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<DIV><SPAN class=731265512-22052009><FONT face=Arial size=2>List
Colleagues:</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=731265512-22052009><FONT face=Arial
size=2></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=731265512-22052009><FONT face=Arial size=2>I am sharing with
you some recent information released from DORS, our vocational rehabilitation
provider in Maryland. The most significant information that you should know is
that blind Marylanders should no longer need to be placed on a waiting list for
services. Blind people are part of the most significantly disabled community in
category 1, and as such, we'll be made eligible without delay for VR benefits
upon application for these services. The announcement from DORS
follows:</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=731265512-22052009><FONT face=Arial
size=2></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=731265512-22052009><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">DORS Program Directive 09-18 –
<U>Opening of Category 1</U> – announces that, effective May 15, 2009, eligible
individuals with Most Significant disabilities will no longer be placed on a
waiting list for services. Great News!</SPAN></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=731265512-22052009><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"></SPAN></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=731265512-22052009><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">DORS has joined a business network.
In theory this should help consumers find employment faster because of the
enhanced relationship that DORS will have with business entities in the
community. DORS has to commit to a series of standards with respect to the
business community upon entering into this relationship. Attached, is a document
that details these obligations. Below is the announcement from DORS about this
development:</SPAN></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=731265512-22052009><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"></SPAN></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=731265512-22052009><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">DORS Information Bulletin 09-13 –
<U>VR Standards for the National VR Business Network: The NET</U> –
announces that on May 14, 2009, DORS formally joined the Council of State
Administrators of Vocational Rehabilitation (CSAVR) National Business
Network: The NET.</SPAN></SPAN></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=731265512-22052009><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"></SPAN></SPAN></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=731265512-22052009><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">Finally, DORS is announcing to those
interested that the Maryland Disability Determination Service (DDS), the entity
responsible for approving SSA benefits upon an individual's application,
received recognition from SSA's commissioner for their excellent work. Here is
the DORS statement:</SPAN></SPAN></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=731265512-22052009><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"></SPAN></SPAN></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=731265512-22052009><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">
<P class=MsoNormal><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=3><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt"><A
title=http://www.dors.state.md.us/DORS/ProgramServices/Business4/News/Citations09.htm
href="BLOCKED::http://www.dors.state.md.us/DORS/ProgramServices/Business4/News/Citations09.htm"><STRONG
title=http://www.dors.state.md.us/DORS/ProgramServices/Business4/News/Citations09.htm><B
title=http://www.dors.state.md.us/DORS/ProgramServices/Business4/News/Citations09.htm><FONT
title=http://www.dors.state.md.us/DORS/ProgramServices/Business4/News/Citations09.htm
face="Times New Roman">SSA to Present Two Commissioner Citations for Excellence
in Service to Maryland’s DDS
</FONT></B></STRONG></A><o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P><FONT
face="Times New Roman" size=3><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt">
<P class=MsoNormal><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT><BR></SPAN></FONT><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">The Social Security Administration
will present George Albright III, M.D., the Chief Medical Advisor at the
Disability Determination Services (DDS), and the DDS itself with Commissioner
Citations for Excellence in Service. This is the highest award given by
SSA. The presentations will take place on May 19, 2009 at the annual DDS Forum
in <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:City w:st="on">Detroit</st1:City>, <st1:State
w:st="on">Michigan</st1:State></st1:place>.</SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"></SPAN> </P>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><SPAN
class=731265512-22052009>I continue to represent our affiliate on the Maryland
State Rehabilitation Council. During our May 2009 meeting I was elected vice
chairman of this entity. If you have questions, policy issues that you want
promoted, or need advocacy assistance, please be in touch with me. I will either
be of support or help you identify somebody within our affiliate to counsel and
guide your efforts.</SPAN></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><SPAN
class=731265512-22052009></SPAN></SPAN> </P>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><SPAN
class=731265512-22052009>With Kind Regards,</SPAN></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><SPAN
class=731265512-22052009></SPAN></SPAN> </P>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><SPAN
class=731265512-22052009></SPAN></SPAN> </P>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><SPAN
class=731265512-22052009></SPAN></SPAN></SPAN></SPAN></SPAN><FONT face=Arial
size=2>***********************</FONT></P></DIV>
<DIV align=left><FONT face=Arial size=2>Daniel B. Frye, J.D.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV align=left><FONT face=Arial size=2>Associate Editor</FONT></DIV>
<DIV align=left><FONT face=Arial size=2>The Braille Monitor</FONT></DIV>
<DIV align=left><FONT face=Arial size=2>National Federation of the
Blind</FONT></DIV>
<DIV align=left><FONT face=Arial size=2>Office of the President</FONT></DIV>
<DIV align=left><FONT face=Arial size=2>1800 Johnson Street</FONT></DIV>
<DIV align=left><FONT face=Arial size=2>Baltimore, Maryland 21230</FONT></DIV>
<DIV align=left><FONT face=Arial size=2>Telephone: (410) 659-9314 Ext.
2208</FONT></DIV>
<DIV align=left><FONT face=Arial size=2>Mobile: (410) 241-7006</FONT></DIV>
<DIV align=left><FONT face=Arial size=2>Fax: (410) 685-5653</FONT></DIV>
<DIV align=left><FONT face=Arial size=2>Email: <A
href="mailto:DFrye@nfb.org">DFrye@nfb.org</A></FONT></DIV>
<DIV align=left><FONT face=Arial size=2>Web Address: <A
href="http://www.nfb.org/">www.nfb.org</A></FONT></DIV>
<DIV align=left><FONT face=Arial size=2>"Voice of the Nation's
Blind"</FONT></DIV>
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