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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link="#0563C1" vlink=purple style='word-wrap:break-word'><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal>You know, I kind of thought the other one didn’t really sound like him. Thanks again.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Bonnie<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><div><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"><span style='color:#0563C1'>lucas.bonnie@gmail.com</span></a><br><br><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Web: <a href="https://alaskanfb.org/"><span style='color:#0563C1'>alaskanfb.org</span></a><br>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.<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></div><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><div><div style='border:none;border-top:solid #E1E1E1 1.0pt;padding:3.0pt 0in 0in 0in'><p class=MsoNormal><b>From:</b> NFBofAlaska <nfbofalaska-bounces@nfbnet.org> <b>On Behalf Of </b>Candy Powell via NFBofAlaska<br><b>Sent:</b> Friday, February 18, 2022 5:37 AM<br><b>To:</b> NFB of Alaska Mailing List <nfbofalaska@nfbnet.org><br><b>Cc:</b> Candy Powell <akcandyp@yahoo.com><br><b>Subject:</b> Re: [NFBofAlaska] Notes from our National Office<o:p></o:p></p></div></div><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>That was Michael Faubion singing lead on Honky Tonk Life. Here’s a link to Tom’s gorgeous voice singing Big Rig Blues. <o:p></o:p></p><div><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:12.0pt'><a href="https://youtu.be/0dndqKVlz-k">https://youtu.be/0dndqKVlz-k</a><o:p></o:p></p><div><p class=MsoNormal>Candy Powell<o:p></o:p></p><div><p class=MsoNormal>Anchorage, Alaska<o:p></o:p></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal>Sent from my iPad Pro<o:p></o:p></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><br><br><o:p></o:p></p></div></div><div><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:12.0pt'><br>On Feb 17, 2022, at 9:24 PM, Bonnie Lucas via NFBofAlaska <<a href="mailto:nfbofalaska@nfbnet.org">nfbofalaska@nfbnet.org</a>> wrote:<o:p></o:p></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Greetings to all my NFB Friends and Family,<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>The following email focusses primarily on notes from our National Office. I hope you find them helpful. Please read carefully and let me know if you have any questions. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>From the Affiliate president’s newsletter sent each week, President Mark Riccobono says:<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:10.0pt;line-height:115%'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>“Dear Federation Family,</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:10.0pt;line-height:115%'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>I am still fired up from our gatherings before and during the 2022 Washington Seminar week. You all continue to inspire me and fuel my love for the work of this movement.</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:10.0pt;line-height:115%'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>We are heading into a busy spring convention season and planning for our first in-person convention in three years. There is much ahead to get excited about and to bring us together again.”</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:10.0pt;line-height:115%'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'> </span><o:p></o:p></p><h1>Washington Seminar Thank You:<o:p></o:p></h1><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:10.0pt;margin-left:.25in;line-height:115%'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'> </span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:10.0pt;margin-left:.25in;line-height:115%'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Thanks to everyone who participated in Washington Seminar. As a result of our advocacy our bills garnered many new cosponsors. The Access Technology Affordability Act in the House jumped from 118 to 130 cosponsors and in the Senate increased from 34 to 35. The Medical Device Nonvisual Accessibility Act jumped from 10 to 18 cosponsors. The Transformation to Competitive Integrated Employment Act, in the House, jumped from 24 to 34 cosponsors. In addition, the lead Senate cosponsor of the Transformation to Competitive Integrated Employment Act, Senator Steve Daines, spoke at our Great Gathering-In. </span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:10.0pt;margin-left:.25in;line-height:115%'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'> </span><o:p></o:p></p><h1>Template Letters Regarding Inaccessible Education Technology Software:<o:p></o:p></h1><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:10.0pt;margin-left:.25in;line-height:115%'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'> </span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:10.0pt;margin-left:.25in;line-height:115%'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>The NFB has posted to our website template letters for blind students, blind parents, and parents of blind children to use when they encounter inaccessible education technology software at their or their children’s schools. As the templates recommend, please copy NFB on any letters you send via the email address </span><a href="mailto:advocacy@nfb.org"><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:blue'>advocacy@nfb.org</span></a><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>.</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.75in;mso-add-space:auto;text-indent:-.25in;line-height:115%;mso-list:l3 level1 lfo2'><![if !supportLists]><span style='font-family:Symbol'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>·<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> </span></span></span><![endif]><a href="https://nfb.org/programs-services/legal-program/support-and-resources/blind-parent-template-letter-regarding"><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:blue'>Blind Parent Template Letter Regarding Inaccessible Education Technology</span></a><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'> </span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.75in;mso-add-space:auto;text-indent:-.25in;line-height:115%;mso-list:l3 level1 lfo2'><![if !supportLists]><span style='font-family:Symbol'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>·<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> </span></span></span><![endif]><a href="https://nfb.org/programs-services/legal-program/support-and-resources/blind-student-template-letter-regarding"><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:blue'>Blind Student Template Letter Regarding Inaccessible Education Technology</span></a><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'> </span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.75in;mso-add-space:auto;text-indent:-.25in;line-height:115%;mso-list:l3 level1 lfo2'><![if !supportLists]><span style='font-family:Symbol'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>·<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> </span></span></span><![endif]><a href="https://nfb.org/programs-services/legal-program/support-and-resources/parent-blind-student-template-letter"><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:blue'>Parent of Blind Student Template Letter Regarding Inaccessible Education Technology</span></a><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:10.0pt;margin-left:.25in;line-height:115%'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'> </span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:10.0pt;margin-left:.25in;line-height:115%'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Please also continue to report information about accessible and inaccessible education tech software through NFB’s Education Technology Survey: </span><a href="https://nfb.org/programs-services/legal-program/education-technology-survey"><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:blue'>https://nfb.org/programs-services/legal-program/education-technology-survey</span></a><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>. </span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:10.0pt;line-height:115%'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'> </span><o:p></o:p></p><h1>Accessible Self-Service Kiosks at McDonald’s Restaurants:<o:p></o:p></h1><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:10.0pt;margin-left:.25in;line-height:115%'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'> </span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:10.0pt;margin-left:.25in;line-height:115%'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>As a part of the NFB’s collaboration with McDonald’s to improve access for blind McDonald’s customers, the attached list includes the corporate-owned McDonald’s restaurants that now feature screen-reading software, tactile keypads, and the ability for customers to connect their headphones or ear buds to the kiosk and independently place their orders by responding to audio prompts. For more information about the NFB’s collaboration with McDonald’s, please visit </span><a href="https://nfb.org/about-us/press-room/mcdonalds-and-national-federation-blind-collaborate-self-service-kiosks"><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:blue'>https://nfb.org/about-us/press-room/mcdonalds-and-national-federation-blind-collaborate-self-service-kiosks</span></a><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>. To watch the McDonald’s kiosk video shared during the NFB’s 2021 National Convention, please visit </span><a href="https://nfb.org/get-involved/national-convention/past-conventions/2021-national-convention"><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:blue'>https://nfb.org/get-involved/national-convention/past-conventions/2021-national-convention</span></a><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>. </span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:10.0pt;line-height:115%'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'> </span><o:p></o:p></p><h1>KJ Fund and SUN Fund Program Years:<o:p></o:p></h1><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:10.0pt;margin-left:.25in;line-height:115%'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'> </span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:10.0pt;margin-left:.25in;line-height:115%'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>In recent years we adjusted the PAC program and membership years to coincide with the calendar year. As of January 1, 2022, we changed the Kenneth Jernigan Fund and SUN Shares Fund program years to the calendar year. Reports will now begin with funds received as of January 1 and end as of December 31. All pledged funds are to be received by December 31. This adjustment makes it easier to account for funds in the correct program year and follows our fiscal year. </span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.25in'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'> </span><o:p></o:p></p><h1> Take Your At-Home COVID-19 Test with Aira, Sponsored by the National Federation of the Blind: <o:p></o:p></h1><ul style='margin-top:0in' type=disc><li class=MsoListParagraph style='margin-bottom:10.0pt;margin-left:0in;mso-add-space:auto;line-height:115%;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo5'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>The National Federation of the Blind is committed to providing at-home COVID testing solutions and holding the government accountable for making these tests accessible. As part of that commitment, we are sponsoring the use of Aira for any blind person in the United States taking an at-home COVID-19 test. If you are not already an Aira Explorer, you can set up a free account and then use the visual interpreter service to complete COVID-19 at-home tests. As part of the promotion, you’ll be asked a few questions that will help provide important data for our at-home test accessibility efforts. For more information on this promotion and our overall at-home testing efforts, visit </span><a href="http://nfb.org/covidtests"><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:blue'>http://nfb.org/covidtests</span></a><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>. We will continue to update this page so check back often.</span><o:p></o:p></li></ul><p class=MsoNormal style='line-height:115%'> <o:p></o:p></p><h1>February <i>Braille Monitor</i> Available:<o:p></o:p></h1><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:10.0pt;margin-left:.25in;line-height:115%'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black;border:none windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in;background:white'> </span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:10.0pt;margin-left:.25in;line-height:115%'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;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 raising expectations every day, our Code of Conduct, determination to achieve excellence, history of the KNFB Reader, a call for change, and many stories from members. </span><a href="https://nfb.org/images/nfb/publications/bm/bm22/bm2202/bm2202tc.htm"><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:blue;border:none windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in;background:white'>Access the <i>Braille Monitor</i> now.</span></a><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:10.0pt;margin-left:.25in;line-height:115%'><b><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>(Note): You may access a complete reading of the Braille Monitor by asking Alexa to “Play the National Federation of the Blind Braille Monitor.” </span></b><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:10.0pt;margin-left:.25in;line-height:115%'> <o:p></o:p></p><h1>Lyft Denials Due to Service Animals:<o:p></o:p></h1><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:10.0pt;margin-left:.25in;line-height:115%'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'> </span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:10.0pt;margin-left:.25in;line-height:115%'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>The NFB and NAGDU continue to gather stories in video format from individuals who were denied rides because of their service animals by Lyft drivers between January 24-30. If you travel with a service animal and were denied a ride by Lyft during those dates, please visit </span><a href="https://forms.gle/jLY8NiL7G6GgbrHS6"><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:blue'>NAGDU’s webform</span></a><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>. If you have experienced discrimination by Lyft drivers anytime other than last week, or for any reason other than traveling with a service animal, or if you have experienced discrimination by Uber drivers, please take a moment to complete </span><a href="https://nfb.org/programs-services/legal-program/rideshare-discrimination-survey"><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:blue'>NFB’s rideshare discrimination survey</span></a><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>.</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.25in'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'> </span><o:p></o:p></p><h1><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:105%'> </span>Dates to Keep in Mind:<o:p></o:p></h1><h1><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:105%'>(all times eastern)</span><o:p></o:p></h1><ul style='margin-top:0in' type=disc><li class=MsoNormal style='line-height:115%;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo5'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>March 1: Presidential Release, 8:00 p.m.</span><o:p></o:p></li><li class=MsoNormal style='line-height:115%;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo5'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>March 31: Deadline to submit </span><a href="https://nfb.org/scholarships"><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:blue'>scholarship application</span></a><o:p></o:p></li></ul><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:10.0pt;line-height:115%'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'> </span><o:p></o:p></p><ul style='margin-top:0in' type=disc><li class=MsoNormal style='line-height:115%;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo8'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>April 15: Deadline for the <a href="https://www.nfb.org/programs-services/scholarships-and-awards/dr-jacob-bolotin-awards/application-information"><span style='color:blue'>Dr. Jacob Bolotin Award nominations</span></a></span><o:p></o:p></li></ul><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:10.0pt;margin-left:.25in;line-height:115%'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>July 5-10: National Convention, New Orleans</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:10.0pt;margin-left:.25in;line-height:115%'> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:10.0pt;margin-left:.25in;line-height:115%'> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:10.0pt;margin-left:.25in;line-height:115%'>If you have read to the end of this long email, here is a link to a song by a group called the Nuther Brothers. Tom Torvie, a member of the NFB of Alaska passed away last year and his group played for our fund raiser in February of 2020, right before the pandemic. This song is not from our event but here it is. Enjoy.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:10.0pt;margin-left:.25in;line-height:115%'> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:10.0pt;margin-left:.25in;line-height:115%'><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oYMgGMEijoY&list=OLAK5uy_m0dRRKsNsKS5UljaONxVZgpjUA-Ig5z5A&index=13">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oYMgGMEijoY&list=OLAK5uy_m0dRRKsNsKS5UljaONxVZgpjUA-Ig5z5A&index=13</a><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:10.0pt;margin-left:.25in;line-height:115%'> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:10.0pt;line-height:115%'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>(I’d love hearing from you if you heard the song!)</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:10.0pt;line-height:115%'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Warmest Regards,</span><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><br><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Web: <a href="https://alaskanfb.org/">alaskanfb.org</a><a name="_Hlk16627103"><br>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><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#BFBFBF'>[Delegate-BML]</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>_______________________________________________<br>NFBofAlaska mailing list<br><a href="mailto:NFBofAlaska@nfbnet.org">NFBofAlaska@nfbnet.org</a><br><a href="http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nfbofalaska_nfbnet.org">http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nfbofalaska_nfbnet.org</a><br>To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for NFBofAlaska:<br><a href="http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nfbofalaska_nfbnet.org/akcandyp%40yahoo.com">http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nfbofalaska_nfbnet.org/akcandyp%40yahoo.com</a><o:p></o:p></p></div></div></div></body></html>