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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><h1>News, News, and more News!<o:p></o:p></h1><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:16.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:16.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Greetings to my NFB friends, and Associates,<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:16.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:16.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>I invite and strongly encourage you to read this letter to its completion as the information herein is extremely important. There are upcoming events both locally and nationally. So, here we go!<o:p></o:p></span></p><h2>The Time to Complete Scholarship Applications is Now<o:p></o:p></h2><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:16.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>On the National level, I recently attended a meeting about our National Scholarship program. If you are not aware, the NFB gives out thirty scholarships and the amount to be given to each recipient is a whopping eight thousand dollars. If you have applied previously, please apply again. I am personally aware of someone who applied <b><i>THREE </i></b>times before being awarded a scholarship. If you are a student, and we have talked in the past, please know that I will be calling you and encouraging you to apply. For first timers, do not fret if you are not selected in your first year. Each applicant should consider coming and if it is their first convention, applying for the Kenneth Jernigan scholarship is recommended. If you know of someone beginning their college studies at an accredited college or university, please give them my contact information. Also, the student does not have to be a member of the NFB or planning on attending school in Alaska. Applications must be submitted by March 31, and I need to interview each applicant so I can write a letter of recommendation. Please act quickly! <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:16.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><h1>Continuing on the Topic of Scholarships!<o:p></o:p></h1><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:16.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'> thanks to Stephen Priddle and the Vanda Pharmaceutical Company, the Alaska NFB is awarding two five-hundred-dollar scholarships and we are anxious to have students apply. Our closing date is April 30. Again, please pass this information far and wide! <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:16.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><h2>There is a New Smart Phone on the Block<o:p></o:p></h2><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:16.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Blind and low vision Alaskans will have the opportunity to learn about a new smart phone this Thursday, via Zoom. The phone is called the RealsSAM Pocket. It has been introduced in the UK and is being introduced in the US this month. Our introduction will occur on Thursday evening. The meeting will begin at 6:30 as an NFB All State meeting. There will be important announcements and some invigorating chat time. The remainder of the meeting will be turned over to Anat Nielman for the phone presentation. You may check it out at <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><a href="https://realsam.us/"><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>https://realsam.us/</span></a><span style='font-size:16.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:16.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>The Zoom link will be sent out on Monday so stay tuned!<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:16.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><h3>National NFB News:<o:p></o:p></h3><h3><o:p> </o:p></h3><h2>Attend 2022 NFB BELL<sup>®</sup> Academy: Applications Now Open!<o:p></o:p></h2><p class=MsoNormal><b>Please share this information with parents of children ages four to twelve. </b><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>The NFB BELL Academy In-Home Edition program will take place July 18-August 5, 2022. Students and families will receive Braille and other fun materials for lessons, connect with experienced teachers, and build relationships with other blind students and mentors. Please pass this link along to those that would like to apply: </span><a href="https://nfb.org/programs-services/nfb-bell-academy"><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>https://nfb.org/programs-services/nfb-bell-academy</span></a><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>.</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoListParagraph style='line-height:115%'><o:p> </o:p></p><h2>2022 National Convention Registration Is Open:<o:p></o:p></h2><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black'>The 2022 National Federation of the Blind National Convention registration is now open until May 31, 2022. Registration is $25 per person. Banquet tickets for Sunday, July 10, are $70 per person. Please review our </span><a href="https://nfb.org/get-involved/national-convention/2022-national-convention-safety-protocols">2022 National Convention Safety Protocols</a><span class=MsoHyperlink> </span><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black'>and the </span><a href="https://nfb.org/about-us/history-and-governance/code-conduct">National Federation of the Blind Code of Conduct</a><span class=MsoHyperlink> </span><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black'>prior to registering. </span><a href="https://nfb.org/civicrm/event/register?reset=1&id=479">Register online now!</a><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black'> Details regarding convention can be found at </span><a href="file:///C:/Users/slamkin/AppData/Local/Microsoft/Windows/INetCache/Content.Outlook/LZI0T9JA/nfb.org/convention">nfb.org/convention</a><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black'>. Also, check out the latest <i>Braille Monitor</i> article, “</span><a href="https://nfb.org/images/nfb/publications/bm/bm22/bm2203/bm220301.htm">New Orleans: Site of 2022 Convention” by John Berggren</a><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black'>.</span><span style='font-size:16.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:16.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><h2>Access Technology Affordability Act:<o:p></o:p></h2><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.25in'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Great news! This past week, eight new cosponsors were added to the Access Technology Affordability Act in the House and one in the Senate. We are now up to 145 cosponsors on H.R. 431, and 36 cosponsors on S. 212. This is the largest number of cosponsors we have ever had on the Access Technology Affordability Act in both chambers of Congress. Let’s keep up the momentum! </span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> <o:p></o:p></p><h2>Jacobus tenBroek Disability Law Symposium:<o:p></o:p></h2><p class=MsoNormal><a href="https://nfb.org/civicrm/event/register?reset=1&id=476">Registration is now open</a><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'> for the 2022 Jacobus tenBroek Disability<b> </b>Law<b> </b>Symposium. Join nationally renowned disability rights advocates at the United States’ leading disability law symposium, held virtually this year March 24–March 25, 2022, as we examine the right of people with disabilities to live in in a world of pandemics, political polarization, and natural disasters. Registration is $100, and student registration is $25. Visit the </span><a href="https://www.nfb.org/programs-services/legal-program/jacobus-tenbroek-disability-law-symposium">law symposium webpage</a><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'> for additional information about the symposium.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><h2>Apply for 2022 Bolotin Awards:<o:p></o:p></h2><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.25in'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>The National Federation of the Blind is accepting nominations of individuals or organizations who are a positive force in the lives of blind people and help us transform dreams into reality. Each application must include a letter of recommendation. </span><a href="https://www.nfb.org/programs-services/scholarships-and-awards/dr-jacob-bolotin-awards/application-information">Learn more and submit a nomination for the 2022 Dr. Jacob Bolotin Awards</a><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>.</span><o:p></o:p></p><h3><b> </b><o:p></o:p></h3><h2>March <i>Braille Monitor</i> Available:<o:p></o:p></h2><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.25in'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black;border:none windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in;background:white'>The latest issue of the National Federation of the Blind flagship publication is now available. Read about the site of the 2022 National Convention, technology and ableism, immersion training, the purpose of discussion in the publication, and many stories from members. </span><a href="https://nfb.org/images/nfb/publications/bm/bm22/bm2203/bm2203tc.htm"><span style='border:none windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in;background:white'>Access the <i>Braille Monitor</i> now</span></a><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black;border:none windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in;background:white'>.</span><o:p></o:p></p><h3><b> </b><o:p></o:p></h3><h2>Career Opportunities:<o:p></o:p></h2><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.25in;background:white'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black'>The National Federation of the Blind is seeking talented individuals to join our staff team. We have several openings in various areas of interest including Braille production; diversity, equity, and inclusion; digital communications; fiscal services; and membership. We encourage candidates seeking to join our movement to submit a general interest cover letter and résumé to us expressing the types of positions being sought. Learn more and share the opportunities: </span><span style='color:black'><a href="https://nfb.org/about-us/career-opportunities">https://nfb.org/about-us/career-opportunities</a></span><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black'> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.25in;background:white'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><h3>You’ve Made it to the End!<o:p></o:p></h3><h3><o:p> </o:p></h3><h3>Thank you for taking the time to learn about the NFB, both on the National and local levels.<span style='font-size:13.5pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Lato",sans-serif;color:black;background:white'> The National Federation of the Blind welcomes all blind people, parents of blind children, blind students, those losing vision, and more. We are a family of members and friends that knows that blindness is not the characteristic that defines you or your future. You can live the life you want.</span> <o:p></o:p></h3><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:16.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><h2>Final Note<o:p></o:p></h2><p class=MsoNormal>“What happens to a frog’s car when it breaks down?”<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>“It gets toad away.”<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>If that happens to you, we want to hear all about it at our next meeting, Thursday, March 10 at 6:30.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Warmest Regards,<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Bonnie Lucas<br>President<br>National Federation of the Blind of Alaska<br>Cell: 907-301-6808<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Email: <a href="mailto:lucas.bonnie@gmail.com">lucas.bonnie@gmail.com</a><br><br><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Web: <a href="https://alaskanfb.org/">alaskanfb.org</a><a name="_Hlk16627103"><br></a><span style='mso-bookmark:_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.</span><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk16627103'></span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#BFBFBF'>[Delegate-BML]<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div></body></html>