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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body bgcolor=white background="cid:image001.jpg@01CD2A11.BE5C8F00" lang=EN-US link=blue vlink=purple style='margin-left:37.5pt'><img src="cid:image001.jpg@01CD2A11.BE5C8F00" v:src="cid:image001.jpg@01CD2A11.BE5C8F00" v:shapes="_x0000_Mail" width=0 height=0 class=shape style='display:none;width:0;height:0'><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";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";color:windowtext'>From:</span></b><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif";color:windowtext'> Wright, Jennifer (OFB-FK) [mailto:JenniferN.Wright@ky.gov] <br><b>Sent:</b> Monday, May 07, 2012 11:44 AM<br><b>To:</b> Smith, Chris H (OFB-FK); Jessee, Allison F (OFB-FK); Ann Smits; Becky Cabe; Bess Douthitt; Bill Deatherage; Monterosso, Bill (OETCO-FK); Cathy Jackson; McNabb, Cora L (OFB-FK); David Lawson; Don Gerard; George Stokes; Gordon-Brown, Gerry (CAP-FK); Gerry Rader Slusher; Jim Shaw; ki4vjd@gmail.com; Kay Mathis; Kim Zeigler; Michael Freeholm; Dahmke, Mitch; Shirley, Patrick B (Education Cabinet); Paul Wiese; Paula Wiese ; Nesbitt, Richard (OFB-FK); Roger Schaf; Sharon Fields; Sharon Fields (Home); Matthews, Soraya - Division of Learning Services; Deeley, Stephen P (OFB-LV); Susan Ament; Hammons, Twyla S (OFB-SS)<br><b>Subject:</b> FW: Career Opportunity for the Blind<o:p></o:p></span></p></div></div><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";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 style='margin-bottom:12.0pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p></div></div><p class=MsoNormal>The hope of finding meaningful employment and a satisfying career is a reality for many of the alumni of the School of Piano Technology for the Blind in Vancouver, WA. The words of one of our recent graduates best tell our story.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:15.0pt'><i><span style='font-size:10.0pt'>“My working career was suffering. My vision was failing, and my own sense of purpose was being challenged. I had walked away from one job that I was not enjoying only to get fired from another job, which was even more difficult. I believe it was because of my poor vision. It was at this point in my life when my husband suggested to me the possibility of a career tuning pianos. In the midst of my floundering sense of what am I going to do with the rest of my life, this was a bright possibility.” ”Since making the decision to invest the rest of my life in piano technology, I have never once looked back. I am equipped to run my own business, make the kind of money I’ve always hoped to make, and be in charge of my own schedule. What continues to bless me is the fact that the help of the staff of the Piano Hospital is ongoing. I have put in, and will continue to put in calls of help, calls for advice and calls of thank-you to the people who started me in this career. I am now 2 ˝ years into being an independent entrepreneur. The sky is the limit for me. The only thing that is going to hold me back now is me.”<o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class=MsoNormal><i><span style='font-size:10.0pt'> </span></i><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>The School of Piano Technology for the Blind is the only school in the world offering a two year certificate in piano technology for blind and low vision individuals. <b><i>We are a small school, but we are do big things – we change lives! </i></b>Piano technology has been a rewarding profession for blind people for over 200 years and remains a viable career for blind and low vision individuals today. Piano technology is a field which continues to see growth. With over seventeen million pianos in the United States and 4,173 technicians there are enough pianos to keep everyone busy and profitable. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>In addition to learning to tune and repair pianos, students learn the basics of running their own piano service business including developing a business plan, sales, marketing, accounting and customer service. Individualized instruction by qualified blind instructors has resulted in excellent learning outcomes since 1949. Over 70% of our graduates are employed in the field, many as owner-operators of their own business, in music stores, recording studios, and school districts. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>How can you help? Please let everyone you know interested in a successful, independent career about our school. All of our candidates are required to attend a two day career evaluation workshop to assess their interest, ability and aptitude for a career in piano technology. Please contact us for our career workshops for our September term. Staff and volunteers from the School of Piano Technology for the Blind will provide assistance and support in coordinating travel and logistical arrangements to prospective students.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Thank you for your assistance in passing along our name to your clients. Despite a belief by some vocational rehabilitation counselors that piano technology is passé, I want to reassure you that in reality it is an exciting opportunity to anyone - blind or sighted - seeking an independent, successful career. And, as I am constantly reminded “perfect pitch and the ability to play the piano” is not a requirement to be a piano technician. If you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact me.<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><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><img width=153 height=59 id="Picture_x0020_1" src="cid:image002.jpg@01CD2A11.BE5C8F00" alt="Description: Description: Jeff Lann Signature"><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Jeff Lann <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Executive Director<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>School of Piano Technology for the Blind<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>360-693-1511<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><a href="mailto:jefflann@pianotuningschool.org">jefflann@pianotuningschool.org</a> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div></body></html>