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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link=blue vlink=purple><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><div><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:20.0pt;color:#1F497D'>Steve and Shannon Cook<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'>Today I married my best friend. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'>The one that I laugh with, live for, love.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'>October 11, 2003 <o:p></o:p></span></p></div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><div><div style='border:none;border-top:solid #B5C4DF 1.0pt;padding:3.0pt 0in 0in 0in'><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"'>From:</span></b><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"'> accesscomp-bounce@freelists.org [mailto:accesscomp-bounce@freelists.org] <b>On Behalf Of </b>Robert Acosta<br><b>Sent:</b> Saturday, February 15, 2014 3:21 PM<br><b>To:</b> Bob Acosta<br><b>Subject:</b> [accesscomp] ACCESSIBLE WORLD TEK TALK PRESENTS DEBORAH KENDRICK TO DISCUSS THE ICANCONNECT PROGRAM FOR DEAF-BLIND PERSONS, MONDAY FEBRUARY 24, 2014, 8 PM EST, THE PAT PRICE ROOM: WWW.ACCESSIBLEWORLD.ORG<o:p></o:p></span></p></div></div><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p><b><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"'>NEWSWIRE: TEK TALK, MONDAY FEBRUARY 24, 2014 FEATURES DEBORAH KENDRICK<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p><b><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"'><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p><p><b><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"'>ACCESSIBLEWORLD TEK TALK FEATURES DEBORAH KENDRICK TO DISCUSS AN INNOVATIVE PROGRRAM FOR THE DEAF-BLIND CALLED ICANCONNECT<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p><b><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"'><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p><p><b><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"'>We think of Helen Keller as an anomaly, or at least of her situation as a rare and unusual occurrence. Yet, the Helen Keller National Center, estimates that there are two million Americans who might be identified as being deaf-blind, and a new program administered by the Federal Communications Commission is making significant forward strides toward mitigating their isolation. </span></b><b><span style='font-size:14.0pt'><o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p><b><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"'>The National Deaf-Blind Equipment Distribution Program, which came in to being as part of the communications and Video Accessibility Act of 2010, allocates money to be used in each state to purchase equipment and training to connect people who are deaf-blind to the rest of the world.</span></b><b><span style='font-size:14.0pt'><o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p><b><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"'>The program has become known as iCanConnect, and indeed, that is what is happening for many of those people in every state who have dual sensory disabilities. </span></b><b><span style='font-size:14.0pt'><o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p><b><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"'>From iPads and iPhones to computers and braille notetakers, from doorbells with flashing lights to telephones with amplified speakers, people who are deaf and blind are connecting with their friends, families, and potential employers. </span></b><b><span style='font-size:14.0pt'><o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p><b><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"'>Just as many blind people have a considerable amount of residual vision, so are many who qualify as deaf-blind able to hear some sounds and see some objects. </span></b><b><span style='font-size:14.0pt'><o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p><b><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"'>Find out how to qualify for equipment and training from the iCanConnect program, how individuals can apply, and some of what those of us who are blind can learn from our peers who have the additional struggles of hearing impairment. </span></b><b><span style='font-size:14.0pt'><o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:14.0pt'>Presenter: Deborah Kendrick<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:14.0pt'>E-Mail: </span></b><a href="mailto:dkkendrick@earthlink.net"><b><span style='font-size:14.0pt'>dkkendrick@earthlink.net</span></b></a><b><span style='font-size:14.0pt'><o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:14.0pt'>Date: Monday February 24, 2014<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:14.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoPlainText><b><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial Black","sans-serif";color:black'>Time: 5:00 p.m. Pacific, 6:00 p.m. Mountain, 7:00 p.m. Central, 8:00 p.m. Eastern and elsewhere in the world Tuesday 12:00 GMT. <o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoPlainText><b><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial Black","sans-serif";color:black'><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial Black","sans-serif";color:black'>Approximately 15 minutes prior to the event start time; go to The Pat Price Tek Talk Training Room at:<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial Black","sans-serif";color:black'> <o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><a href="http://conference321.com/masteradmin/room.asp?id=rsc9613dc89eb2" title="http://conference321.com/masteradmin/room.asp?id=rsc9613dc89eb2"><b><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial Black","sans-serif";color:purple'>http://conference321.com/masteradmin/room.asp?id=rsc9613dc89eb2</span></b></a><b><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial Black","sans-serif";color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial Black","sans-serif";color:black'> <o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial Black","sans-serif";color:black'>Or, alternatively.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial Black","sans-serif";color:black'><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial Black","sans-serif";color:black'>Select The Pat Price Tek Talk Training Room at: </span></b><a href="outbind://6/www.accessibleworld.org" title="outbind://6/www.accessibleworld.org"><b><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial Black","sans-serif"'>www.accessibleworld.org</span></b></a><b><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial Black","sans-serif";color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial Black","sans-serif";color:black'>Enter your first and last names on the sign-in screen.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial Black","sans-serif";color:black'><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial Black","sans-serif";color:black'>All Tek Talk training events are recorded so if you are unable to participate live at the above times then you may download the presentation or podcast from the Tek Talk archives on our website at </span></b><a href="outbind://6/www.accessibleworld.org" title="outbind://6/www.accessibleworld.org"><b><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial Black","sans-serif"'>www.accessibleworld.org</span></b></a><b><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial Black","sans-serif";color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial Black","sans-serif";color:black'><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial Black","sans-serif";color:black'>If you are a first-time user of the Talking Communities online conferencing software, there is a small, safe software program that you need to download and then run. A link to the software is available on every entry screen to the Accessible World online rooms.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial Black","sans-serif";color:black'><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial Black","sans-serif";color:black'>All online interactive programs are free of charge, and open to anyone worldwide having an Internet connection, a computer, speakers, and a sound card. Those with microphones can interact audibly with the presenters and others in the virtual audience or text chat with the attendees. To speak to us, hold down the control key and talk; then let up to listen. <o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial Black","sans-serif";color:black'> <o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial Black","sans-serif";color:black'>Accessible World uses News Wires, like this one, to inform people of the topic and times for the many Discussion Groups on Accessible World. The lists are announce only to keep the traffic to a minimum.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial Black","sans-serif";color:black'><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial Black","sans-serif";color:black'>You can join the Accessible World Announce List, the Tek Talk Announce List or the Sports Talk Announce List by completing the form at: </span></b><a href="outbind://6/www.accessibleworld.org/mailinglists" title="outbind://6/www.accessibleworld.org/mailinglists"><b><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial Black","sans-serif"'>www.accessibleworld.org/mailinglists</span></b></a><b><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial Black","sans-serif";color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial Black","sans-serif";color:black'><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial Black","sans-serif";color:black'>Accessible World also provides a Tek Talk Discussion List. This list is intended to give you an opportunity to ask computer related questions, suggest topics to be used in the weekly Monday training programs, or just to interact with others interested in using assistive devices to access computers. You may sign up for this list by selecting the Tek Talk Discussion link on the same page and completing the form.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial Black","sans-serif";color:black'><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial Black","sans-serif";color:black'>Accessible World Contacts:<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial Black","sans-serif";color:black'><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial Black","sans-serif";color:black'>Robert Acosta, Chair<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial Black","sans-serif";color:black'>Accessible World<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial Black","sans-serif";color:black'>818-998-0044<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial Black","sans-serif";color:black'>Email: <a href="mailto:boacosta@pacbell.net">boacosta@pacbell.net</a><o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial Black","sans-serif";color:black'>Web: </span></b><a href="outbind://6/www.helpinghands4theblind.org" title="outbind://6/www.helpinghands4theblind.org"><b><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial Black","sans-serif"'>www.helpinghands4theblind.org</span></b></a><b><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial Black","sans-serif";color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial Black","sans-serif";color:black'><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial Black","sans-serif";color:black'>Marcia Moses, Events Coordinator<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial Black","sans-serif";color:black'>Accessible World<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial Black","sans-serif";color:black'>734-495-1496<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial Black","sans-serif";color:black'>Email: <a href="mailto:mgmoses@comcast.net">mgmoses@comcast.net</a><o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial Black","sans-serif";color:black'><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial Black","sans-serif";color:black'>Steve Hoffman, President<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial Black","sans-serif";color:black'>Talking Communities<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial Black","sans-serif";color:black'>Email: <a href="mailto:steve@talkingcommunities.com">steve@talkingcommunities.com</a><o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial Black","sans-serif";color:black'><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial Black","sans-serif";color:black'>The Accessible World, a division of Helping Hands For The Blind, a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization, seeks to educate the general public, the disabled community and the professionals who serve them by providing highly relevant information about new products, services, and training opportunities designed specifically to eliminate geographic and access barriers that adversely affect them<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial Black","sans-serif";color:black'><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial Black","sans-serif";color:black'><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial Black","sans-serif";color:black'><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:black'><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:black'><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:black'> <o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"'><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Robert Acosta, President<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Helping Hands for the Blind<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>(818) 998-0044<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><a href="http://www.helpinghands4theblind.org">www.helpinghands4theblind.org</a><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div></body></html>