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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link="#0563C1" vlink="#954F72"><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><b><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:106%'>Open letter to the National Association of Blind Students (NABS) from Dick Davis, Chair, National Federation of the Blind Employment Committee<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:106%'>Dear students: <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:106%'>You may be missing out on some great resources for career planning and jobseeking that are offered through the NFB Employment Committee. Here is a list of them: <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:106%'>At the 2018 NFB Convention in Orlando, we host the following events:<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><u><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:106%'>Employment Committee Meeting and Networking Session, Tuesday, July 3, 1-3 p.m., Suwannee 11</span></u><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:106%'>: this is a free flowing event in which we discuss the things the Employment Committee is doing to help blind people get jobs, take suggestions for the future, listen to jobseekers discuss their qualifications and what they are looking for, and employers discuss the job openings they have and what they are looking for. We also hear presentations from organizations that provide products and services to help blind people get jobs. (We learned about AIRA before anyone else). <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><u><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:106%'>Etiquette Dinner, most likely the evening of Tuesday, July 3, more information to follow</span></u><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:106%'>: learn how to handle yourself in a lunch or dinner interview – how to act, what to do, and what not to do. (Note, cost for meal.)<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><u><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:106%'>Job Seeker Seminar, Wednesday, July 4, 1-4 p.m., room to be announced</span></u><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:106%'>: listen to presenters on a variety of job search topics, and network with them afterward. If you come, listen, and ask questions, you will be prepared for most of the things you encounter. For more in-depth information, come to the following.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><u><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:106%'>Job Seeker Breakout Sessions, Wednesday, July 4, 6-8:30 p.m., rooms to be announced</span></u><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:106%'>: in-depth discussions on networking, interviewing, resumes, and other topics. Perfect preparation for the NFB Career Fair. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><u><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:106%'>Upward Mobility Seminar, Friday, July 6, 6-8 p.m., room to be announced</span></u><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:106%'>: this is for those of you who are tired of dead-end employment and want to advance in the world. Our presenters will show you how. Hint: we will probably have a major well-known corporation presenting this year (more information later). <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><u><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:106%'>2018 Career Fair, Saturday, July 7, 7-9 p.m., Panzacola F3 and F$ ballrooms</span></u><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:106%'>: around 300 blind jobseekers who are looking for employment will meet over 30 employers who are interested in hiring them. Dress well, bring a resume, and be prepared to sell yourself. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:106%'>Throughout the year, we offer the following, which can be reached from our Employment Committee Home Page, </span></b><a href="https://employment.nfb.org/"><b><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:106%'>https://employment.nfb.org/</span></b></a><b><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:106%'><o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><u><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:106%'>NFB Jobs Listserv</span></u><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:106%'>: join with 700 employers, blind jobseekers, and employment and career planning mentors in one of the most active of our listservs. Want career planning advice, the inside track to a job, or how-to information? Follow the link.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><u><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:106%'>Where the Blind Work</span></u><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:106%'>: want to hear about careers from the people who work in them? Our database of blind mentors may be larger than Career Connect, if not as well known. Follow the link.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><u><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:106%'>Information on the employers who hire at our Career Fairs?</span></u><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:106%'> There’s a list of them for each year, plus their contact information. Follow the links.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><u><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:106%'>Recordings of our past seminars, plus articles on resume writing and a whole host of other things</span></u><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:106%'>? Got them, just follow the links. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:106%'>As you can see, we have lots of things to offer students. Hope to see you at our convention events and online, student friends! <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:106%'>Best wishes, <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:106%'>Dick Davis, Chair<br>NFB Employment Committee<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:106%'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:106%'>Steve Cook<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:106%'>President of the Computer Science & Technology Division of the NFB of SC<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:106%'>1<sup>st</sup> Vice President of the Columbia Chapter of the NFB of SC</span><o:p></o:p></p></div></body></html>