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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 style='border:none;border-top:solid #E1E1E1 1.0pt;padding:3.0pt 0in 0in 0in'><p class=MsoNormal><b>From:</b> National Federation of the Blind <webmaster@nfb.org> <br><b>Sent:</b> Monday, April 18, 2022 4:46 PM<br><b>To:</b> Frank Loza <floza58@bellsouth.net><br><b>Subject:</b> New Innovative Program Narrowing the Gap for Blind Students<o:p></o:p></p></div><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><table class=MsoNormalTable border=0 cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 width="100%" style='width:100.0%'><tr style='height:15.0pt'><td style='padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;height:15.0pt'><p class=MsoNormal> <o:p></o:p></p></td></tr><tr><td valign=top style='padding:0in 0in 0in 0in'><div align=center><table class=MsoNormalTable border=0 cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 width=600 style='width:6.25in'><tr><td style='background:white;padding:0in 0in 0in 0in'><table class=MsoNormalTable border=0 cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 align=left width="100%" style='width:100.0%'><tr style='height:7.5pt'><td width="100%" valign=top style='width:100.0%;background:#0075C9;padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;height:7.5pt'><div align=center><table class=MsoNormalTable border=0 cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0><tr><td style='padding:0in 0in 0in 0in'><table class=MsoNormalTable border=0 cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0><tr><td style='padding:0in 0in 0in 0in'><p class=MsoNormal><img width=600 height=28 style='width:6.25in;height:.2916in' id="_x0000_i1033" src="https://nfb.org/images/nfb/images/images/top-blue-bar.jpg"><o:p></o:p></p></td></tr></table></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></td></tr><tr><td style='background:white;padding:0in 0in 0in 0in'><table class=MsoNormalTable border=0 cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 align=left width="100%" style='width:100.0%'><tr style='height:7.5pt'><td width="100%" valign=top style='width:100.0%;background:white;padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;height:7.5pt'><div align=center><table class=MsoNormalTable border=0 cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0><tr><td style='padding:0in 0in 0in 0in'><table class=MsoNormalTable border=0 cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0><tr><td style='padding:15.0pt 15.0pt 15.0pt 15.0pt'><p class=MsoNormal><a href="nfb.org"><span style='text-decoration:none'><img border=0 width=240 height=264 style='width:2.5in;height:2.75in' id="_x0000_i1032" src="https://nfb.org/images/nfb/images/images/nfb-logo-for-email-template.jpg" alt="National Federation of the Blind logo and tagline live the life you want"></span></a><o:p></o:p></p></td></tr></table></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></td></tr><tr><td style='background:white;padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;border-color:initial'><table class=MsoNormalTable border=0 cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 align=left width=600 style='width:6.25in'><tr style='height:15.0pt'><td width="100%" valign=top style='width:100.0%;background:white;padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;height:15.0pt'><h1 style='margin-top:12.0pt'><span style='color:black'>National Federation of the Blind Celebrates Maryland Teachers of Blind Students</span><o:p></o:p></h1><h2 style='margin-bottom:8.25pt'><em><span style='font-size:20.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:black'>Thirteen Future Teachers to Participate in Innovative Program</span></em><span style='font-size:20.0pt;color:black'> </span><o:p></o:p></h2><p style='margin-bottom:8.25pt'><strong><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:black'>Baltimore (April 18, 2022): </span></strong><span style='font-size:14.0pt;color:black'>The National Federation of the Blind, the transformative membership and advocacy organization of blind Americans, is proud to announce the first cohort of our new and innovative program: Narrowing the Gap for Blind and Low-Vision Students in Maryland Teacher Preparation. These thirteen participants will receive full funding to attend the Louisiana Tech University Program to train teachers of blind students. They will also partake in firsthand training, a community of practice, mentorship opportunities, and resources from the National Federation of the Blind. This program is funded in partnership with the Maryland Department of Education Division of Special Education/Early Intervention Services.</span><o:p></o:p></p><p style='margin-bottom:8.25pt'><span style='font-size:14.0pt;color:black'>“The National Federation of the Blind and our partner organization, the American Action Fund for Blind Children and Adults, are committed to doing all we can to help blind children. This includes enhancing the professional development of teachers of blind students by exposing them to the best available training, informed by a positive philosophy of blindness and the lived experience of blind people,” said Mark Riccobono, President of the National Federation of the Blind. “We know that this program will enhance the education of blind students in Maryland for years to come, and hope that it will serve as a template for programs throughout the nation. I am pleased to congratulate these future teachers of blind students, who were selected from a pool of highly competitive candidates.”</span><o:p></o:p></p><p style='margin-bottom:8.25pt'><span style='font-size:14.0pt;color:black'>“One way we narrow achievement gaps and dismantle inequities in special education is by training and retaining master teachers who can instruct, inspire and support students with disabilities. In this innovative partnership with the National Federation of the Blind we are building a new pipeline of educators prepared to support students who are blind or with low vision to ensure that we are fulfilling our mission to provide an excellent and equitable education for every child," said State Superintendent of Schools Mohammed Choudhury.</span><o:p></o:p></p><p style='margin-bottom:8.25pt'><span style='font-size:14.0pt;color:black'>“We are grateful for the opportunity to enhance our partnerships and respond to the statewide need for teachers of blind and low-vision students by building capacity within our Local Education Agencies and at the Maryland School for the Blind through this program,” said Marcella E. Franczkowski, Assistant State Superintendent, Division of Early Intervention and Special Education Services.</span><o:p></o:p></p><p style='margin-bottom:8.25pt'><span style='font-size:14.0pt;color:black'>The members of the first class of the Narrowing the Gap program are:</span><o:p></o:p></p><ul type=disc><li class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1'><span style='font-size:14.0pt;color:black'>Sadiqa Al-Salam</span><o:p></o:p></li><li class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1'><span style='font-size:14.0pt;color:black'>Sharon Boger</span><o:p></o:p></li><li class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1'><span style='font-size:14.0pt;color:black'>Debbie Harris</span><o:p></o:p></li><li class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1'><span style='font-size:14.0pt;color:black'>Abigail Hurd</span><o:p></o:p></li><li class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1'><span style='font-size:14.0pt;color:black'>William Klotz</span><o:p></o:p></li><li class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1'><span style='font-size:14.0pt;color:black'>Andrew Lovett </span><o:p></o:p></li><li class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1'><span style='font-size:14.0pt;color:black'>Brittany Nuse </span><o:p></o:p></li><li class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1'><span style='font-size:14.0pt;color:black'>Rachel Otremba</span><o:p></o:p></li><li class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1'><span style='font-size:14.0pt;color:black'>Katelyn Paylor</span><o:p></o:p></li><li class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1'><span style='font-size:14.0pt;color:black'>Lori Rossio</span><o:p></o:p></li><li class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1'><span style='font-size:14.0pt;color:black'>Elizabeth Tuttle </span><o:p></o:p></li><li class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1'><span style='font-size:14.0pt;color:black'>Dawn Vosburgh</span><o:p></o:p></li><li class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1'><span style='font-size:14.0pt;color:black'>Erin Zobell</span><o:p></o:p></li></ul><p style='margin-bottom:8.25pt'><span style='font-size:14.0pt;color:black'>### </span><o:p></o:p></p><h2 style='margin-bottom:8.25pt'><strong><span style='font-size:20.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:black'>About the National Federation of the Blind</span></strong><o:p></o:p></h2><p style='margin-bottom:8.25pt'><span style='font-size:14.0pt;color:black'>The National Federation of the Blind (NFB), headquartered in Baltimore, defends the rights of blind people of all ages and provides information and support to families with blind children, older Americans who are losing vision, and more. Founded in 1940, the NFB is the transformative membership and advocacy organization of blind Americans with affiliates, chapters, and divisions in the fifty states, Washington DC, and Puerto Rico. We believe in the hopes and dreams of blind people and work together to transform them into reality. Learn more about our many programs and initiatives at <a href="https://nfb.org/civicrm/mailing/url?u=25574&qid=7085610">nfb.org</a>.</span><o:p></o:p></p><h3 style='margin-bottom:8.25pt'><strong><span style='font-size:16.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:black'>CONTACT: </span></strong><o:p></o:p></h3><p><span style='font-size:14.0pt;color:black'>Chris Danielsen<br>Director of Public Relations </span><span style='color:black'><br></span><span style='font-size:14.0pt;color:black'>National Federation of the Blind </span><span style='color:black'><br></span><span style='font-size:14.0pt;color:black'>(410) 659-9314, extension 2330 </span><span style='color:black'><br></span><span style='font-size:14.0pt;color:black'>(410) 262-1281 (Cell) </span><span style='color:black'><br></span><span style='font-size:14.0pt;color:black'><a href="https://nfb.org/civicrm/mailing/url?u=25575&qid=7085610">cdanielsen@nfb.org</a></span><o:p></o:p></p></td></tr></table></td></tr><tr style='height:6.0pt'><td style='padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;height:6.0pt'><p class=MsoNormal> <o:p></o:p></p></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt;display:none'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><div align=center><table class=MsoNormalTable border=0 cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 width=600 style='width:6.25in;background:#002F6D'><tr style='height:45.0pt'><td width=135 style='width:101.25pt;padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;height:45.0pt'></td><td width=55 style='width:41.25pt;padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;height:45.0pt'><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:white'><a href="https://nfb.org/civicrm/mailing/url?u=25566&qid=7085610"><span style='text-decoration:none'><img border=0 width=50 height=35 style='width:.5208in;height:.3645in' id="_x0000_i1031" src="https://nfb.org/images/nfb/images/images/iof-facebook-ms.png" alt="Facebook Logo"></span></a></span><o:p></o:p></p></td><td width=55 style='width:41.25pt;padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;height:45.0pt'><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:white'><a href="https://nfb.org/civicrm/mailing/url?u=25567&qid=7085610"><span style='text-decoration:none'><img border=0 width=50 height=35 style='width:.5208in;height:.3645in' id="_x0000_i1030" src="https://nfb.org/images/nfb/images/images/iof-twitter-ms.png" alt="Twitter Logo"></span></a></span><o:p></o:p></p></td><td width=55 style='width:41.25pt;padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;height:45.0pt'><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:white'><a href="https://nfb.org/civicrm/mailing/url?u=25568&qid=7085610"><span style='text-decoration:none'><img border=0 width=50 height=35 style='width:.5208in;height:.3645in' id="_x0000_i1029" src="https://nfb.org/images/nfb/images/images/iof-instagram-ms.png" alt="Instagram Logo"></span></a></span><o:p></o:p></p></td><td width=55 style='width:41.25pt;padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;height:45.0pt'><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:white'><a href="https://nfb.org/civicrm/mailing/url?u=25569&qid=7085610"><span style='text-decoration:none'><img border=0 width=51 height=35 style='width:.5312in;height:.3645in' id="_x0000_i1028" src="https://nfb.org/images/nfb/images/images/iof-youtube-ms.png" alt="YouTube Logo"></span></a></span><o:p></o:p></p></td><td width=55 style='width:41.25pt;padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;height:45.0pt'><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:white'><a href="https://nfb.org/civicrm/mailing/url?u=25570&qid=7085610"><span style='text-decoration:none'><img border=0 width=50 height=35 style='width:.5208in;height:.3645in' id="_x0000_i1027" src="https://nfb.org/images/nfb/images/images/iof-email-ms.png" alt="Email Icon Image"></span></a></span><o:p></o:p></p></td><td width=55 style='width:41.25pt;padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;height:45.0pt'><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:white'><a href="https://nfb.org/civicrm/mailing/url?u=25571&qid=7085610"><span style='text-decoration:none'><img border=0 width=50 height=35 style='width:.5208in;height:.3645in' id="_x0000_i1026" src="https://nfb.org/images/nfb/images/images/iof-donte-ms.png" alt="Donate to the NFB Icon."></span></a></span><o:p></o:p></p></td><td width=135 style='width:101.25pt;padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;height:45.0pt'></td></tr><tr style='height:18.75pt'><td colspan=8 style='padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;height:18.75pt'><p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><b><span style='font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:white'>National Federation of the Blind | 200 E Wells Street | Baltimore, MD 21230 | 410-659-9314 <o:p></o:p></span></b></p></td></tr><tr style='height:18.75pt'><td colspan=8 style='padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;height:18.75pt'><p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><b><span style='font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:white'><a href="https://nfb.org/civicrm/mailing/unsubscribe?reset=1&jid=19081&qid=7085610&h=25223121fa52e5ac" title=Unsubscribe><span style='color:white'>Unsubscribe</span></a> | <a href="https://nfb.org/civicrm/mailing/optout?reset=1&jid=19081&qid=7085610&h=25223121fa52e5ac" title="Opt Out"><span style='color:white'>Opt Out</span></a> | <a href="https://nfb.org/civicrm/mailing/url?u=25572&qid=7085610" title="Sign up for email newsletter"><span style='color:white'>Sign Up for Our E-newsletter</span></a> <o:p></o:p></span></b></p></td></tr><tr><td colspan=8 style='padding:0in 0in 0in 0in'><div><p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><span class=street-address><b><span style='font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:white'>200 East Wells St.</span></b></span><b><span style='font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:white'><br><span class=locality>Baltimore</span><span class=adr>, </span><span class=postal-code>21230</span><br><span class=country-name>United States</span><o:p></o:p></span></b></p></div><p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><b><span style='font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:white'>.. <o:p></o:p></span></b></p></td></tr></table></div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt'><img src="https://s3.amazonaws.com/msv5/images/spacer.gif" width="1" height="1" alt="Web Bug from https://nfb.org/civicrm/mailing/open?qid=7085610" /></span><span style='font-size:10.0pt'><o:p></o:p></span></p></div></body></html>