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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'><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 style='margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><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"'> Flanagan, Allison A (OFB-FK) [mailto:Allison.Flanagan@ky.gov] <br><b>Sent:</b> Thursday, October 03, 2013 12:14 PM<br><b>To:</b> Wright, Jennifer (OFB-FK); 'Ann Smits'; 'Bill Deatherage'; 'Carla Ruschival'; 'Cathy Jackson'; McNabb, Cora L (OFB-FK); 'David Lawson'; 'Dennis Franklin '; 'Don Gerard'; 'George Stokes '; Gordon-Brown, Gerry (CAP-FK); 'Gerry Rader Slusher'; 'Gina Fugate '; Kennedy, Jack B (OFB-FK); 'Jennifer Hall'; 'Kathy Eversole'; 'Kelly Foust'; 'Kevin Shurn '; 'Kim Zeigler'; 'Laura Yates'; 'Michael Freeholm'; Shirley, Patrick B (Education Cabinet); 'Paula Wiese '; 'Rebecca Murrell'; 'Rhonda Logsdon'; 'Sharon Fields (Home) '; 'Shirley Stivers '; Deeley, Stephen P (OFB-LV); 'Susan Ament'; 'Theresa Thomas'; Hammons, Twyla S (OFB-SS)<br><b>Subject:</b> News Release<o:p></o:p></span></p></div></div><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=Default><b><span style='font-size:16.0pt'>Kentucky Education and Workforce Development Cabinet </span></b><span style='font-size:16.0pt'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=Default><b><span style='font-size:14.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p><p class=Default><b><span style='font-size:14.0pt'>NEWS RELEASE </span></b><span style='font-size:14.0pt'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=Default><b><span style='font-size:11.5pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p><p class=Default><b><span style='font-size:11.5pt'>Contact: Jennifer Wright, (502) 564-4754 </span></b><span style='font-size:11.5pt'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=Default><b><span style='font-size:14.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p><p class=Default><b><span style='font-size:14.0pt'>October is Blindness and Visual Impairment Awareness Month in Kentucky </span></b><i><span style='font-size:11.5pt'>Open House to be held at Charles W. McDowell Center in Louisville on Oct. 23 </span></i><span style='font-size:11.5pt'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=Default><b><span style='font-size:11.5pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p><p class=Default><b><span style='font-size:11.5pt'>FRANKFORT, Ky. (Oct. 1, 2013) – </span></b><span style='font-size:11.5pt'>The Kentucky Office for the Blind (OFB) and the Visually Impaired Preschool Services (VIPS) program are celebrating October as Blindness and Visual Impairment Awareness Month in Kentucky. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=Default><span style='font-size:11.5pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=Default><span style='font-size:11.5pt'>Gov. Steve Beshear issued the proclamation to bring awareness to Kentuckians about those who are blind or visually impaired, to empower families and communities to provide support and resources that will assist those individuals, and to advocate on their behalf. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=Default><span style='font-size:11.5pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=Default><span style='font-size:11.5pt'>“The statewide response to Gov. Beshear’s proclamation has been one of excitement and celebration as 20 agencies have joined forces to help spread the word of the abilities of Kentuckians who are blind or visually impaired,” said Allison Flanagan, OFB executive director. “These agencies will share information at community and statewide events and White Cane Day celebrations during the month of October.” <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=Default><span style='font-size:11.5pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=Default><span style='font-size:11.5pt'>The governor’s proclamation is made in conjunction with National Disability Employment Awareness Month in October which serves to heighten awareness about disability employment issues and to celebrate the many and varied contributions of America's workers with disabilities. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=Default><span style='font-size:11.5pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=Default><span style='font-size:11.5pt'>In recognition, the Kentucky Office for the Blind, VIPS and other agencies will host an open house Wednesday, Oct. 23, 2013, at the Charles W. McDowell Center, 8412 Westport Road in Louisville, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=Default><span style='font-size:11.5pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=Default><span style='font-size:11.5pt'>During the open house, various organizations that provide services to the blind and visually impaired will share information. The event is free, and open to the public. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=Default><span style='font-size:11.5pt'>Individuals who are blind or visually impaired live independently and work alongside their fellow Kentuckians in a wide variety of professions. Families in Kentucky are fortunate to access community resources, receive support and therapies needed on their family member’s road to independence, and enjoy a seamless transition among the many providers of services to individuals with blindness or vision loss. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=Default><span style='font-size:11.5pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=Default><span style='font-size:11.5pt'>For more</span> <span style='font-size:11.5pt'>information about the Kentucky Office for the Blind or VIPS, go online to <a href="http://blind.ky.gov">http://blind.ky.gov</a><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=Default><span style='font-size:11.5pt'>or <a href="http://www.vips.org">www.vips.org</a></span><span style='font-size:11.5pt;color:windowtext'> </span><span style='font-size:11.5pt'>.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><div><p class=MsoNormal style='margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><b><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial Narrow","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'>Allison Flanagan, MRC, CRC</span></b><span style='font-size:12.0pt;color:#1F497D'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><b><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial Narrow","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'>Executive Director<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><b><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial Narrow","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'>Office for the Blind</span></b><span style='font-size:12.0pt;color:#1F497D'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><b><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial Narrow","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'>275 E Main Street, Mail Drop 2-EJ</span></b><span style='font-size:12.0pt;color:#1F497D'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><b><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial Narrow","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'>Frankfort, KY 40621</span></b><span style='font-size:12.0pt;color:#1F497D'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><b><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial Narrow","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'>502-782-3416</span></b><b><span style='font-family:"Arial Narrow","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'><o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><b><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial Narrow","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'><a href="mailto:Allison.Flanagan@ky.gov">Allison.Flanagan@ky.gov</a></span></b><span style='color:#1F497D'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='color:#1F497D'> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:7.5pt;font-family:"Arial Narrow","sans-serif";color:navy'>The information contained in this email message may be privileged, confidential and protected from disclosure. If you are not the intended recipient, any dissemination, distribution or copying is strictly prohibited. If you have received this message in error, please inform the sender and delete this message permanently from your computer files.<i> </i></span><span style='color:#1F497D'><o:p></o:p></span></p></div></div></body></html>