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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt">Dear Friends: <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt">October 1 starts our Blind Equality Achievement Month, and the National Federation of the Blind of Missouri is in the spirit. The layout of these standing meeting emails is going to read a little different
for the month. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt">In each email you will find 4 different categories of topics. The first category is Blind individuals in our NFBMO affiliate. Next we focus on our advocacy efforts to improve equality for the blind. Then
we have a highlight on Achievements that have occurred over the years. Last, as consistent as usual, there will be a list of the standing meetings for each week as well as announcements concerning any upcoming Blind Equality Achievement Month events.
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt">The information included in these emails can also be found on our
</span><a href="http://www.nfbmo.org"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;color:windowtext">www.nfbmo.org</span></a><span style="font-size:11.0pt"> website and on Facebook. You are encouraged to share this information with friends and family.
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt">There are several ways a person can view these topics for our Blind Equality Achievement Month. The National Federation of the Blind of Missouri Communications team is striving to focus on who is in our beloved
federation family, how equality is happening, presenting how achievements are celebrated in the National Federation of the Blind, and is providing each of you with options on how you can attend one of the National Federation of the Blind of Missouri’s standing
meetings. Let’s go spread the word on how the NFB has created a world where blind people can live the lives we want.
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt">Note that if you use screen reading software, you can navigate by heading. Please consult the training manual for your software for instructions on how to do this.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<h1><b><span style="font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:windowtext">Blind / Individuals who are blind
<o:p></o:p></span></b></h1>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt">This week we are highlighting Mr. Dennis Miller the Show Me chapter president. Dennis also serves on the Missouri Affiliate board of directors. Mr. Miller works full-time as a teacher of English as a second
language. Dennis is a prime example of following our tag line in the National Federation of the Blind and is living the life he wants.
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt">As someone who as only known Dennis for a few years now, I would have to say he has done much work in the federation. Since legislative season is approaching soon we wanted to make sure and let our legislative
director for the NFB of Missouri know how much we appreciate all the things he does.
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<h1><b><span style="font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:windowtext">Equality <o:p>
</o:p></span></b></h1>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt">When it comes to equality, one of the biggest ways to make this happen is accessible voting for all. Voting is one of our more important civic duties as Americans and we urge you to exercise this right in
the upcoming November mid-term elections. This week the NFB of Missouri will be sending out a press release encouraging blind people and other people with print disabilities to use ballot marking devices; it will be posted in this mailing list for all Missouri
Federationists to read.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<h1><b><span style="font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:windowtext">Achievements
<o:p></o:p></span></b></h1>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt">Our newest legislative action, the BRIGHT Act became a reality this year! We are so excited about this achievement we had to share this information with you. Below is a press release we issued on August 8;
it generated some media coverage including a short interview with our Public Relations Chair.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<h2><b><span style="font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:windowtext">For Immediate Release<o:p></o:p></span></b></h2>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center"><span style="font-size:11.0pt">Governor Parson Signs Legislation That Will Improve Education for Blind Students<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center"><span style="font-size:11.0pt">Blind Missourians Praise the Passage of the BRITE Act<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt">Kansas City, Missouri (August 8, 2022): Governor Parson recently signed into law SB681 which modifies provisions relating to elementary and secondary education. Included in this legislation is the BRITE (Blind
Students' Rights to Independence, Training, and Education) ACT which was originally introduced by Representative Brenda Shields as HB2150. The BRITE Act consolidates and clarifies the obligations of elementary and secondary schools in Missouri to provide instruction
and services to each blind student and makes it clear that none of these services may be denied to a legally blind student simply because they may have some remaining vision.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt">“In April of 2021, we convened a work group that was made up of stakeholders to address concerns that had been raised, strengthen the bill text, and garner support for the BRITE Act to be introduced in 2022
by Representative Brenda Shields,” said Shelia Wright, President of the National Federation of the Blind of Missouri. “We are excited that this collaborative effort with educators led to the passage of this law which will improve the quality of education
for blind Missouri students. We know that given the proper training, blind people can compete in terms of equality with sighted people in today’s labor market. This law ensures that blind Missouri students will have the tools they need to obtain employment
and live rewarding and productive lives.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<h1><b><span style="font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:windowtext">Month / weekly Events
<o:p></o:p></span></b></h1>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt">Below is a listing of NFB of Missouri standing meetings for the week of October 9, 2022. For meetings that are not held in the affiliate Zoom platform, you will need to contact the chapter president, division
president, committee chair, or group chair to get the call-in information. If you are scheduling any ad hoc meetings for the week of October 16, please let me know by Saturday, October 15.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<h2><b><span style="font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:windowtext">Monday<o:p></o:p></span></b></h2>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt">Show Me Chapter, 6:30 pm.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<h2><b><span style="font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:windowtext">Tuesday<o:p></o:p></span></b></h2>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt">Jefferson City Chapter, 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<h2><b><span style="font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:windowtext">Wednesday<o:p></o:p></span></b></h2>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt">Governmental Affairs Committee, 8 pm, affiliate Zoom platform.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<h2><b><span style="font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:windowtext">Friday<o:p></o:p></span></b></h2>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt">Missouri Cane Drivers, 8 pm.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<h2><b><span style="font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:windowtext">Saturday<o:p></o:p></span></b></h2>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt">Columbia Chapter, 1:30 pm, 3:30 pm.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt">Kansas City Chapter, 1:30 pm – 3:30pm.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt">Regards,<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt">Daniel<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Daniel Garcia, Corresponding Secretary<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">National Federation of the Blind of Missouri<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">dangarcia3@hotmail.com<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">(816) 621-0902<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">www.nfb.org<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">www.nfbmo.org<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Live the life you want<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;mso-fareast-language:EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
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