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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link="#0563C1" vlink="#954F72" style='word-wrap:break-word'><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal>October 19, 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: Jennifer Bazer, President<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Positive Note 1784<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>Happy Amazing, Magical Day! What do you “get to” do today? I get to wake my two children up and get them ready for school. I get to share lots of important information with you in the Positive Note. I get to meet with students who are blind and help them live the lives they want! I get to watch my son pitch nearly an entire tournament baseball game and make a diving catch in the outfield! I get to connect with each of you through the Positive Note, connects calls, text messages, and phone calls. I get to be authentic, transparent, and honest with all of you! I get to have an awesome day and turn around and do it again tomorrow!<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>And, I never said, “I have to.” It is not about what we “have to” do; it is about what we “get to” do. Each day is a gift not an obligation. Join me in saying, “I get to”, rather than, “I have to.” What do you “get to” do today? I get to go out and build the Federation; will you “get to” do that today? Will you please join me?<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>White Cane Awareness Day<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:18.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black'>Governor McMaster Salutes White Cane Day</span></b><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black'>By Dominic Calabrese<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:18.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black'> </span><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:18.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black'>Leaders of South Carolina's blind community, including NFBSC President Jennifer Bazer and NFBSC Federation Center Chair Ed Bible, joined South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster today for a special presentation saluting White Cane Day.</span></b><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:18.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black'> </span><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:18.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black'>Signed into federal law by President Lyndon B. Johnson in 1964, the day celebrates the achievements of Americans who are blind and recognizes the white cane as a symbol of independence.</span></b><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:18.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black'> </span><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:18.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black'>Governor McMaster read a state proclamation in honor of White Cane Day, urging all South Carolinians to "renew their dedication to eliminating barriers for persons who are blind and visually impaired and to recognize their value as individuals, employees, and productive members of our communities."</span></b><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:18.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black'>He noted that the 1972 White Cane Law, enacted by the South Carolina General Assembly, was a 20 year forerunner of the landmark Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) which is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year.</span></b><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:18.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black'>Other guests who attended today's ceremony, which was held outside the Governor's Office, included Commissioner Darline Graham of the South Carolina Commission for the Blind; State Representative Rita Allison; Lions District Governor Judy Scott; Jolene Madison, director of special education at the South Carolina School for the Deaf and the Blind; Lions Vice District Governor Jim Barbare; Steve Fullerton, a manger at Clemson University; Billy Irwin, a young blind man who has successfully found employment at Clemson; an area blind student, Matthew Duffell-Hoffman; Julie Bible; and Dom Calabrese, who helped organize the event.</span></b><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:18.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black'> </span><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:18.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black'>Following the presentation, Governor McMaster posed for a group photo.</span></b><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Meet the Blind Month Activities:<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Sumter Chapter<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Message from Debra Canty, President of the Sumter Chapter of the NFB of SC. Please join us as we observe OCTOBER as BLIND AWARENESS MONTH. On, Monday, October 26, 2020 from 5:30 p.m. until 6:30 p.m. the Mayor of Sumter, Joseph McElveen will read the proclamation. We plan to share more information on the Zoom Platform as well.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Join Zoom Meeting<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><a href="https://us02web.zoom.us/j/8032543777?pwd=QTVQd2RzN3l6QnNmZ0FmSnp6NG8vQT09">https://us02web.zoom.us/j/8032543777?pwd=QTVQd2RzN3l6QnNmZ0FmSnp6NG8vQT09</a><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Meeting ID: 803 254 3777<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Passcode: 124578<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>One tap mobile<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>+19292056099,,8032543777# US (New York)<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Cherokee Chapter<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>The Cherokee Chapter will be holding a Meet the Blind Month awareness booth for the local community on Saturday, October 24th from 11:00am-2:00pm at the Buford St. Ace Hardware Store in Gaffney. There will be NFB literature about national, state, and local affiliates and Braille alphabet cards available. Chapter members will be there to greet people (socially distanced and donned masks in accordance with guidelines) and answer any questions they may have concerning blindness or the chapter. <br clear=all><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> Anderson Chapter<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> Come join the Anderson Chapter of the National Federation of the Blind of SC on October 24, 2020! We will have our Meet the Blind Event/Walk from 12:00 noon to 2:00 p.m. at McCants Middle School Track, 2123 Marchbanks Avenue, Anderson, SC 29621. Everyone is invited to join us and learn about the National Federation of the Blind. We will have pamphlets and other literature for people to take. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> The Anderson Chapter will have the below items for sale as a fundraiser.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>• T-shirts with the Anderson chapter featured, and the National Federation of the Blind logo on the back of the shirt. The wording on the shirt will read “Walk by faith and not by sight.”<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>• NFB Mask<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>• Baked Goods<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> Candy bars donated by Miss Linda Dizzley of the Lee County Chapter of the NFB of SC. For more information or to participate, please contact Demetrius Williford at (864) 328-8177 or email <a href="mailto:Santez1981@gmail.com">Santez1981@gmail.com</a>.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Upcoming Zoom Meetings:<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Here are some meetings coming up. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Monday, October 19, 2020 Membership Committee 7pm<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Tuesday, October 20, 2020 Diabetes Action Network Committee 7pm<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Thursday, October 22, 2020 Social Media Committee, 7:30 p.m.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Please ask the chapter president if it is alright for you to listen in. The Committee meetings are open to all. If you would like to join a committee, please contact President Bazer.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Here is the Zoom information for all above meetings:<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>NFBofSC Federation Center is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Topic: NFBofSC Chapter, Division, and Committee meetings<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Time: Eastern Time (US and Canada)<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Join Zoom Meeting<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><a href="https://us02web.zoom.us/j/8032543777?pwd=QTVQd2RzN3l6QnNmZ0FmSnp6NG8vQT09">https://us02web.zoom.us/j/8032543777?pwd=QTVQd2RzN3l6QnNmZ0FmSnp6NG8vQT09</a><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Meeting ID: 803 254 3777<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Passcode: 124578<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>One tap mobile<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>+19292056099,,8032543777# US (New York)<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>+13017158592,,8032543777# US (Germantown)<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Dial by your location<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> +1 929 205 6099 US (New York)<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> +1 301 715 8592 US (Germantown)<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> +1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> +1 669 900 6833 US (San Jose)<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> +1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma)<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> +1 346 248 7799 US (Houston)<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Meeting ID: 803 254 3777<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Fred Vercher Memorial<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>by Jim Jackson<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>in lieu of the epidemic, I’ve decided to have a virtual Zoom gathering to pay tribute to my departed friend this year. Will you all join me on 10/27/2020 at 6:30 P.M. for a fun time remembering Fred Vercher? You all are welcome to bring and share any funny stories of Fred and I will bring and share some of his favorite tunes. As the date approaches, I will provide detailed information on how you may join the meeting. Please help me remember this man who gave selflessly to both some of you and to this great organization. Please contact Jim Jackson at 803-237-1915 if you have further questions about remembering Fred Vercher.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><b>A Great Deal for the NFB of SC! Sign Up for Amazon Smile!<o:p></o:p></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> Just sign on to AmazonSmile, and select the National Federation of the Blind of South Carolina as your charity and Amazon will donate a portion of the price of eligible items to the NFB of SC at absolutely no cost to you! <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>All you need to do is:<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Go to <span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif;color:black'> </span><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif;color:#003399'><a href="https://hadley.us20.list-manage.com/track/click?u=872829398302c647169f3fad3&id=43595b6e50&e=d2f188ebc2" target="_blank"><b><span style='color:#003399'>smile.amazon.com</span></b></a></span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> Sign in with your Amazon.com credentials<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> Choose the National Federation of the Blind of South Carolina to receive donations (at no extra cost to you!)<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Now enjoy your Amazon Prime deals!<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Bookmark smile.amazon.com to use every time you shop at Amazon! <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Sign up today! <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Help us to build the Federation!<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'>Need assistance, call the Federation Center at 803-254-377<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> Our next South Carolina Connects meeting will be Thursday, October 29, at 5 pm on the Zoom platform. Please invite your chapter members, friends and anyone interested in learning more about the NFB of SC. I look forward to chatting with all of you!<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> Big News! The National Federation of the Blind of SC now has an online enrollment membership form to pay your 2021 state dues. You will be able to fill out the form online to provide the state office with updated personal and contact information. You will also be able to pay your $10 state dues via secure Pay Pal. You will still need to pay your chapter/division dues on the local level. After submitting the membership form, you will be provided with a link to pay your $10 state dues through Pay Pal. Your membership will not be confirmed until payment has been received. After paying your $10 state dues via Pay Pal, we will receive a message stating you have paid your state dues to confirm your membership. Then you will be sent a message with a copy of your receipt for confirmation later in the day. Please retain this confirmation for your records and proof of payment. Also, Pay Pal charges the NFB of SC a percentage for each transaction. We would greatly appreciate you adding an extra $0.30 to your donation to offset this charge. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> If you need assistance completing the online form, you are welcome to call Steve and Shannon Cook to help at (803) 254-0222. Leave a message with your name and contact number if we are unavailable to answer the phone. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><a href="https://forms.gle/MGYktJPG3SatVBFWA">https://forms.gle/MGYktJPG3SatVBFWA</a><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>We Care Committee<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>We are adding The We Care Committee which will be chaired by Dorothy Barksdale. The purpose of this important committee will be to notify the affiliate members of those in the hospital, homebound, and those needing our thoughts and prayers. Cards will be mailed and phone calls made to those needing encouragement and those celebrating milestones like marriages, births, and anniversaries. It is a way to keep in touch with our NFB of SC members. If you wish to serve on this committee, please contact me at 803-960-9977 or <a href="mailto:jhipp25@sc.rr.com">jhipp25@sc.rr.com</a> and I will add you to the list of members.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> Below is a message from Ed Bible, Chairman of the Federation Center in Columbia and Vice-Chairman of Rocky Bottom:<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Week 5 <b>Just 2weeks to go!</b><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><b>The BIG Challenge!</b> Win $300 for your chapter or division!<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-indent:.5in'>As you know, Rocky Bottom Retreat and Conference Center of the Blind is selling $5 Rocky Bottom fundraising tickets. These tickets must be sold with the filled out stubs turned in with the $5 per ticket by no later than Friday, October 30. Send them to, or drop them off at the Federation Center of the Blind, 119 S. Kilbourne Rd., Columbia, SC 29205. Checks should be made payable to RBRCCB.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> The drawing will be on October 31 to kick off the week long Rocky Bottom online auction ending on November 7. The winning ticket drawn will yield $500 to the buyer, $50 to the seller and $300 to the chapter or division selling the most tickets! Now that the ball is rolling, we are offering a weekly challenge every Friday leading up to October 30, providing the top five ticket sellers – and here they are for today!<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Rank Tickets sold Chapter/Division<o:p></o:p></p><ol style='margin-top:0in' start=1 type=1><li class=MsoListParagraph style='margin-left:0in;mso-list:l3 level1 lfo3'>201 At Large Chapter<o:p></o:p></li><li class=MsoListParagraph style='margin-left:0in;mso-list:l3 level1 lfo3'>81 Columbia Chapter<o:p></o:p></li><li class=MsoListParagraph style='margin-left:0in;mso-list:l3 level1 lfo3'>54 Cherokee Chapter<o:p></o:p></li><li class=MsoListParagraph style='margin-left:0in;mso-list:l3 level1 lfo3'>40 Sumter Chapter<o:p></o:p></li><li class=MsoListParagraph style='margin-left:0in;mso-list:l3 level1 lfo3'>20 Chesterfield & 20 Anderson Georgetown Chapter<o:p></o:p></li></ol><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.25in;text-indent:.25in'>This past week new chapters have entered their ticket sales others have sent in tickets too! Keep up the good work.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> Contact David Houck at 803-254-3777 if you need us to send you more tickets or you can also reach him at <a href="mailto:nfbsc@sc.rr,com"><span style='color:windowtext'>nfbsc@sc.rr,com</span></a> with your ticket requests. Let’s get out there and show everyone that you can be number one and win the $300 prize!<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> Our online auction will be held October 31-November 7 to raise money for Rocky Bottom. If you have new items to contribute, please mail or drop them off at the Federation Center, 119 S. Kilbourne Road, Columbia, SC 29205 or you can call me at 803-960-9977 or email me at <a href="mailto:jhipp25@sc.rr.com">jhipp25@sc.rr.com</a> and I will be happy to pick them up. Your chapter or division can also mail a check made out to Rocky Bottom, and we will be happy to shop for you. Let’s work together to make this event a huge success!<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> Nationally:<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><h1><a name="_gjdgxs"></a><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Online Survey of Blind and Low-Vision Voters Now Available!</span><span style='font-size:14.0pt'><o:p></o:p></span></h1><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'> </span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Calling all blind and low-vision voters who participated in the 2020 United States presidential election—the National Federation of the Blind needs your feedback! Whether you voted during early voting, at your local polling place on Election Day, or by mail, we want to hear about your experience. Please complete the blind and low-vision voter experience survey at </span><a href="https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/NGFMPF2"><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#1155CC'>https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/NGFMPF2</span></a><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>.</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'> </span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>The results of this survey will be provided to state election officials, state protection and advocacy agencies, and voting rights advocates to help improve the accessibility of future elections. Funding for the survey was provided through a Help America Vote Act (HAVA) grant from the Administration for Community Living, United States Department of Health and Human Services. Questions about the survey or accessible voting should be directed to Lou Ann Blake at </span><a href="mailto:lblake@nfb.org"><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>lblake@nfb.org</span></a><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'> or 410-659-9314, extension 2221; or Jeff Kaloc at </span><a href="mailto:gcazares@nfb.org"><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>jkaloc@nfb.org</span></a><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'> or 410-659-9314, extension 2206. Thank you for your participation!</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'> </span><o:p></o:p></p><h1><em><span style='font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif'>Jeopardy! </span></em>Makes Online Test Accessible to the Blind<o:p></o:p></h1><h2><em><span style='font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif'>National Federation of the Blind Commends Producers of Beloved Gameshow</span></em><o:p></o:p></h2><p><strong><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif'>Baltimore, Maryland (October 12, 2020):</span></strong><span style='font-size:14.0pt'> The National Federation of the Blind, America’s civil rights organization of the blind, today commended Jeopardy Productions and Sony Pictures Television for making the online test for the beloved gameshow Jeopardy! fully accessible to blind people who use screen reader technology to access websites and digital information. The modifications to the online test were implemented as a result of negotiations among the producers, the National Federation of the Blind, and a blind man who sought to be a contestant but was unable to successfully take the online test because it was not compatible with his screen reader technology.</span><o:p></o:p></p><p><span style='font-size:14.0pt'>“Blind people love Jeopardy! as much as our sighted friends, in part because vision is not a requirement to play the game,” said Mark Riccobono, President of the National Federation of the Blind. “Every day many of us play along at home or using our smart speakers, and a blind contestant has even succeeded on the show itself. We therefore commend the producers of Jeopardy! for quickly working with us to make the online test fully accessible so that potential blind contestants can compete on equal terms for a chance to play this beloved game on TV.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p><o:p> </o:p></p><div style='mso-element:para-border-div;border:solid windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;margin-left:.25in;margin-right:0in'><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;border:none;padding:0in'>Final Thought: <span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif;color:#03002F;border:solid windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in'>“If people are doubting how far you can go, go so far that you can’t hear them anymore.” – Michele Ruiz</span><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif;color:#03002F'><o:p></o:p></span></p></div><p><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>NFB Pledge - I pledge to participate actively in the effort of the National Federation of the Blind to achieve equality, opportunity, and security for the blind; to support the policies and programs of the Federation; and to abide by its constitution.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>NFB One Minute Message - “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>If this message was forwarded to you and you would like to receive it directly in your inbox, as well as, receive messages regarding the National Federation of the Blind of South Carolina, please email Steve Cook at <a href="mailto:cookcafe@sc.rr.com">cookcafe@sc.rr.com</a>.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div></body></html>