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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link="#0563C1" vlink="#954F72"><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>February 2018 Minute Message.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>Fellow Federationists,<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>Raising Expectations in Washington<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>As you know, Blindness does not define you or your future. We had a very successful Washington seminar where we raised expectations so that we can live the lives we want. Thanks to our efforts, Congressman Ruppersberger is now a co-sponsor of HR1772, Accessible Instructional Materials in Higher Education Act, and HR1734, Access Technology Affordability Act, and senator Van Hollen agreed to co-sponsor S2138, the companion Accessible Instructional Materials in Higher Education Act. Both Maryland senators were already co-sponsoring S732, the Access Technology Affordability Act. Our work is not complete, we must get the remaining congressmen to co-sponsor these important bills. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>Although HR620, the ADA Education and Reform Act passed in the House, we are very pleased that all of Maryland’s Congressmen, with the exception of Andy Harris, voted against this bill. Congressman Elijah Cummings was not present so did not vote on the bill. We will work to make sure that this bill does not pass in the Senate.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>Raising Expectations in Annapolis<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>During the weeks of February 19 and February 26, there will be hearings on all of our four Annapolis issues. We need lots of help. Check with your chapter president for specific instructions on transportation and specific hearing dates. It is up to us to restore the right to a secret ballot to disabled voters in Maryland. We must establish a remote access information service for Deaf-Blind people in Maryland. We must persevere in our struggle to get Maryland to enforce the law concerning nonvisual access to state government. Please be sure to get lots of letters in so that the Maryland General Assembly will recognize the importance of these issues.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>Three Fun Fundraisers<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>Would you like to win the Amazon Echo, the Dot, Smart plugs, and special lightbulbs so that you could instruct your device to turn the lights on or off? This is only one example of the raffle prizes at Basket Bingo. You will also have the opportunity to win money and many baskets filled with delicious foods and many items to fulfill every wish. Please call me or send me an email if you need a Braille or large print Bingo card. Get your tickets today so that you will be part of the fun on March 9. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>Don’t miss an afternoon of songs, stories and connecting for a cause - Sunday, March 25, from 3 to 5 pm. The talented Melissa Riccobono will perform popular and folk music with audience sing-a-longs. Have an enjoyable afternoon while raising money for the NFB BELL Academy programs in Maryland. Tickets are $10 in advance and $15 at the door. Contact Melissa Riccobono at melissa@riccobono.us. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>Get ready for a nice evening out. Join us on April 7 from 5 to 9 pm for our Bid-for-Opportunity dinner and auction to benefit the John. T. McCraw Scholarship Program and NFBMD youth activities. The event will take place at the VFW Post 9619, <span class=xbe>6527 Suitland Rd, Morningside, MD 20746</span></span><span class=xbe>. </span><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>For more information contact Debbie Brown, deborahb14@verizon.net, or Michelle Clark <a href="mailto:mcikeyc@aol.com">mcikeyc@aol.com</a>.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>Board of Directors Meeting<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>Everyone is cordially invited to attend the NFBMD Board of Directors meeting on March 24. The meeting will begin promptly at 9:30 am. Lunch is $15. The location is Advent Funeral Home, Community Room (enter from back parking lot), address is 9013 Annapolis Road, Lanham, MD 20706. Many thanks to the National Harbor Chapter for hosting this meeting.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>Important Dates for 2018<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>March 9<sup>th</sup> – Basket Bingo at The Lodge, 2832 9 Mile Circle, Catonsville, MD.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>March 24<sup>th</sup> – Board of Directors Meeting, 9:30am. The location is Advent Funeral Home, Community Room (enter from back parking lot), address is 9013 Annapolis Road, Lanham, MD 20706.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>March 25<sup>th</sup> – Recital and Sing-A-Long, benefiting NFBBELL Academy, Jernigan Institute, 200 East Wells St., Baltimore, MD 21230. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>March 31<sup>st</sup> – Deadline for National Scholarship Applications.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>April 7<sup>th</sup> – Bid-for-Opportunity Dinner and Auction, to benefit John. T. McCraw Scholarship Program and NFBMD Youth Activities. VFW Post 9619, <span class=xbe>6527 Suitland Rd, Morningside, MD 20746</span></span><span class=xbe>. </span><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>April 15<sup>th</sup> – Deadline for NFBMD Scholarship Applications. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>June 2<sup>nd</sup> – Board of Directors Meeting. Location to be announced.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>June 3<sup>rd</sup> – 6-K Dot Dash for Braille Literacy, 200 East Well Street, Baltimore, MD. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>July 3-8<sup>th</sup> – NFB National Convention, Orlando, FL.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>July 29 – August 4 – NFB EQ for blind high-school students. Go to http://www.blindscience.org/nfbeq.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>August 4<sup>th</sup> – Annual Crab Feast, Columbus Gardens, Baltimore, MD.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>November 9-11<sup>th</sup> – Annual State Convention, Carousel Hotel, Ocean City, MD. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>Sharon Maneki, </span></b><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>President<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal>National Federation of the Blind of Maryland<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>410-715-9596<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>The National Federation of the Blind of Maryland knows that blindness is not the characteristic that defines you or your future. Every day we raise the expectations of blind people, because low expectations create obstacles between blind people and our dreams. You can live the life you want; blindness is not what holds you back</span>.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div></body></html>