<div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div><div class="gmail_default"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4">Greetings all,</font></div><p><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4">The following message has been posted on social media by the National Federation of the Blind of New Jersey regarding Governor-elect Mikie Sherrill\u2019s transition team. The transition team is reportedly demanding the mass resignation of hundreds of employees within the New Jersey Department of Human Services, including CBVI's<span class="gmail_default" style="font-family:tahoma,sans-serif;font-size:large"> </span>highly specialized professionals who play a critical role in helping blind New Jerseyans live the lives they want.</font></p><p><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4">For those of you who do not use social media or may not have seen this post, please read the message carefully and take part in this urgent call to action. The potential loss of these experienced staff members would have serious consequences for blind individuals and families across our state.</font></p><p><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4">Please also share this information widely to demonstrate our collective concern and solidarity. Our voices matter, and timely action is essential.</font></p><p><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4">Thank you for your immediate attention and support.</font></p><p><span style="font-family:tahoma,sans-serif;font-size:large">****</span></p><div class="gmail_default"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4">\U0001f6a8 URGENT CALL TO ACTION: STOP THE ATTACK ON BLINDNESS SERVICES! \U0001f6a8<br>Governor-elect Mikie Sherrill\u2019s transition team is demanding the mass resignation of hundreds of employees within the Department of Human Services, including the specialized experts who help blind New Jerseyans live the lives they want.<br>This is a crisis in the making. The NJ Commission for the Blind and Visually Impaired (CBVI) is already struggling with a shortage of Teachers of Blind Students (TBS) and Orientation & Mobility (O&M) Instructors. These aren't political positions; they are essential frontline workers who teach our children how to read Braille and our neighbors how to navigate the world safely with a white cane.<br>If Governor-elect Sherrill accepts these resignations, the results will be devastating:<br>\U0001f4c9 Service Gridlock: Waiting lists for vital training will skyrocket.<br>\U0001f6d1 Loss of Independence: Blind residents will lose the support they need to work and travel.<br>\U0001f4da Educational Neglect: Blind students will be left without the legally mandated instruction they need to succeed.<br>We cannot stay silent while the rights of the blind community become collateral damage in a political transition. We must demand that Mikie Sherrill PROTECT these positions and EXEMPT CBVI specialized staff from these forced resignations.<br>\u270a STAND WITH US. TAKE ACTION NOW!<br>CALL the Transition Office: (609) 292-6000(State House) or reach out via the official portal at <a href="https://www.nj.gov/govelect" target="_blank">https://www.nj.gov/govelect</a>.<br>DEMAND ACCOUNTABILITY: Tell the Governor-elect that efficiency should never come at the cost of essential services.<br>SHARE THIS POST: Tag @MikieSherrill to make our voices heard!<br>Suggested Script: "I am calling to urge Governor-elect Mikie Sherrill to immediately exempt Teachers of Blind Students and O&M Instructors from the requested resignations at DHS. Our state is already short-staffed, and losing these experts will destroy the independence of blind New Jerseyans. Do not cut the services we rely on!"<br>The National Federation of the Blind of New Jersey knows that blindness is not what holds us back\u2014it\u2019s the lack of services and low expectations. Let\u2019s make sure the new administration knows it too. Senator Cory BookerSenator Andy Kim, NJ Advance MediaNews 12 New JerseyNBC NewsMagic 98.3Governor Phil MurphyNJ Department of Human ServicesNational Federation of the Blind</font></div></div><div><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4"><br></font></div><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4"><span class="gmail_signature_prefix">-- </span><br></font><div dir="ltr" class="gmail_signature" data-smartmail="gmail_signature"><div dir="ltr"><p class="MsoNormal"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4">Warmly,<br>
<b>Linda Melendez, President</b><br>
National Federation of the Blind of New Jersey<br>
Phone: 908-590-1747<br>
Email: <a href="mailto:president@nfbnj.org" target="_blank">president@nfbnj.org</a></font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4">NFBNJ Events Calendar:<br>
<a href="https://nfbnj.org/events-calendar" target="_blank">Events Calendar |
National Federation of the Blind of New Jersey</a></font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4">NFBNJ on Facebook:<br>
<a href="https://m.facebook.com/NFB-NJ-353099574776238" target="_blank">https://m.facebook.com/NFB-NJ-353099574776238</a></font></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4">To set up a 30-minute meeting to talk about the
National Federation of the Blind of NJ, please click on the link below</font></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4"><a href="https://calendly.com/lindamelendez220/30min" target="_blank">https://calendly.com/lindamelendez220/30min</a> </font></p>
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