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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link="#0563C1" vlink="#954F72" style='word-wrap:break-word'><div class=WordSection1><p style='margin-bottom:6.0pt;line-height:13.2pt;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Segoe UI",sans-serif;color:#201F1E'>Dear current or former DVR Participant,<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style='line-height:13.2pt;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Segoe UI",sans-serif;color:#201F1E'>My name is Dave Bérube, and I am the Chair of the State Vocational Rehabilitation Committee (<span class=marke0umqe8q7>SVRC</span>). The <span class=marke0umqe8q7>SVRC</span> invites you to share your experience working with the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR) during the <span class=markheedy0a21>public</span> testimony portion of our upcoming <span class=markk7gxsayv6>meeting</span>.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style='line-height:13.2pt;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Segoe UI",sans-serif;color:#201F1E'>The committee will hear <span class=markheedy0a21>public</span> testimony via telephone on October 20, from 12:00 to 12:30 p.m. If you are unavailable during that time, you can also share your <span class=markheedy0a21>public</span> testimony regarding DVR via email or written letter. See directions for all methods of providing <span class=markheedy0a21>public</span> testimony below under, “How to Give <span class=markheedy0a21>Public</span> Testimony”.<o:p></o:p></span></p><h1 style='mso-margin-top-alt:12.0pt;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:0in;margin-left:0in;line-height:19.2pt;background:white;break-after: avoid'><span style='font-size:16.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:#2E74B5;font-weight:normal'>Who We Are<o:p></o:p></span></h1><p style='line-height:13.2pt;background:white'><span class=marke0umqe8q7><span style='font-family:"Segoe UI",sans-serif;color:#201F1E'>SVRC</span></span><span style='font-family:"Segoe UI",sans-serif;color:#201F1E'> members are Alaskans with disabilities, employers, and representatives of state and community agencies. We are appointed by the Governor to collaborate with DVR to develop and evaluate the VR program. We value your comments and believe you provide a unique perspective on this program. We will use your comments to evaluate current practices and to help plan for the future of DVR.<o:p></o:p></span></p><h1 style='margin:0in;line-height:19.2pt;background:white;break-after: avoid'><span style='font-size:16.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:#2E74B5;font-weight:normal'>How to Give <span class=markheedy0a21>Public</span> Testimony<o:p></o:p></span></h1><p style='line-height:13.2pt;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Segoe UI",sans-serif;color:#201F1E'>Those who call-in will have three minutes to speak their testimony. Additional testimony can be submitted in writing. You can find tips on giving <span class=markheedy0a21>public</span> testimony at our website: <a href="http://www.labor.alaska.gov/svrc/" target="_blank">www.labor.alaska.gov/<span class=marke0umqe8q7><span style='color:blue'>svrc</span></span>/</a>.<o:p></o:p></span></p><h1 style='margin:0in;line-height:19.2pt;background:white;break-after: avoid'><span style='font-size:16.0pt;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:#2E74B5;font-weight:normal'>To Submit <span class=markheedy0a21>Public</span> Testimony<o:p></o:p></span></h1><p style='line-height:13.2pt;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Segoe UI",sans-serif;color:#201F1E'>You can find tips on presenting your <span class=markheedy0a21>public</span> testimony at our website: <a href="http://www.labor.alaska.gov/svrc/" target="_blank">www.labor.alaska.gov/<span class=marke0umqe8q7><span style='color:blue'>svrc</span></span>/</a>.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style='line-height:13.2pt;background:white'><b><span style='font-family:"Segoe UI",sans-serif;color:#201F1E'>1. Send an email</span></b><span style='font-family:"Segoe UI",sans-serif;color:#201F1E'> with your testimony to <a href="mailto:dol.svrc@Alaska.gov" target="_blank">dol.<span class=marke0umqe8q7><span style='color:blue'>svrc</span></span>@Alaska.gov</a> or a fax to Jason Caputo at 907-465-2856. Your email or fax should include your permission to read it aloud at the <span class=markheedy0a21>public</span> <span class=markk7gxsayv6>meeting</span> and be sent by 5:00 p.m., October 19, 2020.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style='line-height:13.2pt;background:white'><b><span style='font-family:"Segoe UI",sans-serif;color:#201F1E'>2. Call in to the <span class=markk7gxsayv6>meeting</span></span></b><span style='font-family:"Segoe UI",sans-serif;color:#201F1E'> <b>on October 20, 2020.</b> To do so, contact Jason Caputo at <a href="mailto:jason.caputo@alaska.gov" target="_blank">jason.caputo@alaska.gov</a> or 465-6933 by October 19, to get a code to join the conference. Then, on October 20, between 12:00 to 12:30 p.m. call toll free: 1-866-899-4679 and, when prompted, enter the code.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style='line-height:13.2pt;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Segoe UI",sans-serif;color:#201F1E'>You may hear the <span class=markk7gxsayv6>meeting</span> in session when you call. We will check the phone line periodically and will put your name on a list if there are other people before you giving testimony.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style='line-height:13.2pt;background:white'><b><span style='font-family:"Segoe UI",sans-serif;color:#201F1E'>3. Write a letter with your testimony</span></b><span style='font-family:"Segoe UI",sans-serif;color:#201F1E'>, and include your permission to read aloud at the <span class=markheedy0a21>public</span> <span class=markk7gxsayv6>meeting</span>. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p style='line-height:13.2pt;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Segoe UI",sans-serif;color:#201F1E'>If we get your testimony the day of or after the <span class=markk7gxsayv6>meeting</span>, we will read it at a future <span class=marke0umqe8q7>SVRC</span> <span class=markk7gxsayv6>meeting</span>.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style='margin-bottom:6.0pt;line-height:13.2pt;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Segoe UI",sans-serif;color:#201F1E'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p style='margin-bottom:6.0pt;line-height:13.2pt;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Segoe UI",sans-serif;color:#201F1E'>David Berube<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style='line-height:13.2pt;background:white'><span class=marke0umqe8q7><span style='font-family:"Segoe UI",sans-serif;color:#201F1E'>SVRC</span></span><span style='font-family:"Segoe UI",sans-serif;color:#201F1E'> Chairperson<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style='margin-bottom:6.0pt;line-height:13.2pt;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Segoe UI",sans-serif;color:#201F1E'>PO Box 115516<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style='margin-bottom:6.0pt;line-height:13.2pt;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Segoe UI",sans-serif;color:#201F1E'>Juneau, AK 99811-5516<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style='line-height:13.2pt;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Segoe UI",sans-serif;color:#201F1E'>Note: Emailed or written testimony received after the above mentioned deadline will be read at a future <span class=marke0umqe8q7>SVRC</span> quarterly <span class=markheedy0a21>public</span> <span class=markk7gxsayv6>meeting</span>.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style='line-height:13.2pt;background:white'><span style='font-family:"Segoe UI",sans-serif;color:#201F1E'>The <span class=marke0umqe8q7>SVRC</span> promotes the employment and rehabilitation of people with disabilities by creating statewide interest in disability issues, encouraging cooperation among individuals, <span class=markheedy0a21>public</span> agencies, private organizations, and businesses, in obtaining assistance for, and education about, people with disabilities. For more information visit: <a href="http://www.labor.alaska.gov/svrc" target="_blank">www.labor.alaska.gov/<span class=marke0umqe8q7><span style='color:blue'>svrc</span></span></a>.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Segoe UI",sans-serif;color:#201F1E'>The State of Alaska, Department of Labor and Workforce Development, complies with Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. Individuals attending the <span class=markk7gxsayv6>meeting</span> who require special accommodations should contact Jason Caputo at 1-800-478-2815 or at 907-465-6933 or <a href="mailto:jason.caputo@alaska.gov" target="_blank">jason.caputo@alaska.gov</a>. Please contact us in advance and allow enough time so that arrangements for the accommodation can be made.</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Bonnie Lucas<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>President<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>National Federation of the Blind of Alaska<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>907-301-6808<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><a href="mailto:nfbofalaska@gmail.com"><span style='color:blue'>nfbofalaska@gmail.com</span></a><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><a href="mailto:nfbofalaska@gmail.com"><span style='color:blue'>nfbalaska.org</span></a><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:12.0pt'><a name="_Hlk16627103">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.</a><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div></body></html>