<html xmlns:v="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:vml" xmlns:o="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" xmlns:w="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:word" xmlns:m="http://schemas.microsoft.com/office/2004/12/omml" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/TR/REC-html40"><head><META HTTP-EQUIV="Content-Type" CONTENT="text/html; charset=us-ascii"><meta name=Generator content="Microsoft Word 15 (filtered medium)"><style><!--
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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link="#0563C1" vlink="#954F72"><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal>Hello all,<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>As you know, we have been waiting for President Obama to issue regulations making the internet a public accommodation since 2010. Did you sign the petition yet? I did. Read Gabe’s message below and sign quickly. Spread the word to your friends and relatives. Anyone can do this, and we need everyone to do it.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Thanks, <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><b>Sharon Maneki, </b>President<o:p></o:p></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>Howdy Federation Family,<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>On July 26, 2010, the twentieth anniversary of the signing of the historic Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), an Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (ANPRM) addressing the obligation of public accommodations to provide websites that are accessible to individuals with disabilities was issued by the United States Department of Justice (DOJ). At the time, President Obama correctly observed that these proposed rules would be “the most important updates to the ADA since its original enactment.” Yet the release date of the actual rule proposal for revising the Title III regulations of the ADA, originally scheduled for January of 2012, has been extended until sometime in 2018, eight years beyond the issuance of the original ANPRM and at least a year after the end of his administration. Having originally taken a strong stance on the importance of these regulations, it now seems like the Obama administration is wishing to wash its hands of them entirely.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>As blind Americans, we know first-hand that equal access to the internet is paramount for education, to obtain and retain employment, and for everyday tasks such as paying bills, online shopping, booking travel, etc. We will not sit idly by as the administration attempts to sideline this critical access issue, so we have launched a <a href="http://wh.gov/iwm9o"><span style='color:#0563C1'>petition</span></a> demanding, in the strongest terms possible, that the administration issue these regulations immediately.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Upon reaching 100,000 signatures, the Obama administration is required to respond, so in addition to sharing our <a href="http://wh.gov/iwm9o"><span style='color:#0563C1'>we the people petition</span></a> via Email and your social media outlets, please personally ask 10 family members, friends, and colleagues to sign it and share it as well. A little personal contact goes a long way!<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to me; with your help, we will bring this critical issue for blind Americans to the forefront of the Obama administration’s list of priorities. Let’s go build the Federation!<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>...Gabe<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Gabe Cazares<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Government Affairs Specialist<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>National Federation of the Blind<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>200 East Wells Street<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>At Jernigan Place<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Baltimore, <span lang=ES-MX>MD 21230<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span lang=ES-MX>E: </span><a href="mailto:gcazares@nfb.org"><span lang=ES-MX style='color:#0563C1'>gcazares@nfb.org</span></a><span lang=ES-MX><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal>P: 410-659-9314 Ext. 2206<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>T: @gmcazares<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>The National Federation of the Blind 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.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>To make a donation to the National Federation of the Blind Imagination Fund campaign, please visit <a href="http://www.nfb.org/ImaginingOurFuture"><span style='color:#0563C1'>www.nfb.org/ImaginingOurFuture</span></a><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>Sharon Maneki, </b>President<o:p></o:p></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></div></body></html>