<div dir="auto"><span style="color:rgb(34,34,34);font-family:-apple-system,sans-serif">-------- Forwarded message ---------</span><br></div><div dir="auto"><div class="gmail_quote gmail_quote_container"><div dir="ltr" class="gmail_attr">From: <strong class="gmail_sendername" dir="auto">Allen, Krystle</strong> <span dir="auto"><<a href="mailto:Krystle.Allen@dhs.nj.gov">Krystle.Allen@dhs.nj.gov</a>></span><br>Date: Mon, Jun 15, 2026 at 5:45\u202fPM<br>Subject: Join us June 17th details inside please share<br><br></div>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><b>The NJ Commission for the Blind and Visually Impaired <u></u><u></u></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>Invites You To: <u></u><u></u></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>The June 2026 <u></u><u></u></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>Community Connection Call</b><u></u><u></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b> </b><u></u><u></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><i>\u201cObserving 90 Years of Landmark Success and Progress Toward Economic Independence Statewide in NJ\u2019s Vision Loss Community\u201d</i></b><i><u></u><u></u></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><u></u> <u></u></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>Wednesday, June 17, 2026 | 10:30am to 12:00pm</b><u></u><u></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <u></u><u></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><i>Hosted by Krystle Allen, CBVI Community Outreach Specialist
</i></b> <u></u><u></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><u></u> <u></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">In June, we observe the 90th anniversary of the Randolph Shepard Act of 1936.<u></u><u></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The Randolph-Sheppard Act was signed into law on June 20, 1936, by President Franklin D. Roosevelt during the Great Depression. The law was named after Congressman Jennings Randolph and Senator Morris Sheppard. Its purpose was to create
employment and economic independence for blind Americans through the operation of vending facilities on federal property. (National Association of Blind Merchants)<u></u><u></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Originally, the program focused on small newsstands and snack counters in federal buildings and post offices. Over time, amendments in 1954 and 1974 expanded the program significantly. The law changed from merely \u201cauthorizing\u201d blind vendors
to giving them legal \u201cpriority\u201d to operate vending facilities on federal property, including cafeterias, military dining facilities, highway rest stops, and vending operations.<u></u><u></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">One of the most important features of the Act is that it recognized blind individuals as entrepreneurs and business managers rather than charity recipients. The law became a landmark disability-rights and vocational rehabilitation program
in the United States. Today, state agencies train and license blind vendors under the program, helping thousands achieve self-employment and financial independence. (<a href="http://ncsab.org" target="_blank">ncsab.org</a>)<u></u><u></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Join us as we hear from our Keynote Presenter who will share information about the history of the National Association of Blind Merchants. Here about the latest resources from our NJ BEP Manager. Tune into the shared stories of NJ BEP Operators
who serve in our training center. Let\u2019s honor the milestones the Randolph Shepard Act has provided our NJ BEP operators to celebrate the value of economic independence stepping into evolving progress.
<u></u><u></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Learn how you or someone you know can succeed with BEP NJ today!<u></u><u></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>Tell a friend to tell a friend!<u></u><u></u></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>Keynote Presenter: <u></u><u></u></b></p>
<ul style="margin-top:0in" type="square">
<li class="MsoNormal">James Good, National Association of Blind Merchants (NABM)<b><u></u><u></u></b></li></ul>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>Resource Provider: <u></u><u></u></b></p>
<ul style="margin-top:0in" type="square">
<li class="MsoNormal">Deacon Truesdale, Manager, CBVI BENJ Program<u></u><u></u></li></ul>
<p class="MsoNormal">The benefits of networking and sharing information are the primary focus of the Community Connection Calls. This month\u2019s
<b><i>\u201cIn Our Own Voices\u201d</i></b> panelists will share their stories. All are members of New Jersey\u2019s blind, deafblind, and visually impaired community.<u></u><u></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <u></u><u></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><i>\u201cIn Our Own Voices\u201d</i> Panelists:<u></u><u></u></b></p>
<ul style="margin-top:0in" type="square">
<li class="MsoNormal">William Robinson<u></u><u></u></li><li class="MsoNormal">Alfonso Harrell<u></u><u></u></li></ul>
<p class="MsoNormal"><u></u> <u></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Here are the simple directions for participating in the CBVI Community Connections Call:<b><u></u><u></u></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><u></u> <u></u></b></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><a name="m_4089525316687626286__Hlk216261898"><b>Option 1: Join via Zoom</b><u></u><u></u></a></p>
<ol style="margin-top:0in" start="1" type="1">
<li class="MsoNormal"><span>Either Click the Zoom meeting link here:
</span><a href="https://dhs-nj-gov.zoomgov.com/j/1611162134?pwd=CqHj9534NT9nKPYzxgdtQjDb4cju7t.1" target="_blank"><span>Join Zoom Meeting</span><span></span></a><span><u></u><u></u></span></li><li class="MsoNormal"><span>Or Open the Zoom App and Enter the Meeting ID and Passcode<u></u><u></u></span></li></ol>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span><b>Meeting ID: 161 116 2134</b><u></u><u></u></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span><b>Passcode:</b> <b>
1910 </b><u></u><u></u></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span><b><u></u> <u></u></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span><b>Option 2: Join on the phone via One Tap Mobile (click the link from your mobile device)<u></u><u></u></b></span></p>
<ul style="margin-top:0in" type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal"><span></span><a href="tel://+16468287666,,1611162134/#,,,,*1910" target="_blank"><span>+16468287666,,1611162134#,,,,*1910#</span><span></span></a><span>
(New York)<u></u><u></u></span></li></ul>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span><b>Option 3: Dial-in via Phone</b><u></u><u></u></span></p>
<ol style="margin-top:0in" start="1" type="1">
<li class="MsoNormal"><span>Dial the conference phone number:
<b>1-646-828-7666</b>.<u></u><u></u></span></li><li class="MsoNormal"><span>Enter the Meeting ID:
<b>161 116 2134</b> when prompted<u></u><u></u></span></li><li class="MsoNormal"><span>When asked for a participant ID, simply press the pound key (#).<u></u><u></u></span></li><li class="MsoNormal"><span>Enter the Passcode:
<b>1910</b></span><u></u><u></u></li></ol>
<p class="MsoNormal">That's it! You're all set to join the meeting.<u></u><u></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><u></u> <u></u></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>Relay Captioning Link for individuals who are Deaf or Hearing Impaired:</b><br>
(At the start time of the event, please login by clicking on the link below)<u></u><u></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><u></u> <u></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://www.captionedtext.com/client/embed.aspx?EventID=6146011" target="_blank">https://www.captionedtext.com/client/embed.aspx?EventID=6146011</a><u></u><u></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><u></u> <u></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">If you have any questions, or would like to be a Community Connections Call panelist, please don\u2019t hesitate to email: <a href="mailto:Krystle.Allen@dhs.nj.gov" target="_blank">Krystle.Allen@dhs.nj.gov</a> or call: 973-648-4497<u></u><u></u></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="background:white"><span style="font-size:11.5pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:#201f1e">Krystle Allen</span><span style="font-size:11.5pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:#201f1e"><u></u><u></u></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="background:white"><span style="font-size:11.5pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:#201f1e">Community Outreach Specialist</span><span style="font-size:11.5pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:#201f1e"><u></u><u></u></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="background:white"><span style="font-size:11.5pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:#201f1e">New Jersey Commission For The Blind and Visually Impaired</span><span style="font-size:11.5pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:#201f1e"><u></u><u></u></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="background:white"><span style="font-size:11.5pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:#201f1e">Desk: 973-648-4497</span><span style="font-size:11.5pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:#201f1e"><u></u><u></u></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="background:white"><span style="font-size:11.5pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:#201f1e">Mobile: 973-943-2209</span><span style="font-size:11.5pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:#201f1e"><u></u><u></u></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="background:white"><span style="font-size:11.5pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:#201f1e">Email: <a href="mailto:krystle.allen@dhs.nj.gov" target="_blank">krystle.allen@dhs.nj.gov</a></span><span style="font-size:11.5pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:#201f1e"><u></u><u></u></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="background:white"><span style="font-size:11.5pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:#201f1e">"If you want to stand out, don't be different, be outstanding." - Meredith West</span><span style="font-size:11.5pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:#201f1e"><u></u><u></u></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="background:white"><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:black"> </span><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:black"><u></u><u></u></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="background:white"><span style="font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:black;background:white"><img border="0" src="cid:ii_19ecde13572ad7999131" style="width:264px;max-width:100%"></span><span style="font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:black"><u></u><u></u></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background:white"><span style="font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:black"><u></u> <u></u></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background:white"><i><span style="font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black;background:white">Image</span></i><i><span style="font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black;background:white">
</span></i><i><span style="font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black;background:white">NJCBVI Logo: Dark blue Braille</span></i><i><span style="font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black;background:white">
</span></i><i><span style="font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black;background:white">cells that depict NJCBVI, with a gray hand hovering over the letter "N" with the finger pointed to read; to the right and directly under
the Braille cells is NJCBVI in large, bold, blue block letters under which in all caps is New Jersey Commission for the</span></i><i><span style="font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black;background:white">
</span></i><i><span style="font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black;background:white">Blind and Visually Impaired in gray letters.</span></i><span style="font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:black"><u></u><u></u></span></p>
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