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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link=blue vlink=purple><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal>February 12, 2020<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Memo To: Executive Officers, Board Members, Chapter & Division Presidents & Others<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>From: Frank Coppel, President<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Positive Note 1748<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Greetings Fellow Federationists:<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> Hello from Washington D.C. where Shelley and I along with more than five hundred Federationists representing 52 affiliates of the National Federation of the Blind have gathered in our nation’s capital for the purpose of discussing with their congressional delegation the legislative agenda of the nation’s blind. On Saturday afternoon, February 8, I traveled to Baltimore, Maryland to participate in a State Presidents Seminar which was held at our Jernigan Institute. At the conclusion of this meeting, I traveled on late Sunday afternoon, February 9, to Washington D.C. to join the South Carolina delegation to participate in the 2020 Washington Seminar. The Washington Seminar officially began Monday, February 10, at 5:00 p.m. with the “Great Gathering In” meeting. President Riccobono conducted the meeting and there were other Federation officials present informing participants on various NFB activities which will be occurring during 2020. Tuesday February 11, was a very busy day for the South Carolina delegation as we met with our congressional delegation at various times throughout the day. Tuesday evening, our delegation attended a Congressional reception which was held on Capitol Hill. I am extremely proud to have thirteen members of our affiliate attend this year’s Washington Seminar. Other members of the delegation joining Shelley and I this year, were Ellen Taylor, Second vice president, Debra Canty, Dianne Singleton, NFB of SC State board member, Linda Dizzley, Director of our Successful Transitions program, Jennifer Bazer, and Charles Robinson. We were also very proud to have four members (Derique Simon, Allontate Ellerbe, Olivia Taylor, Matthew Duffell Hoffman and Wallace Stuckey) of our SC Association of Blind Students as part of this year’s delegation. The work done by our delegation on Capitol Hill this week only lays the ground work for passage of the three legislative initiatives which are outlined below. All of us need to continue to contact our Congressman and Senators throughout the year to ensure passage of these three legislative initiatives. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> The Access Technology Affordability Act (ATAA) (H.R. 2086 S. 815) <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> The cost of critically needed access technology is out of reach for most blind Americans. By providing a refundable tax credit for qualifying purchases, Congress will stimulate individual procurement of this technology and promote affordability of these tools. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> The Greater Accessibility and Independence through Nonvisual Access Technology (GAIN) Act (H.R. 3929)<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> Advanced digital interfaces create barriers that prevent blind individuals from independently operating essential devices that enhance quality of life. Congress must end the digital divide that threatens the independence of blind Americans by developing minimum accessibility requirements for such devices. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> The Accessible Instructional Materials in Higher Education (AIM HIGH) Act H. R. 5312 S. 3095) <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> Until a market-driven solution for accessible instructional materials is achieved, blind college students are denied access to critical course content. The AIM HIGH Act will remove these barriers to equality in the classroom by creating a set of guidelines that clearly define accessible instructional materials. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> Congratulations to Laurens Sanders, a longtime friend and member of the NFB of SC, Lynn Hornsby of our Rock Hill Chapter and Billy Singleton, RBRCCB Advisory Board member for becoming members of the $100/100 club, as all three of these individuals contributed $100 each to the Rocky Bottom refrigerator/freezer fund. Thus far, we have raised $3,170 in contributions and pledges. Our goal is to raise $10,000, so let’s keep the momentum going! <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> Finally, happy Valentine’s Day! Speaking of Valentine’s Day, Shelley and I look forward to seeing many of you at the fifth annual Sweetheart Dance on February 15. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> 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>Final Thought: Transforming our dreams into reality: Leadership means being a First Responder: Run toward life’s challenges, don’t shy away from them!<o:p></o:p></p></div></body></html>