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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link="#467886" vlink="#96607D" style='word-wrap:break-word'><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal>Hello,<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Here is the text of the press release which was sent out to local newspapers. We included some pictures, too.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNoSpacing><b><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Candara",sans-serif'>Blind Equity Achievement Month Awards Presented in October 2023<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNoSpacing><b><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Candara",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNoSpacing><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Candara",sans-serif'>In October 2023 <b>The Linn-Benton Chapter of the National Federation of the Blind of Oregon</b> presented twelve recipients with <b>Blind Equity Achievement Awards</b> for their dedication to achieving equity for blind people in Oregon. These recipients helped the Linn-Benton Chapter pursue security, equality and opportunity for blind people in our communities. The recipients and contributions were:<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNoSpacing><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Candara",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNoSpacing><b><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Candara",sans-serif'>Hillary Bain, Massage Therapist</span></b><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Candara",sans-serif'>, for volunteering time and talent at outreach events for the blind and visually impaired<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNoSpacing><b><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Candara",sans-serif'>Staci Belcastro of the City of Albany</span></b><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Candara",sans-serif'> for listening and implementing necessary ADA improvements.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNoSpacing><b><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Candara",sans-serif'>Dave Busby of the City of Corvallis</span></b><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Candara",sans-serif'> for recognizing the contribution blind people bring to emergency planning.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNoSpacing><b><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Candara",sans-serif'>Dan Glowicki of Corvallis School District</span></b><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Candara",sans-serif'> for contributions to Equality and Achievement for blind students </span><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Candara",sans-serif'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNoSpacing><b><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Candara",sans-serif'>Grace Lutheran Church of Corvallis</span></b><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Candara",sans-serif'> for being an Equal Opportunity Employer<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNoSpacing><b><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Candara",sans-serif'>Brad Gumpf and the Support Team at Heroic IT</span></b><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Candara",sans-serif'> for innovative work that supports blind employees. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNoSpacing><b><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Candara",sans-serif'>Eric Ikenouye of the City of Albany </span></b><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Candara",sans-serif'>for listening and accommodating blind and visually impaired individuals. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNoSpacing><b><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Candara",sans-serif'>Dr. Lori Kayes, College of Science at OSU</span></b><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Candara",sans-serif'> for going above and beyond to provide accessibility and inclusion of blind students in the classroom.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNoSpacing><b><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Candara",sans-serif'>Lorena Reynolds of the Reynolds Law Firm</span></b><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Candara",sans-serif'> for advocacy on behalf of blind people's right to be independent.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNoSpacing><b><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Candara",sans-serif'>Chris Shown of Brigadoon Wine Co</span></b><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Candara",sans-serif'> for supporting fund raising events which fuel the advocacy of the blind and visually impaired.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNoSpacing><b><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Candara",sans-serif'>Martin Storksdieck of Oregon State University STEM Research Center</span></b><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Candara",sans-serif'> for full inclusion of blind and visually impaired in STEM research <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNoSpacing><b><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Candara",sans-serif'>Lindsey Williams of View Plus Technologies</span></b><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Candara",sans-serif'> for bringing coloring books to the blind.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNoSpacing><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Candara",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNoSpacing><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Candara",sans-serif'>“By recognizing the talent and needs of blind and visually impaired people in Linn and Benton Counties, the BEAM Award recipients have made significant contributions to advancing equity for the blind and visually impaired in Linn and Benton Counties,” says Kristen Jocums, President of the local chapter of the National Federation of the Blind. “With these amazing friends and advocates, our community is becoming a barrier-free and accepting community in which to live.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNoSpacing><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Candara",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNoSpacing><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Candara",sans-serif'>Blind Equality Achievement Month occurs every October. The month-long celebration is used across the country to mark the efforts to break down barriers to full participation in society by blind and visually impaired individuals. “From competitive employment, access to classroom materials and pursuit of inclusion in city planning, our members are finding ways to contribute to the fabric of our community just like our sighted peers. We thank our BEAM Award recipients for their dialog and action in all the ways they have helped to make a difference.” <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNoSpacing><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Candara",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNoSpacing><b><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Candara",sans-serif'>To learn more about vision loss and the National Federation of the Blind, contact us at nfb-oregon.org.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='mso-ligatures:none'>Kristen Jocums<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='mso-ligatures:none'>(706) 718-8055<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div></body></html>