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<p class="MsoNormal">Good Afternoon,<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Please see the President’s Notebook below. Note that there is an opportunity to triple donations to the NFB this week.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Please be aware that I can currently send items to the NFB of SC Mailing List but I am not receiving any posts at this time due to an issue with Microsoft e-mail accounts.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">My Best,<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Martyany <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
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<div style="border:none;border-top:solid #E1E1E1 1.0pt;padding:3.0pt 0in 0in 0in">
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>From:</b> President, National Federation of the Blind <OfficeOfThePresident@nfb.org>
<br>
<b>Sent:</b> Monday, October 16, 2023 5:03 PM<br>
<b>To:</b> State Presidents <StatePresidents@nfb.org><br>
<b>Subject:</b> NFB President’s Notebook - Week of 10/16/2023<o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
</div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><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"><b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">President’s Notebook</span></b><o:p></o:p></span></span></a></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK9"><span style="mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK8"><span style="mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK7"><b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">National Federation of the Blind</span></b><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"><b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">Mark A. Riccobono</span></b><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></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"><b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:blue">officeofthepresident@nfb.org</span></b></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></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK9"><span style="mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK8"><span style="mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK7"><b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">410-659-9314</span></b><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:10.0pt;line-height:115%"><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-bottom:10.0pt;line-height:115%"><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">Dear Federation Family,</span><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:10.0pt;line-height:115%"><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">This year’s White Cane Awareness Day
prompts me to think deeply about how well we are getting outside of our typical circles and truly helping the public know who we are. One example is that I notice a lot of local fundraising efforts for the Federation where effort is put into pitching the fundraiser
to other Federation members across the country. It often appears as though the effort to get the word out beyond the organized blind movement is much more limited. Why is that? I believe it is because we could do more to stretch ourselves and also be strategic
about our communications. If you want someone to support the work of the National Federation of the Blind, you have to be able to articulate why it makes a difference to those who do not know us. If you ask me to support the Federation, I already know the
difference it makes. If you ask your neighbor, it might take more effort and have a bigger return.</span><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:10.0pt;line-height:115%"><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">As we close the second half of our
Blind Equality Achievement Month for 2023, I encourage all of our leaders to reflect on our work to determine if we can do it even better in 2024. However, you have one more thing you can do this week. The Federation has a triple-matching opportunity available
to us for just this week. Can you think of three people that you can go to, who do not know the Federation already, and invite them to join the movement by providing us with a financial contribution? You already get to sell them on having their money tripled—can
you articulate the value of the movement in a way that moves them to action? I believe you can, and I am asking each of us to ask three new people this week.</span><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:10.0pt;line-height:115%"><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">Thank you for your work to raise expectations
every day!</span><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:10.0pt;line-height:115%"><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"><span style="mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK9"><span style="mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK8"><span style="mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK7"><b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">Critical Actions:</span></b><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:.25in;line-height:115%"><span style="mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK9"><span style="mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK8"><span style="mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK7"><b><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">Triple Your Impact with Matching Gift
Opportunities:</span></b><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:10.0pt;margin-left:.25in;line-height:115%">
<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">During our October
</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-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:blue">Presidential
Release</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"><u><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:blue">,</span></u></span></span></span><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">
President Riccobono announced that HumanWare has generously offered a matching grant. HumanWare will match gifts to the National Federation of the Blind up to $50,000 during the months of October, November, and December. In addition to that challenge grant,
an anonymous donor has offered a $25,000 matching grant for gifts to the National Federation of the Blind during the week beginning October 15 in honor of White Cane Awareness Day. Donors can triple their impact by giving from October 15 through October 22.
Participate by visiting our </span></span></span></span><a href="https://nfb.org/donate"><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;color:blue">donate
page</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-family:"Arial",sans-serif">
and share with your friends and family. Learn more about the </span></span></span></span><a href="https://nfb.org/get-involved/ways-give/matching-gift-opportunity"><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;color:blue">HumanWare
challenge grant and watch our launch video</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-family:"Arial",sans-serif">.</span><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:10.0pt;line-height:115%"><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"><span style="mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK9"><span style="mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK8"><span style="mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK7"><b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">News:</span></b><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:.25in;line-height:115%"><span style="mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK9"><span style="mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK8"><span style="mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK7"><b><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">October Presidential Release Chapter
Version Available:</span></b><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:10.0pt;margin-left:.25in;line-height:115%">
<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;color:black;border:none windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in;background:white">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-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:blue;border:none windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in;background:white">Presidential
Release #531 chapter version</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-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black;border:none windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in;background:white">
is available. Please mark your calendars for the next Presidential Release scheduled for November 1, 2023, at 8:00 p.m., eastern. Zoom details coming soon.</span><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:10.0pt;margin-left:.25in;line-height:115%">
<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;color:black;border:none windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in;background:white"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:.25in;line-height:115%"><span style="mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK9"><span style="mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK8"><span style="mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK7"><b><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">Connecting with Affiliate Social Media
Point of Contacts:</span></b><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:10.0pt;margin-left:.25in;line-height:115%">
<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">Let’s grow on social media. The communications group of the National Federation of the Blind works to
equip affiliates and divisions with tools to succeed on social media such as proving guidelines, sample posts, and social media toolkits related to programs and initiatives. Please help us enhance this initiative by sending the contact information for your
affiliate social media representatives 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-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:blue">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-family:"Arial",sans-serif">
or by phone 410-659-9314, extension 2246. </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:10.0pt;line-height:115%"><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;line-height:115%"><span style="mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK9"><span style="mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK8"><span style="mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK7"><b><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">On #BlindMonth Branding and Social
Media Posting:</span></b><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:10.0pt;margin-left:.25in;line-height:115%">
<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">We love the energy and enthusiasm of this #BlindMonth and how you have translated that to social media.
It’s wonderful reading about how your chapters, divisions, and affiliates are celebrating the power of blind people. As a reminder for promoting this month’s activities, the short form of Blind Equality Achievement Month is Blind Month. Acronyms can represent
any number of things, and we want to be clear to blind and nonblind people alike that we are celebrating blind people and the power and progress of our organization.</span><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:10.0pt;margin-left:.25in;line-height:115%">
<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">Additional reminder for social media: please include alt text (image descriptions) for the pictures that
are posted and consider adding contextual information to explain why the picture is being posted. For example, add context by identifying the event where the picture was taken. We are excited to share your #BlindMonth posts.
</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-family:"Arial",sans-serif"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:.25in;line-height:115%"><span style="mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK9"><span style="mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK8"><span style="mso-bookmark:OLE_LINK7"><b><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">Websites and Software Applications
Accessibility Act:</span></b><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p>
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<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">On Thursday, September 28, the Websites and Software Applications Accessibility Act was introduced in
both the Senate and the House. In the Senate, the bill is sponsored by Senator Tammy Duckworth of Illinois, with Senators Warren and Markey of Massachusetts as original cosponsors, and the Senate bill number is S. 2984. In the House, the bill is sponsored
by Representative John Sarbanes of Maryland, with Representative Pete Sessions of Texas as original cosponsor, and the bill number is H.R. 5813. Please call or email your senators and representative and ask them to cosponsor the Websites and Software Applications
Accessibility Act.</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-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-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>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">Dates to Keep in Mind:</span></b><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:115%"><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">(all times eastern)</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<ul style="margin-top:0in" type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:10.0pt;line-height:115%;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo3">
<span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">October: Blind Equality Achievement Month</span><o:p></o:p></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:10.0pt;line-height:115%;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo3">
<span style="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="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:10.0pt;line-height:115%;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo3">
<span style="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="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:10.0pt;line-height:115%;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo3">
<span style="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="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:10.0pt;line-height:115%;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo3">
<span style="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="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:10.0pt;line-height:115%;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo3">
<span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">July 3-8, 2024: National Convention; Orlando, Florida</span><o:p></o:p></li></ul>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:10.0pt;line-height:115%"><span style="font-family:"Arial",sans-serif"> </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:10.0pt;line-height:115%;text-autospace:none">
<span style="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"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Mark A. Riccobono, President <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">200 East Wells Street, Baltimore, MD 21230<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">410-659-9314 | <a href="mailto:Officeofthepresident@nfb.org">
Officeofthepresident@nfb.org</a><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Mastodon: @President@nfb.social <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Pronouns: he, him, his<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://nfb.org/"><span style="text-decoration:none"><img border="0" width="210" height="76" style="width:2.1875in;height:.7916in" id="_x0000_i1028" 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"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <a href="http://www.facebook.com/nationalfederationoftheblind">
<span style="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/facebook.png" alt="Facebook"></span></a> <a href="https://twitter.com/NFB_Voice"><span style="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/twitter.png" alt="Twitter"></span></a> <a href="https://www.youtube.com/NationsBlind"><span style="text-decoration:none"><img border="0" width="24" height="24" style="width:.25in;height:.25in" id="_x0000_i1025" src="https://nfb.org/images/nfb/images/email/2/youtube.png" alt="Youtube"></span></a><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">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.
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