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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link=blue vlink=purple><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'>John & others,<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'>I have had an on again off again relationship with NEWSLINE. Sometimes I use it a lot and then I’ll go for a while where I don’t use it at all. I like knowing that when I do want to use it I can, because it’s there. I like that it’s an option for me. Just as I’m sure many sighted people do not read the paper every day, but rather pick it up when they get become interested. When sighted people do get the notion to pick up a Sunday paper or check out the sports section on a Wednesday afternoon, they know that all they have to do is find a paper box or run up to the nearest gas station. It’ll always be there for them. Blind people, likewise, should have that same option. I know that I don’t have to use NEWSLINE every single day in order to lay claim to it and want it to stick around. I know that whether I use it five days a week or one day a week, it’s still my best option for reading the paper – when I want, and how I want. So for this reason I have chosen to show my support for the Accessible Electronic Information Act – SB 87. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'>I want to elaborate here a little bit though. Last week when I went to the Natural Resources and Energy Committee meeting in Frankfort, I wanted to be a visible reminder that there are people out there who not only use NEWSLINE, but rely on it as well. There were about twenty of my fellow Federationists who shared that sentiment and joined me there. As I listened to Senator Kerr speak about the bill to the committee, I could hear in her voice that she really believes NEWSLINE is remarkable and very much needed among those who cannot access a traditional print newspaper. Then I listened to Cathy and Pamela speak about how many people benefit from NEWSLINE and those who still have yet to experience it. They talked about the many ways we use NEWSLINE – to keep up with current events, to research a topic, to search for jobs, and more. Had I been an unknowing guest at the meeting I would have been convinced with their words alone. However, after hearing John speak, my commitment to supporting this bill increased threefold. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'>John, who is a blinded Veteran himself, spoke on behalf of the countless other men and women who may have a unique perspective about NEWSLINE. He said that when soldiers are overseas fighting for the freedom we enjoy daily, often their only tie to the home the miss and love is the U.S. newspapers. It keeps them connected to their homeland. In years past many soldiers did not survive injuries they sustained while fighting for our country. Now though, thanks in part to improved armor technology, they are left blind or otherwise disable, but alive. When they come home and learn to function in their new life, NEWSLINE can and should be a part of their recovery and future. Being able to continue reading the papers that gave them a connection to home is important as they recover from their physical wounds. Adjusting to their new lives and learning to do things differently is not an easy task, having something familiar may offer a great deal of comfort. I was fortunate to hear John speak about all this with such passion and heartfelt emotion and it took my interest in supporting NEWSLINE to a whole new level. I was able to see beyond myself and realize the much bigger picture. It’s not just about those of us who have been blind all our lives having the luxury to read our local papers. It’s also about the people who lose their eyesight (or ability to hold a book) very unexpectedly having the basic option (never mind luxury) to connect themselves to something that is familiar. Having NEWSLINE is not just a luxury for me or you, but a basic option for many, many people – some of whom don’t even know that it exists. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'>I don’t mean to preach a sermon here, but something did change for me when I heard John’s testimony in Frankfort. I now feel like calling Frankfort to urge the committee and my legislators to support this bill is not just something that I should do when I think about it, but something that I <i>have </i> to do every day to hopefully get their attention. Seriously, it takes just thirty seconds. I spend more time than that doing much less meaningful things. I have set an alarm on my phone that reminds me every morning to call the Legislative Message Line. I hope some of you will consider doing the same. If enough of us call, every day, and let them know how important this bill truly is, they’ll take notice. Isn’t this kind of collective action one of the fundamental premises upon which the National Federation of the Blind was built?<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'>Thank you for listening,<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'>Melanie<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><div><div style='border:none;border-top:solid #B5C4DF 1.0pt;padding:3.0pt 0in 0in 0in'><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"'>From:</span></b><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"'> nfbk-bounces@nfbnet.org [mailto:nfbk-bounces@nfbnet.org] <b>On Behalf Of </b>John Glisson<br><b>Sent:</b> Saturday, February 18, 2012 8:34 PM<br><b>To:</b> 'NFB of Kentucky Internet Mailing List'<br><b>Subject:</b> Re: [Nfbk] Contacting legislators<o:p></o:p></span></p></div></div><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'>I called! Smiles. You are very correct, Melanie!!! Please do flood the Senate Committee on Natural Resources & Energy Members with the calls, along with one’s own personal Senator and Representative!!! <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'>***Senate Bill 87 is not likely to PASS and have the potential to build a solid Accessible Electronic Information Services foundation for Kentuckians who are unable to use conventional print and those who will inevitably come along behind us without our very electrifying show of support through our regular and even daily phone calls to the Legislative Research Commission Message Line: 1-800-372-7181!!!<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'>My message to support SB 87 has been sent to my representatives: Senator Alice Kerr and Representative Susan Westrom!<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'>How about yours?<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'>If you don’t know your personal reps, the individual answering the telephone at the LRC MSG Line will be happy to look them up for you through the need only of your address. Please do not omit, however, sending your message also to the Natural Resources & Energy Committee in the Senate! This is SB 87’s first hurdle!!!<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'>This listserv is a powerful tool for our organization as well as for those who are guests to the list.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'>When we post our activity here like Melanie has done, then it will inspire others to come along and do likewise!!!<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'>Thank you, Melanie Peskoe, for showing your support and exhorting others to do likewise …<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'>Join the blind of KY in making a difference in what it means to be blind and visually impaired!!!<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'>John g. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><div><div style='border:none;border-top:solid #B5C4DF 1.0pt;padding:3.0pt 0in 0in 0in'><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"'>From:</span></b><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"'> <a href="mailto:nfbk-bounces@nfbnet.org">nfbk-bounces@nfbnet.org</a> <a href="mailto:[mailto:nfbk-bounces@nfbnet.org]">[mailto:nfbk-bounces@nfbnet.org]</a> <b>On Behalf Of </b>Melanie Peskoe<br><b>Sent:</b> Friday, February 17, 2012 11:23 AM<br><b>To:</b> 'NFB of Kentucky Internet Mailing List'<br><b>Subject:</b> [Nfbk] Contacting legislators<o:p></o:p></span></p></div></div><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'>I just called the legislative message center and again left a message for the senate Natural Resources and Energy Committee to support senate bill 87. I also left messages for my senator, Perry Clark, and my representative, Wade Hurt, and asked that they please encourage the committee to support the bill. Has anyone else called today? It’d be great if we could flood their phones with support of this bill! <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'>Melanie<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><div><div style='border:none;border-top:solid #B5C4DF 1.0pt;padding:3.0pt 0in 0in 0in'><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"'>From:</span></b><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"'> <a href="mailto:nfbk-bounces@nfbnet.org">nfbk-bounces@nfbnet.org</a> <a href="mailto:[mailto:nfbk-bounces@nfbnet.org]">[mailto:nfbk-bounces@nfbnet.org]</a> <b>On Behalf Of </b>John Glisson<br><b>Sent:</b> Thursday, February 16, 2012 8:58 PM<br><b>To:</b> 'NFB of Kentucky Internet Mailing List'<br><b>Subject:</b> Re: [Nfbk] Calling Frankfort about SB 87<o:p></o:p></span></p></div></div><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'>Hi Melanie,<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'>If your State Senator is not one of those sitting on the Senate Committee on Natural Resources & Energy, you may recruit your Senator’s support in encouraging the Committee Members to pass SB 87 as well. I’ve had responses from otherswho are doing this. The Senators certainly have greater opportunity to talk among themselves than we do with them. John g.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><div><div style='border:none;border-top:solid #B5C4DF 1.0pt;padding:3.0pt 0in 0in 0in'><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"'>From:</span></b><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"'> <a href="mailto:nfbk-bounces@nfbnet.org">nfbk-bounces@nfbnet.org</a> <a href="mailto:[mailto:nfbk-bounces@nfbnet.org]">[mailto:nfbk-bounces@nfbnet.org]</a> <b>On Behalf Of </b>Melanie Peskoe<br><b>Sent:</b> Wednesday, February 15, 2012 2:54 PM<br><b>To:</b> NFB of Kentucky Internet Mailing List<br><b>Subject:</b> [Nfbk] Calling Frankfort about SB 87<o:p></o:p></span></p></div></div><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Pamela and/or John –<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>When calling Frankfort to urge for support of the Electronic Information Accessibility Act (SB 87) should we still have all messages sent to the Natural Resources Committee or are there others we should include? I really had no idea I could call every day. I’m going to start spreading the word and asking friends and family to support this as well. Thanks for all the effort you both give to advocate for NEWSLINE!<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Melanie<o:p></o:p></p><div class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"'><hr size=1 width="100%" noshade style='color:gray' align=center></span></div><p class=avgcert>No virus found in this message.<br>Checked by AVG - <a href="http://www.avg.com">www.avg.com</a><br>Version: 10.0.1424 / Virus Database: 2112/4814 - Release Date: 02/16/12<o:p></o:p></p><div class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"'><hr size=1 width="100%" noshade style='color:gray' align=center></span></div><p class=avgcert>No virus found in this message.<br>Checked by AVG - <a href="http://www.avg.com">www.avg.com</a><br>Version: 10.0.1424 / Virus Database: 2112/4818 - Release Date: 02/18/12<o:p></o:p></p></div></body></html>