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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link=blue vlink=purple style='word-wrap:break-word'><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><div style='border:none;border-top:solid #E1E1E1 1.0pt;padding:3.0pt 0in 0in 0in'><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif'>From:</span></b><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif'> Mark Riccobono, President of the National Federation of the Blind <IOF@nfb.org> <br><b>Sent:</b> Monday, February 17, 2025 12:10 PM<br><b>To:</b> Frank Loza <floza58@bellsouth.net><br><b>Subject:</b> Imagineering Our Future: Center Blind People<o:p></o:p></span></p></div><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p><o:p> </o:p></p><table class=MsoNormalTable border=0 cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 width="100%" style='width:100.0%'><tr><td style='padding:0in 0in 0in 0in'><p class=MsoNormal> <o:p></o:p></p><div align=center><table class=MsoNormalTable border=0 cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 width=600 style='width:6.25in'><tr><td style='background:#FEFFFF;padding:0in 0in 0in 0in'><table class=MsoNormalTable border=0 cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 align=left width="100%" style='width:100.0%'><tr><td width="100%" valign=top style='width:100.0%;background:#FEFFFF;padding:0in 0in 0in 0in'><div align=center><table class=MsoNormalTable border=0 cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0><tr><td style='padding:0in 0in 0in 0in'><table class=MsoNormalTable border=0 cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0><tr><td style='padding:18.75pt 18.75pt 18.75pt 18.75pt'><p class=MsoNormal><a href="https://nfb.org/civicrm/mailing/url?u=37557&qid=10976423"><span style='border:solid windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in;text-decoration:none'><img border=0 width=100 height=100 style='width:1.0416in;height:1.0416in' id="Picture_x0020_1" src="cid:~WRD0000.jpg" alt="Image removed by sender. National Federation of the Blind Logo - Go to NFB.org"></span></a><o:p></o:p></p></td></tr></table></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></td></tr><tr><td style='padding:0in 0in 0in 0in'><h1><strong><span style='font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif'>IMAGINEERING OUR FUTURE</span></strong><o:p></o:p></h1><div class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><hr size=2 width="100%" align=center></div></td></tr><tr><td style='padding:0in 0in 0in 0in'></td></tr><tr><td style='background:white;padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;border-color:initial'><div align=center><table class=MsoNormalTable border=0 cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 width=600 style='width:6.25in'><tr><td width="100%" valign=top style='width:100.0%;background:white;padding:0in 0in 0in 0in'><table class=MsoNormalTable border=0 cellspacing=1 cellpadding=0 width="100%" style='width:100.0%'><tr><td colspan=2 style='padding:1.5pt 1.5pt 1.5pt 1.5pt'><h2><strong><span style='font-size:20.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif'>President's Letter</span></strong><o:p></o:p></h2></td></tr><tr><td valign=top style='padding:1.5pt 1.5pt 1.5pt 1.5pt'><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;border:solid windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in'><img border=0 width=100 height=100 style='width:1.0416in;height:1.0416in' id="Picture_x0020_3" src="cid:~WRD0000.jpg" alt="Image removed by sender. Mark Riccobono speaking with a U.S. Senator at the Washington Seminar"></span><o:p></o:p></p></td><td valign=top style='padding:1.5pt 1.5pt 1.5pt 1.5pt'><p><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif'>It is crucial to get the perspective of blind people, individually and collectively, when addressing the challenges we face. Who knows what blind people need better than we do? <a href="https://nfb.org/civicrm/mailing/url?u=37558&qid=10976423"><span style='color:#002F6D'>More from President Riccobono</span></a>.</span><o:p></o:p></p></td></tr><tr><td colspan=2 style='padding:1.5pt 1.5pt 1.5pt 1.5pt'><h2><strong><span style='font-size:20.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif'>Center Blind People and the Blind People’s Movement</span></strong><o:p></o:p></h2></td></tr><tr><td valign=top style='padding:1.5pt 1.5pt 1.5pt 1.5pt'><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;border:solid windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in'><img border=0 width=100 height=100 style='width:1.0416in;height:1.0416in' id="Picture_x0020_4" src="cid:~WRD0000.jpg" alt="Image removed by sender. Members of the NFB Board of Directors with their long white canes and guide dogs"></span><o:p></o:p></p></td><td valign=top style='padding:1.5pt 1.5pt 1.5pt 1.5pt'><p><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif'>“I like educating the public about the positive truths about blind people. I was faced with so many misconceptions that any chance to minimize these for others is one I enthusiastically embrace.” <a href="https://nfb.org/civicrm/mailing/url?u=37559&qid=10976423"><span style='color:#002F6D'>Learn more about our blind leaders</span></a>.</span><o:p></o:p></p></td></tr><tr><td colspan=2 style='padding:1.5pt 1.5pt 1.5pt 1.5pt'><h2><strong><span style='font-size:20.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif'>Latest News at the NFB</span></strong><o:p></o:p></h2></td></tr><tr><td valign=top style='padding:1.5pt 1.5pt 1.5pt 1.5pt'><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;border:solid windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in'><img border=0 width=100 height=100 style='width:1.0416in;height:1.0416in' id="Picture_x0020_5" src="cid:~WRD0000.jpg" alt="Image removed by sender. A young boy shows off his tactile model at STEM2U"></span><o:p></o:p></p></td><td valign=top style='padding:1.5pt 1.5pt 1.5pt 1.5pt'><p><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif'>Work to make Meta accessible, program dates and registration for youth STEM program announced, and disability organizations respond to baseless and irresponsible blame of deadly plane crash on disabled workers. <a href="https://nfb.org/civicrm/mailing/url?u=37560&qid=10976423"><span style='color:#002F6D'>Read the latest news</span></a>.</span><o:p></o:p></p></td></tr><tr><td colspan=2 style='padding:1.5pt 1.5pt 1.5pt 1.5pt'><h2><strong><span style='font-size:20.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif'>Take Action this Month</span></strong><o:p></o:p></h2></td></tr><tr><td valign=top style='padding:1.5pt 1.5pt 1.5pt 1.5pt'><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;border:solid windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in'><img border=0 width=100 height=100 style='width:1.0416in;height:1.0416in' id="Picture_x0020_6" src="cid:~WRD0000.jpg" alt="Image removed by sender. Members of the 2024 scholarship class"></span><o:p></o:p></p></td><td valign=top style='padding:1.5pt 1.5pt 1.5pt 1.5pt'><p><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif'>Read the latest issue of the <em><span style='font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif'>Braille Monitor</span></em>, register for the IEP Academy or an upcoming Accessibility Boutique, and share information about our national scholarships with a blind student. <a href="https://nfb.org/civicrm/mailing/url?u=37561&qid=10976423"><span style='color:#002F6D'>More ways to get involved</span></a>.</span><o:p></o:p></p></td></tr><tr><td colspan=2 style='padding:1.5pt 1.5pt 1.5pt 1.5pt'><h2><strong><span style='font-size:20.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif'>Important Dates</span></strong><o:p></o:p></h2></td></tr><tr><td valign=top style='padding:1.5pt 1.5pt 1.5pt 1.5pt'><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;border:solid windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in'><img border=0 width=100 height=100 style='width:1.0416in;height:1.0416in' id="Picture_x0020_7" src="cid:~WRD0000.jpg" alt="Image removed by sender. Speakers and audience at the disability law symposium"></span><o:p></o:p></p></td><td valign=top style='padding:1.5pt 1.5pt 1.5pt 1.5pt'><p><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif'>We certainly are a busy organization. Tune into the next Presidential Release Live, register for the Disability Law Symposium, and mark your calendars for more upcoming deadlines and events. <a href="https://nfb.org/civicrm/mailing/url?u=37562&qid=10976423"><span style='color:#002F6D'>Check out the calendar of events</span></a>.</span><o:p></o:p></p></td></tr></table><div><p><span style='font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:black'><a href="https://nfb.org/civicrm/mailing/url?u=37558&qid=10976423"><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:#002F6D'>Read the complete issue online</span></a></span><o:p></o:p></p></div><p><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 blind people or their future. Every day we raise the expectations of and for blind people, because low expectations create obstacles between blind people and our dreams. We can live the lives we want; blindness is not what holds us back. Please join us in our work by becoming a member, attending an event, sharing this newsletter, or supporting our programs.</span><o:p></o:p></p></td></tr></table></div></td></tr><tr style='height:6.0pt'><td style='padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;height:6.0pt'><p class=MsoNormal> <o:p></o:p></p></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><p class=MsoNormal><span style='display:none'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><div align=center><table class=MsoNormalTable border=0 cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 width=600 style='width:6.25in;background:#002F6D'><tr style='height:45.0pt'><td width=135 style='width:101.25pt;padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;height:45.0pt'></td><td width=55 style='width:41.25pt;padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;height:45.0pt'><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:white'><a href="https://nfb.org/civicrm/mailing/url?u=37563&qid=10976423"><span style='border:solid windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in;text-decoration:none'><img border=0 width=100 height=100 style='width:1.0416in;height:1.0416in' id="Picture_x0020_8" src="cid:~WRD0000.jpg" alt="Image removed by sender. 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Instagram Logo"></span></a></span><o:p></o:p></p></td><td width=55 style='width:41.25pt;padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;height:45.0pt'><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:white'><a href="https://nfb.org/civicrm/mailing/url?u=37566&qid=10976423"><span style='border:solid windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in;text-decoration:none'><img border=0 width=100 height=100 style='width:1.0416in;height:1.0416in' id="Picture_x0020_11" src="cid:~WRD0000.jpg" alt="Image removed by sender. YouTube Logo"></span></a></span><o:p></o:p></p></td><td width=55 style='width:41.25pt;padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;height:45.0pt'><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:white'><a href="https://nfb.org/civicrm/mailing/url?u=37567&qid=10976423"><span style='border:solid windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in;text-decoration:none'><img border=0 width=100 height=100 style='width:1.0416in;height:1.0416in' id="Picture_x0020_12" src="cid:~WRD0000.jpg" alt="Image removed by sender. Email Icon Image"></span></a></span><o:p></o:p></p></td><td width=55 style='width:41.25pt;padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;height:45.0pt'><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:white'><a href="https://nfb.org/civicrm/mailing/url?u=37568&qid=10976423"><span style='border:solid windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in;text-decoration:none'><img border=0 width=100 height=100 style='width:1.0416in;height:1.0416in' id="Picture_x0020_13" src="cid:~WRD0000.jpg" alt="Image removed by sender. Donate to the NFB Icon."></span></a></span><o:p></o:p></p></td><td width=135 style='width:101.25pt;padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;height:45.0pt'></td></tr><tr style='height:18.75pt'><td colspan=8 style='padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;height:18.75pt'><p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><b><span style='font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:white'>National Federation of the Blind | 200 E Wells Street | Baltimore, MD 21230 | 410-659-9314 <o:p></o:p></span></b></p></td></tr><tr style='height:18.75pt'><td colspan=8 style='padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;height:18.75pt'><p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><b><span style='font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:white'><a href="https://nfb.org/civicrm/mailing/unsubscribe?reset=1&jid=24501&qid=10976423&h=6faccdc5f58a8322" title=Unsubscribe><span style='color:white'>Unsubscribe from this mailing list</span></a> | <a href="https://nfb.org/civicrm/mailing/optout?reset=1&jid=24501&qid=10976423&h=6faccdc5f58a8322" title="Opt Out"><span style='color:white'>Opt out of all mailing lists</span></a> | <a href="https://nfb.org/civicrm/mailing/url?u=37569&qid=10976423" title="Sign up for email newsletter"><span style='color:white'>Sign up for our newsletter</span></a> <o:p></o:p></span></b></p></td></tr><tr><td colspan=8 style='padding:0in 0in 0in 0in'><div><p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><span class=street-address><b><span style='font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:white'>200 East Wells Street at Jernigan Place</span></b></span><b><span style='font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:white'><br><span class=locality>Baltimore</span><span class=adr>, </span><span class=region>MD</span><span class=adr> </span><span class=postal-code>21230</span><br><span class=country-name>United States</span><o:p></o:p></span></b></p></div><p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><b><span style='font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:white'>.. <o:p></o:p></span></b></p></td></tr></table></div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='border:solid windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in'><img border=0 width=1 height=1 style='width:.0104in;height:.0104in' id="Picture_x0020_14" src="cid:~WRD0000.jpg" alt="Image removed by sender."><img border=0 width=1 height=1 style='width:.0104in;height:.0104in' id="Picture_x0020_15" src="cid:~WRD0000.jpg" alt="Image removed by sender."></span><o:p></o:p></p></div></body></html>