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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><a name="_Hlk104128366"></a><a name="_Hlk75539397"></a><a name="_Hlk104126486"><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'>Good afternoon everyone,<o:p></o:p></span></span></a></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'>You can check out the December issue of the Braille Monitor by </span></span></span><a href="https://nfb.org/images/nfb/publications/bm/bm22/bm2211/bm2211tc.htm"><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'>visiting the official NFB website</span></span></span><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'></span></span></span></a><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'> or continue reading as it is contained within the body of this email for your convenience.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><o:p> </o:p></span></span></span></p><p><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:black'>_______________________________________________________________________________<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p><h1 align=center style='text-align:center;font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:41.5pt;color:black'>Braille Monitor<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></h1><p align=center style='text-align:center;font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:black'>Vol. 65, No. 11 December 2022<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p><p align=center style='text-align:center;font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><em><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:black'>Gary Wunder, Editor</span></em></span></span></span><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p><p align=center style='text-align:center;font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:black'>Distributed by email, in inkprint, in Braille, and on USB flash drive, by the<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p><p align=center style='text-align:center;font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:black'>The National Federation of the Blind<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p><p align=center style='text-align:center;font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:black'>Mark Riccobono, President<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p><p align=center style='text-align:center;font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:black'>telephone: 410-659-9314<br>email address: </span></span></span></span><a href="mailto:nfb@nfb.org"><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt'>nfb@nfb.org</span></span></span></span><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'></span></span></span></a><br><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:black'>website address: </span></span></span></span><a href="http://www.nfb.org/"><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt'>http://www.nfb.org</span></span></span></span><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'></span></span></span></a><br><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:black'>NFBnet.org: </span></span></span></span><a href="http://www.nfbnet.org/"><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt'>http://www.nfbnet.org</span></span></span></span><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'></span></span></span></a><br><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:black'>NFB-NEWSLINEŽ information: 866-504-7300<br>Like us on Facebook: </span></span></span></span><a href="http://www.facebook.com/nationalfederationoftheblind"><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt'>Facebook.com/nationalfederationoftheblind</span></span></span></span><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'></span></span></span></a><br><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:black'>Follow us on Twitter: @NFB_Voice<br>Watch and share our videos: </span></span></span></span><a href="http://www.youtube.com/NationsBlind"><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt'>YouTube.com/NationsBlind</span></span></span></span><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'></span></span></span></a><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p><p style='font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:black'>Letters to the President, address changes, subscription requests, and orders for NFB literature should be sent to the national office. Articles for the <em><span style='font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif'>Monitor</span></em> and letters to the editor may also be sent to the national office or may be emailed to </span></span></span></span><a href="mailto:gwunder@nfb.org"><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt'>gwunder@nfb.org</span></span></span></span><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'></span></span></span></a><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:black'>.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p><p align=center style='text-align:center;font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><i><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:black'>Monitor </span></i></span></span></span><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:black'>subscriptions cost the Federation about forty dollars per year. Members are invited,<br>and nonmembers are requested, to cover the subscription cost. Donations should be<br>made payable to <strong><span style='font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif'>National Federation of the Blind</span></strong> and sent to:<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p><p align=center style='text-align:center'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:black'>National Federation of the Blind<br>200 East Wells Street <em><span style='font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif'>at Jernigan Place</span></em><br>Baltimore, Maryland 21230-4998<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p><p align=center style='text-align:center;font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><strong><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:black'>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. THE NATIONAL FEDERATION OF THE BLIND IS NOT AN ORGANIZATION SPEAKING FOR THE BLIND--IT IS THE BLIND SPEAKING FOR OURSELVES.</span></strong></span></span></span><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p><p style='font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><em><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:black'>ISSN 0006-8829</span></em></span></span></span><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p><div class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:black'><hr size=2 width="100%" align=center></span></span></span></span></div><p style='font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:black'>Each issue is recorded on a thumb drive (also called a memory stick or USB flash drive). You can read this audio edition using a computer or a National Library Service digital player. The NLS machine has two slots--the familiar book-cartridge slot just above the retractable carrying handle and a second slot located on the right side near the headphone jack. This smaller slot is used to play thumb drives. Remove the protective rubber pad covering this slot and insert the thumb drive. It will insert only in one position. If you encounter resistance, flip the drive over and try again. (Note: If the cartridge slot is not empty when you insert the thumb drive, the digital player will ignore the thumb drive.) Once the thumb drive is inserted, the player buttons will function as usual for reading digital materials. If you remove the thumb drive to use the player for cartridges, when you insert it again, reading should resume at the point you stopped.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p><p style='font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:black'>You can transfer the recording of each issue from the thumb drive to your computer or preserve it on the thumb drive. However, because thumb drives can be used hundreds of times, we would appreciate their return in order to stretch our funding. Please use the return envelope enclosed with the drive when you return the device.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p><div class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:black'><hr size=2 width="100%" align=center></span></span></span></span></div><h2><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><a name=contents></a><span style='font-size:30.0pt;color:black'>Contents<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></h2><p style='font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:black'>Vol. 65, No. 11 December 2022<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p><p style='font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><b><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:black'>Convention Bulletin 2023<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></span></span></p><p style='font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:black'>A Tribute to Jacquilyn Billey<br>by Carolyn Dodd<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p><p style='font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><b><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:black'>Announcing the NFB 2023 Scholarship Program</span></b></span></span></span><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:black'><br><i>by Cayte Mendez</i><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p><p style='font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><b><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:black'>Understanding the Orozco versus Garland Appeal and Why It Is Important</span></b></span></span></span><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:black'><br><i>by Valerie Yingling</i><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p><p style='font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><b><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:black'>We Who Have Multiple Disabilities Also Have a Place in the Movement: Reflection by and about Krystal Sanford</span></b></span></span></span><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:black'><br><i>by Norma Crosby and Krystal Sanford</i><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p><p style='font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><b><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:black'>What I Learned from Attending My First National Convention</span></b></span></span></span><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:black'><br><i>by Judy Rasmussen</i><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p><p style='font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><b><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:black'>Nielsen Gives the Federation More than Ratings</span></b></span></span></span><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:black'><br><i>by Jenivieve White</i><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p><p style='font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><b><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:black'>Kenko and The Christmas Wreaths</span></b></span></span></span><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:black'><br><i>by Paul Gabias</i><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p><p style='font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><b><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:black'>You Can Make a Difference<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></span></span></p><p style='font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><b><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:black'>Social Security Announces 8.7 Percent Cost-of-Living Adjustment for 2023</span></b></span></span></span><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:black'><br><i>by Advocacy and Policy Department</i><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p><p style='font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><b><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:black'>A Way to Save when Receiving Public Assistance</span></b></span></span></span><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:black'><br><i>by Eric Ochmanek</i><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p><p style='font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><b><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:black'>The 2023 Blind Educator of the Year Award</span></b></span></span></span><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:black'><br><i>by Robin House</i><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p><p style='font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><b><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:black'>Congress Ordered Agencies to Use Tech that Works for People with Disabilities Twenty-four Years Ago—Many Still Haven't</span></b></span></span></span><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:black'><br><i>by Ruth Reader</i><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p><p style='font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><b><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:black'>Do You Really Know What It's Like?</span></b></span></span></span><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:black'><br><i>by Trevor Tattenberg</i><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p><p style='font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><b><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:black'>The 2023 Distinguished Educator of Blind Students Award</span></b></span></span></span><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:black'><br><i>by Carla McQuillan</i><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p><p style='font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><b><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:black'>What Do We Do to Help Blind Diabetics?</span></b></span></span></span><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:black'><br><i>by Debbie Wunder</i><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p><p style='font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><b><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:black'>I am Waiting to Go Blind</span></b></span></span></span><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:black'><br><i>by Kevin McNally</i><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p><p style='font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><b><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:black'>The National Federation of the Blind of Nebraska Celebrates Blind Equality Achievement Month</span></b></span></span></span><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:black'><br><i>by Nancy Coffman</i><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p><p style='font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><b><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:black'>NFBCO Celebrates the Completion of its PHD Project</span></b></span></span></span><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:black'><br><i>by Peggy Chong</i><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p><p style='font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><b><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:black'>Promoting Current Event and Media Literacy with NFB-NEWSLINE: A Parent's Perspective</span></b></span></span></span><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:black'><br><i>by Heather Bird</i><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p><p style='font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><b><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:black'>Tech Tips</span></b></span></span></span><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:black'><br><i>by Curtis Chong</i><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p><p style='font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><b><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:black'>Constitution of the National Federation of the Blind<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></span></span></p><p style='font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><em><b><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:black'>Monitor</span></b></em></span></span></span><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><b><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:black'> Miniatures<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></span></span></p><p align=center style='text-align:center;font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:black'>Copyright 2022 by the National Federation of the Blind<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p><h2 style='font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:30.0pt;color:black'>Convention Bulletin 2023<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></h2><p style='font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:black'>There are plenty of reasons one might travel to Houston, Texas, the fourth most populous city in the United States. One might visit for the nearly three-week-long Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo. The city’s vibrant arts scene boasts the largest concentration of theater seats outside of New York City. And no Houston resident would let a visitor forget that the city is home to the 2022 World Series Champion Houston Astros. There is little question that Houston has a great deal going for it. The city’s real draw, however, is that it will play host to the National Federation of the Blind’s 2023 National Convention.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p><p style='font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:black'>It has now been more than fifty years since the largest gathering of the organized blind last convened in Houston, Texas, and our return in 2023 will be an event not to be missed. The Hilton Americas-Houston hotel (1600 Lamar Street, Houston, TX 77010) will serve as our convention headquarters hotel. Situated in the heart of downtown Houston across the street from the beautiful twelve-acre Discovery Green Park, the Hilton Americas is an ideal location for our annual event. Ballrooms, breakout space, and sleeping rooms are all stacked in the same tower housed on a single city block, simplifying navigation and minimizing travel distances. In-room internet is complimentary to all attendees as is access to the health club and swimming pool on the 22nd floor. There are several dining options on the hotel’s lobby level (including a Starbucks for those of you requiring a caffeine fix) and many more choices within easy walking distance from the Hilton’s front door.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p><p style='font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:black'>The nightly rate at the Hilton Americas-Houston is $105 for singles, doubles, triples, and quads. In addition, the sales tax rate is 8.25 percent, and the hotel occupancy tax rate is 17 percent. To book your room for the 2023 convention, call 1-800-236-2905 after January 1 and ask for the “NFB Convention” block. For each room, the hotel will take a deposit of the first night’s room rate and taxes and will require a credit card or a personal check. If you use a credit card, the deposit will be charged against your card immediately. If a reservation is cancelled before Monday, June 1, 2023, half of the deposit will be returned. Otherwise refunds will not be made.<br>We have also secured overflow space at the wonderful Marriott Marquis Houston. The Marriott is only a three-block walk directly across Discovery Green, or attendees can walk entirely indoors through the George R. Brown convention center, connecting both hotels on the second level. You will find many of the same amenities at the Marriott as well as a Texas-shaped lazy river pool. The room rate at the Marriott Marquis is a slightly higher $119 per night for singles, doubles, triples, and quads. To book a room, call 1-877-622-3056 after January 1. Again, ask for the “NFB Convention” block. Similarly, the same deposit and cancellation policies apply.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p><p style='font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:black'>The 2023 convention of the National Federation of the Blind will be a truly exciting and memorable event, with an unparalleled program and rededication to the goals and work of our movement. A wide range of seminars for parents of blind children, technology enthusiasts, job seekers, and other groups will kick the week off on Saturday, July 1. Convention registration and registration packet pick-up will also open on Saturday. Breakout sessions continue on Sunday along with committee meetings. Monday, July 3, will kick off with the annual meeting, open to all, of the Board of Directors of the National Federation of the Blind. National division meetings will follow the board meeting that afternoon and evening. General convention sessions will begin on Tuesday, July 4, and continue through the afternoon of Thursday, July 6. Convention ends on a high note with the banquet Thursday evening so be sure to pack your fancy clothes. The fall of the gavel at the close of banquet will signal convention’s adjournment.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p><p style='font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:black'>Remember that as usual we need door prizes from state affiliates, local chapters, and individuals. Once again prizes should be small in size but large in value. Cash, of course, is always appropriate and welcome. As a rule, we ask that prizes of all kinds have a value of at least $25 and not include alcohol. Drawings will occur steadily throughout the convention sessions, and you can anticipate a Texas-sized grand prize to be drawn at the banquet. You may bring door prizes with you to convention or send them in advance to the National Federation of the Blind of Texas at 1600 E Highway 6, Suite 215, Alvin, TX 77511.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p><p style='font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:black'>The best collection of exhibits featuring new technology; meetings of our special interest groups, committees, and divisions; the most stimulating and provocative program items of any meeting of the blind in the world; the chance to renew friendships in our Federation family; and the unparalleled opportunity to be where the real action is and where decisions are being made—all of these mean you will not want to miss being a part of the 2023 National Convention. To assure yourself a room in the headquarters hotel at convention rates, make your reservations early. We plan to see you in Houston in July.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p><h2 style='font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:30.0pt;color:black'>A Tribute to Jacquilyn Billey<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></h2><p style='font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><strong><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:black'>by Carolyn Dodd</span></strong></span></span></span><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p><p style='font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><strong><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:black'>From the Editor: This contribution from Carolyn is one I feared we might not get, and if we had not, the tribute that appears here might never have come about. Jacquilyn Billey was very active in the 80s and early 90s, but finding someone who felt they knew her well enough to do justice to her work was difficult.</span></strong></span></span></span><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p><p style='font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><strong><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:black'>Carolyn Dodd spent most of her life as a teacher, but when she decided to change schools, she encountered discrimination and turned to Jacquie and the NFB. Carolyn has been retired for about eighteen years, but she continues by teaching English as a second language and helping those new in the country to study for and pass their tests to become citizens. When I asked Carolyn for a picture, she said she did not want this to be about her but about Jacquie, so here is her article:</span></strong></span></span></span><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p><p style='font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:black'>Jacquilyn Billey left us on April 10th of this year. Her joyous, selfless spirit caused her to give immeasurably to the National Federation of the Blind. Jacquilyn hailed from Wentworth, South Dakota, where she grew up on her family farm, chewing corn [on the cob], milking cows, and watching the crops grow.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p><p style='font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:black'>Her first job, at the age of twelve, was working as a switchboard operator at the Wentworth telephone office. She graduated from South Dakota State University. Her fearless energy and ambition took her to New York City where she worked as a teacher and earned a master’s degree in special education at Hunter College. It was there in the early 60s that she met John Billey. They were married in 1963 and became the proud parents of two daughters, Andrea and Sarah. Jacquie taught in Newark, New Jersey, throughout the sixties.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p><p style='font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:black'>In the 1970s, the Billeys moved to Connecticut where Jacquie initiated and directed a program to train and prepare adults with intellectual disabilities for employment. Consequently, many of these adults worked in mailrooms, cafeterias, supermarkets, etc., as successful employees.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p><p style='font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:black'>It was in 1971 that the National Federation of the Blind of Connecticut came into existence. I met Jacquie in the early 80s. I was genuinely struck by her engaging, exuberant presence, and we became fast friends. We had many telephone conversations and group meetings. There was no email, Facebook, or texting back then.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p><p style='font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:black'>Jacquie was president of the Connecticut Affiliate of the National Federation of the Blind from 1984 to 1990. She tirelessly oversaw an extensive fundraising and awareness effort that helped members through scholarships, learning Braille, cane travel, attending college, going to state and national conventions of the National Federation of the Blind, and obtaining needed equipment for their education and careers.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p><p style='font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:black'>Many of us in the Federation attended and testified at hearings at the Connecticut State Capitol to promote and support legislation which would improve opportunities for the blind. We did so in Washington, DC, annually, where we met with our US senators and representatives for the same purposes.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p><p style='font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:black'>Jacquilyn visited almost every state in the country, building chapters for the Federation where none existed. This was her mission as she travelled extensively with her white cane—sometimes a challenge but always a symbol of independence.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p><p style='font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:black'>Jacquilyn received the Jacobus tenBroek Award from the National Federation of the Blind in recognition of her dedication, sacrifice, and commitment on behalf of the blind of our nation.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p><p style='font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:black'>In the early 1990s, Jacquilyn was ready to set down roots again and took a position as a regional coordinator at the Roswell office of the Commission for the Blind in New Mexico. She worked tirelessly to support blind people in their education and career plans. She also embraced the culture of the Southwest, cooking with Hatch chili peppers and listening to the opera in Santa Fe.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p><p style='font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:black'>Finally, I would like to express my devotion and in particular my gratitude for the support that I personally received, as did so many others, when an attempt was made to deny me a teaching position I had been offered. Jacquilyn Billey and the National Federation of the Blind arranged for an advocate to accompany me at a meeting in Hartford, Connecticut. When my qualifications and experience were reviewed, they were accepted. Words cannot adequately explain how affirming the Federation’s support was to me again. My blindness was not an obstacle.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:black;background:white'>Although I write this in sadness and grief in the loss of a loyal and devoted friend, fond memories are forever of one who gave her all to our beloved National Federation of the Blind.</span><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p><h2><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:30.0pt;color:black'>Announcing the NFB 2023 Scholarship Program<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></h2><p style='font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><strong><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:black'>by Cayte Mendez</span></strong></span></span></span><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p><p style='font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><strong><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:black'>From the Editor: Many volunteer jobs in the NFB are as taxing and as demanding of time as fulltime employment. One of them is chairing our scholarship committee, and Cayte does a wonderful job of remaining calm, cool, and compassionate in the performance of her duties. Here is her announcement about the 2023 Scholarship Program with the promise of a longer article to come early next year:</span></strong></span></span></span><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p><p style='font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:black'>The National Federation of the Blind is pleased to announce our 2023 Scholarship Program. We offer thirty $8,000 scholarships to blind students who will be at least eighteen years of age by July 1, 2023. Students may apply if they reside in the fifty states, the District of Columbia or Puerto Rico, and will be enrolled in a full-time accredited post-secondary degree program during the 2022-2023 school year. All scholarships will be awarded at our 2023 National Convention, which will take place in Houston, Texas, from July 1 to 6, 2023.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p><p style='font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:black'>The application period begins December 1, 2022, and closes at midnight EST on March 31, 2023. Go to </span></span></span></span><a href="http://www.nfb.org/scholarships"><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt'>www.nfb.org/scholarships</span></span></span></span><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'></span></span></span></a><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:black'>. To apply during the four-month open period: read the rules and the submission checklist, complete the official 2023 Scholarship Application form (online or in print), supply all required documents, and request and complete an interview with an NFB affiliate president. Remember, the only way to win is to apply!<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p><h2 style='font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:30.0pt;color:black'>Understanding the Orozco versus Garland Appeal and Why It Is Important<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></h2><p style='font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><strong><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:black'>by Valerie Yingling</span></strong></span></span></span><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p><p style='font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><strong><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:black'>From the Editor: Valerie coordinates our legal activities and her extension gets mentioned more in most national reports to affiliates than any other number. Here is what she has to say about a very important case in which the NFB is involved:</span></strong></span></span></span><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p><p style='font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:black'>Can both federal employees and members of the public with disabilities avail themselves of the full panoply of rights and remedies provided, either explicitly or implicitly, by Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act, 29 U.S.C. § 794d, including the right to file a civil action for injunctive relief?<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p><p style='font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:black'>In other words, do blind people have the right to advocate and file suit when federal agencies fail to provide accessible information and technology? On Tuesday, October 18, a panel of three federal appellate judges heard oral arguments regarding that question in the National Federation of the Blind-supported case, Orozco v. Garland, a case that stemmed from an inaccessible workplace for a blind federal employee.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p><p style='font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:black'>The outcome of the appeal will affect more than employee rights, however. When so much of our lives are spent online, and completing even the simplest of tasks requires technology, barriers to federal information and technology limit not only employment prospects of the blind but our basic dignity and status as first-class citizens. Members of the public rely on federal information and communication technology (ICT) for no shortage of reasons—including paying taxes, monitoring Social Security benefits, and planning a visit to a favorite national park. Federal employees also rely on federal agency ICT for any number of reasons—including to perform their job duties, interact with colleagues, complete agency trainings, and apply for promotions.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p><p style='font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:black'>The oral arguments made on Tuesday, October 18, 2022, were critical for many reasons:<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p><p style='font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:black'>Attorneys argued the implications of Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act—the law requiring that information and communication technology developed, procured, maintained, or used by the federal government be accessible to federal employees with disabilities as well as members of the public with disabilities.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p><p style='font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:black'>Attorneys argued what rights disabled people have when a federal agency does not use accessible information and communication technology. As referenced above, this appeal hinges on the question of whether an individual with disabilities has a right to file a complaint in federal court when federal technology is inaccessible.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:black;background:white'>The 2019 Orozco v. Wray complaint details the access barriers present for one federal employee in one federal agency. Multiply this by the number of blind individuals in the United States, and you can understand the depth and weight of this case. In October 2021, a judge ruled that Section 508 is not enforceable through a private lawsuit. The National Federation of the Blind disagrees with this decision—Section 508 describes both who can take enforcement actions and against whom enforcement can be taken. We were eager and empowered to hear counsel argue how Section 508 includes a private right of action for individuals. And we hope you were able to join us the morning of October 18, either in person or virtually, to listen to this critical debate. We will carry more as the case progresses.</span><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p><h2><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:30.0pt;color:black'>We Who Have Multiple Disabilities Also Have a Place in the Movement: Reflection by and about Krystal Sanford<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></h2><p style='font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><strong><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:black'>by Norma Crosby and Krystal Sanford</span></strong></span></span></span><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p><p style='font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><strong><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:black'>From the Editor: In late September I got a call from a woman wanting to write an article for the </span></strong></span></span></span><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><em><b><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:black'>Braille Monitor</span></b></em></span></span></span><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><strong><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:black'>. She thought that readers should hear directly, or at least as directly as possible, that the </span></strong></span></span></span><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><em><b><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:black'>Monitor</span></b></em></span></span></span><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><strong><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:black'> is important for folks with disabilities in addition to blindness. She also wanted us to know what a transformative force the Federation and its members have been in her life. Here is what she and Norma have written:</span></strong></span></span></span><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p><p style='font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:black'>Krystal Sanford is a force of nature and the epitome of a great Federationist. Despite her multiple disabilities, Krystal participates in every Federation event she possibly can. She does volunteer work for an area animal shelter and is active in Special Olympics. She never uses the fact that she is on a walker, has hydrocephalus, is legally blind, and has a speech impairment stand in the way of doing what she needs to do in life.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p><p style='font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:black'>Krystal has been a member of the Lone Star Chapter of the National Federation of the Blind of Texas for several years. She has participated in our advocacy efforts by attending the 2021 Washington Seminar. She talks to anyone who will listen about the great job her chapter does at recruiting rural members, and she is always eager to volunteer to distribute Federation materials.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p><p style='font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:black'>We often talk about high expectations in the Federation, and Krystal has high expectations for herself, and as anyone who has met her knows, she expects others to toe the line as well. She is an avid user of NFB-NEWSLINEŽ, and is always anxious to let our Texas NEWSLINE team know when we aren’t measuring up to her high standards.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p><p style='font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:black'>She is a beloved part of our Federation family, and we look forward to years of her presence in our community.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:black;background:white'>“I love being a part of this group and having people to talk to about what we are doing and what we are going to do. I enjoy reading the </span></span></span></span><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><em><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:black'>Braille Monitor, </span></em></span></span></span><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:black;background:white'>and I am excited to be one of the people who has multiple disabilities and has decided to say to readers just how important you are to me and how important I want to be to you. I want to make this an even better organization, and I thank all of the people who care about me and let me care about them too.”</span><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p><h2><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:30.0pt;color:black'>What I Learned from Attending My First National Convention<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></h2><p style='font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><strong><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:black'>by Judy Rasmussen</span></strong></span></span></span><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p><p style='font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><strong><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:black'>From the Editor: This article is reprinted from the </span></strong></span></span></span><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><em><b><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:black'>Braille Spectator</span></b></em></span></span></span><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><strong><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:black'>, a publication of the National Federation of the Blind of Maryland. Here is the way the article was introduced:</span></strong></span></span></span><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p><p style='font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:black'>[<strong><span style='font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif'>Editor's Note: Judy Rasmussen, secretary of the NFB of Maryland, also serves as the co-chair of the NFBMD Ambassadors Committee. This committee is charged with providing first-time convention attendees with orientation to the numerous convention activities and mentorship.]</span></strong><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p><p style='font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:black'>After two years of attending virtual national conventions, most of us were ready to meet again in person. However, we had questions. Would this convention be as inspiring and energetic as previous ones? Would we contract COVID? If we did, would we get really sick?<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p><p style='font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:black'>Despite these uncertainties, more than two hundred Marylanders attended our national convention in New Orleans from July 4 to 11. There were more than forty first-timers, which is really pretty amazing and exciting.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p><p style='font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:black'>All first-timers have worthwhile stories to tell. This article features three first-timers who come from varied and diverse backgrounds. Each had different expectations and reasons for attending the convention. All came away with the realization that they are not alone, whether they are pursuing career options or living in a new place independently, they realize they are all capable of helping others experiencing vision loss.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p><h3 style='font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:22.5pt;color:black'>I Can Run a Business?<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></h3><p style='font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:black'>Christina Campbell has been legally blind all her life. She attended the Maryland School for the Blind, but because she had some vision, she didn't think she needed to learn to read and write Braille. In 2020 she lost a significant amount of vision and regretted not taking advantage of learning some more intensive blindness skills while attending school.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p><p style='font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:black'>Christina has always enjoyed sports and recreation—especially martial arts and self-defense. After graduating from school, she took courses and became a certified martial arts instructor. She founded her own school and ran a successful business for several years. She is now embarking on marketing herself as a self-defense instructor and is willing to travel to different parts of the country to teach this essential skill, especially to people who have visual impairments.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p><p style='font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:black'>Christina heard about the NFB in school but didn't make any effort to join the organization. She joined a Facebook group called Clubhouse, where she helps plan events focusing on sports. She met some people in this group who were Federation members, and they convinced her it was a good idea to join. She joined the Greater Baltimore Chapter recently and is looking forward to getting to know more people.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p><p style='font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:black'>One of her first Federation activities was talking to some parent groups regarding the importance of encouraging their blind children to participate in sports activities.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p><p style='font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:black'>What did Christina learn from the convention? She learned that passing resolutions gives us power and influence on many issues that affect how we work, play, and go to school. She learned blind people can work in a huge exhibit hall and help sell items like talking clocks, Braille card games, etc. She learned the importance of having a mentor, as well as serving as one. She appreciated Ellen Ringlein's help in getting her acclimated to what was happening and introducing her to people from many states. She especially enjoyed the opening ceremonies because the energy was so high, and she heard delegates from each state give brief highlights of what had happened in their affiliates during the past year. She is looking forward to staying involved in Federation activities and assuming some leadership roles.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p><h3 style='font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:22.5pt;color:black'>Can I Do It?<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></h3><p style='font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:black'>Pat Peters recently moved to Maryland from Chicago to be near her children and grandchildren. It was a big adjustment. She had been gradually losing her vision due to retinitis pigmentosa, a progressive eye disease. She was apprehensive about the move because she knew where things were in her neighborhood, she had friends, and she felt comfortable. She was no stranger to experiencing new things. Throughout her career she had helped people who had been sexually abused, ran a construction company, and opened a coffee shop. When the opportunity came to get an apartment near her family, she packed up and moved, not quite knowing what she would find or if she would like it here.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p><p style='font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:black'>Pat heard about the Federation and the national convention from one of our newer members, Judy Nelson. When Pat heard about all the events that happened at convention, she decided to go, figuring she would meet new people and learn more about adjustment to vision loss.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p><p style='font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:black'>The Ambassadors Committee is an important part of the work we do, especially at national and state conventions. When Pat learned that a blind person would be her mentor, she was amazed and a little apprehensive. "How could a blind person help me when she wouldn't know where to go herself?" After losing her mentor in the airport, (they found each other) she decided this was going to be a real adventure.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p><p style='font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:black'>When she got to the hotel and heard hundreds of canes tapping, she felt excited and nervous. Pat's first day was exhausting. After standing in line for two hours to show her COVID test, picking up her registration packet, and trying to figure out what to do next, she told her mentor she was ready to go to her room to make some coffee. Making coffee is no big deal, right? Well, after she got everything ready, she pushed the only button she could find on the pot, and nothing happened. Not to be deterred, her mentor called Be My Eyes to see if they could figure out why the pot was not running. After more exploration and much laughter, they discovered that the pot was not plugged in. Hearing that coffee gurgle in the pot made Pat realize that blind people could solve problems and that she had a group of friends in the NFB who would stand beside her as she adjusted to life here in Maryland. Maybe she could leave her room by herself and go to meetings like everyone else was.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p><p style='font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:black'>On the second day, Pat was leaving her room on her own, attending seminars, finding food, and doing what she wanted to do. She realized people were helping each other find their way, and she continued to gain confidence in her new-found freedom as the week wore on. She met Federationists who lived near her in Prince George's County, and since the convention she has participated in many activities with them. Pat has already registered for the state convention.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p><p style='font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:black'>What would Pat's advice be to newly blind people and to those considering attending a convention for the first time? "There are no limits."<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p><h3 style='font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:22.5pt;color:black'>My Life Has Come Full Circle<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></h3><p style='font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:black'>Guy Kelly, a veteran, federal contractor for the government, hardware designer, and an entrepreneur has led a full life. In 2018 he was hit in the eye with a basketball. His vision was affected somewhat, but he continued to function normally.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p><p style='font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:black'>In 2020 he lost a significant amount of vision, which was very devastating. He retired from Verizon after thirty years of installing cable networks for telephone systems. He is currently still working on some contracts designing telephone system hardware. His future goal is to be approved as a minority business owner and be awarded contracts from the government to continue installation and other types of work.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p><p style='font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:black'>Guy did not want the fact that he was nearly blind to run his life. He began doing some research and decided he needed some independent living skills training. He is currently enrolled in the core program at Blind Industries and Services of Maryland (BISM).<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p><p style='font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:black'>Guy heard about the convention from BISM and decided to go. He had joined the Central Maryland Chapter and already knew a few people.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p><p style='font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:black'>One of the first things that amazed him was that, while waiting to check into the hotel, he saw a blind person on a hover board. He said he was privileged to have Sharon Maneki as his mentor and couldn't believe how many people she introduced him to on his first day.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p><p style='font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:black'>Guy said he enjoyed learning about all the civil rights issues in which the Federation is involved. This was very personal to him since the Federation had just gone to court with him to help secure visitation rights to see his six-year-old daughter. He had been denied visitation rights on the basis of his blindness. He is happy he now has visitation rights and he credits the Federation totally for making that happen.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:black;background:white'>Guy relayed that the highlight of the convention for him was the opening day ceremonies. Thirty years ago, while in the army, he carried the Missouri state flag at the Super Bowl in New Orleans. At the 2022 convention, he was able to be part of the color guard and carry the Federation flag. He is proud to have served his country and proud to be a Federationist.</span><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p><h2><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:30.0pt;color:black'>Nielsen Gives the Federation More than Ratings<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></h2><p style='font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><strong><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:black'>by Jenivieve White</span></strong></span></span></span><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p><p style='font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><strong><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:black'>From the Editor: Jen is one of the most enthusiastic people I know on our national staff. She is always helpful and friendly, and she knows how to appreciate the work of others and acknowledge them. Here is her contribution:</span></strong></span></span></span><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p><p style='font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:black'>Community involvement: what does that really mean, and who are the folks that are truly involved in their communities? It means helping your community become better one action at a time. It means showing up when help is needed, and it means you are really concerned that those you are helping are moving toward the goals they want to achieve.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p><p style='font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:black'>The National Federation of the Blind is a volunteer-run organization by blind and sighted folks all over the United States and Puerto Rico. We run the programs of the Federation, but we also have partnerships with companies who volunteer their time and expertise to our programs, conventions, and fundraising.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p><p style='font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:black'>For the past seven years, we have been lucky enough to have a team of volunteers from Nielsen Media Research Incorporated, located in Columbia, Maryland, who really do believe in their community, who are concerned that we are achieving our goals as an organization, and who are always willing to help when we ask.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p><p style='font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:black'>Every quarter a team of volunteers from Nielsen helps with our Early Childhood Initiatives Program which is geared toward children aged birth to eight years. This program has close to six hundred participants, and each quarter these children are sent a packet of materials with activities to help them with their Braille and travel skills. Our Nielsen volunteer team picks up the quarterly mailing materials from NFB headquarters, collates those Braille and print documents, prints the envelopes, stuffs those envelopes, and mails those packets for us.<br>This wonderful team of folks has volunteered at our 6 Dot Dash events, taking on being talking signs, running or walking with blind participants, and being at the water stations throughout the race. They have helped us with NFB BELL Academy and NFB EQ programs by cutting, taping, and counting out origami squares. They have even helped with the collating and binding of our Code of Conduct documents in Braille for National Convention.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p><p style='font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:black'>Nielsen gives their employees one day every year where they can volunteer with any organization they wish, and of course, our wonderful team shows up in full force ready to do whatever we ask of them.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p><p style='font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:black'>The Nielsen team of volunteers consists of many folks, but I definitely want to give special thanks to a number of these wonderful people. Neil Eisenberg, Vice President of Finance, was one of the first persons we met at Nielsen when our partnership began, and he has been our staunch supporter ever since. He is always one of the first to volunteer, and he also allows other employees to take time away from their duties to help us each quarter.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p><p style='font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:black'>Sue Thomas is a project manager at Nielsen, and she has volunteered in every way we have asked, including at the 6 Dot Dash, and she is my main contact each quarter when she comes to pick up the materials for the mailing. Rowena Flores, Crystal Gore-Fisher, and Bhavini Thacker are all on the core team of volunteers as well. There have been so many other volunteers from Nielsen that I cannot name them all, but I want everyone to know that this team helps keep our programs running, saves us countless hours of time, and reaches out to let us know they are here for us whenever we need them.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:black;background:white'>Our partnership with Nielsen Media Research Incorporated shows how impactful partnering is to our mission, programs, and our blind members. We will continue to hold this relationship in the highest regard as we thank all of the volunteers who help keep this organization moving forward.</span><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p><h2><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:30.0pt;color:black'>Kenko and The Christmas Wreaths<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></h2><p style='font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><strong><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:black'>by Paul Gabias</span></strong></span></span></span><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p><p style='font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><strong><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:black'>From the Editor: Dr. Paul Gabias is an Associate Professor of Psychology at the University of British Columbia (UBC). His areas of specialization at the University are vision and touch, particularly picture perception. Paul considers his blindness from birth as a minor characteristic. It’s all a matter of perspective, he says. He is thrilled to work with kindred spirits in the National Federation of the Blind.</span></strong></span></span></span><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p><p style='font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><strong><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:black'>Kenko is the seventh guide dog that Paul has trained himself. She is a golden retriever. He has trained three guide dogs for other people. Two of them had never traveled with guide dogs before. He learned to train guide dogs from his blind professor of psychology, Dr. Robert Lambert. Bob learned from his English friend Bill, who was also blind.</span></strong></span></span></span><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p><p style='font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><strong><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:black'>For many years in the 1990s, Paul was the president of the National Association of Guide Dog Users and the editor of </span></strong></span></span></span><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><em><b><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:black'>Harness Up</span></b></em></span></span></span><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><strong><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:black'>. In addition to his other work, Paul is the CEO of his company The Gabias Wellness Network. His business has reached the level of Platinum Independent Wellness Consultant with the Nikken Corporation. He finds, trains, and develops people who want to grow businesses with The Gabias Wellness Network and Nikken. He says that at seventy years old, he feels better than ever, and I’m delighted he felt energetic enough to take the trip he describes and then to write us an article with a bit of holiday spirit:</span></strong></span></span></span><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p><p style='font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:black'>How do blind people get to places they’ve never been before? The same as sighted people do! We do research as to how to get there. It’s no more complicated than that! So how does Kenko come into it? That’s what this story is about.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p><p style='font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:black'>We live in Kelowna, British Columbia, Canada. My wife Mary Ellen is also blind. We have raised four sighted children who are now adults, and our daughter Joanne has made several important contributions that have found their way into this magazine.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p><p style='font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:black'>Our Costco moved about six months ago. We used to go to Costco all the time, but since the beginning of 2020, we discovered Instacart through our daughter. Now, when we order from Costco using our cell phone, Instacart does the shopping for us and delivers the order to our door. This is so convenient! There is no needing help in the store any more and no need to call and wait for a taxi to get us home. Everything is done for us, provided that we can make the programming on the cell phone work. We can also look around through the aisles of the store to see what’s new. The phone robot never gets tired of listing the merchandise in each aisle. For a blind person, it’s a great way to shop, and sighted people like it too, otherwise the service wouldn’t exist. We use Apple phones and they speak to us, through something they call Voice Over. If you know how to use the speech aspects of the Apple cell phones, they will usually tell you what is on the screen, and you can interact with it.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p><p style='font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:black'>Christmas wreaths didn’t seem to be on the Instacart menu. When we called Costco, they said that they had 157 wreaths in stock. Knowing Costco, that meant that I had to get there relatively quickly, even though we were still in early November. At Costco, items move fast, and you can never be sure if they’ll have more in stock. So I decided to go to the new Costco myself. On our home, we have double front doors adjacent to each other, so I wanted two wreaths, one on each door.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p><p style='font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:black'>The official address for the new Costco is: 2125 Baron Road. I must have been there once before, because when I checked the address on my Blind Square App, it said that Costco is at 1830 Leckie Road. I must have entered that address in the App when I was at the front door. I must have taken a taxi there. I decided that I would trust the Blind Square address and not the Costco official address.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p><p style='font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:black'>Blind Square is a wonderful App. There are others, but I use this one. The App can literally tell you what’s around you like street intersections and addresses and stores and restaurants around a location. In fact, you don’t even have to be at that location to get information about it. Blind Square can go there virtually if you want it to. You can literally look around different places, right from the comfort of your own home. I find it great for planning trips abroad. It’s like travelling from your armchair!<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p><p style='font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:black'>To find out how to get to where you want to go by bus, subway, or train, you can use Move It! It’s a public transportation App that works all around the world. It, too, can be set to operate virtually anywhere in the world. So again, you can explore public transportation from the comfort of your own home, right from your armchair.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p><p style='font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:black'>When I entered 1830 Leckie Road in Move It, it said that the number eleven bus went to Springfield and Leckie. That’s convenient, because the number eleven bus stop is right in front of our house. Springfield is an East-West Street. Leckie is a North-South Street. I knew that the bus would be travelling west on Springfield. Because of the even numbered address of Costco, I also knew that Costco would be on the west side of Leckie. The trick is to know on which side of Springfield Costco would be. I can look at Google map driving or walking directions, and as we are travelling west on Springfield, if they say to turn right on Leckie, then the store is on the north side of Springfield. It turns out that that is exactly what the directions said.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p><p style='font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:black'>The only question then was on what side of Leckie is the bus stop, the east side or the west side? Bus drivers typically don’t know how to answer that question. So you have to frame it in a way that they will hopefully understand. “Driver, when I get off the bus, is Leckie in front of the bus or behind the bus?”<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p><p style='font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:black'>“Get off at the front of the bus please,” the driver says. “It’s safer that way”, he says. He didn’t answer my question at all.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p><p style='font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:black'>I try another way. “To get to Costco, do I have to cross Leckie or not?”<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p><p style='font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:black'> “No, Costco is right in front of you when you get off the bus.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p><p style='font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:black'>People can be so sloppy with directions. I remember my father asking for directions when driving somewhere unfamiliar, and no two people gave the same directions. No wonder men don’t like asking for directions! The driver kind of answered my question, but not really. And also, right in front of me when I get off the bus is Springfield, not Leckie, since the bus is travelling along Springfield. The Costco address is on Leckie.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p><p style='font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:black'>To solve this problem I used another form of technology with my cell phone. There is a service for blind people called Aira. I open the App and get somebody on the phone. Through the phone camera, the Aira agent can see our surroundings and go on Google Earth to also see where we are. When I call with my phone, the agent can tell where I am in my city. This is a service that blind people can pay for every month.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p><p style='font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:black'>Because this is a new Costco, it doesn’t show up on Google Earth. Scanning with my phone, I show him the parking lot in front of me to see if there is some kind of pathway that I can expect Kenko to follow to get inside the store. He doesn’t see one, just lots of snow. He says that he can see a little path that people might have created, but he’s not sure.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p><p style='font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:black'>I’m going to assume that the entrance to the parking lot is on Leckie, not Springfield. The Costco might be in front of me, but the path to get there may not be. I tell the agent that Kenko is pretty good at figuring out navigable paths, so let’s see what she does if I give her the “inside” command. She turns to the right, and starts to walk east on Springfield, not wanting to traverse the snow bank which is sure to be there. I don’t know exactly how far we are from Leckie, so I keep asking her to turn left when she can. She ignores all of the left turns that I give her, which tells me that she believes that there is no path into the parking lot on the left. In fact, she does not cut the corner turning left. She goes straight to the intersection, as I have taught her to do.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p><p style='font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:black'>At the intersection I ask her to turn left, which she does. I continue my requests to turn left, and she ignores them all. We are now walking north on the west side of Leckie, and I don’t know how far the entrance to the parking lot is. I hear cars moving on my left side, which indicates that they are moving in the parking lot, but still Kenko does not turn in, which means that there is no path to do so. Just to be sure, I ask the Aira agent if she’s passed it, and he says no. Finally, about a thousand feet farther, she does turn in. “Good Girl!” I say.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p><p style='font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:black'>She tries to walk west along the south bank of the parking lot, which is on our left. She wants to stay out of the middle of the parking lot if she can. After a while, maybe one hundred feet, there’s a car in the way, and the agent says that there’s a shopping cart in the way too. Sometimes these parking lot banks run out of sidewalk, and we are forced to walk in the parking lot. I feel that this is what Kenko wants to do, and I give her the “forward” command to step off the curb. She wouldn’t step off the curb without stopping before and waiting for the “forward” command. That’s to tell me that there is a curb there. She is also alert to whether I have checked the location of the curb with my left foot. If she feels that I haven’t checked, she will not obey the “forward” command. She is ever-conscious of what she thinks that I know and don’t know.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p><p style='font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:black'>Now, it’s a huge parking lot, with moving and parked cars. I know that Kenko can handle this. We come up to a silent parked car, which I can sense with my ears, but we don’t make contact with it. Kenko stops and thinks. I’m telling her “inside.” She moves to the left and heads purposefully across the parking lot. I can tell that she knows what she’s doing, and I just go with her. A few minutes later, I hear and smell and feel the heat of the Costco entrance. We are there, with relative ease. I thank the Aira agent for being there. I tell him that he was there as a backup. He saw through the camera what Kenko was doing. So I said: “Wasn’t she a good girl?” He said that indeed she was. He didn’t say more! I got the impression that he might have been all choaked up. After all, how often do people get to see guide dogs perform like this? It’s one of the perks of his job. But I get to experience it every day! Lucky me!<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p><p style='font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:black'>An employee at Costco helped me find two beautiful wreaths. They’re about 2.5 feet in diameter, with lots of greenery and pine cones. We pushed the shopping cart through the store (they call them buggies here), and Kenko heeled on my left side. Leave it to Costco; they are double buggies, with room for two babies side by side, but only one side had a seat belt.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p><p style='font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:black'>We took a taxi home, and I hung up the wreaths on the front doors as soon as I got home. There’s a kind of hook on each door that I use every year. The doors are made up of an oval frame filled in with glass. This way, people can see the wreaths from both the outside and the inside of the house. I can touch them each time I leave the house, if I want. I just like knowing they are there. They serve as a pleasant Christmas greeting for those who view the front of our home or enter into it. My father installed the Christmas wreath on our front door when I was growing up. The wreaths remind me of him too.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p><p style='font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:black'>[Paul can be reached at: </span></span></span></span><a href="http://paulgabias.mynikken.com/"><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt'>paulgabias.mynikken.com</span></span></span></span><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'></span></span></span></a><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:black'>]<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p><h2 style='font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:30.0pt;color:black'>You Can Make a Difference<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></h2><p style='font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:black'>Blind children, students, and adults are making powerful strides in education and leadership every day across the United States. For more than eighty years, the National Federation of the Blind has worked to transform the dreams of hundreds of thousands of blind people into reality. With support from individuals like you, we can continue to provide powerful programs and critical resources for decades to come. We sincerely hope you will plan to be a part of our enduring movement by including the National Federation of the Blind in your charitable giving and in your estate planning. It is easier than you think.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p><p style='font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:black'>With your help, the NFB will continue to:<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p><ul type=disc><li class=MsoNormal style='color:black;mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;mso-list:l1 level1 lfo1'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt'>Give blind children the gift of literacy through Braille.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></li><li class=MsoNormal style='color:black;mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;mso-list:l1 level1 lfo1'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt'>Promote independent travel by providing free, long white canes to blind people in need.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></li><li class=MsoNormal style='color:black;mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;mso-list:l1 level1 lfo1'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt'>Develop dynamic educational projects and programs to show blind youth that science and math careers are within their reach.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></li><li class=MsoNormal style='color:black;mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;mso-list:l1 level1 lfo1'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt'>Deliver hundreds of accessible newspapers and magazines to provide blind people the essential information necessary to be actively involved in their communities.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></li><li class=MsoNormal style='color:black;mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;mso-list:l1 level1 lfo1'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt'>Offer aids and appliances that help seniors losing vision maintain their independence.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></li></ul><h3 style='font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:22.5pt;color:black'>Plan to Leave a Legacy<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></h3><p style='font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:black'>The National Federation of the Blind Legacy Society, our Dream Makers Circle, honors and recognizes the generosity and vision of members and special friends of the National Federation of the Blind who have chosen to leave a legacy through a will or other planned giving option. You can join the Dream Makers Circle in a myriad of ways.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p><h3 style='font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:22.5pt;color:black'>Fixed Sum of Assets<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></h3><p style='font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:black'>You can specify that a fixed sum of your assets or property goes to the National Federation of the Blind in your will, trust, pension, IRA, life insurance policy, brokerage account, or other accounts.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p><h3 style='font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:22.5pt;color:black'>Percentage of Assets<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></h3><p style='font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:black'>You can specify that a percentage of your assets or property goes to the National Federation of the Blind in your will, trust, pension, IRA, life insurance policy, brokerage account, or other accounts.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p><h3 style='font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:22.5pt;color:black'>Payable on Death (POD) Account<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></h3><p style='font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:black'>You can name the National Federation of the Blind as the beneficiary on a Payable on Death (POD) account through your bank. You can turn any checking or savings account into a POD account. This is one of the simplest ways to leave a legacy. The account is totally in your control during your lifetime and you can change the beneficiary or percentage at any time with ease.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p><h3 style='font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:22.5pt;color:black'>Will or Trust<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></h3><p style='font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:black'>If you do decide to create or revise your will, consider the National Federation of the Blind as a partial beneficiary.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p><p style='font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:black'>Visit our Planned Giving webpage (</span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.nfb.org/get-involved/ways-give/planned-giving"><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt'>https://www.nfb.org/get-involved/ways-give/planned-giving</span></span></span></span><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'></span></span></span></a><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:black'>) or call 410-659-9314, extension 2422, for more information.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p><p style='font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:black'>Together with love, hope, determination, and your support, we will continue to transform dreams into reality.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p><h3 style='font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:22.5pt;color:black'>Ways to Contribute Now<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></h3><p style='font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:black'>Throughout 2021, the NFB:<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p><ul type=disc><li class=MsoNormal style='color:black;mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;mso-list:l2 level1 lfo2'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt'>Sent nearly one thousand Braille Santa and Winter Celebration letters to blind children, encouraging excitement for Braille literacy.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></li><li class=MsoNormal style='color:black;mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;mso-list:l2 level1 lfo2'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt'>Distributed over five thousand canes to blind people across the United States, empowering them to travel safely and independently throughout their communities.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></li><li class=MsoNormal style='color:black;mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;mso-list:l2 level1 lfo2'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt'>Delivered audio newspaper and magazine services to 126,823 subscribers, providing free access to over five hundred local, national, and international publications.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></li><li class=MsoNormal style='color:black;mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;mso-list:l2 level1 lfo2'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt'>Gave over six hundred Braille-writing slates and styluses free of charge to blind users.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></li><li class=MsoNormal style='color:black;mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;mso-list:l2 level1 lfo2'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt'>Mentored 232 blind youth during our Braille Enrichment for Literacy and LearningŽ Academy in-home editions.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></li></ul><p style='font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:black'>Just imagine what we’ll do next year and, with your help, what can be accomplished for years to come. Below are just a few of the many diverse, tax-deductible ways you can lend your support to the National Federation of the Blind.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p><h3 style='font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:22.5pt;color:black'>Vehicle Donation Program<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></h3><p style='font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:black'>The NFB accepts donated vehicles, including cars, trucks, boats, motorcycles, or recreational vehicles. Just call 855-659-9314 toll-free, and a representative can make arrangements to pick up your donation. We can also answer any questions you have.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p><h3 style='font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:22.5pt;color:black'>General Donation<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></h3><p style='font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:black'>General donations help support the ongoing programs of the NFB and the work to help blind people live the lives they want. You can call 410-659-9314 and elect option 4 to donate by phone. Donate online with a credit card or through the mail with check or money order. Visit our Ways to Give webpage (</span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.nfb.org/get-involved/ways-give"><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt'>https://www.nfb.org/get-involved/ways-give</span></span></span></span><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'></span></span></span></a><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:black'>) for more information. <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p><h3 style='font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:22.5pt;color:black'>Pre-Authorized Contribution<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></h3><p style='font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:black'>Through the Pre-Authorized Contribution (PAC) program, supporters sustain the efforts of the National Federation of the Blind by making recurring monthly donations by direct withdrawal of funds from a checking account or a charge to a credit card. To enroll, call 410-659-9314, extension 2213, or fill out our PAC Donation Form (</span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.nfb.org/pac"><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt'>https://www.nfb.org/pac</span></span></span></span><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'></span></span></span></a><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:black'>) online.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p><p style='font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:black'>If you have questions about giving, please send an email to </span></span></span></span><a href="mailto:outreach@nfb.org"><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt'>outreach@nfb.org</span></span></span></span><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'></span></span></span></a><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:black'> or call 410-659-9314, extension 2422.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p><h2 style='font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:30.0pt;color:black'>Social Security Announces 8.7 Percent Cost-of-Living Adjustment for 2023<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></h2><p style='font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><strong><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:black'>by NFB Advocacy and Policy Department</span></strong></span></span></span><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p><p style='font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:black'>It’s that time of year again when we provide you with information regarding annual adjustments to the Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) programs. In 2023, approximately seventy million Americans will see an 8.7 percent cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) increase in their benefit amounts. Thus, come January, monthly checks will be higher.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p><p style='font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:black'>The 2023 amounts are below, along with some general concepts pertaining to the Social Security and Medicare programs, in case you want to better understand or refresh yourself about your rights. The COLA (if any) is based on the consumer price index (CPI-W), which measures the rate of inflation against the wages earned by the approximately 173 million workers across the nation over the previous four quarters starting with the third quarter of the previous year.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p><h3 style='font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:22.5pt;color:black'>Tax Rates<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></h3><p style='font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:black'>FICA and Self-Employment Tax Rates: If you are employed, you know that you do not bring home everything you earn. For example, 7.65 percent of your pay is deducted to cover your contribution to the Old Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance (OASDI) Trust Funds and the Medicare Hospital Insurance (HI) Trust Funds, 6.20 percent covers OASDI, and 1.45 percent is contributed to the HI Trust Funds. Additionally, your employer is required to match this 7.65 percent for a total of 15.30 percent. <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p><p style='font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:black'>For those who are self-employed, there is no “employer” to match the 7.65 percent, which means a self-employed individual pays the entire 15.30 percent of their income. These numbers will not change in 2023 regardless of whether an individual is employed or self-employed. As of January 2023, individuals with earned income of more than $200,000 ($250,000 for married couples filing jointly) pay an additional 0.9 percent in Medicare taxes; this does not include the above amounts.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p><h3 style='font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:22.5pt;color:black'>Maximum Taxable Earnings<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></h3><p style='font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:black'>There is a ceiling on taxable earnings for the OASDI Trust Fund, which was $147,000 in 2022 and will increase to $160,200 in 2023. Thus, for earnings above $160,200, there is no 6.20 percent deducted for OASDI. As for Medicare, there is no limit on taxable earnings for the HI Trust Fund.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p><h3 style='font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:22.5pt;color:black'>Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) Quarters of Coverage<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></h3><p style='font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:black'>The OASDI Trust Fund is kind of like an insurance policy. You have to pay a premium to participate. Therefore, to qualify for Retirement, Survivors, or Disability Insurance benefits, an individual must pay a minimum amount of FICA taxes into the OASDI Trust Fund by earning a sufficient number of calendar quarters to become fully insured for Social Security benefits.<br><br>In 2022, credit for one quarter of coverage was awarded for any individual who earned at least $1,510 during the year, which means that an individual would need to earn at least $6,040 to be credited with four quarters of coverage. In 2023, the amount increases to $1,640 for one calendar quarter or $6,560 to earn four quarters of coverage for the year.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p><p style='font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:black'>A maximum of four quarters can be awarded for any calendar year, and it makes no difference when the income is earned during that year. Basically, the taxes you pay into the OASDI and HI Trust Funds are your premiums to take part in the Social Security and Medicare programs. The total number of quarters required to be eligible for benefits depends on the individual’s age. The older the individual, the more quarters are required. Furthermore, a higher average income during an individual’s lifetime means a higher Social Security or SSDI check when benefits start. Remember the above quoted numbers for quarters of coverage to become fully insured are only minimum amounts. <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p><h3 style='font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:22.5pt;color:black'>Trial Work Period (TWP)<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></h3><p style='font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:black'>This concept is often misunderstood. The amount of earnings required to use a trial work month is not based on the earnings limit for blind beneficiaries but instead on the national average wage index. In 2022, the amount required to use a TWP month was only $970, and this amount will increase to $1,050 in 2023. <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p><p style='font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:black'>If you are self-employed, you can also use a trial work month if you work more than eighty hours in your business, and this limitation will not change unless expressly adjusted.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p><h3 style='font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:22.5pt;color:black'>Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA)<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></h3><p style='font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:black'>The earnings limit for a blind beneficiary in 2022 was $2,260 per month and will increase to $2,460 in 2023. Again, it’s important to remember this is not the amount of money an individual makes to use a trial month. This is to say that the TWP can be exhausted even if your income is well below $2,460 per month. See the above information about the TWP.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p><p style='font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:black'>In 2023 a blind SSDI beneficiary who earns $2,460 or more in a month (before taxes but after subtracting un-incurred business expenses for the self-employed, subsidized income for the employed, and impairment-related work expenses) will be deemed to have exceeded SGA and will likely no longer be eligible for SSDI benefits.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p><h3 style='font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:22.5pt;color:black'>Supplemental Security Income (SSI)<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></h3><p style='font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:black'>The federal payment amount for individuals receiving SSI was $841 in 2022 and will increase to $914 in 2023. For married couples, the federal monthly payment amount of SSI will increase from $1,261 to $1,371.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p><h3 style='font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:22.5pt;color:black'>Student Earned Income Exclusion<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></h3><p style='font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:black'>In 2022, the monthly amount was $2,041 and will increase to $2,220 in 2023. The annual amount was $8,231 in 2022 and will be $8,950 in 2023. The asset limits under the SSI program will remain unchanged at $2,000 per individual and $3,000 per married couple.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p><h3 style='font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:22.5pt;color:black'>ABLE Act<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></h3><p style='font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:black'>Signed on December 19, 2014, the ABLE Act has a significant impact on resource limits associated with the SSI and Medicaid programs for those who were blind or disabled by the age of twenty-six. Traditionally, SSI beneficiaries have been required to adhere to strict resource limits: such as a maximum of $2,000 in the bank for an individual receiving SSI benefits. Under the ABLE Act, however, the amount deposited in an ABLE Account can be much higher. ABLE Account contributions must be designated specifically for purposes such as education, housing (with a cautionary warning to follow), employment training and support, assistive technology, health, prevention and wellness, financial management, legal fees, and funeral and burial expenses. The required implementing regulations are being enacted in most states. Check with your financial institution of choice for a status of ABLE Act regulations in a specific state and to see if an ABLE account is right for you.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p><p style='font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:black'>As to the warning about ABLE Account contributions for housing, it is important to note that SSI beneficiaries may still face the traditional $2,000 resource limit for ABLE Account funds designated for housing. Thus, SSI beneficiaries should consider the many other purposes not subject to the traditional resource limits when making ABLE Account contributions, since there are also tax advantages associated with ABLE accounts.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p><h2 style='font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:30.0pt;color:black'>A Way to Save when Receiving Public Assistance<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></h2><p style='font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><strong><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:black'>by Eric Ochmanek</span></strong></span></span></span><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p><p style='font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><strong><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:black'>From the Editor: Eric is involved in the ABLE program as a part of his duties with the National Association of State Treasurers. This program is a way for people who normally function under very restrictive savings limits to use an account for purposes that will enhance their lives. Eric has been to our national convention before and looks forward to being with us in Houston in 2023. Here is what he has to say:</span></strong></span></span></span><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p><p style='font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:black'>Carol Akers thought it was too good to be true. She had listened to five presentations about ABLE accounts before she finally approached me. For many years, she thought her son Dusty, who is blind and has other disabilities that require support services, couldn’t save money beyond Medicaid’s $2,000 annual asset limit, preventing her from planning for Dusty’s financial future.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p><p style='font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:black'>“I’ve been to five presentations about this, and I wanted to confirm each ABLE presenter said the same thing and answered my questions the same way,” Akers told me.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p><p style='font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:black'>Carol’s concerns were very real. She didn’t want anything to cause problems for Dusty’s disability benefits. Fortunately, ABLE (Achieving a Better Life Experience) accounts can help relieve concerns about the future, not increase them.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p><p style='font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:black'>Earlier this year, the National Association of State Treasurers (</span></span></span></span><a href="http://www.nast.org/"><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt'>www.nast.org</span></span></span></span><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'></span></span></span></a><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:black'>) (NAST) launched ABLE Today, a national initiative focused on increasing the awareness of ABLE accounts. Our mission is to ensure more and more people with disabilities (and their family and caregivers like Carol) know about ABLE and the life-changing effects it can have for their financial futures.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p><p style='font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:black'>ABLE Today is focused on assisting people with disabilities by promoting ABLE and providing information on these accounts. I assured Carol that these accounts not only existed, but that they had been available since 2016. These are savings and investment tools, built specifically for people with disabilities, allowing them to save money without affecting public benefits eligibility. At ABLE Today, we are available to present and answer questions about ABLE to your local community or chapter. ABLE empowers account holders to invest in their long-term financial security, creating opportunities for greater empowerment and inclusion for them in their communities.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p><p style='font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:black'>Through an ABLE account, enrollees can change the way they save, invest, and plan for their future by having the options to:<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p><ul type=disc><li class=MsoNormal style='color:black;mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;mso-list:l3 level1 lfo3'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt'>Save money in their own name, or add on a support person to help manage the account<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></li><li class=MsoNormal style='color:black;mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;mso-list:l3 level1 lfo3'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt'>Accumulate wealth without losing benefits like Medicaid, SSI, HUD, SNAP, or other public programs they rely on<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></li><li class=MsoNormal style='color:black;mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;mso-list:l3 level1 lfo3'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt'>Work without having to “spend down” their current or future income<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></li><li class=MsoNormal style='color:black;mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;mso-list:l3 level1 lfo3'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt'>Make choices about where to put their money through a combination of checking, savings, and investment account options<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></li></ul><p style='font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:black'>Carol set up an ABLE account for Dusty, and the money they’ve put into it can be used for anything that relates to his disability and helps maintain or improve his health, independence, and quality of life. This can include housing and rent, basic living expenses like groceries and utilities, transportation, education tuition, legal or financial management fees, and costs towards Dusty’s supportive assistive technologies and medical care. Through an ABLE account, Carol and Dusty can plan and save for all of this without sacrificing his federal benefits.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p><h3 style='font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:22.5pt;color:black'>Setting up An Account<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></h3><p style='font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:black'>Setting up an account is simple and straightforward. Forty-six states plus the District of Columbia have ABLE programs in place, and many of these states allow for those outside of the state to enroll if your state isn’t one of those forty-six. You can open an account in person, online, through a paper application, and for one state you can enroll at a bank branch. Once your account is set up, you can access your ABLE account funds through debit cards, checkbooks, third party checks, or bank transfers.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p><p style='font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:black'>Every person with a disability deserves to know about ABLE. We work with organizations like the National Federation of the Blind (NFB) to educate their members about the transformative power of ABLE accounts, and connect them to this impactful resource. The biggest challenge is making people aware of this opportunity.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p><p style='font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:black'>Carol Akers is an incredible caregiver for her son. She wasn’t alone when it came to being unaware of ABLE and what it could do for her son’s future. As of mid-2022, only 126,000 people with disabilities are ABLE account holders. It’s a drop in the bucket compared to the approximately eight million Americans who qualify and are missing out on this transformative resource and financial planning tool designed specifically for them.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p><p style='font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:black'>The message is simple—you can work, save, live, and plan for your financial future with ABLE—so please visit </span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.abletoday.org/"><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt'>https://www.abletoday.org/</span></span></span></span><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'></span></span></span></a><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:black'>, and learn how to accelerate your financial future. And make sure to share it with your friends and family.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p><h2 style='font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:30.0pt;color:black'>The 2023 Blind Educator of the Year Award<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></h2><p style='font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><strong><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:black'>by Robin House</span></strong></span></span></span><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p><p style='font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><strong><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:black'>From the Editor: Robin House is an experienced educator in her own right, with many titles to her name: MEd, LPC, RPT. She was named Blind Educator of the Year in 2018. She chairs the 2023 Blind Educator of the Year Award Selection Committee, and she holds a master of education degree, is a Licensed Professional Counselor, and is a Registered Play Therapist. What is harder to convey is that, given the tremendous admiration we have for her accomplishments, the thing that makes us blessed is that Robin is Robin and that she chooses to be an active part of us. This is what she says:</span></strong></span></span></span><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p><p style='font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:black'>A number of years ago the Blind Educator of the Year Award was established by the National Organization of Blind Educators (the educators division of the National Federation of the Blind) to pay tribute to a blind teacher whose exceptional classroom performance, notable community service, and uncommon commitment to the NFB merit national recognition. Beginning with the 1991 presentation, this award became an honor bestowed by our entire movement. This change reflects our recognition of the importance of good teaching and the affect an outstanding blind teacher has on students, faculty, community, and all blind Americans.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p><p style='font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:black'>This award is presented in the spirit of the outstanding educators who founded and have continued to nurture the National Federation of the Blind and who, by example, have imparted knowledge of our strengths to us and raised our expectations. We have learned from Dr. Jacobus tenBroek, Dr. Kenneth Jernigan, Dr. Marc Maurer, and our current President Mark Riccobono that a teacher not only provides a student with information but also provides guidance, advocacy, and love. The recipient of the Blind Educator of the Year Award must exhibit all these traits and must advance the cause of blind people in the spirit and philosophy of the National Federation of the Blind.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p><p style='font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:black'>The Blind Educator of the Year Award is presented at the annual convention of the National Federation of the Blind. Honorees must be present to receive an appropriately inscribed plaque and a check for $1,000.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:black;background:white'>Nominations should be sent to Ms. Robin House by email to </span></span></span></span><a href="mailto:robin@mindsrealm.net"><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt'>robin@mindsrealm.net</span></span></span></span><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'></span></span></span></a><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:black;background:white'> or by mail to Stix ECC, 647 Tower Grove Ave., St. Louis, MO 63110. Letters of nomination must be accompanied by a copy of the nominee’s current résumé and supporting documentation of community and Federation activity. All nomination materials must be in the hands of the committee chairperson by May 1, 2023, to be considered for this year’s award. For further information contact Robin House at 314-265-6852, or </span></span></span></span><a href="mailto:robin@mindsrealm.net"><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt'>robin@mindsrealm.net</span></span></span></span><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'></span></span></span></a><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:black;background:white'>.</span><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p><h2><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:30.0pt;color:black'>Congress Ordered Agencies to Use Tech that Works for People with Disabilities Twenty-four Years Ago—Many Still Haven't<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></h2><p style='font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><strong><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:black'>by Ruth Reader</span></strong></span></span></span><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:black'><br><strong><span style='font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif'>Published by </span></strong><em><b><span style='font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif'>POLITICO </span></b></em><strong><span style='font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif'>on August 21, 2022</span></strong><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p><p style='font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><strong><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:black'>From the Editor: This article is taken from the </span></strong></span></span></span><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><em><b><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:black'>Braille Spectator</span></b></em></span></span></span><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><strong><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:black'>, the official publication of the National Federation of the Blind of Maryland. Following is the way it was introduced:</span></strong></span></span></span><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p><p style='font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><strong><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:black'>[Editor's Note: Federal workers make up the largest segment of Maryland's workforce. We in the NFBMD also have a significant portion of our membership who work for the federal government. What’s more, a substantial portion of our members access federal websites and systems such as Social Security benefits, education services, discrimination complaint systems, and many others. Below is an article detailing the frustrations of members with inaccessible federal technology and how the NFB is advocating to Congress for improvements.]</span></strong></span></span></span><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p><p style='font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:black'>Ronza Othman, a lawyer with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services in Baltimore, hasn't been able to order a sandwich without help in her office cafeteria for a decade.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p><p style='font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:black'>Before the deli replaced workers with a touch screen in 2012, she would walk up to the counter and ask for a roast beef and cheddar sandwich with cucumbers, not pickles. But Ronza, who is blind, can't work the touch screen as it doesn't take voice commands.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p><p style='font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:black'>"I'm an attorney. I have a master's degree in government and nonprofit management. I've raised children," she said. "But I can't get a damn sandwich by myself in my agency."<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p><p style='font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:black'>Congress made a portion of the 1973 Rehabilitation Act known as Section 508, which asks federal agencies to make technology accessible, mandatory in 1998. But nearly a quarter century later, they are still failing to do so. And it's not just about ordering lunch. Roughly 30 percent of the most popular federal websites don't meet accessibility standards, according to a 2021 report by the Information Technology and Innovation Foundation. Enforcement is virtually nonexistent, and agencies are spending little effort or money to comply.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p><p style='font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:black'>"Clients of my firm right now are dealing with trainings required by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services that don't work with blind people's screen readers and with intake kiosks at the Social Security Administration that are not accessible," said Eve Hill, a lawyer with Brown, Goldstein & Levy, who testified about the problems before the Senate Aging Committee last month.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p><p style='font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:black'>Hill, along with Anil Lewis, Executive Director for Blindness Initiatives at the National Federation of the Blind, and Jule Ann Lieberman, assistive technology program coordinator at Temple University's Institute on Disabilities, asked senators to ensure the federal government is complying with federal disability law.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p><p style='font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:black'>Most frustrating, the advocates said, is that making technology accessible isn't difficult. It just requires forethought. And it's important. More than a quarter of Americans have a disability.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p><p style='font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:black'>For the past ten years, the DOJ hasn't made public any of the biennial reports that Congress mandated on compliance with Section 508. As of the DOJ's last report in September 2012, less than half of federal agencies had established a compliance plan. Those that did had an average operating budget of $35,000 a year devoted to the task.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p><p style='font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:black'>In June, Senate Aging Committee Chair Bob Casey (D-PA) and ranking member Tim Scott (R-SC), along with other lawmakers, wrote to Veterans Affairs Secretary Denis McDonough and Attorney General Merrick Garland.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p><p style='font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:black'>They asked McDonough to provide detailed information about the accessibility of VA websites and plans to bring them into compliance, noting that only 8 percent of its public sites and even fewer of its intranet sites complied with the law. "The lack of fully accessible websites at VA is a potential barrier for the one-quarter of all veterans with a service-connected disability, and may well be a harbinger of similar shortfalls at other federal agencies and departments," the senators wrote.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p><p style='font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:black'>In a letter responding to Casey, McDonough said that the VA's most-used websites have accessibility ratings of 95 percent or higher. The department is now conducting daily accessibility scans, he said, to bring other sites into compliance.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p><p style='font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:black'>In their letter to Garland, the lawmakers asked why the DOJ has not made public more of its reporting on agency compliance. The department said it is working with the White House Office of Management and Budget and the General Services Administration on relaying its data to Congress and the President.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p><h3 style='font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:22.5pt;color:black'>Widespread Problems<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></h3><p style='font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:black'>Carlos Montas, a former employee of the Veterans Benefits Administration in Nashville, Tennessee, who is blind, can relate to Othman's struggles.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p><p style='font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:black'>When he took a job with the agency in March 2020 that involved calling veterans to explain their benefits, his manager gave him digital audio workstation software and a Braille display, which allowed him to read text on the screen with his fingertips.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p><p style='font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:black'>But neither technology was compatible with much of the software he needed to do his job. He found performing simple tasks, like attaching a document to an email, was impossible.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p><p style='font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:black'>He said the VA instituted performance benchmarks and eventually fired him for not keeping up. He filed a discrimination complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and won his job back along with back pay. He quit a few months later for a job at the EEOC.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p><p style='font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:black'>People who are hard of hearing struggle with federal technology as well. Early in the Covid-19 pandemic, advocates with the National Association of the Deaf said that HHS videos did not have proper captioning and were unavailable in American Sign Language.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p><p style='font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:black'>In their letter to McDonough, Casey and Scott highlighted the VA's own data showing that hearing loss is "by far the most prevalent service-connected disability." Hill said people who are deaf or hard of hearing struggle with training and educational videos that lack captions.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p><p style='font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:black'>The VA, which serves about nine million veterans a year, is at the center of the problem, according to Casey and Scott. In March, the senators said the department had acknowledged "hundreds of thousands of Section 508 compliance issues remain to be resolved."<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p><p style='font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:black'>But problems with accessibility extend across much of the federal government.<br>The Information Technology and Innovation Foundation, a Washington, DC, think tank that promotes the use of technology in policy solutions, audited federal websites in 2021. They found that 30 percent of them, including popular sites like weather.gov, energystar.gov, and census.gov, did not pass an automated accessibility test and nearly half had webpages that failed the test.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p><p style='font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:black'>The report recommended that the General Services Administration, which supports other federal agencies' logistical needs, create an accessibility testing lab to ensure sites are compliant and expand its existing Digital Analytics Program to conduct real-time accessibility testing. It also suggested that Congress require the DOJ to make its 508 accessibility reports public.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p><p style='font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:black'>Eric Egan, a policy fellow with the foundation, said he was unaware of any steps the GSA had taken to implement the reports' recommendations. He said the foundation was encouraged by the Senate Aging Committee's oversight.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p><p style='font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:black'>A spokesperson for GSA said the agency is collecting self-reported data from agencies about their compliance with Section 508, analyzing it, and making recommendations. GSA is also involved with an interagency effort to update guidance on Section 508 compliance.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p><h3 style='font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:22.5pt;color:black'>A Flawed Process<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></h3><p style='font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:black'>Advocates for people with disabilities say fixing accessibility problems shouldn't be expensive. In his testimony before the Senate Aging Committee, Lewis attempted to disabuse senators of the idea that accessible technology costs a lot. "Accessible coding is just good coding," he said.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p><p style='font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:black'>He offered an example. If the federal government were to create all its documents on typewriters and then hand them over to a contractor to be digitized, that would be expensive and inefficient. Instead of layering outdated technology onto a newer framework, the government should be using technology that designs around accessibility from the start, he said.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p><p style='font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:black'>Some vendors offer such tools, said Sommer Panage, who manages a team of engineers focused on accessibility at Slack, the instant-messaging service. She said Slack has long considered the needs of people with disabilities in its product design and recently changed its internal operations to make its software more consistently accessible.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p><p style='font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:black'>Panage manages a team of engineers focused on accessibility and said her team is now making sure people with disabilities can use any new feature before release, while also seeking to ensure it will work with outside accessibility tools.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p><p style='font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:black'>"There's a really big matrix of the combinations of different operating systems, different screen readers, different screen readers within each operating system, and then Slack itself," she told POLITICO. "What we've been really working on now is thinking about that matrix holistically."<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p><p style='font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:black'>But advocates for people with disabilities say the federal government is behind the curve. Agencies don't often test technology for accessibility before implementation, and consequences are rare when government contractors don't ensure that people with disabilities can use their products, said Doug George Towne, chair and CEO of Access Ready, a disability rights advocacy organization. "It's a flawed process," he said.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p><p style='font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:black'>Othman said that a culture of penny-pinching makes life worse for people with disabilities in her workplace. For example, when her office updated the photocopiers, the agency was given an option to pay a small additional fee for a speech package, which would have made the machines accessible to employees who are vision-impaired. A lever attachment to help employees in wheelchairs raise the copier's lid was also available. But the agency opted for neither.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p><p style='font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:black'>After employees, including Othman, complained, she said the office bought a few packages instead of deploying the technology officewide.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p><h3 style='font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:22.5pt;color:black'>Information Blackout<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></h3><p style='font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:black'>President Joe Biden won plaudits early in his administration for prioritizing accessibility. An interpreter has regularly translated Biden's speeches into sign language, and the White House has provided captions for those watching online. The White House press secretary is always accompanied by a sign language interpreter, and the administration has provided live audio descriptions of White House events for people with vision impairments.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p><p style='font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:black'>In June 2021, Biden issued an executive order asking agencies “to improve accessibility, ensure accommodations can be requested, increase opportunities for advancement and hiring, and reduce physical accessibility barriers.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p><p style='font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:black'>The Office of Management and Budget already requires 24 agencies to file reports twice a year about the accessibility of their technological infrastructure.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p><p style='font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:black'>But those reports aren’t public. It’s part of a broader information blackout that Casey and four other senators, Patty Murray (D-WA), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Mike Braun (R-IN), and Richard Burr, (R-NC), called attention to in an Aug. 11 letter to Comptroller General Eugene Dodaro.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p><p style='font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:black'>The senators asked Dodaro, who runs Congress’s watchdog arm, the Government Accountability Office, to investigate, writing that “the lack of public reporting and accountability leaves Congress and taxpayers without adequate information about the rate of compliance with disability access requirements.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p><h2 style='font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:30.0pt;color:black'>Do You Really Know What It’s Like?<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></h2><p style='font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><strong><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:black'>by Trevor Tattenberg</span></strong></span></span></span><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p><p style='font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><strong><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:black'>From the Editor: Trevor has been in several states in which he has been a part of or has helped found a National Association of Blind Students affiliated division. Among these are the Massachusetts Association of Blind Students (MASSABS), Connecticut Association of Blind Students (CTABS), and Oregon Association of Blind Students (ORABS). He has also been a part of the At-Large Chapter of the NFB of Connecticut and the Portland Central Chapter of the National Federation of the Blind of Oregon.</span></strong></span></span></span><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p><p style='font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><strong><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:black'>Trevor offers his opinion about the ways in which we will educate people with sight, concluding that there is no magic bullet or no one way that will work. Still he believes that we are better for any positive change we bring to folks who need to learn what we want to teach. Our desire to have them know more than they do is understandable, but our own lack of knowledge about so many people and situations they confront demands a good bit of patience and understanding. Here is what he calls his opinion piece:</span></strong></span></span></span><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p><p style='font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:black'>The realization that we are divergent from the norm doesn’t just come in a single flash. It happens repeatedly, as marginalia—additions to our daily experience, as well as slaps on the cheek, as though to awaken us from a daydream that things could be otherwise. Even our closest sighted friends and family forget our needs, perhaps not offering help where it is required, but nevertheless grabbing us by our clothes, excluding us from social gatherings, or discouraging us from an adventure or career pursuit. They rub in the fact of our differences, training and years of education be damned.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p><p style='font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:black'>Wouldn’t it be nice to have a well-tested toolkit for spreading understanding? If only people knew what it was like. Would we still be poorly understood, ignored, avoided, persecuted, and simply treated as something alien—angels with big floating question marks instead of halos above our heads—by the people who can get away with calling themselves mainstream? It seems unlikely.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p><p style='font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:black'>I’m a believer that knowledge is the most powerful tool of all. Give me something that could enlighten a few close allies or the guy that won’t hire me, and the payoff would be exponential. But can this even be done?<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p><p style='font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:black'>Purveyors of post-modern philosophy state that we really can’t pretend to put ourselves in another’s shoes unless they are actually our shoes. Such thinking is a driving force behind the backlash to everything from having sighted persons play blind characters to having authors describe fictional people that don’t fit their own ethnicity or religion. Their solution, if any, is to let those repressed voices speak for themselves through direct representation—a lofty order. Instead of dissecting this, I’ll touch on a couple fine points of representation and its efficacy.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p><p style='font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:black'>I was accompanying some teenaged students of mine from a blindness training center at the conclusion of the National Federation of the Blind’s March for Independence in Detroit back in 2009. This was a large-scale demonstration of blind people’s solidarity, capabilities, and overlooked civil rights struggle. The crowd was likely well over a thousand, many of whom were steadily employed laborers, college students and graduates, successful professionals, parents, or some combination of these. If popular statistics tell us anything, a likely majority struggled with fulfilling aspirations, finding steady employment, and achieving financial independence: all but the most delusional faced daily bouts with inaccessibility and discrimination beyond quantifiability.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p><p style='font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:black'>Speaking then was successful businessman, Hall of Fame Pistons’ legend, and city mayor Dave Bing. There’s really only one thing I remember Mayor Bing saying, which is a lot from a politician. It was a reference to a basketball-sustained injury, resulting in a detached retina, temporary blindness, and a half-season’s worth of games missed on the court. “I know what it’s like,” said Mayor Bing.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p><p style='font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:black'>Did he though? Bing fully recovered his sight and health to the point that he was back on the top of his legendary game in a few months. I’m thinking that if anyone in the crowd was in a similar boat, they’d be at home recovering and not invested in any kind of long-term campaign with a crowd they’d hopefully soon not have to identify with. Temporary disability is real disability, blindness included, and folks dealing with such conditions deserve as much access and freedom from discrimination as anyone. But is it the same as someone who’s lived the life of a blind person for years, with no prospect of improved vision? Is switching the light off at night the same as going blind? Is being asked to put on blindfolds or to sit in a darkened dining hall and eat lunch the same as going day to day, adopting new adaptive skills, and perceiving the deeply entrenched discrimination and poor, pitiful expectations bestowed on blind people? I think not.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p><p style='font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:black'>Ample critics and scholarly inquiry demonstrate that short-term simulations of blindness typically reinforce fears and negative perceptions about people and their abilities. I’d surmise that temporary blindness offers little in additional perspective. But wait, what do I know? Twenty years ago, after a large reconstructive surgery on my face, I suffered scratched corneas and needed to cover my face in bandages for weeks. Was I experiencing total blindness for the first time? Not really. The visual experience may have been similar, but I was largely still in recovery from the surgery at this time, resting, weak, scared, and emaciated. I wasn’t really out trying to acquire better cane skills, Braille-reading, or other adaptations that would allow for a good livelihood as a totally blind person. I was busy seeing to it that that unfamiliar path wouldn’t be mine. Alright for me.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p><p style='font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:black'>No sir, I speak for blind people often enough, but I’m not even totally blind myself. Few that identify as or legally qualify in the US as blind live without color, shape, or light perception. I’d use the term total darkness to describe having none of these perceptions, though most totally blind folks I’ve talked to do not describe their lives in this way, particularly when they’ve never had any vision.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p><p style='font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:black'>I’d still appreciate others understanding what I go through. One thing I dislike doing is describing my own eyesight. I don’t know what my acuity is, and too often the conversation ends up being overly long and predictable, and it doesn’t result in any productive change in behavior towards me. I prefer steering away from those questions until everyone’s drunk and likely to whimsically switch gears any second. Alcohol sometimes diminishes the importance of that big question mark over my head.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p><p style='font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:black'>James Robinson, in his <em><span style='font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif'>Adapt Ability</span></em> video series for the <em><span style='font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif'>New York Times</span></em>, attempts to present firsthand accounts of disability through quick bios and artistic representations of what’s going on in the disabled subjects’ bodies. The objective is to crack this veil of mystery that separates out disabled people acutely from the main crowd. One such video, entitled <em><span style='font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif'>“I’m Going Blind, but This is What I Want You to See,”</span></em> looks at an individual with retinitis pigmentosa (RP)—a relatively common congenital cause of progressive sight loss. I can’t see the video very well myself, but it purports to show the viewer what seeing through the eyes of someone with RP is like, including proliferating floaters and a narrowing field. A useful message of the piece is the refutation of the baffling all or nothing view of sight—that lights are on or off, and there’s nothing in between. To this day, folks are shocked—even disappointed to learn that I actually have some vision—like I’m just not the innocent, unseeing phenomenon folks thought I was. I do not have RP myself, and my vision has been mostly stable since early childhood. I tell people I remember when I had better vision, but I don’t remember how this made my life any different. But I do know dozens of people with RP and thus am cognizant that most of them are quite a bit human like the rest of us.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p><p style='font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:black'>A question that people should have about attempts to represent disability like this, whether from a first-person account or from a distance, is does it do something like what I described from my knowing a bunch of representatives? Does it make them look like humans? Have we cracked the mystery of the floating question mark above the head so that we can get around to talking about squirrels in the park, odd time-signatures, or the antiquity of sandals?<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p><p style='font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:black'>What I found problematic about the film is that it focuses almost entirely on the subject’s declining vision. This isn’t to say that we should ignore disability or blindness as something unimportant. But when it is portrayed purely as what makes a person interesting, that’s a bit out of proportion or so we would hope.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p><p style='font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:black'>One thing disabled people could use is multidimensionality in the public mind’s eye. Being a blind person does not mean being blindness incarnate. Let’s not make such conditions more exotic than they already are. Perhaps by introducing unfamiliar conditions, like RP and progressive sight loss, and by giving blind people human faces in front of the camera, we’re seeing positive first steps.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p><p style='font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:black'>We need to judge representational or message-based works of art on the results. I looked at the <em><span style='font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif'>Access Ability</span></em> video’s comments on the <em><span style='font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif'>New York Times</span></em> website and on YouTube. I saw what I both feared and expected—lots and lots of “you are inspiring” and “makes me appreciate what I got”—typical inspiration and pity, often in the same breath. Any signs that people are picking up on the idea that disabled or blind individuals just might not be the strange bearers of darkness they are regularly envisaged as? None whatsoever so far as I can tell, and no wonder. This is just another example of disability simulation, not far removed from telling people to eat in the dark or accomplish a task with blindfolds on. In a nutshell, these lack the context of an actual life lived. Unlike in the case of a person literally switching the lights off or even the case of Mayor Bing, most blind people don’t get to switch the lights back on. What they do get is to live their lives as disabled people, including opportunities to learn, acquire unique skills through experience, and adapt. But becoming disabled in an instant can be scary and confusing. No wonder those just on the short ride aren’t exactly sketching disability as something mundane. Even providing alternative impressions of blindness, like portraits of progressive vision loss, and hosting a first-person narrative of the matter doesn’t give us the representation we need.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p><p style='font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:black'>What will cut the mustard? I speculate it will have less to do with artistic one-off jobs and a few authentic representatives on the public stage, and more to do with opening the floodgates so that blind and other disabled folks fill up the public commons: media, the streets, the dirt paths, and buildings, on something like parity with others. Then the question is, can this come without a vanguard? Won’t there need to be people whose job it is to bring about acceptance, break ground, and change the spoken and unspoken rules? Ideally no. We as disabled people need to interfere and get in the way more than inspire.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p><h2 style='font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:30.0pt;color:black'>The 2023 Distinguished Educator of Blind Students Award<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></h2><p style='font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><strong><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:black'>by Carla McQuillan</span></strong></span></span></span><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p><p style='font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><strong><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:black'>From the Editor: Carla McQuillan is the president of the National Federation of the Blind of Oregon, a member of the national board of directors, and the owner and executive director of Main Street Montessori Association, operating two Montessori schools. She is the chairman of the Distinguished Educator of Blind Students Award Committee, and she has written this announcement seeking applications for the 2023 award:</span></strong></span></span></span><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p><p style='font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:black'>The National Federation of the Blind will recognize an outstanding teacher of blind students at our 2023 National Convention, taking place in Houston, Texas, from July 1 through July 6th, 2023. The winner of this award will receive the following:<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p><ul type=disc><li class=MsoNormal style='color:black;mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo4'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt'>An expense-paid trip to attend the convention<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></li><li class=MsoNormal style='color:black;mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo4'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt'>A check for $1,000<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></li><li class=MsoNormal style='color:black;mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo4'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt'>A commemorative plaque<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></li><li class=MsoNormal style='color:black;mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo4'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt'>A place on the agenda of the annual meeting of the National Organization of Parents of Blind Children to make a presentation regarding the education of blind children, and<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></li><li class=MsoNormal style='color:black;mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo4'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt'>The opportunity to attend seminars and workshops that address the current state of education of blind students, as well as a chance to meet and network with hundreds of blind individuals, teachers, parents, and other professionals in the field.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></li></ul><p style='font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:black'>The education of blind children is one of the National Federation of the Blind’s highest priorities. We are committed to offering and supporting programs that enhance educational opportunities for this group. Please help us recognize dedicated and innovative teachers who provide quality education and meaningful experiences and opportunities for their blind students.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p><p style='font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:black'>Q: Who is eligible for this award?<br>A: Anyone who is currently a teacher, counselor, or the administrator of programs for blind students.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p><p style='font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:black'>Q: Does an applicant have to be a member of the National Federation of the Blind?<br>A: No, but attending the 2023 Convention of the National Federation of the Blind in Houston, Texas, is required.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p><p style='font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:black'>Q: Can I nominate someone else for this award?<br>A: Yes. Applicants can be nominated by colleagues, parents, supervisors, or friends who have first-hand knowledge of the individual’s work with blind students.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p><p style='font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:black'>Q: How would I apply?<br>A: You can fill out the application at the end of this article or find it on our website at </span></span></span></span><a href="https://nfb.org/images/nfb/documents/pdf/distinguished-educator-of-blind-students-award-form-fillable.pdf"><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt'>https://nfb.org/images/nfb/documents/pdf/distinguished-educator-of-blind-students-award-form-fillable.pdf</span></span></span></span><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'></span></span></span></a><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p><p style='font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:black'>Q: What is the deadline to submit an application or make a nomination?<br>A: All applications must be received no later than May 1, 2023.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p><p style='font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:black'>Please complete the application and attach the required documents specified in the application. If you are submitting a nomination for someone other than yourself, please answer the questions to the best of your ability. Your experience and observations of the nominee will assist the selection committee in their decision. Questions? Contact Carla McQuillan at 541-653-9153, or by email at: </span></span></span></span><a href="mailto:president@nfb-oregon.org"><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt'>president@nfb-oregon.org</span></span></span></span><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'></span></span></span></a><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:black'>.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p><h3 style='font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:22.5pt;color:black'>National Federation of the Blind<br>Distinguished Educator of Blind Students Award<br>2023 Application<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></h3><p style='font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:black'>Deadline: May 1, 2023<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p><p style='font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:black'>Name: _______________________________________________________<br>Home Address: _________________________________________________<br>City, State, Zip: _________________________________________________<br>Phone: (H) ____________________ (W) ____________________________<br>Email: ______________________________________________________<br>School/Program: ______________________________________________________<br>Address: _____________________________________________________<br>City, State, Zip: _________________________________________________<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p><p style='font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:black'>Please list any awards or commendations you have received.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p><p style='font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:black'>How long and in what programs have you worked with blind children?<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p><p style='font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:black'>In what setting do you currently work?<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p><p style='font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:black'>Briefly describe your current job and teaching responsibilities.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p><p style='font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:black'>How would you describe your philosophy of blindness as it relates to the education of blind students?<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p><p style='font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:black'>What are your thoughts on teaching Braille and cane travel? When and at what age would you begin? How do you determine whether to teach print or Braille?<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p><p style='font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:black'>What was your most memorable experience working with blind students?<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p><p style='font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:black'>Why should you be selected to receive this award?<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p><p style='font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:black'>Email is strongly encouraged for transmitting nominations; letters of support and other relevant materials should be included as attachments. Applications sent by mail and postmarked by the deadline will also be accepted. Send all material by May 1, 2023, to Carla McQuillan, chairperson, Teacher Award Committee, </span></span></span></span><a href="mailto:president@nfb-oregon.org"><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt'>president@nfb-oregon.org</span></span></span></span><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'></span></span></span></a><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:black'> or by mail to:<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p><p style='font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:black'>2378 11th Street<br>Florence, OR 97439<br>Phone: 541-653-9153<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p><h2 style='font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:30.0pt;color:black'>What Do We Do to Help Blind Diabetics?<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></h2><p style='font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><strong><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:black'>by Debbie Wunder</span></strong></span></span></span><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p><p style='font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><strong><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:black'>From the Editor: Debbie is the president of the National Federation of the Blind Diabetes Action Network or DAN for short. In her article she defines why we have a division and what it intends to do to help blind people who are or may soon be diabetics. Here is what she says:</span></strong></span></span></span><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p><p style='font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:black'>When we ask for and are granted division status in the National Federation of the Blind, it is because we have a specific mission dealing with blind people who have some special interest that requires our attention and action. In no case could this be truer than with the Diabetes Action Network. Diabetes is the leading cause of blindness, second only to aging. Unfortunately, the medical attention required to test blood sugar and administer medication to control it both require performing activities many newly blind people don't believe they can do, and often the same is true for the medical professionals who serve them. The emphasis is too often on the caretaker, and not enough emphasis is placed on being independent or at the least interdependent.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p><p style='font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:black'>This is where we come in. If you don't think you can care for yourself, then getting that care either means being dependent on family members or being placed in an assisted living or nursing facility. Neither option is good for those who can remain independent. These facilities impose limits that are premature and cost more than living on one's own. Part of our job is to let people know about the technology that they can get to help them measure their blood sugar, label their medications, and, when necessary, measure them. Part of the education is learning the skill; part is coming to believe one can and that it is not risky or unreasonable to do so.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p><p style='font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:black'>This would be plenty of work if that is all we had to do, but of course there is more. As technology develops, the path for blind diabetics should become easier to walk. But, like other technologies and perhaps even especially medical technology, the assumption is that we won't be the operator of the equipment but the recipient of the equipment that will be run by others, our caretakers.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p><p style='font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:black'>An insulin pump can be a life saver for many diabetics because it can continuously monitor blood sugar and administer small doses to control one’s blood sugar level before it becomes elevated or depressed. The fewer the fluctuations in sugar, the healthier those of us with diabetes are and the longer we are likely to live. But do insulin pumps talk? They don't. Do they offer helpful beeps or clicks that make it possible to use them? Again the answer is mostly they don't. The problem is that the designers think of us as patients, not as responsible consumers who can run equipment crucial to our health and well-being.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p><p style='font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:black'>So in addition to the education we do for blind people, we are actively working with the developers of insulin pumps, continuous glucose monitors, and medicine dispensers to ensure that their designs give us a nonvisual way to do what others do to take care of their medical needs privately and independently.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p><p style='font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:black'>Much of the technology we advocate to have delivered accessibly in the Federation determines the quality of life we enjoy, but in our division, what we bring to the table in terms of initiative, ideas, and follow-through not only determines quality of life but may well determine the length of that life and whether it is lived with freedom or enforced inactivity. This may sound extreme, but ask people who are in assisted living and don’t want to be just what they think of their lives. Then consider that often it doesn't have to be this way. This makes the work of our division all the more serious, because the way life turns out for people is often dependent both on them and on us.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p><p style='font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:black'>If you are a diabetic, have been told you are on the path to becoming one, or you just want to learn more about this disease, please consider joining our division. You may write to me at </span></span></span></span><a href="mailto:debbiewunder@charter.net"><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt'>debbiewunder@charter.net</span></span></span></span><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'></span></span></span></a><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:black'>. You may also join our listserv by going to </span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.nfbnet.org/"><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt'>https://www.nfbnet.org</span></span></span></span><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'></span></span></span></a><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:black'> and clicking on Add or Drop mailing lists. Then search for Diabetes Talk, fill out the simple form, and wait to receive a message asking if you truly want to join. Reply to that message. You need not add or change anything; just do a blank reply.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p><p style='font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:black'>Please join us in our march to achieve better health for blind diabetics. Our health and yours depend on it.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p><p style='font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:black'>I have a motto that I try to follow daily, just say AMEN to diabetes. Take Action, be Motivated, Exercise, and practice good Nutrition. This is an acronym you can live by.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p><h2 style='font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:30.0pt;color:black'>I am Waiting to Go Blind<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></h2><p style='font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><strong><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:black'>by Kevin McNally</span></strong></span></span></span><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p><p style='font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><strong><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:black'>From the Editor: Sometimes I dig for articles, beg for articles, and wait interminably for them. But sometimes they come from out of the blue. Such is the case with this one, and I’m very glad it came.</span></strong></span></span></span><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p><p style='font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><strong><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:black'>Kevin enjoys guitar, his pet chickens (yes, you read that correctly), volunteering at his church, doing live sound production, playing in his acoustic duo called Hat-Trick Unplugged, and hosting his podcast, </span></strong></span></span></span><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><em><b><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:black'>The Kevin McNally Show.</span></b></em></span></span></span><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><strong><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:black'> Here is his contribution:</span></strong></span></span></span><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p><p style='font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:black'>I was born with a rare degenerative retina disease called retinitis pigmentosa. In the early 1970s, my retina doctors at the Massachusetts Eye & Ear Infirmary in Boston informed both me and my older brother with the same disease that we would be 100 percent blind by our teen years.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p><p style='font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:black'>Not a fun diagnosis.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p><p style='font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:black'>Life went on, but it went on with this overriding uneasiness that at any moment I could wake up, and life as I knew it would be over. I’d be blind. There were sports, girlfriends, vacations, proms, and more, but still, the uneasiness. I was waiting to go blind.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p><p style='font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:black'>I was a happy child. My teen years turned into my twenties, and life went on. These years brought college, a marriage, a move to Florida for a few years, beginning law school, and being in a rock band. I was still waiting to go blind, but life went on.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p><p style='font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:black'>In my thirties, I was blessed with my two daughters. I graduated law school, passed the bar, traveled, and enjoyed a blossoming career. I was still waiting to go blind.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p><p style='font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:black'>My forties brought a very difficult divorce, a successful rock band, trips to Kenya, and the realization of my biggest fear: that when I go blind, I will never see my daughters’ faces again. I was terrified. Yet, I was still waiting to go blind.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p><p style='font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:black'>I am in my early fifties now, and I am still waiting to go blind. My vision has decreased, and I gave up driving years ago. I am grateful, though. I have a full-time job, I am very active in the blindness and low vision space, I still play music, and I am happily remarried. However, I am still waiting to go blind.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p><p style='font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:black'>As ominous as this repeated refrain sounds, vision loss has been a blessing in my life. Although I have been waiting to go blind for fifty years, vision loss and the threat of complete blindness has served to motivate me. As a result, I do not sweat the small stuff, and I know that almost everything day to day is small stuff.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p><p style='font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:black'>Since my earliest years, I have known what it is like to have a disease you cannot control. The upside of this fact is that I clearly understand those things that I can control and those things that I cannot. The early realization that I control almost nothing is the blessing of vision loss.<br>I am still waiting to go blind, but I am not waiting around for it to happen. When and if it does, I no longer feel the sky will fall; I will still be Kevin McNally, and the world will still be what I make it.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p><h2 style='font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:30.0pt;color:black'>The National Federation of The Blind of Nebraska Celebrates Blind Equality Achievement Month<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></h2><p style='font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><strong><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:black'>by Nancy Coffman</span></strong></span></span></span><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p><p style='font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><strong><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:black'>From the Editor: Nancy Coffman joined the National Federation of the Blind in the 1980s as a student in Colorado. She has served in a variety of chapter and state positions and is currently the president of the National Federation of the Blind of Nebraska’s Lincoln Chapter. She is also a member of the board of the National Federation of the Blind of Nebraska. She works as a technology instructor at the Nebraska Center for the Blind and is a willing helper on our listservs. Here is one of the things they did in Nebraska:</span></strong></span></span></span><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p><p style='font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:black'>Members of the National Federation of the Blind of Nebraska’s Lincoln, Omaha, and At-Large Chapters joined with the Omaha Running Club on Sunday, October 2nd for Furlongs for Paws. Members of the running club are fundraising for a trip to London, where they will run a marathon to support dog guide services in England. NFB members walked, ran, and helped to distribute packets to race participants. Packets included a Braille alphabet card and information about the NFB. Members of the Lincoln Chapter and our student division also helped on Saturday, October 1st, to greet runners and distribute packets and T-shirts. Members gave runners a card with their name in Braille and interacted with them about the NFB. The running club is considering a fundraiser for the National Federation of the Blind of Nebraska next fall. Nearly ninety runners and walkers participated in the 25th-furlong race. The race was timed, and medals were given to runners and walkers. We are hoping this will be a long-standing relationship.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p><h2 style='font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:30.0pt;color:black'>NFBCO Celebrates the Completion of its PHD Project<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></h2><p style='font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><strong><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:black'>by Peggy Chong</span></strong></span></span></span><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p><p style='font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><strong><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:black'>From the Editor: Peggy Chong is often called the Blind History Lady and for good reason. She is obsessed with writing down the history of blind people that, if not captured soon, will go away. She mourns what has been lost and is looking for people to join with her so that what happens today and in the future doesn’t become lost to history. Here is what she has to say about a recent event in Colorado:</span></strong></span></span></span><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p><p style='font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:black'>On Friday, October 14, 2022, many gathered at the Colorado Center for the Blind in Littleton, Colorado, to meet in person the ladies behind the keyboards for the NFBCO’s Preservation of Historical Documents (PHD) project.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p><p style='font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:black'>Julie Hunter, long-time member of the NFB of Colorado worked diligently to preserve the old records discovered after a water leak a few years back. In 2018 she told me about the old records they found, dating back to 1915. We looked through them together and marveled at what there was and what was missing. The two of us visited with archivists and librarians to learn the best place to start. For months the two of us sorted and resorted the old files, minutes, letters, news articles, and more.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p><p style='font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:black'>Early in 2019 I began reaching out to volunteer groups to talk about the PHD project, raise funds for it, and find volunteers who could transcribe the scanned files that were still unreadable. Few understood the importance of the project or our need for volunteers.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p><p style='font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:black'>By the end of February, 2020, Julie and I were ready to send the boxes of sorted records to DocuTek, a professional document scanning service. Then COVID shut everything down. For a few months nothing happened. As businesses began to reopen, DocuTek picked up our files, and in about a month, we had a flash drive with great PDF and OCR’d files, most of them unreadable by the blind.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p><p style='font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:black'>We began reaching out to the organizations and contacts from the previous year. Some showed more interest in volunteering if they could do it from home. Other organizations had shut down. Slowly, we recruited one volunteer, then another.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p><p style='font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:black'>Not all volunteers were able to complete an assignment. We wanted the material to reflect the original file, including any misspellings. However, that did not mean that we could make spelling or formatting errors ourselves. If a volunteer was not able to complete a file with only one or two mistakes, the volunteer was replaced.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p><p style='font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:black'>By the fall of 2021, we were the project to volunteer for. More than one hundred volunteers spent several thousand hours transcribing our old records and other material discovered during the past two years. By March of 2022, the last file was returned.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p><p style='font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:black'>The next step was to find a librarian who could help us put the material in a format that would be pleasing to libraries where we could give our electronic files as part of their collection. We sent out emails, letters, and made phone calls to potential librarians beginning in the fall of 2021. Not until May of 2022 were we able to find a professor and her students willing to take on the project.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p><p style='font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:black'>Not being librarians ourselves, Julie and I expressed our desire about the way our blind history of Colorado should be preserved. When we met with the interested professor in May of 2022, she talked with us about a new platform where small collections such as ours were being housed in a “virtual” library. She explained that we would have control over our content and that the history of the blind of Colorado would be free and available to anyone who used the virtual library from anywhere in the world. This sounded perfect. Ashley Love, the student now graduated, is still in the process of uploading our files to the Colorado Virtual Library. Researchers are now able to learn the history of the blind movement in Colorado from the blind themselves.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p><p style='font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:black'>A book of about eighty pages in length was prepared as a final document for the project. The book demonstrates the significance and potential of our archives. Several sets of minutes, at least one from each decade, included in the book highlight some of the projects and legislation worked on by the blind since 1915. Sixteen short biographies of the leaders of the blind movement in Colorado along with photographs highlight the successes of the blind in Colorado as individuals and as a part of creating a better life for those yet to come.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p><p style='font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:black'>That brings us to October 14, 2022, at the Colorado Center for the Blind. The NFBCO hosted a celebration to mark the completion of the PHD project as outlined back in January of 2019. We invited all the volunteers, funders, friends, and Federationists to help us celebrate.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p><p style='font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:black'>A display of some of the old records volunteers only saw in a PDF was there to peruse. Most documents are not in a condition to be handled often so remained in the basement. Plaques dating back to the 1930s as well as writing guides and slates and styluses were also on display.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p><p style='font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:black'>State Representative David Ortiz, himself disabled, spoke to the assembled about the importance of knowing our history as disabled people. He told us that until he saw for himself another disabled person elected to public office, he did not think a disabled person had ever or could ever be an elected leader. Now, Representative Ortiz encourages all disabled individuals to get involved, be a part of the political process, and run for public office. He was impressed with the accomplishments of the blind of Colorado listed in the souvenir book he was given.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p><p style='font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:black'>Awards were presented. Nikki Tennant, one of the first volunteers, completed her first file in August of 2020 and she completed her last file in February of 2022. She was the longest serving PHD volunteer.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p><p style='font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:black'>An award was presented to FirstBank for providing thirty-nine volunteers for the project. FirstBank has a program for employees to give back to the community through volunteering. Each employee is rewarded for completing sixteen hours of voluntarism each year. Some did their sixteen hours and left, while others completed many more hours of transcribing. Debora McCurdy accepted the plaque on behalf of FirstBank.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p><p style='font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:black'>Nichole Chrissis, Archivist for the tenBroek Library, accepted a flash drive with all the files in our NFBCO history collection. The thumb drive included more files than will be available through the Colorado Virtual Library such as audio interviews, additional legal cases, very old news clippings about blindness in general, and other blindness-related material based in Colorado, but not part of our original archives.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p><p style='font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:black'>Please check out our history at </span></span></span></span><a href="https://nfbco.cvlcollections.org/"><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt'>https://nfbco.cvlcollections.org/</span></span></span></span><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'></span></span></span></a><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:black'>. Share our link with blind students, schools for the blind, and NFB leaders. Our history makes great discussion topics for chapter meetings and seminars.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p><h2 style='font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:30.0pt;color:black'>Promoting Current Event and Media Literacy with NFB-NEWSLINE: A Parent's Perspective<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></h2><p style='font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><strong><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:black'>by Heather Bird</span></strong></span></span></span><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p><p style='font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><strong><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:black'>From the Editor: The National Federation of the Blind of New York has a newsletter focusing on NFB-NEWSLINEŽ, and this article is taken from it with appreciation:</span></strong></span></span></span><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p><p style='font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:black'>This month's <em><span style='font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif'>NFBNY-NEWSLINE</span></em> subscriber contributor is Heather Bird. Ms. Bird lives in Rochester, New York, with her husband and two children.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p><p style='font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:black'>In the NFB we stress the importance of Braille literacy. However, today literacy has taken on many forms. One of these forms is media literacy or being media savvy. I certainly encourage Braille literacy for both of my boys, who are blind, but I also work hard to make them as media literate as possible.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p><p style='font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:black'>Listening to news stories on the radio or television isn't a bad place to start, but it is a very bad place to stop. There may be a temptation with kids, because of their somewhat shorter attention spans, to stick to stories that they can "watch" or "listen to" on the radio or the TV. It is true that listening or watching a news story can make the news accessible, especially if the televised news program is audio-described. However, it is important to get children to understand that what fits into a sound bite or predefined clip length doesn't always provide the complete story. As a parent I stress to my children the importance of reading a full newspaper or magazine article as one way of getting a more detailed and hopefully broader picture of current events.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p><p style='font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:black'>For a child with a print-related disability, NFB-NEWSLINE is a fantastic resource for increasing media literacy. One helpful exercise you can do with a child is to have them watch a short news story on the television or listen to one on the radio. Then, using NFB-NEWSLINE, find an article on the same incident, event, or topic in a newspaper or magazine, and ask them critical thinking questions about how much more information was given and how differently it was presented and explained in the various forms of media.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p><p style='font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:black'>Recently, I was working in the kitchen and listening to NPR on my Amazon Echo Plus. My son overheard a story about a controversial and sensitive topic, the pro-life versus pro-choice issue. At such a moment, it is tempting to shape a child's view on such a difficult and controversial subject.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p><p style='font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:black'>I decided not to do that. Instead, we talked about how the station I was listening to was generally considered to be a liberal news source. We also talked about how the stories shared on radio are often going to be, much like those on television, simplified and shortened compared to those which can appear in print media.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p><p style='font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:black'>So, we got on NFB-NEWSLINE and found a few articles on each side of the issue, from varying perspectives. We also accessed a scientific article from a magazine rather than articles strictly from newspapers. We then got into a discussion about the Constitution and United States history. We did more research on the topic using Bookshare.org, an accessible digital library containing over a million books. In addition, we accessed the Braille and Audio Reading Download application (BARD) from the National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled (NLS), which also provides access to hundreds of thousands of recorded and Braille books.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p><p style='font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:black'>In the end my child made up his own mind about the issue, after exploring various viewpoints and perspectives. Having a child who is blind or otherwise unable to read print doesn't mean you can't help them become a citizen of the world, an explorer, a researcher, a scientist, a journalist, or a critical thinker. In fact, with resources such as NFB-NEWSLINE, you have increased opportunities to help them to achieve these goals.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p><p style='font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:black'>I recommend signing up your child for NFB-NEWSLINE, a service that is entirely free to the user and intended for anyone with a print-related disability. This will give your child access to hundreds of newspapers and magazines that can be accessed using a landline phone, smartphone, Alexa device, specialized readers such as the Victor Reader Stream, the portable book player provided free of charge by the National Library Service, and through the web on a desktop or laptop computer.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p><p style='font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:black'>NFB-NEWSLINE has content for younger readers. However, for younger children, I recommend that parents preview and download suitable articles from the "Kids Reading Corner" of the magazines section. Then use this material to let them develop and practice their technology and reading skills.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p><p style='font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:black'>NFB-NEWSLINE is an excellent resource to foster development of Braille reading and writing skills either by producing hard copy Braille content, using a Braille display, and/or showing a student how to access and download content from NFB-NEWSLINE to a Braille notetaker or other device capable of producing Braille.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p><p style='font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:black'>As the child matures, NFB-NEWSLINE can serve as an excellent resource to teach basic media literacy, research, and notetaking skills. An older child can access NFB-NEWSLINE content using any of the platforms and devices through which NFB-NEWSLINE content can be retrieved and read.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p><p style='font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:black'>While every child has differing needs, I recommend that you do everything you can to encourage blind children to use a Braille display, paired with their computer or smart device, whenever possible. Subtleties, such as the spelling of a politician's name, the letters that make up an acronym representing an organization, or the exact words in a speech are going to be more readily absorbed if read in Braille. This will also aid in citing sources of information for a school assignment.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p><p style='font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:black'>The sign-up process for NFB-NEWSLINE is relatively simple. I recommend NFB-NEWSLINE as a place to start working with a child on technology and media literacy because of the large volume of accessible and current information provided by the service daily.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p><p style='font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:black'>If you are looking for additional reading services for a member of your family who can't access print due to a disability, I recommend the National Library Service, Bookshare.org, and Learning Ally, all invaluable services with thousands of recorded and digital books.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p><p style='font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:black'>Today there are a large and growing number of free and commercial sources of online books and magazines available with varying degrees of accessibility. However, NFB-NEWSLINE was and remains a pioneer in bringing barrier-free newspapers, magazines, and other information to people who can't access print due to a disability. Whether you are a parent or a teacher, I encourage you to make use of NFB-NEWSLINE as a learning tool for your child or student.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p><h2 style='font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:30.0pt;color:black'>Tech Tips<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></h2><p style='font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><strong><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:black'>by Curtis Chong</span></strong></span></span></span><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p><p style='font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><strong><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:black'>From the Editor: Having a draft mode for writing email is splendid when one realizes the quality of what is being written isn't quite up to the inspiration to communicate. Curtis explains how to write a message, save it as a draft, and return to it when ready to produce a finished product. This piece is taken from the </span></strong></span></span></span><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><em><b><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:black'>Blind Coloradan</span></b></em></span></span></span><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><strong><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:black'>, the newsletter/blog of the NFB of Colorado. Here is the way the article was introduced:</span></strong></span></span></span><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p><p style='font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:black'>From the aggregator: We frequently feature tech tips from our guru Curtis Chong. We were happy to receive this note just before posting this blog.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p><p style='font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:black'>Drafts have been a feature in the iOS Mail app for a while, but many users aren't aware of this hidden gem. The feature (like its macOS Mail counterpart) allows users to stop composing an email, save it, and then return to the message later to send it. Let's see what's involved in using the drafts feature in all versions of iOS.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p><p style='font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:black'>First, compose an email by performing these steps.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p><p style='font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:black'>1. Open Mail.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p><p style='font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:black'>2. Select (double tap for VoiceOver users) the Compose button.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p><p style='font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:black'>3. Start to fill out the subject and body of the message.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p><p style='font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:black'>4. To save the message as a draft, tap (double tap for VoiceOver users) the Cancel button, and then tap (double tap for VoiceOver users) Save Draft in the pop-up that appears. The message will disappear, but it will be saved in the Drafts folder.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p><p style='font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:black'>To open a saved draft, tap and hold (single-finger triple tap for VoiceOver users) on the new message's Compose button in the toolbar (the same one you tapped to create a new message). A Drafts pop-up will appear.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:black;background:white'>In this view, you will see a listing of all available drafts that can be continued. To continue a draft, tap it (VoiceOver users, double tap it), and a new Compose view will open that has all of the message details filled in as you left them when saving. When you're finished composing the draft, select (double tap on) the Send button as normal to send the message to the recipient.</span><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p><h2><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:30.0pt;color:black'>Constitution of the National Federation of the Blind<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></h2><p style='font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:black'>Amended July 9, 2022<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p><h3 style='font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><strong><span style='font-size:22.5pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:black'>ARTICLE I. NAME</span></strong></span></span></span><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:22.5pt;color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></h3><p style='font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:black'>The name of this organization is the National Federation of the Blind.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p><h3 style='font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><strong><span style='font-size:22.5pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:black'>ARTICLE II. PURPOSE</span></strong></span></span></span><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:22.5pt;color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></h3><p style='font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:black'>The purpose of the National Federation of the Blind is to serve as a vehicle for collective action by the blind of the nation; to function as a mechanism through which the blind and interested sighted persons can come together in local, state, and national meetings to plan and carry out programs to improve the quality of life for the blind; to provide a means of collective action for parents of blind children; to promote the vocational, cultural, and social advancement of the blind; to achieve the integration of the blind into society on a basis of equality with the sighted; and to take any other action which will improve the overall condition and standard of living of the blind.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p><h3 style='font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><strong><span style='font-size:22.5pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:black'>ARTICLE III. MEMBERSHIP</span></strong></span></span></span><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:22.5pt;color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></h3><p style='font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><strong><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:black'>Section A.</span></strong></span></span></span><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:black'> The membership of the National Federation of the Blind shall consist of the members of the state affiliates, the members of divisions, and members at-large. Members of divisions and members at-large shall have the same rights, privileges, and responsibilities in the National Federation of the Blind as members of state affiliates.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p><p style='font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:black'>The board of directors shall establish procedures for admission of divisions and shall determine the structure of divisions. The divisions shall, with the approval of the board, adopt constitutions and determine their membership policies. Membership in divisions shall not be conditioned upon membership in state affiliates.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p><p style='font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:black'>The board of directors shall establish procedures for admission of members at-large, determine how many classes of such members shall be established, and determine the annual dues to be paid by members of each class.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p><p style='font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><strong><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:black'>Section B.</span></strong></span></span></span><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:black'> Each state or territorial possession of the United States, including the District of Columbia, having an affiliate shall have one vote at the National Convention. These organizations shall be referred to as state affiliates.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p><p style='font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><strong><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:black'>Section C.</span></strong></span></span></span><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:black'> State affiliates shall be organizations of the blind controlled by the blind. No organization shall be recognized as an "organization of the blind controlled by the blind" unless at least a majority of its voting members and a majority of the voting members of each of its local chapters are blind.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p><p style='font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><strong><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:black'>Section D.</span></strong></span></span></span><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:black'> The board of directors shall establish procedures for the admission of state affiliates. There shall be only one state affiliate in each state.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p><p style='font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><strong><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:black'>Section E.</span></strong></span></span></span><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:black'> Any local chapter, state affiliate, or division of this organization may be suspended, expelled, or otherwise disciplined for misconduct or for activity unbecoming to a member or affiliate of this organization by a two-thirds vote of the board of directors or by a simple majority of the states present and voting at a National Convention. If the action is to be taken by the board, there must be good cause, and a good faith effort must have been made to try to resolve the problem by discussion and negotiation. If the action is to be taken by the Convention, notice must be given on the preceding day at an open board meeting or a session of the Convention. If a dispute arises as to whether there was "good cause," or whether the board made a "good faith effort," the National Convention (acting in its capacity as the supreme authority of the Federation) shall have the power to make final disposition of the matter; but until or unless the board's action is reversed by the National Convention, the ruling of the board shall continue in effect.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p><p style='font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><strong><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:black'>Section F.</span></strong></span></span></span><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:black'> Any member of this organization may be suspended, expelled, or otherwise disciplined for misconduct or for activity unbecoming to a member of this organization, and any non-member may have their engagement in the organization restricted, through standards and procedures established, maintained, and regularly reviewed by the board of directors. These standards will be publicly available as a Code of Conduct for the organization, and members will be provided with opportunities to give feedback on the Code on a periodic basis set by the board.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p><p style='font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:black'>While considering disciplinary actions taken by the board either directly or through the procedures it establishes, there must be good cause, and a good faith effort must have been made to hear the concerns of all parties involved. With regard to handling reports of violations of the Code, the board will establish policies and procedures on how such reports will be investigated and then resolved. Any person subject to a ruling under these policies and procedures may appeal that ruling to the board, which may elect to have a subcommittee of the board handle the appeal. However, any three members of the board may, through written request, initiate a full board review of any disciplinary decision issued under the Code of Conduct. The procedures maintained by the board must provide individuals with clear guidance regarding their right to an appeal, the process for requesting an appeal, and the standards used in the board’s review of the appeal.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p><p style='font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:black'>Any person subject to disciplinary action by the board issued through the procedures and policies authorized by this section may appeal the board’s final decision to the National Convention. Such an appeal must be filed in writing and within thirty days of the board’s decision. The written request shall be submitted to the President and must be signed by five delegates to the next Convention who support hearing the appeal. Notice of the appeal hearing must be given on the preceding day at an open board meeting or a session of the Convention. Due to the sensitive nature of certain matters, any disciplinary action to be considered by the Convention will only be considered in a closed committee meeting consisting of the delegates present and voting and the Federation’s President. The committee shall be chaired by the President unless a conflict of interest prevents the President from chairing the committee, in which case the delegates shall elect one of the other delegates present who does not have a conflict to preside over the meeting. All efforts will be made in any disciplinary meeting to protect the identity of individuals who were harmed. A matter that has not been fully investigated shall never be considered by the Convention. If a dispute arises as to whether there was "good cause," or whether the board made a "good faith effort," the National Convention (acting in its capacity as the supreme authority of the Federation) shall have the power to make final disposition of the matter; but until or unless the board's action is reversed by the National Convention, the ruling of the board shall continue in effect.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p><h3 style='font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><strong><span style='font-size:22.5pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:black'>ARTICLE IV. OFFICERS, BOARD OF DIRECTORS, AND NATIONAL ADVISORY BOARD</span></strong></span></span></span><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:22.5pt;color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></h3><p style='font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><strong><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:black'>Section A.</span></strong></span></span></span><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:black'> The officers of the National Federation of the Blind shall be: (1) president, (2) first vice president, (3) second vice president, (4) secretary, and (5) treasurer. They shall be elected biennially.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p><p style='font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><strong><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:black'>Section B.</span></strong></span></span></span><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:black'> The officers shall be elected by majority vote of the state affiliates present and voting at a National Convention.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p><p style='font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><strong><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:black'>Section C.</span></strong></span></span></span><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:black'> The National Federation of the Blind shall have a board of directors, which shall be composed of the five officers and twelve additional members, six of whom shall be elected at the Annual Convention during even-numbered years and six of whom shall be elected at the Annual Convention during odd-numbered years. The members of the board of directors shall serve for two-year terms. Biennially, during even-numbered years, at the first meeting of the board of directors following the convention at which officers and Board Members are elected, the board of directors shall select a Chairperson from among its members who shall not be the same person as the President and who shall serve without compensation.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p><p style='font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><strong><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:black'>Section D.</span></strong></span></span></span><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:black'> The board of directors may, in its discretion, create a national advisory board and determine the duties and qualifications of the members of the national advisory board.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p><h3 style='font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><strong><span style='font-size:22.5pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:black'>ARTICLE V. POWERS AND DUTIES OF THE CONVENTION, THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS, AND THE PRESIDENT</span></strong></span></span></span><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:22.5pt;color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></h3><p style='font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><strong><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:black'>Section A. Powers and Duties of the Convention. </span></strong></span></span></span><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:black'>The Convention is the supreme authority of the Federation. It is the legislature of the Federation. As such, it has final authority with respect to all issues of policy. Its decisions shall be made after opportunity has been afforded for full and fair discussion. Delegates and members in attendance may participate in all Convention discussions as a matter of right. Any member of the Federation may make or second motions, propose nominations, serve on committees, and is eligible for election to office, except that only blind members may be elected to the national board. Voting and making motions by proxy are prohibited. Consistent with the democratic character of the Federation, Convention meetings shall be so conducted as to prevent parliamentary maneuvers which would have the effect of interfering with the expression of the will of the majority on any question, or with the rights of the minority to full and fair presentation of their views. The Convention is not merely a gathering of representatives of separate state organizations. It is a meeting of the Federation at the national level in its character as a national organization. Committees of the Federation are committees of the national organization. The nominating committee shall consist of one member from each state affiliate represented at the Convention, and each state affiliate shall appoint its member to the committee. From among the members of the committee, the president shall appoint a chairperson.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p><p style='font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><strong><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:black'>Section B. Powers and Duties of the Board of Directors.</span></strong></span></span></span><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:black'> The function of the board of directors as the governing body of the Federation between Conventions is to make policies when necessary and not in conflict with the policies adopted by the Convention. Policy decisions which can reasonably be postponed until the next meeting of the National Convention shall not be made by the board of directors. The board of directors shall serve as a credentials committee. It shall have the power to deal with organizational problems presented to it by any member, local chapter, state affiliate, or division; shall decide appeals regarding the validity of elections in local chapters, state affiliates, or divisions; and shall certify the credentials of delegates when questions regarding the validity of such credentials arise. By a two-thirds vote the board may suspend one of its members for violation of a policy of the organization or for other action unbecoming to a member of the Federation. By a two-thirds vote the board may reorganize any local chapter, state affiliate, or division. The board may not suspend one of its own members or reorganize a local chapter, state affiliate, or division except for good cause and after a good-faith effort has been made to try to resolve the problem by discussion and negotiation. If a dispute arises as to whether there was "good cause," or whether the board made a "good-faith effort," the National Convention (acting in its capacity as the supreme authority of the Federation) shall have the power to make final disposition of the matter; but until or unless the board's action is reversed by the National Convention, the ruling of the board shall continue in effect. There shall be a standing subcommittee of the board of directors which shall consist of three members. The committee shall be known as the subcommittee on budget and finance. It shall, whenever it deems necessary, recommend to the board of directors principles of budgeting, accounting procedures, and methods of financing the Federation program; and shall consult with the president on major expenditures.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p><p style='font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:black'>The board of directors shall meet at the time of each National Convention. It shall hold other meetings on the call of the president or on the written request of any five members.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p><p style='font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><strong><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:black'>Section C. Powers and Duties of the President.</span></strong></span></span></span><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:black'> The president is the principal administrative officer of the Federation. In this capacity his or her duties consist of carrying out the policies adopted by the Convention; conducting the day-to-day management of the affairs of the Federation; authorizing expenditures from the Federation treasury in accordance with and in implementation of the policies established by the Convention; appointing all committees of the Federation except the nominating committee; coordinating all activities of the Federation, including the work of other officers and of committees; hiring, supervising, and dismissing staff members and other employees of the Federation, and determining their numbers and compensation; taking all administrative actions necessary and proper to put into effect the programs and accomplish the purposes of the Federation. The implementation and administration of the interim policies adopted by the board of directors are the responsibility of the president as principal administrative officer of the Federation.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p><h3 style='font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><strong><span style='font-size:22.5pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:black'>ARTICLE VI. STATE AFFILIATES</span></strong></span></span></span><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:22.5pt;color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></h3><p style='font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:black'>Any organized group desiring to become a state affiliate of the National Federation of the Blind shall apply for affiliation by submitting to the president of the National Federation of the Blind a copy of its constitution and a list of the names and addresses of its elected officers. Under procedures to be established by the board of directors, action shall be taken on the application. If the action is affirmative, the National Federation of the Blind shall issue to the organization a charter of affiliation. Upon request of the national president, the state affiliate shall provide to the national president the names and addresses of its members. Copies of all amendments to the constitution and/or bylaws of an affiliate shall be sent without delay to the national president. No organization shall be accepted as an affiliate and no organization shall remain an affiliate unless at least a majority of its voting members are blind. The president, vice president (or vice presidents), and at least a majority of the executive committee or board of directors of the state affiliate and of all of its local chapters must be blind. Affiliates must not merely be social organizations but must formulate programs and actively work to promote the economic and social betterment of the blind. Affiliates and their local chapters must comply with the provisions of the constitution of the Federation.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p><p style='font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:black'>Policy decisions of the Federation are binding upon all affiliates and local chapters, and the affiliate and its local chapters must participate affirmatively in carrying out such policy decisions. The name <em><span style='font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif'>National Federation of the Blind, Federation of the Blind</span></em>, or any variant thereof is the property of the National Federation of the Blind; and any affiliate or local chapter of an affiliate which ceases to be part of the National Federation of the Blind (for whatever reason) shall forthwith forfeit the right to use the name <em><span style='font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif'>National Federation of the Blind, Federation of the Blind,</span></em> or any variant thereof.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p><p style='font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:black'>A general convention of the membership of an affiliate or of the elected delegates of the membership must be held and its principal executive officers must be elected at least once every two years. There can be no closed membership. Proxy voting is prohibited in state affiliates and local chapters. Each affiliate must have a written constitution or bylaws setting forth its structure, the authority of its officers, and the basic procedures which it will follow. No publicly contributed funds may be divided among the membership of an affiliate or local chapter on the basis of membership, and (upon request from the national office) an affiliate or local chapter must present an accounting of all of its receipts and expenditures. An affiliate or local chapter must not indulge in attacks upon the officers, board members, leaders, or members of the Federation or upon the organization itself outside of the organization, and must not allow its officers or members to indulge in such attacks. This requirement shall not be interpreted to interfere with the right of an affiliate or local chapter, or its officers or members, to carry on a political campaign inside the Federation for election to office or to achieve policy changes. However, the organization will not sanction or permit deliberate, sustained campaigns of internal organizational destruction by state affiliates, local chapters, or members. No affiliate or local chapter may join or support, or allow its officers or members to join or support, any temporary or permanent organization inside the Federation which has not received the sanction and approval of the Federation.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p><h3 style='font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><strong><span style='font-size:22.5pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:black'>ARTICLE VII. DISSOLUTION</span></strong></span></span></span><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:22.5pt;color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></h3><p style='font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:black'>In the event of dissolution, all assets of the organization shall be given to an organization with similar purposes which has received a 501(c)(3) certification by the Internal Revenue Service.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p><h3 style='font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><strong><span style='font-size:22.5pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:black'>ARTICLE VIII. AMENDMENTS</span></strong></span></span></span><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:22.5pt;color:black'><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></h3><p class=MsoNormal><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:black;background:white'>This constitution may be amended at any regular Annual Convention of the Federation by an affirmative vote of two-thirds of the state affiliates registered, present, and voting; provided that the proposed amendment shall have been signed by five state affiliates in good standing and that it shall have been presented to the president the day before final action by the Convention.</span><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p><h2><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><em><span style='font-size:30.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:black'>Monitor</span></em></span></span></span><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:30.0pt;color:black'> Miniatures<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></h2><h3 style='font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:22.5pt;color:black'>News from the Federation Family<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></h3><p style='font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><strong><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:black'>Save the Date & Get Reading List Ready</span></strong></span></span></span><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:black'><br>The National Federation of the Blind is proud to partner with the American Action Fund for Blind Children and Adults for the 2022-2023 Braille Readers Are Leaders contest. This Braille literacy contest is for students and adults learning Braille across the US to compete against participants in similar contest categories for seven weeks. Participants will:<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p><ul type=disc><li class=MsoNormal style='color:black;mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;mso-list:l4 level1 lfo5'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt'>Register and log minutes read each day online using Beanstack<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></li><li class=MsoNormal style='color:black;mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;mso-list:l4 level1 lfo5'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt'>Log the number of minutes read. Earn prizes and fun badges<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></li><li class=MsoNormal style='color:black;mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;mso-list:l4 level1 lfo5'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt'>Read the most minutes in your category and receive a cash prize in addition to all other prizes earned.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></li><li class=MsoNormal style='color:black;mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;mso-list:l4 level1 lfo5'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt'>Earn entries into a drawing for a fabulous grand prize! The more minutes you read, the more entries you earn.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></li></ul><p style='font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:black'>The contest will begin on December 5, 2022, and run through January 23, 2023. Registration opens November 7. Get your reading list ready. We are excited to get started reading with you!<br>Encourage more Braille. Improve reading skills. Win prizes.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p><h3 style='font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:22.5pt;color:black'>Braille Book Resources<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></h3><p style='font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:black'>Expand your child’s Braille library and toolbox. Check out the Braille storybook resources webpage (</span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.actionfund.org/resources/Braille-book-resources"><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt'>https://www.actionfund.org/resources/Braille-book-resources</span></span></span></span><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'></span></span></span></a><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:black'>) for information on free books, lending libraries, and Braille book retailers.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p><p style='font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><strong><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:black'>Elected:</span></strong></span></span></span><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:black'><br>On Sunday, October 9, 2022, the National Federation of the Blind of Indiana conducted elections with the following results:<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p><p style='font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:black'>Kane Brolin, president; Lee Martin, first vice president; Raymond Montgomery, second vice president; Abigail Fleenor, secretary; Misty Kienzynski, treasurer; and board members Dr. Evette Simmons-Reed; and Alex Gilland. In addition, two hold-over slots remain occupied: Tammy Hollingsworth; and Tyler Sherck.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p><p style='font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:black'>We wish all of you success in your new positions.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p><h3 style='font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:22.5pt;color:black'>NFB Pledge<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></h3><p style='font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-thickness: initial;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:black'>I pledge to participate actively in the efforts 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></span></span></span></span></p><p><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:black'>(</span></span></span></span><a href="https://nfb.org/images/nfb/publications/bm/bm22/bm2211/bm2211tc.htm"><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt'>contents</span></span></span></span><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'></span></span></span></a><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:black'>)<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></span></span></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>Sincerely,<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></span></span></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><a name="_Hlk104126609"><b><u><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>Kristopher I. Crawley<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></a></span></span></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126609'><span style='font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126609'></span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.accessibilityassociation.org/"><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126609'><span style='font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:blue;text-decoration:none'><img border=0 width=432 height=77 style='width:4.5in;height:.802in' id="Picture_x0020_5" src="cid:image001.png@01D908A5.5A7A4990" alt="I, A, A, P, International Association of Accessibility Professionals, Professional Member"></span></span></span></span></span><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126609'></span></span></span></span></a><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126609'><span style='font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126609'><span style='font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126609'><span style='font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126609'></span></span></span></span><a href="https://education.acvrep.org/badges/badge.php?hash=18b8ae05639d02d02387d74e47732a7cb8eeb657"><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126609'><span style='font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:blue;text-decoration:none'><img border=0 width=96 height=96 style='width:1.0in;height:1.0in' id="Picture_x0020_4" src="cid:image002.png@01D908A5.5A7A4990" alt="Certified Google Chromebook Accessibility Expert"></span></span></span></span></span><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126609'></span></span></span></span></a><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126609'><span style='font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'> </span></span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.freedomscientific.com/Training/Certification"><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126609'><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:windowtext;text-decoration:none'><img border=0 width=86 height=86 style='width:.8958in;height:.8958in' id="Picture_x0020_3" src="cid:image003.png@01D908A5.5A7A4990" alt="JAWS Certified, 2022"></span></span></span></span></span><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126609'></span></span></span></span></a><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126609'><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'> </span></span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.zoomtext.com/learning/certification"><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126609'><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:windowtext;text-decoration:none'><img border=0 width=86 height=86 style='width:.8958in;height:.8958in' id="Picture_x0020_2" src="cid:image004.png@01D908A5.5A7A4990" alt="ZoomText Certified, 2022"></span></span></span></span></span><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126609'></span></span></span></span></a><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126609'><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'> </span></span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.nvaccess.org/"><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126609'><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:windowtext;text-decoration:none'><img border=0 width=160 height=96 style='width:1.6666in;height:1.0in' id="Picture_x0020_1" src="cid:image005.png@01D908A5.5A7A4990" alt="NVDA Certified Expert"></span></span></span></span></span><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126609'></span></span></span></span></a><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126609'><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126609'><b><span style='font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></b></span></span></span></span></p><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126609'></span><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk75539397'></span><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104126486'></span><p class=MsoNormal><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><b><u><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>Board Member:</span></u></b></span><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'> National Federation Of The Blind Of SC<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><b><u><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>President:</span></u></b></span><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'> SC Communities of Faith Division<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><b><u><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>1<sup>st</sup> Vice President:</span></u></b></span><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'> SC Association of Black Leaders <b><u><o:p></o:p></u></b></span></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><b><u><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>Email:</span></u></b></span><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'> </span></span><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'></span><a href="mailto:KICrawley.NFB@Gmail.com"><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:#0563C1'>KICrawley.NFB@Gmail.com</span></span><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'></span></a><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><b><u><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'><o:p></o:p></span></u></b></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><b><u><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>Phone/Text:</span></u></b></span><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk104128366'><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'> (803) </span></span><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>220-1727<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;text-align:justify;background:white'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:black'>The National Federation of the Blind is a community of members and friends who believe in the hopes and dreams of the nation’s blind. Every day we work together to help blind people live the lives they want.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><u><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>NFB of SC Pages<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'><a href="https://www.nfbofsc.org/"><span style='color:#0563C1'>Visit our Website</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'><a href="https://www.nfbofsc.org/donate"><span style='color:#0563C1'>Donate to the NFB of SC</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'><a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/national-federation-of-the-blind-of-south-carolina/id1563280420"><span style='color:#0563C1'>Subscribe to our Podcast</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'><a href="https://www.facebook.com/NatFedofSouthCarolina"><span style='color:#0563C1'>Like us on Facebook</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'><a href="https://www.twitter.com/SCNFB"><span style='color:#0563C1'>Follow us on Twitter</span></a></span><u><span style='color:#0563C1'><o:p></o:p></span></u></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div></body></html>