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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><table class=MsoNormalTable border=0 cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 width="100%" style='width:100.0%'><tr style='height:15.0pt'><td style='padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;height:15.0pt'><p class=MsoNormal> <o:p></o:p></p></td></tr><tr><td valign=top style='padding:0in 0in 0in 0in'><div align=center><table class=MsoNormalTable border=0 cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 width=600 style='width:6.25in'><tr><td style='background:white;padding:0in 0in 0in 0in'><table class=MsoNormalTable border=0 cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 align=left width="100%" style='width:100.0%'><tr style='height:7.5pt'><td width="100%" valign=top style='width:100.0%;background:#0075C9;padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;height:7.5pt'><div align=center><table class=MsoNormalTable border=0 cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0><tr><td style='padding:0in 0in 0in 0in'><table class=MsoNormalTable border=0 cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0><tr><td style='padding:0in 0in 0in 0in'><p class=MsoNormal><img id="_x0000_i1025" src="https://nfb.org/images/nfb/images/images/top-blue-bar.jpg"><o:p></o:p></p></td></tr></table></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></td></tr><tr><td style='background:white;padding:0in 0in 0in 0in'><table class=MsoNormalTable border=0 cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 align=left width="100%" style='width:100.0%'><tr style='height:7.5pt'><td width="100%" valign=top style='width:100.0%;background:white;padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;height:7.5pt'><div align=center><table class=MsoNormalTable border=0 cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0><tr><td style='padding:0in 0in 0in 0in'><table class=MsoNormalTable border=0 cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0><tr><td style='padding:12.0pt 12.0pt 12.0pt 12.0pt'><p class=MsoNormal><a href="https://nfb.org/civicrm/mailing/url?u=40221&qid=11641165"><span style='color:blue;text-decoration:none'><img border=0 id="_x0000_i1026" src="https://nfb.org/images/nfb/images/images/nfb-logo-for-email-template.jpg" alt="National Federation of the Blind logo and tagline live the life you want"></span></a><o:p></o:p></p></td></tr></table></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></td></tr><tr><td style='background:white;padding:0in 0in 0in 0in'><table class=MsoNormalTable border=0 cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 align=left width=600 style='width:6.25in'><tr style='height:15.0pt'><td width="100%" valign=top style='width:100.0%;background:white;padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;height:15.0pt;border-color:initial'><h1><span style='font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:black'>Blind Americans Urge the Department of Education to Reinstate Funding for Critical Programs that Benefit the Blind</span><o:p></o:p></h1><p><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:black'>Earlier this week, the National Federation of the Blind learned that the US Department of Education was canceling funding for twenty-five competitive grants that fall under Part D of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, and nine grants that are distributed by the Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA).</span><o:p></o:p></p><p><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:black'>Critically, of the programs being cut under the RSA is funding for 235E grants, which are specifically tailored to train educators of blind students to be more fluent in Braille. </span><o:p></o:p></p><p><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:black'>The National Federation of the Blind instigated the creation of these Braille demonstration program grants nearly thirty years ago and they have had a tremendous positive outcome on Braille literacy in that time. As if that wasn’t bad enough, the grants that were cut also included federal funding for four technical assistance centers for families of deafblind children. </span><o:p></o:p></p><h2><span style='font-size:20.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:black'>How Members Can Help</span><o:p></o:p></h2><p><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:black'>We know that Braille literacy in our youth often leads to better performance in school, the ability to obtain and keep employment as an adult, and the freedom to live a life of independence. That all begins with educators who understand and can teach Braille themselves. </span><o:p></o:p></p><p><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:black'>Additionally, we know that our deafblind brothers and sisters and their families truly benefit from the opportunity to utilize training centers across the country and that any decrease in funding will be detrimental to living independently. </span><o:p></o:p></p><p><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:black'>We need to flood the US Department of Education with calls and emails and urge them to maintain these important funding grants. That’s where you come in. </span><o:p></o:p></p><p><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:black'>We are asking that you call or email the US Department of Education and urge them to reinstate this critical funding to support Braille literacy and independence. If you are emailing, please send your messages to <a href="https://nfb.org/civicrm/mailing/url?u=40222&qid=11641165">IDEA@ed.gov</a> and <a href="https://nfb.org/civicrm/mailing/url?u=40223&qid=11641165">linda.mcmahon@ed.gov.</a> If you are calling, please call 202-245-7468. </span><o:p></o:p></p><h3 style='color:1b5633'><span style='font-size:18.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:#1B5633'>Sample Script</span><o:p></o:p></h3><p><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:black'>When you call or email you might say: “My name is [YOUR NAME] and I want to urge Secretary McMahon to reinstate the grant funding for IDEA Part D programs as well as the RSA 235E grants. This funding is critical to support increased Braille literacy for teachers of blind students and the blind youth of America. </span><o:p></o:p></p><p><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:black'>Studies have shown that students who can read Braille go on to have better education outcomes and better employment outcomes later in life. Additionally, I’m also asking that you reinstate funding for the four deafblind technical assistance centers in Oregon, Washington, Wisconsin, and Massachusetts. Please allow today’s blind and deafblind students to have an opportunity to better themselves for a brighter future for all of us.”</span><o:p></o:p></p><p><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:black'>We suggest a subject like: “Please Reinstate Critical Funding for Blind and Deafblind Students” </span><o:p></o:p></p><p><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:black'>If you email, please copy Justin Young at <a href="https://nfb.org/civicrm/mailing/url?u=40224&qid=11641165">jyoung@nfb.org. </a></span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:20.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:black'>About the National Federation of the Blind</span><span style='color:black'> </span><o:p></o:p></p><p><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:black'>The National Federation of the Blind (NFB), headquartered in Baltimore, defends the rights of blind people of all ages and provides information and support to families with blind children, older Americans who are losing vision, and more. </span><o:p></o:p></p><p><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:black'>Founded in 1940, the NFB is the transformative membership and advocacy organization of blind Americans with affiliates, chapters, and divisions in the fifty states, Washington DC, and Puerto Rico. We believe in the hopes and dreams of blind people and work together to transform them into reality. Learn more about our many programs and initiatives at <a href="https://nfb.org/civicrm/mailing/url?u=40225&qid=11641165">nfb.org</a>.</span><o:p></o:p></p><h2><span style='font-size:20.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:black'>Government Affairs Contact:</span><o:p></o:p></h2><p><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:black'>Justin Young<br>Governmental Affairs Specialist<br>National Federation of the Blind<br>410-659-9314, extension 2210<br><a href="https://nfb.org/civicrm/mailing/url?u=40224&qid=11641165">jyoung@nfb.org</a></span><o:p></o:p></p></td></tr></table></td></tr><tr style='height:6.0pt'><td style='padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;height:6.0pt'><p class=MsoNormal> <o:p></o:p></p></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt;display:none'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><div align=center><table class=MsoNormalTable border=0 cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 width=600 style='width:6.25in;background:#002F6D'><tr style='height:45.0pt'><td width=135 style='width:101.25pt;padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;height:45.0pt'></td><td width=55 style='width:41.25pt;padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;height:45.0pt'><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:white'><a href="https://nfb.org/civicrm/mailing/url?u=40226&qid=11641165"><span style='color:blue;text-decoration:none'><img border=0 id="_x0000_i1027" src="https://nfb.org/images/nfb/images/images/iof-facebook-ms.png" alt="Facebook Logo"></span></a></span><o:p></o:p></p></td><td width=55 style='width:41.25pt;padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;height:45.0pt'><p class=MsoNormal><a href="https://nfb.org/civicrm/mailing/url?u=40227&qid=11641165"><span style='color:blue;text-decoration:none'><img border=0 id="_x0000_i1028" src="https://nfb.org/images/nfb/images/images/iof-twitter-ms.png" alt="Twitter Logo"></span></a><o:p></o:p></p></td><td width=55 style='width:41.25pt;padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;height:45.0pt'><p class=MsoNormal><a href="https://nfb.org/civicrm/mailing/url?u=40228&qid=11641165"><span style='color:blue;text-decoration:none'><img border=0 id="_x0000_i1029" src="https://nfb.org/images/nfb/images/images/iof-instagram-ms.png" alt="Instagram Logo"></span></a><o:p></o:p></p></td><td width=55 style='width:41.25pt;padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;height:45.0pt'><p class=MsoNormal><a href="https://nfb.org/civicrm/mailing/url?u=40229&qid=11641165"><span style='color:blue;text-decoration:none'><img border=0 id="_x0000_i1030" src="https://nfb.org/images/nfb/images/images/iof-youtube-ms.png" alt="YouTube Logo"></span></a><o:p></o:p></p></td><td width=55 style='width:41.25pt;padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;height:45.0pt'><p class=MsoNormal><a href="https://nfb.org/civicrm/mailing/url?u=40230&qid=11641165"><span style='color:blue;text-decoration:none'><img border=0 id="_x0000_i1031" src="https://nfb.org/images/nfb/images/images/iof-email-ms.png" alt="Email Icon Image"></span></a><o:p></o:p></p></td><td width=55 style='width:41.25pt;padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;height:45.0pt'><p class=MsoNormal><a href="https://nfb.org/civicrm/mailing/url?u=40231&qid=11641165"><span style='color:blue;text-decoration:none'><img border=0 id="_x0000_i1032" src="https://nfb.org/images/nfb/images/images/iof-donte-ms.png" alt="Donate to the NFB Icon."></span></a><o:p></o:p></p></td><td width=135 style='width:101.25pt;padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;height:45.0pt'></td></tr><tr style='height:18.75pt'><td colspan=8 style='padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;height:18.75pt'><p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><b><span style='font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:white'>National Federation of the Blind | 200 E Wells Street | Baltimore, MD 21230 | 410-659-9314 <o:p></o:p></span></b></p></td></tr><tr style='height:18.75pt'><td colspan=8 style='padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;height:18.75pt'><p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><b><span style='font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:white'><a href="https://nfb.org/civicrm/mailing/unsubscribe?reset=1&jid=25331&qid=11641165&h=d8b34c1ab188f2eb" title=Unsubscribe><span style='color:white'>Unsubscribe from this mailing list</span></a> | <a href="https://nfb.org/civicrm/mailing/optout?reset=1&jid=25331&qid=11641165&h=d8b34c1ab188f2eb" title="Opt Out"><span style='color:white'>Opt out of all mailing lists</span></a> | <a href="https://nfb.org/civicrm/mailing/url?u=40232&qid=11641165" title="Sign up for email newsletter"><span style='color:white'>Sign up for our newsletter</span></a> <o:p></o:p></span></b></p></td></tr><tr><td colspan=8 style='padding:0in 0in 0in 0in'><p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><span class=street-address><b><span style='font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:white'>200 East Wells Street at Jernigan Place</span></b></span><b><span style='font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:white'><br><span class=locality>Baltimore</span><span class=adr>, </span><span class=region>MD</span><span class=adr> </span><span class=postal-code>21230</span><br><span class=country-name>United States</span><o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><b><span style='font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:white'>.. <o:p></o:p></span></b></p></td></tr></table></div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt'><img src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAJEAAP///wAAAAAAAAAAACH5BAkAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAgEAAEEBAA7" width="1" height="1" alt="Web Bug from https://nfb.org/civicrm/mailing/open?qid=11641165" /><img src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAJEAAP///wAAAAAAAAAAACH5BAkAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAgEAAEEBAA7" width="1" height="1" alt="Web Bug from 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