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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link=blue vlink=purple style='word-wrap:break-word'><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><div><p class=MsoNormal>Steve Cook<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>District 2 State Board Member of the National Federation of the Blind of SC<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>President of the Computer Science & Technology Division of the National Federation of the Blind of SC<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>1<sup>st</sup> Vice President of the Columbia chapter of the National Federation of the Blind of SC<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H4awrn7eddQ&t=16s">Click here to view the National Federation of the Blind of SC 2021 PSA!</a><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><span lang=EN style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Lato",sans-serif;color:black'>The National Federation of the Blind creates and distributes several publications and audio reports to inform both our membership and our friends about the true nature of blindness, issues of interest to the blind, NFB news and action items, and the many important stories we share.</span><span lang=EN> </span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><a href="https://www.nfb.org/resources/publications-and-media">Click here to read more about Publications and Media from the NFB!</a><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto'><o:p> </o:p></p></div><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><div><div style='border:none;border-top:solid #E1E1E1 1.0pt;padding:3.0pt 0in 0in 0in'><p class=MsoNormal><b>From:</b> NFBNet-Members-List <nfbnet-members-list-bounces@nfbnet.org> <b>On Behalf Of </b>Michell Gip via NFBNet-Members-List<br><b>Sent:</b> Tuesday, February 15, 2022 10:36 AM<br><b>To:</b> nfbnet-members-list@nfbnet.org<br><b>Subject:</b> [Nfbnet-members-list] BLIND, Inc. PREP 2022 Announcement<o:p></o:p></p></div></div><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><div><p class=MsoNormal align=center style='margin-bottom:6.0pt;text-align:center'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Marker Felt",serif'>Blindness: Learning In New Dimensions (BLIND), Inc.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal align=center style='margin-bottom:6.0pt;text-align:center;font-stretch: normal'><b><u><span style='font-size:8.5pt;font-family:"Marker Felt",serif'>P</span></u></b><span style='font-size:8.5pt;font-family:"Marker Felt",serif'>ost-secondary <b><u>R</u></b>eadiness <b><u>E</u></b>mpowerment <b><u>P</u></b>rogram (PREP) 2022<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal align=center style='margin-bottom:6.0pt;text-align:center;font-stretch: normal;min-height: 12px'><span style='font-size:8.5pt;font-family:"Trebuchet MS",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:6.0pt;font-stretch: normal'><span style='font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>Apply today to PREP 2022, a summer program for all blind/low vision high school students!<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:6.0pt;font-stretch: normal'><b><span style='font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>When</span></b><span style='font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>: June 11, 2022 - July 31, 2022! <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:6.0pt;font-stretch: normal'><b><span style='font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>Where</span></b><span style='font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>: BLIND, Inc.: 100 East 22nd St., Minneapolis, Minnesota, 55404.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:6.0pt;font-stretch: normal'><b><span style='font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>Application Deadline:</span></b><span style='font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'> March 31, 2022<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:6.0pt;font-stretch: normal;min-height: 12px'><span style='font-size:8.5pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:6.0pt;font-stretch: normal'><b><span style='font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>What:</span></b><b><span style='font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'> </span></b><span style='font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>This exciting summer program is designed to prepare students to reach their personal, academic, and professional goals as they transition to adulthood. The PREP curriculum empowers blind youth as they learn the alternative techniques of blindness and develop the self-confidence needed to become successful adults!<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:6.0pt;font-stretch: normal;min-height: 9px'><span style='font-size:6.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:6.0pt;font-stretch: normal'><b><span style='font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>Instruction</span></b><span style='font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Trebuchet MS",sans-serif'>:</span><span style='font-size:6.0pt;font-family:"Trebuchet MS",sans-serif'> </span><span style='font-size:8.5pt;font-family:"Trebuchet MS",sans-serif'>The core classes include Braille reading and writing, independent cane travel, adaptive technology, career exploration, and home management, which includes cooking, cleaning, personal care, and daily living skills. Students also participate in regularly-scheduled discussion groups designed to build confidence and learn from blind peers and adults. PREP students live with fellow students and adult counselors in apartments. Counselors and instructors serve as successful and positive role models. Students shop for groceries, prepare meals, and clean their apartments as part of their home and personal management training, while using public transportation on a regular basis. They begin to learn how to live independently while still in a supportive environment. Students develop problem-solving skills needed to take care of themselves and determine their own future!<o:p></o:p></span></p><div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>World of Work:</span></b><b><span style='font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'> </span></b><span style='font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>Students will create their professional profile, network, and gain hands on experience through community projects. These opportunities will help you understand various fields, the process of obtaining a job, professional development, and professionalism. <o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>National Convention:</span></b><b><span style='font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'> </span></b><span style='font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>In July, PREP students will enjoy the opportunity to accompanying BLIND, Inc., staff and adult students as we travel to New Orleans, Louisiana to attend the week-long National Federation of the Blind (NFB) convention. During this convention, our PREP students will join hundreds of other high school and college students from around the country when attending the National Association of Blind Students (NABS) meeting. Students will also attend other meetings and seminars, learn about new ground-breaking technology, and get involved in social and recreational activities. This annual convention is packed full of great learning opportunities and fun experiences.<o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>Confidence Building Activities: </span></b><span style='font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>Throughout the summer, the PREP students will participate in a variety of fun activities, including adaptive cycling, kayaking, rock climbing, amusement parks, shopping at various malls, and much more. <o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>Contact Michell Gip, Youth Services Coordinator, at 612-872-0100, Ext. 231, or <a href="mailto:mgip@blindinc.org">mgip@blindinc.org</a> for more information or an application. We can assist you to work with your local vocational rehabilitation agency to attend the program.<o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>Apply today to ensure your space in this program!</span></b><span style='font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'> <b>Applications are due March 31, 2022. Applications received after this date will be on a first come first serve basis. </b><o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p></div></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><div><div><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:12.0pt'><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Michell Gip, MAT, NCUEB, NOMCT<br>Youth Services Coordinator <br>Blindness: Learning In New Dimensions (BLIND), Inc. <br>100 East 22nd St. <br>Minneapolis, MN. 55404 <br>Phone: 612-872-0100 ext. 231<br><a href="mailto:mgip@blindinc.org">mgip@blindinc.org</a></span><o:p></o:p></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div></body></html>