<html xmlns:v="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:vml" xmlns:o="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" xmlns:w="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:word" xmlns:m="http://schemas.microsoft.com/office/2004/12/omml" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/TR/REC-html40"><head><meta http-equiv=Content-Type content="text/html; charset=us-ascii"><meta name=Generator content="Microsoft Word 15 (filtered medium)"><!--[if !mso]><style>v\:* {behavior:url(#default#VML);}
o\:* {behavior:url(#default#VML);}
w\:* {behavior:url(#default#VML);}
.shape {behavior:url(#default#VML);}
</style><![endif]--><style><!--
/* Font Definitions */
@font-face
{font-family:Wingdings;
panose-1:5 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0;}
@font-face
{font-family:"Cambria Math";
panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4;}
@font-face
{font-family:Calibri;
panose-1:2 15 5 2 2 2 4 3 2 4;}
/* Style Definitions */
p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal
{margin:0in;
font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;
mso-ligatures:standardcontextual;}
h1
{mso-style-priority:9;
mso-style-link:"Heading 1 Char";
margin:0in;
font-size:14.0pt;
font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;}
h2
{mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-link:"Heading 2 Char";
margin:0in;
font-size:14.0pt;
font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;}
h3
{mso-style-priority:9;
mso-style-link:"Heading 3 Char";
margin-top:0in;
margin-right:0in;
margin-bottom:0in;
margin-left:.25in;
line-height:115%;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;
font-weight:normal;}
p.MsoListBullet, li.MsoListBullet, div.MsoListBullet
{mso-style-priority:99;
margin-top:0in;
margin-right:0in;
margin-bottom:8.0pt;
margin-left:.5in;
mso-add-space:auto;
text-indent:-.25in;
mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;
text-autospace:ideograph-other;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;}
p.MsoListBulletCxSpFirst, li.MsoListBulletCxSpFirst, div.MsoListBulletCxSpFirst
{mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-type:export-only;
margin-top:0in;
margin-right:0in;
margin-bottom:0in;
margin-left:.5in;
mso-add-space:auto;
text-indent:-.25in;
mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;
text-autospace:ideograph-other;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;}
p.MsoListBulletCxSpMiddle, li.MsoListBulletCxSpMiddle, div.MsoListBulletCxSpMiddle
{mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-type:export-only;
margin-top:0in;
margin-right:0in;
margin-bottom:0in;
margin-left:.5in;
mso-add-space:auto;
text-indent:-.25in;
mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;
text-autospace:ideograph-other;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;}
p.MsoListBulletCxSpLast, li.MsoListBulletCxSpLast, div.MsoListBulletCxSpLast
{mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-type:export-only;
margin-top:0in;
margin-right:0in;
margin-bottom:8.0pt;
margin-left:.5in;
mso-add-space:auto;
text-indent:-.25in;
mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;
text-autospace:ideograph-other;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;}
a:link, span.MsoHyperlink
{mso-style-priority:99;
color:#0563C1;
text-decoration:underline;}
p.MsoListParagraph, li.MsoListParagraph, div.MsoListParagraph
{mso-style-priority:34;
margin-top:0in;
margin-right:0in;
margin-bottom:0in;
margin-left:.25in;
font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;}
span.EmailStyle17
{mso-style-type:personal-compose;
font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;
color:windowtext;}
span.Heading1Char
{mso-style-name:"Heading 1 Char";
mso-style-priority:9;
mso-style-link:"Heading 1";
font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;
mso-ligatures:none;
font-weight:bold;}
span.Heading2Char
{mso-style-name:"Heading 2 Char";
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-link:"Heading 2";
font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;
mso-ligatures:none;
font-weight:bold;}
span.Heading3Char
{mso-style-name:"Heading 3 Char";
mso-style-priority:9;
mso-style-link:"Heading 3";
font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;
mso-ligatures:none;}
.MsoChpDefault
{mso-style-type:export-only;
font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;}
@page WordSection1
{size:8.5in 11.0in;
margin:1.0in 1.0in 1.0in 1.0in;}
div.WordSection1
{page:WordSection1;}
/* List Definitions */
@list l0
{mso-list-id:182520828;
mso-list-template-ids:-390806400;
mso-list-style-name:LFO4;}
@list l0:level1
{mso-level-start-at:0;
mso-level-number-format:bullet;
mso-level-style-link:"List Bullet";
mso-level-text:\F0B7;
mso-level-tab-stop:none;
mso-level-number-position:left;
text-indent:-.25in;
mso-ascii-font-family:Symbol;
mso-hansi-font-family:Symbol;}
@list l0:level2
{mso-level-number-format:none;
mso-level-text:%2;
mso-level-tab-stop:none;
mso-level-number-position:left;
margin-left:.25in;
text-indent:0in;}
@list l0:level3
{mso-level-number-format:none;
mso-level-text:%3;
mso-level-tab-stop:none;
mso-level-number-position:left;
margin-left:.25in;
text-indent:0in;}
@list l0:level4
{mso-level-number-format:none;
mso-level-text:%4;
mso-level-tab-stop:none;
mso-level-number-position:left;
margin-left:.25in;
text-indent:0in;}
@list l0:level5
{mso-level-number-format:none;
mso-level-text:%5;
mso-level-tab-stop:none;
mso-level-number-position:left;
margin-left:.25in;
text-indent:0in;}
@list l0:level6
{mso-level-number-format:none;
mso-level-text:%6;
mso-level-tab-stop:none;
mso-level-number-position:left;
margin-left:.25in;
text-indent:0in;}
@list l0:level7
{mso-level-number-format:none;
mso-level-text:%7;
mso-level-tab-stop:none;
mso-level-number-position:left;
margin-left:.25in;
text-indent:0in;}
@list l0:level8
{mso-level-number-format:none;
mso-level-text:%8;
mso-level-tab-stop:none;
mso-level-number-position:left;
margin-left:.25in;
text-indent:0in;}
@list l0:level9
{mso-level-number-format:none;
mso-level-text:%9;
mso-level-tab-stop:none;
mso-level-number-position:left;
margin-left:.25in;
text-indent:0in;}
@list l1
{mso-list-id:215823636;
mso-list-type:hybrid;
mso-list-template-ids:911134592 1342360682 67698691 67698693 67698689 67698691 67698693 67698689 67698691 67698693;}
@list l1:level1
{mso-level-start-at:0;
mso-level-number-format:bullet;
mso-level-text:\F0B7;
mso-level-tab-stop:none;
mso-level-number-position:left;
text-indent:-.25in;
font-family:Symbol;
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-ansi-font-weight:bold;}
@list l1:level2
{mso-level-number-format:bullet;
mso-level-text:o;
mso-level-tab-stop:none;
mso-level-number-position:left;
text-indent:-.25in;
font-family:"Courier New";
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";}
@list l1:level3
{mso-level-number-format:bullet;
mso-level-text:\F0A7;
mso-level-tab-stop:none;
mso-level-number-position:left;
text-indent:-.25in;
font-family:Wingdings;}
@list l1:level4
{mso-level-number-format:bullet;
mso-level-text:\F0B7;
mso-level-tab-stop:none;
mso-level-number-position:left;
text-indent:-.25in;
font-family:Symbol;}
@list l1:level5
{mso-level-number-format:bullet;
mso-level-text:o;
mso-level-tab-stop:none;
mso-level-number-position:left;
text-indent:-.25in;
font-family:"Courier New";
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";}
@list l1:level6
{mso-level-number-format:bullet;
mso-level-text:\F0A7;
mso-level-tab-stop:none;
mso-level-number-position:left;
text-indent:-.25in;
font-family:Wingdings;}
@list l1:level7
{mso-level-number-format:bullet;
mso-level-text:\F0B7;
mso-level-tab-stop:none;
mso-level-number-position:left;
text-indent:-.25in;
font-family:Symbol;}
@list l1:level8
{mso-level-number-format:bullet;
mso-level-text:o;
mso-level-tab-stop:none;
mso-level-number-position:left;
text-indent:-.25in;
font-family:"Courier New";
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";}
@list l1:level9
{mso-level-number-format:bullet;
mso-level-text:\F0A7;
mso-level-tab-stop:none;
mso-level-number-position:left;
text-indent:-.25in;
font-family:Wingdings;}
@list l2
{mso-list-id:1207568314;
mso-list-template-ids:1092902650;}
@list l2:level1
{mso-level-start-at:0;
mso-level-number-format:bullet;
mso-level-text:\F0B7;
mso-level-tab-stop:none;
mso-level-number-position:left;
text-indent:-.25in;
mso-ascii-font-family:Symbol;
mso-hansi-font-family:Symbol;}
@list l2:level2
{mso-level-start-at:0;
mso-level-number-format:bullet;
mso-level-text:o;
mso-level-tab-stop:none;
mso-level-number-position:left;
text-indent:-.25in;
mso-ascii-font-family:"Courier New";
mso-hansi-font-family:"Courier New";
mso-bidi-font-family:"Courier New";}
@list l2:level3
{mso-level-start-at:0;
mso-level-number-format:bullet;
mso-level-text:\F0A7;
mso-level-tab-stop:none;
mso-level-number-position:left;
text-indent:-.25in;
mso-ascii-font-family:Wingdings;
mso-hansi-font-family:Wingdings;}
@list l2:level4
{mso-level-start-at:0;
mso-level-number-format:bullet;
mso-level-text:\F0B7;
mso-level-tab-stop:none;
mso-level-number-position:left;
text-indent:-.25in;
mso-ascii-font-family:Symbol;
mso-hansi-font-family:Symbol;}
@list l2:level5
{mso-level-start-at:0;
mso-level-number-format:bullet;
mso-level-text:o;
mso-level-tab-stop:none;
mso-level-number-position:left;
text-indent:-.25in;
mso-ascii-font-family:"Courier New";
mso-hansi-font-family:"Courier New";
mso-bidi-font-family:"Courier New";}
@list l2:level6
{mso-level-start-at:0;
mso-level-number-format:bullet;
mso-level-text:\F0A7;
mso-level-tab-stop:none;
mso-level-number-position:left;
text-indent:-.25in;
mso-ascii-font-family:Wingdings;
mso-hansi-font-family:Wingdings;}
@list l2:level7
{mso-level-start-at:0;
mso-level-number-format:bullet;
mso-level-text:\F0B7;
mso-level-tab-stop:none;
mso-level-number-position:left;
text-indent:-.25in;
mso-ascii-font-family:Symbol;
mso-hansi-font-family:Symbol;}
@list l2:level8
{mso-level-start-at:0;
mso-level-number-format:bullet;
mso-level-text:o;
mso-level-tab-stop:none;
mso-level-number-position:left;
text-indent:-.25in;
mso-ascii-font-family:"Courier New";
mso-hansi-font-family:"Courier New";
mso-bidi-font-family:"Courier New";}
@list l2:level9
{mso-level-start-at:0;
mso-level-number-format:bullet;
mso-level-text:\F0A7;
mso-level-tab-stop:none;
mso-level-number-position:left;
text-indent:-.25in;
mso-ascii-font-family:Wingdings;
mso-hansi-font-family:Wingdings;}
ol
{margin-bottom:0in;}
ul
{margin-bottom:0in;}
--></style><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:shapedefaults v:ext="edit" spidmax="1026" />
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:shapelayout v:ext="edit">
<o:idmap v:ext="edit" data="1" />
</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link="#0563C1" vlink="#954F72" style='word-wrap:break-word'><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal><span style='mso-ligatures:none'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><h1><a name="OLE_LINK7"></a><a name="OLE_LINK8"></a><a name="OLE_LINK9"><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK8'><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK7'><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>President’s Notebook</span></span></span></a><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK9'><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK8'><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK7'><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></h1><h1><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK9'><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK8'><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK7'><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>National Federation of the Blind</span></span></span></span><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK9'><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK8'><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK7'><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></h1><h1><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK9'><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK8'><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK7'><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Mark A. Riccobono</span></span></span></span><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK9'><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK8'><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK7'><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></h1><h1><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK9'><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK8'><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK7'></span></span></span><a href="mailto:officeofthepresident@nfb.org"><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK9'><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK8'><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK7'>officeofthepresident@nfb.org</span></span></span><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK9'><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK8'><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK7'></span></span></span></a><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK9'><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK8'><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK7'><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></h1><h1><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK9'><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK8'><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK7'><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>410-659-9314</span></span></span></span><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK9'><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK8'><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK7'><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></h1><p class=MsoNormal><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK9'><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK8'><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK7'> <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK9'><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK8'><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK7'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Dear Federation Family,</span><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK9'><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK8'><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK7'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK9'><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK8'><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK7'><a name="_Hlk146552447"><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Martin Luther King, Jr., reminded us that “the arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends toward justice.” This week the White House and some federal agencies are celebrating the 50th anniversary of the passage of the Rehabilitation Act. One thing that makes the Federation particularly effective is not simply that we have been here for all of those fifty years, but that we engage throughout the whole process, including as laws are implemented and need to evolve. Whether we are thinking about Social Security legislation, the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, pedestrian safety, ratification of the Marrakesh Treaty, or any other priority we have pursued, we recognize that getting a law is only the first step. As the nation celebrates this important historical milestone, we should recognize that the progress has come partly through our hard work. More importantly, progress will continue because we dedicate ourselves to following the arc the rest of the way to justice.</span><o:p></o:p></a></span></span></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK9'><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK8'><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK7'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk146552447'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk146552447'></span><p class=MsoNormal><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK9'><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK8'><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK7'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>As we get geared up for Blind Equality Achievement Month, we need to dedicate ourselves to creating awareness of how blind people have raised expectations throughout society. We have more work to do to get our message and our understanding out into the general public. We also need to challenge ourselves to find innovative ways to capture the attention of the non-blind public and draw them into talking about the issues that impact our lives on a daily basis. October creates that opportunity, and I hope you will share with all of us the approaches that you find to be most effective in your community.</span><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK9'><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK8'><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK7'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK9'><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK8'><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK7'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>I will be on the road for the first part of October, including a visit to our Florida state convention. I am anticipating the opportunity to be with our members in Kentucky and Florida as we enter the final quarter of a very successful year. </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK9'><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK8'><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK7'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK9'><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK8'><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK7'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Thank you for your efforts to build our organization.</span><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK9'><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK8'><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK7'><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p><h2><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK9'><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK8'><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK7'>Critical Actions:<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></h2><h3><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK9'><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK8'><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK7'><b>Blind Equality Achievement Month:</b></span></span></span><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK9'><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK8'><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK7'><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></h3><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.25in'><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK9'><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK8'><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK7'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>October is Blind Equality Achievement Month, and we want to highlight our successes. We encourage affiliates and divisions to update their social media with any activities that they are doing, as well as with their members’ success stories. We’ll be sure to share some on our platforms. Please send links to your posts to Cricket Bidleman at </span></span></span></span><a href="mailto:cbidleman@nfb.org"><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK9'><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK8'><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK7'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>cbidleman@nfb.org</span></span></span></span><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK9'><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK8'><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK7'></span></span></span></a><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK9'><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK8'><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK7'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>. </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK9'><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK8'><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK7'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p><h3><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK9'><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK8'><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK7'><b>October Presidential Release LIVE from Kentucky:</b></span></span></span><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK9'><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK8'><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK7'><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></h3><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.25in'><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK9'><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK8'><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK7'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black'>The National Federation of the Blind </span></span></span></span><a href="https://nfb.org/resources/publications-and-media/presidential-releases"><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK9'><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK8'><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK7'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Presidential Release #531</span></span></span></span><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK9'><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK8'><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK7'></span></span></span></a><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK9'><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK8'><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK7'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black'> will be broadcast from Louisville, on October 3, 2023, at 8:00 p.m., eastern. Closed captions and Spanish interpretations will be available. Presidential Release Zoom ID: </span></span></span></span><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK9'><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK8'><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK7'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>999 6853 1572.<span style='color:black'> Please share the live event opportunity on your affiliate and chapter social media channels. </span></span><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK9'><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK8'><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK7'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p><h3><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK9'><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK8'><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK7'><b>COVID Tests:</b></span></span></span><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK9'><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK8'><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK7'><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></h3><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.25in'><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK9'><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK8'><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK7'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>The White House announced recently that COVIDtests.gov is re-opening. People are now again able to order free, at-home COVID-19 tests. Each household may place one order; each order will contain twelve tests. Blind people are able to order, by phone or online, the more accessible tests manufactured by Ellume. To ensure that the accessible tests go to people that need them, go to </span></span></span></span><a href="http://ACL.gov/AccessibleTests"><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK9'><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK8'><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK7'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>ACL.gov/AccessibleTests</span></span></span></span><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK9'><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK8'><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK7'></span></span></span></a><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK9'><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK8'><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK7'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'> to order online. To order by phone, call 1-800-232-0233. Select language by pressing 1 for English, 2 for Spanish, 3 for other languages. Then select 8 for the accessible test (rather than 1 for the inaccessible test).</span><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.25in'><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK9'><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK8'><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK7'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.25in'><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK9'><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK8'><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK7'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>For assistance placing orders or administering the test, call 888-677-1199. DIAL operators are available Monday-Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., eastern. In addition, live chat and ASL services are available through the </span></span></span></span><a href="http://dial.acl.gov/"><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK9'><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK8'><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK7'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>DIAL website</span></span></span></span><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK9'><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK8'><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK7'></span></span></span></a><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK9'><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK8'><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK7'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>. </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK9'><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK8'><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK7'> <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p><h2><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK9'><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK8'><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK7'>News:<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></h2><h3><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK9'><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK8'><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK7'><b>National Federation of the Blind Responds to Department of Justice Title II Website NPRM:</b></span></span></span><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK9'><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK8'><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK7'><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></h3><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.25in'><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK9'><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK8'><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK7'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>On August 4, 2023, the United States Department of Justice published a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) regarding ADA Title II website and mobile app accessibility regulations in the Federal Register. The proposed rule was more than two hundred pages long and asked readers to answer over sixty questions. Since we have been waiting for these regulations for thirteen years and wanted to ensure a thorough and appropriate response, we spent many weeks carefully reviewing the proposed rule and crafting our comments. I am pleased to say that we submitted our comprehensive comments, answering all relevant questions, on Tuesday, September 19. I encourage you to read our </span></span></span></span><a href="https://nfb.org/programs-services/advocacy/policy-statements/comments-ada-title-ii-website-and-mobile-app-notice"><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK9'><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK8'><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK7'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>full ADA Title II NPRM response</span></span></span></span><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK9'><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK8'><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK7'></span></span></span></a><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK9'><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK8'><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK7'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'> on the Policy Statements page of our website.</span><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK9'><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK8'><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK7'><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p><h3><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK9'><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK8'><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK7'><b>NFBMD President, Ronza Othman, Testified Before Senate Aging Committee:</b></span></span></span><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK9'><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK8'><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK7'><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></h3><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.25in'><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK9'><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK8'><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK7'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>On Thursday, September 21, Ronza Othman, the president of our Maryland affiliate and the president of the National Association of Blind Government Employees, testified before the Senate Special Committee on Aging at a hearing titled “Unlocking the Virtual Front Door: Ensuring Accessible Government Technology for People with Disabilities, Older Adults, and Veterans.” Ronza did a terrific job and </span></span></span></span><a href="https://nfb.org/programs-services/advocacy/policy-statements/ronza-othmans-testimony-senate-special-committee-aging"><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK9'><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK8'><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK7'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>her full testimony</span></span></span></span><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK9'><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK8'><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK7'></span></span></span></a><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK9'><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK8'><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK7'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'> can be found on our policy page. </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK9'><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK8'><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK7'><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p><h3><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK9'><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK8'><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK7'><b>SSI Savings Penalty Elimination Act (H.R. 5408/S. 2767):</b></span></span></span><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK9'><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK8'><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK7'><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></h3><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.25in'><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK9'><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK8'><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK7'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>We are working Capitol Hill to find champions for the Blind Americans Return to Work Act in the House and Senate and hope to have news for you within the coming months. In the meantime, a new bill has emerged that will raise the resource limitations placed upon beneficiaries of Supplemental Security Income (SSI). The bipartisan SSI Savings Penalty Elimination Act has been introduced in the House and Senate as H.R. 5408 and S. 2767 respectively. Please reach out to your senators and representative and urge them to cosponsor this important legislation. If you would like to know whether your representative or senators are already cosponsors on the above legislation, please contact Lindsey Walsh in our Advocacy and Policy Department at </span></span></span></span><a href="mailto:lwalsh@nfb.org"><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK9'><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK8'><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK7'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>lwalsh@nfb.org</span></span></span></span><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK9'><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK8'><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK7'></span></span></span></a><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK9'><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK8'><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK7'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>.</span><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK9'><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK8'><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK7'><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p><h3><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK9'><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK8'><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK7'><b>NFB-NEWSLINE</b></span></span></span><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK9'><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK8'><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK7'><sup><span style='color:black'>®</span></sup></span></span></span><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK9'><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK8'><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK7'><b>: </b></span></span></span><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK9'><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK8'><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK7'><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></h3><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.25in'><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK9'><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK8'><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK7'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>We experienced a significant NFB-NEWSLINE outage on Sunday, September 24, at approximately 10:30 p.m., eastern time. Nearly all of the content has now been restored except for the local channels and some magazines. We expect the remaining content to be restored within the next twenty-four hours. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Scott White at </span></span></span></span><a href="mailto:swhite@nfb.org"><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK9'><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK8'><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK7'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>swhite@nfb.org</span></span></span></span><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK9'><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK8'><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK7'></span></span></span></a><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK9'><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK8'><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK7'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>. </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK9'><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK8'><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK7'><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p><h3><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK9'><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK8'><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK7'><b>National Disability Employment Awareness Month:</b></span></span></span><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK9'><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK8'><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK7'><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></h3><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.25in'><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK9'><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK8'><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK7'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>October is also National Disability Employment Awareness Month and to celebrate, <a name="_Hlk146551872">the Employment Committee of the National Federation of the Blind will be hosting multiple events throughout the month to get interested members “employment ready.” </a>Two of the events are described below. </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK9'><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK8'><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK7'><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p><h3><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK9'><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK8'><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK7'><b><i>Where the Blind Work</i></b></span></span></span><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK9'><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK8'><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK7'><b> Webinar: </b></span></span></span><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK9'><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK8'><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK7'><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></h3><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.25in'><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK9'><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK8'><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK7'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>On Wednesday, October 18, join the Employment Committee of the National Federation of the Blind as we celebrate the work and accomplishments of blind people with a panel discussion. This online seminar will take place on Wednesday October 18, from 8:00–9:15 p.m., eastern. Unemployment and under-employment persist as among the most stubborn factors affecting blind people’s pursuit of cultural and economic equity in society. Below are our panel participants:</span><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p><p class=MsoListBulletCxSpFirst style='margin-left:.75in;mso-add-space:auto;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo3'><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK9'><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK8'><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK7'><![if !supportLists]><span style='font-family:Symbol'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>·<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> </span></span></span><![endif]>Jennifer Wenzel, Human Resources Specialist, Wisconsin <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p><p class=MsoListBulletCxSpMiddle style='margin-left:.75in;mso-add-space:auto;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo3'><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK9'><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK8'><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK7'><![if !supportLists]><span style='font-family:Symbol'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>·<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> </span></span></span><![endif]>Kris Colcock, Certified Work Incentive Practitioner, Washington<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p><p class=MsoListBulletCxSpLast style='margin-left:.75in;mso-add-space:auto;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo3'><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK9'><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK8'><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK7'><![if !supportLists]><span style='font-family:Symbol'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>·<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> </span></span></span><![endif]>Rachel Kuntz, Community Relations Liaison, Arizona <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.25in'><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK9'><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK8'><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK7'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Register at </span></span></span></span><a href="https://nfb.org/programs-services/employment/where-the-blind-work-webinars-registration"><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK9'><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK8'><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK7'><i><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Where the Blind Work</span></i></span></span></span><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK9'><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK8'><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK7'></span></span></span></a><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK9'><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK8'><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK7'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'> for Zoom details. We look forward to your participation!</span><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK9'><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK8'><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK7'><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p><h3><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK9'><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK8'><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK7'><b>National Federation of the Blind Virtual Career Fair: </b></span></span></span><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK9'><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK8'><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK7'><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></h3><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.25in;background:white'><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK9'><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK8'><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK7'><span lang=EN style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black'>Join the Employment Committee on Thursday, October 26, from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m., eastern, via Zoom for our fall virtual career fair. The National Federation of the Blind career fairs are events for blind people seeking jobs to connect with employers and are an opportunity for employers to seek more talent for their teams. Registration is required by October 16, 2023.</span><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.25in;background:white'><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK9'><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK8'><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK7'><span lang=EN style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black'> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p><p class=MsoListParagraph style='margin-left:.75in;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l2 level1 lfo4;text-autospace:ideograph-other'><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK9'><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK8'><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK7'><a name="_Hlk145497421"><![if !supportLists]><span style='font-family:Symbol'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>·<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> </span></span></span><![endif]></a></span></span></span><a href="https://nfb.org/form/career-fair-jobseeker-registration"><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK9'><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK8'><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK7'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk145497421'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Career Fair – Job Seeker</span></span></span></span></span><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK9'><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK8'><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK7'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk145497421'></span></span></span></span></a><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK9'><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK8'><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK7'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk145497421'><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p><p class=MsoListParagraph style='margin-left:.75in;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l2 level1 lfo4;text-autospace:ideograph-other'><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK9'><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK8'><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK7'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk145497421'><![if !supportLists]><span style='font-family:Symbol'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>·<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> </span></span></span><![endif]></span></span></span></span><a href="https://nfb.org/form/career-fair-employer-registration"><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK9'><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK8'><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK7'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk145497421'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Career Fair – Employer</span></span></span></span></span><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK9'><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK8'><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK7'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk145497421'></span></span></span></span></a><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK9'><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK8'><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK7'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk145497421'><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk145497421'></span><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.25in;background:white'><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK9'><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK8'><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK7'><span lang=EN style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black'> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.25in;background:white'><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK9'><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK8'><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK7'><span lang=EN style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black'>To prepare job seekers, the Employment Committee will be hosting “Getting the Most from Your Virtual Fair Experience,” an online seminar designed to provide tips and techniques for creating the most positive experience while attending the fair. Members will automatically be registered for the online seminar once they have registered for the career fair. For more information on the career fair or webinar, please contact <a name="_Hlk145497174">Jennifer Wenzel , Employment Committee chair, at </a></span><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk145497174'></span></span></span></span><a href="mailto:jenwen319@gmail.com"><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK9'><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK8'><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK7'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk145497174'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>jenwen319@gmail.com</span></span></span></span></span><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK9'><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK8'><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK7'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk145497174'></span></span></span></span></a><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK9'><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK8'><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK7'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk145497174'><span class=MsoHyperlink><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>,</span></span></span></span></span></span><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK9'><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK8'><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK7'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk145497174'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black'> or</span></span></span></span></span><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK9'><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK8'><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK7'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk145497174'><span lang=EN style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black'> Rachel Kuntz, employer liaison, at </span></span></span></span></span><a href="https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0/h/1x9qu3194t9sc/?&cs=wh&v=b&to=rkuntz@saavi.us"><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK9'><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK8'><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK7'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk145497174'><span lang=EN style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>rkuntz@saavi.us</span></span></span></span></span><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK9'><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK8'><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK7'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk145497174'></span></span></span></span></a><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK9'><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK8'><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK7'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk145497174'><span lang=EN style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black'>.</span><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></p><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk145497174'></span><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.25in'><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK9'><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK8'><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK7'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK9'><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK8'><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK7'><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p><h3><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK9'><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK8'><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK7'><b>Ride for Literacy Contribution Totals: </b></span></span></span><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK9'><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK8'><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK7'><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></h3><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.25in'><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK9'><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK8'><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK7'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>It is not too late to help us make our contribution goal for the Route 66 Ride for Literacy. Please share the link </span></span></span></span><a href="https://nfb.org/route66"><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK9'><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK8'><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK7'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>https://nfb.org/route66</span></span></span></span><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK9'><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK8'><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK7'></span></span></span></a><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK9'><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK8'><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK7'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'> with your friends and family and on social media. We are just under our goal of $50,000 in support from the ride. To help reach the goal, please consider posting something like:</span><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK9'><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK8'><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK7'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Dan O’Rourke road more than 2,700 miles on his bike for literacy and to bring awareness to the National Federation of the Blind. You can help without riding your bike across the country. Please help us achieve our $50,000 goal. Visit </span></span></span></span><a href="https://nfb.org/route66"><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK9'><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK8'><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK7'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>https://nfb.org/route66</span></span></span></span><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK9'><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK8'><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK7'></span></span></span></a><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK9'><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK8'><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK7'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>. </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK9'><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK8'><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK7'><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.25in'><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK9'><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK8'><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK7'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p><h2><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK9'><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK8'><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK7'>Reminders:<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></h2><h3><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK9'><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK8'><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK7'><b>Mastodon:</b></span></span></span><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK9'><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK8'><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK7'><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></h3><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.25in;background:white'><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK9'><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK8'><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK7'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black'>The Federation is now on Mastodon—a decentralized social media platform that allows us to have our own server dedicated to NFB news, events, and updates. You can find and follow our server at nfb.social. </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p><p class=MsoListParagraph><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK9'><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK8'><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK7'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p><p class=MsoListParagraph><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK9'><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK8'><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK7'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK7'></span><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK8'></span><span style='mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK9'></span><h2>Dates to Keep in Mind:<o:p></o:p></h2><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>(all times eastern)</span><o:p></o:p></p><ul style='margin-top:0in' type=disc><li class=MsoListParagraph style='margin-left:0in;mso-list:l1 level1 lfo5'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>October: Blind Equality Achievement Month</span><o:p></o:p></li><li class=MsoListParagraph style='margin-left:0in;mso-list:l1 level1 lfo5'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>October 18: <i>Where the Blind Work</i> Webinar, 8:00 p.m.</span><o:p></o:p></li><li class=MsoListParagraph style='margin-left:0in;mso-list:l1 level1 lfo5'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>October 26: National Federation of the Blind Virtual Career Fair, 1:00 p.m.</span><o:p></o:p></li><li class=MsoListParagraph style='margin-left:0in;mso-list:l1 level1 lfo5'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>November 8: Introduction to the Organized Blind Movement, 8:00 p.m.</span><o:p></o:p></li><li class=MsoListParagraph style='margin-left:0in;mso-list:l1 level1 lfo5'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>December 7 and 10: Chapter Presidents Call, 8:00 p.m. (Planning the Year Ahead)</span><o:p></o:p></li><li class=MsoListParagraph style='margin-left:0in;mso-list:l1 level1 lfo5'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>July 3-8, 2024: National Convention; Orlando, Florida</span><o:p></o:p></li></ul><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'> </span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-autospace:none'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>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.</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'> </span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Mark A. Riccobono, President </span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>200 East Wells Street, Baltimore, MD 21230</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>410-659-9314 | <a href="mailto:Officeofthepresident@nfb.org">Officeofthepresident@nfb.org</a></span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Mastodon: @President@nfb.social </span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Pronouns: he, him, his</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'> </span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'> </span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><a href="https://nfb.org/"><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#0563C1;text-decoration:none'><img border=0 width=210 height=76 style='width:2.1833in;height:.7916in' id="_x0000_i1025" src="https://nfb.org/images/nfb/images/email/2/nfblogo.png" alt="National Federation of the Blind"></span></a><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'> </span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'> </span><a href="http://www.facebook.com/nationalfederationoftheblind"><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#0563C1;text-decoration:none'><img border=0 width=24 height=24 style='width:.25in;height:.25in' id="_x0000_i1026" src="https://nfb.org/images/nfb/images/email/2/facebook.png" alt=Facebook></span></a><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'> </span><a href="https://twitter.com/NFB_Voice"><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#0563C1;text-decoration:none'><img border=0 width=24 height=24 style='width:.25in;height:.25in' id="_x0000_i1027" src="https://nfb.org/images/nfb/images/email/2/twitter.png" alt=Twitter></span></a><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'> </span><a href="https://www.youtube.com/NationsBlind"><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#0563C1;text-decoration:none'><img border=0 width=24 height=24 style='width:.25in;height:.25in' id="_x0000_i1028" src="https://nfb.org/images/nfb/images/email/2/youtube.png" alt=Youtube></span></a><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'> </span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>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. </span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'> </span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'> </span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Steve Cook<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>You are invited to join us on the 1<sup>st</sup> and 2<sup>nd</sup> Friday of each month at 8:00 PM Eastern for audio described movies using the below Zoom platform! <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><a href="https://us02web.zoom.us/j/8032543777?pwd=QTVQd2RzN3l6QnNmZ0FmSnp6NG8vQT09"><span style='color:#0563C1'>https://us02web.zoom.us/j/8032543777?pwd=QTVQd2RzN3l6QnNmZ0FmSnp6NG8vQT09</span></a><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Meeting ID: 803 254 3777<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Passcode: 124578<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div></body></html>