st1:country-region>. The NFB improves blind people’s
lives through advocacy, education, research, technology, and programs
encouraging independence and self-confidence. It is the leading force in
the blindness field today and the voice of the nation's blind. In January
2004 the NFB opened the National Federation of the Blind Jernigan Institute, the
first research and training center in the <st1:country-region
w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">United States</st1:place></st1:country-region>
for the blind led by the blind. </SPAN><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt"><o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; FONT-SIZE: 10pt"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal
align=center><B style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt"><o:p><FONT
face=Helvetica> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></B></P>
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face=Helvetica> </FONT></o:p></P>
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