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--></style></head><body lang=EN-US link="#467886" vlink="#96607D" style='word-wrap:break-word'><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Hello,<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>If you are planning to attend this seminar, please register so that we can have an accurate count of our attendance.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Thanks.<o:p></o:p></span></p><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><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;line-height:105%'><a name="_Hlk215480122"><span style='font-size:11.0pt;line-height:105%;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;mso-ligatures:none'>The National Federation of the Blind in Computer Science is presenting a Zoom meeting on how blind individuals are succeeding in careers in the field of information technology. <o:p></o:p></span></a></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;line-height:105%'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk215480122'><span style='font-size:11.0pt;line-height:105%;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;mso-ligatures:none'><o:p> </o:p></span></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;line-height:105%'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk215480122'><span style='font-size:11.0pt;line-height:105%;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;mso-ligatures:none'>The Zoom meeting will take place from 8 PM through 9:30 PM Eastern Standard Time (EST), on Sunday, December 14, 2025.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;line-height:105%'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk215480122'><span style='font-size:11.0pt;line-height:105%;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;mso-ligatures:none'><o:p> </o:p></span></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:12.0pt;line-height:105%;page-break-after:avoid'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk215480122'><span style='font-size:16.0pt;line-height:105%;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:#2F5496;mso-ligatures:none'>Meeting Registration<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;line-height:105%'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk215480122'><span style='font-size:11.0pt;line-height:105%;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;mso-ligatures:none'><o:p> </o:p></span></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;line-height:105%'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk215480122'><span style='font-size:11.0pt;line-height:105%;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;mso-ligatures:none'>To register for this meeting, go to <o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;line-height:105%'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk215480122'></span><a href="https://web.nfbcal.org/nfbcsvirtual.html"><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk215480122'><span style='font-size:11.0pt;line-height:105%;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:#0563C1;mso-ligatures:none'>NFBCS Virtual Seminar Registration 2025</span></span><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk215480122'></span></a><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk215480122'><span style='font-size:11.0pt;line-height:105%;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;mso-ligatures:none'>. The seminar registration deadline is Friday, December 12, 2025. The meeting link will be sent to registered attendees on December 13, 2025.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;line-height:105%'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk215480122'><span style='font-size:11.0pt;line-height:105%;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;mso-ligatures:none'><o:p> </o:p></span></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:12.0pt;line-height:105%;page-break-after:avoid'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk215480122'><span style='font-size:16.0pt;line-height:105%;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:#2F5496;mso-ligatures:none'>Program<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;line-height:105%'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk215480122'><span style='line-height:105%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;mso-ligatures:none'><o:p> </o:p></span></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;line-height:105%'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk215480122'><span style='font-size:11.0pt;line-height:105%;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;mso-ligatures:none'>All times will be in eastern standard time (EST). <o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;line-height:105%'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk215480122'><span style='line-height:105%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;mso-ligatures:none'><o:p> </o:p></span></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;line-height:105%'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk215480122'><span style='line-height:105%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;mso-ligatures:none'>The speakers, talk titles, and presentation descriptions are:<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;line-height:105%'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk215480122'><span style='line-height:105%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;mso-ligatures:none'><o:p> </o:p></span></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:2.0pt;line-height:105%;page-break-after:avoid'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk215480122'><a name="_Hlk215977418"><span style='font-size:13.0pt;line-height:105%;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:#2F5496;mso-ligatures:none'>Seminar Introduction: Brian Buhrow (</span></a></span><a href="mailto:buhrow@nfbcal.org"><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk215480122'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk215977418'><span style='font-size:13.0pt;line-height:105%;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;mso-ligatures:none'>buhrow@nfbcal.org</span></span></span><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk215480122'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk215977418'></span></span></a><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk215480122'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk215977418'><span style='font-size:13.0pt;line-height:105%;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:#2F5496;mso-ligatures:none'>) 8:00 PM <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;line-height:105%'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk215480122'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk215977418'><span style='font-size:11.0pt;line-height:105%;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;mso-ligatures:none'><o:p> </o:p></span></span></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:2.0pt;line-height:105%;page-break-after:avoid'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk215480122'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk215977418'><span style='font-size:13.0pt;line-height:105%;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:#2F5496;mso-ligatures:none'>Speaker: Lewis Wood (</span></span></span><a href="mailto:lewislwood@gmail.com"><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk215480122'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk215977418'><span style='font-size:13.0pt;line-height:105%;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:#0563C1;mso-ligatures:none'>lewislwood@gmail.com</span></span></span><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk215480122'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk215977418'></span></span></a><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk215480122'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk215977418'><span style='font-size:13.0pt;line-height:105%;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:#2F5496;mso-ligatures:none'>) 8:05 PM <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;line-height:105%'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk215480122'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk215977418'><span style='line-height:105%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;mso-ligatures:none'><o:p> </o:p></span></span></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;line-height:105%'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk215480122'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk215977418'><span style='line-height:105%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;mso-ligatures:none'>Title: VS Code Introduction (navigation, how to, accessibility, and more) <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;line-height:105%'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk215480122'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk215977418'><span style='line-height:105%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;mso-ligatures:none'><o:p> </o:p></span></span></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;line-height:105%'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk215480122'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk215977418'><span style='line-height:105%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;mso-ligatures:none'>Description: </span></span></span><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk215480122'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk215977418'><span style='font-size:11.0pt;line-height:105%;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;mso-ligatures:none'>Lewis Wood started in Academic Computing at Southern Illinois University of Edwardsville. 1986. (JCL, Unix, IBM 360, Cobol, Fortran, Pascal 64, Ibgener, SAS/SPSS, REXX, and more.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;line-height:115%'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk215480122'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk215977418'><span style='font-size:11.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;mso-ligatures:none'>Jumped on Borland Turbo Pascal when it 1st came out. I fell in love with object Oriented programming and ability to program on my IBM 286 and display graphics on my CGA monitor.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;line-height:115%'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk215480122'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk215977418'><span style='font-size:11.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;mso-ligatures:none'>My first real job was Clipper (dBase compiled language)<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;line-height:105%'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk215480122'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk215977418'><span style='font-size:11.0pt;line-height:105%;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;mso-ligatures:none'>I was downsized so I became independent and never looked back. I worked remotely for over 500 law firms. My final jobs/contracts were providing web hosting services.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;line-height:105%'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk215480122'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk215977418'><span style='font-size:11.0pt;line-height:105%;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;mso-ligatures:none'><o:p> </o:p></span></span></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:2.0pt;line-height:105%;page-break-after:avoid'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk215480122'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk215977418'><span style='font-size:13.0pt;line-height:105%;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:#2F5496;mso-ligatures:none'>Speaker: Michael Forzano, (</span></span></span><a href="mailto:michaeldforzano@gmail.com"><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk215480122'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk215977418'><span style='font-size:13.0pt;line-height:105%;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:#0563C1;mso-ligatures:none'>michaeldforzano@gmail.com</span></span></span><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk215480122'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk215977418'></span></span></a><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk215480122'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk215977418'><span style='font-size:13.0pt;line-height:105%;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:#2F5496;mso-ligatures:none'>) 8:30 PM <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;line-height:105%'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk215480122'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk215977418'><span style='line-height:105%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;mso-ligatures:none'><o:p> </o:p></span></span></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;line-height:105%'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk215480122'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk215977418'><span style='line-height:105%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;mso-ligatures:none'>Title: A Practical AI Approach For The Blind Developer<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;line-height:105%'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk215480122'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk215977418'><span style='line-height:105%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;mso-ligatures:none'><o:p> </o:p></span></span></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;line-height:105%'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk215480122'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk215977418'><span style='line-height:105%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;mso-ligatures:none'>Description: The AI tools landscape changes fast — faster than any single developer can keep up with, and especially fast for blind developers who must constantly navigate accessibility challenges alongside rapid technological change. In this talk, Michael Forzano shares how he adapts to the shifting world of AI-assisted development and what actually works in practice.<br>Drawing from his daily workflow as a blind Senior Software Engineer working on accessibility at Amazon, Michael demonstrates how he uses AI to explore unfamiliar codebases, reason about architecture, debug problems, generate and refactor code, and work around inaccessible tools when necessary. Rather than abstract hype, this session focuses on concrete techniques, common pitfalls, and the accessibility considerations that truly matter when you rely on AI every day.<br><br><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;line-height:105%'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk215480122'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk215977418'><span style='line-height:105%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;mso-ligatures:none'>Attendees will walk away with adaptable strategies for staying effective amid rapid AI evolution, plus practical methods blind developers can use right now — regardless of which tools or models become the next big thing. <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;line-height:105%'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk215480122'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk215977418'><span style='font-size:11.0pt;line-height:105%;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;mso-ligatures:none'><o:p> </o:p></span></span></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:2.0pt;line-height:105%;page-break-after:avoid'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk215480122'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk215977418'><span style='font-size:13.0pt;line-height:105%;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:#2F5496;mso-ligatures:none'>Speakers: Brian Buhrow, Curtis Chong, Steve Jacobson, and Harry Staley (</span></span></span><a href="mailto:buhrow@nfbcal.org"><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk215480122'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk215977418'><span style='font-size:13.0pt;line-height:105%;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;mso-ligatures:none'>buhrow@nfbcal.org</span></span></span><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk215480122'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk215977418'></span></span></a><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk215480122'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk215977418'><span style='font-size:13.0pt;line-height:105%;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:#2F5496;mso-ligatures:none'>, </span></span></span><a href="mailto:chong.curtis@gmail.com"><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk215480122'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk215977418'><span style='font-size:13.0pt;line-height:105%;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;mso-ligatures:none'>chong.curtis@gmail.com</span></span></span><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk215480122'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk215977418'></span></span></a><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk215480122'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk215977418'><span style='font-size:13.0pt;line-height:105%;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:#2F5496;mso-ligatures:none'>, </span></span></span><a href="mailto:steve.jacobson@outlook.com"><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk215480122'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk215977418'><span style='font-size:13.0pt;line-height:105%;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;mso-ligatures:none'>steve.jacobson@outlook.com</span></span></span><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk215480122'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk215977418'></span></span></a><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk215480122'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk215977418'><span style='font-size:13.0pt;line-height:105%;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:#2F5496;mso-ligatures:none'>, and </span></span></span><a href="mailto:staleyh@gmail.com"><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk215480122'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk215977418'><span style='font-size:13.0pt;line-height:105%;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;mso-ligatures:none'>staleyh@gmail.com</span></span></span><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk215480122'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk215977418'></span></span></a><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk215480122'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk215977418'><span style='font-size:13.0pt;line-height:105%;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:#2F5496;mso-ligatures:none'>) 8:55 PM <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;line-height:105%'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk215480122'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk215977418'><span style='font-size:11.0pt;line-height:105%;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;mso-ligatures:none'><o:p> </o:p></span></span></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;line-height:105%'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk215480122'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk215977418'><span style='line-height:105%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;mso-ligatures:none'>Title: The Challenges Of Using Tools Which Are Not Blind-Accessible<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;line-height:105%'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk215480122'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk215977418'><span style='line-height:105%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;mso-ligatures:none'><o:p> </o:p></span></span></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;line-height:105%'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk215480122'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk215977418'><span style='line-height:105%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;mso-ligatures:none'>Description: <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;line-height:105%'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk215480122'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk215977418'><span style='line-height:105%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;mso-ligatures:none'><o:p> </o:p></span></span></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;line-height:105%'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk215480122'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk215977418'><span style='line-height:105%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;mso-ligatures:none'>Brian Buhrow has worked in IT in various capacities for more than 30 years. His primary focus has been as a Unix/Linux system programmer/infrastructure architect and as an Internet network engineer. He began his career working in the central IT department of the University of California at Santa Cruz where he designed and implemented their adoption of the Andrew File System, as well as designing and implementing various network services. From there he moved to a company called Santa Cruz Operation, the makers of SCO Unix, where he designed a proprietary system for a fortune 500 company. Next came a move to a small Internet Service Provider, ISP, where he designed, implemented, and managed the infrastructure for the back-end network services, think Web hosting, DNS, and e-mail, as well as the customer relationship management process. Over time he expanded is knowledge of networking to include the management of the network itself, including routers, switches, cross-country circuits, and the management of the vendors who provide those circuits.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;line-height:105%'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk215480122'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk215977418'><span style='line-height:105%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;mso-ligatures:none'><o:p> </o:p></span></span></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;line-height:105%'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk215480122'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk215977418'><span style='line-height:105%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;mso-ligatures:none'>Brian also served as the chair of the NFB Research & Development Committee from 1997 until it was dissolved around 2020. He now serves as the president of the NFB in Computer Science. <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;line-height:105%'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk215480122'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk215977418'><span style='line-height:105%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;mso-ligatures:none'><o:p> </o:p></span></span></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;line-height:105%'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk215480122'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk215977418'><span style='line-height:105%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;mso-ligatures:none'>Brian is a firm believer in the NFB philosophy which says if we have training and opportunity,<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;line-height:105%'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk215480122'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk215977418'><span style='line-height:105%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;mso-ligatures:none'>we can compete with our sighted colleagues and succeed as first class citizens. That is why the<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;line-height:105%'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk215480122'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk215977418'><span style='line-height:105%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;mso-ligatures:none'>work of the NFBCS Division is so important. We need to show our students of today they can<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;line-height:105%'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk215480122'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk215977418'><span style='line-height:105%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;mso-ligatures:none'>succeed in technical fields by giving them the knowledge and tools to compete, as well as the<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;line-height:105%'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk215480122'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk215977418'><span style='line-height:105%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;mso-ligatures:none'>confidence to know they'll make it if they work hard and think creatively. One of the ways we<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;line-height:105%'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk215480122'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk215977418'><span style='line-height:105%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;mso-ligatures:none'>give that confidence is to serve as role models for the next generation.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;line-height:105%'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk215480122'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk215977418'><span style='line-height:105%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;mso-ligatures:none'><o:p> </o:p></span></span></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;line-height:105%'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk215480122'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk215977418'><span style='line-height:105%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;mso-ligatures:none'>Curtis Chong spent more than 20 years working in information technology. He programmed his first mainframe computer in 1972, at a time when computers did not talk to the blind. As a designer/consultant at American Express Financial Services (now Ameriprise), he provided technical support for mainframe database and communications software, maintaining systems for sighted coworkers within the company. From 1997-2002, Curtis worked as the Director of Technology for the National Federation of the Blind, supporting internal information technology for the Federation and its external programs to improve nonvisual access technology and accessibility for the blind in several different areas. He then spent ten years in Iowa as Director of Field Operations for the Iowa Department for the Blind and five years as an access technology expert with the New Mexico Commission for the Blind.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;line-height:105%'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk215480122'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk215977418'><span style='line-height:105%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;mso-ligatures:none'><o:p> </o:p></span></span></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;line-height:105%'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk215480122'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk215977418'><span style='line-height:105%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;mso-ligatures:none'>Curtis Chong has served as the president of the NFB in Computer Science for more than three decades and now serves as the treasurer of that organization. Today, Curtis Chong has retired from paid employment but still performs consulting in nonvisual access technology. He <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;line-height:105%'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk215480122'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk215977418'><span style='line-height:105%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;mso-ligatures:none'>continues his work to help blind people to live the lives they want regardless of their blindness. <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;line-height:105%'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk215480122'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk215977418'><span style='line-height:105%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;mso-ligatures:none'><o:p> </o:p></span></span></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;line-height:105%'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk215480122'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk215977418'><span style='line-height:105%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;mso-ligatures:none'>Steve Jacobson has worked in a number of different capacities in Information Technology for almost fifty years, after majoring in mathematics. During that time, he has often had to deal with inaccessible and changing technologies, often before there were any kinds of legal protections. Currently, Steve is semi-retired and works part time for 3M Company as a Data Quality Analyst.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;line-height:105%'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk215480122'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk215977418'><span style='line-height:105%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;mso-ligatures:none'><o:p> </o:p></span></span></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:2.0pt;line-height:105%;page-break-after:avoid'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk215480122'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk215977418'><span style='font-size:13.0pt;line-height:105%;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:#2F5496;mso-ligatures:none'>Final Remarks: Brian Buhrow 9:20 PM <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;line-height:105%'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk215480122'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk215977418'><span style='line-height:105%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;mso-ligatures:none'><o:p> </o:p></span></span></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:12.0pt;line-height:105%;page-break-after:avoid'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk215480122'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk215977418'><span style='font-size:16.0pt;line-height:105%;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:#2F5496;mso-ligatures:none'>Adjourn 9:25 PM <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;line-height:105%'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk215480122'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk215977418'><span style='line-height:105%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;mso-ligatures:none'><o:p> </o:p></span></span></span></p><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk215977418'></span><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:12.0pt;line-height:105%;page-break-after:avoid'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk215480122'><span style='font-size:16.0pt;line-height:105%;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:#2F5496;mso-ligatures:none'>Division Registration, And Division Email List Subscription Page<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;line-height:105%'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk215480122'><span style='font-size:11.0pt;line-height:105%;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;mso-ligatures:none'><o:p> </o:p></span></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;line-height:105%'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk215480122'><span style='font-size:11.0pt;line-height:105%;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;mso-ligatures:none'>To either become a registered member of the National Federation of the Blind in Computer Science, or to renew your membership, go to </span></span><a href="https://web.nfbcal.org/nfbcsreg"><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk215480122'><span style='font-size:11.0pt;line-height:105%;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:#0563C1;mso-ligatures:none'>NFBCS Membership Registration 2026</span></span><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk215480122'></span></a><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk215480122'><span style='font-size:11.0pt;line-height:105%;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;mso-ligatures:none'>. The dues are $5 a year per person. Dues paid in or after December 2025 will count until the end of 2026. The registration page has yet to be updated to show this early December registration date.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;line-height:105%'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk215480122'><span style='font-size:11.0pt;line-height:105%;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;mso-ligatures:none'><o:p> </o:p></span></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;line-height:105%'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk215480122'><span style='font-size:11.0pt;line-height:105%;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;mso-ligatures:none'>The "</span></span><a href="https://www.nfbnet.org/"><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk215480122'><span style='font-size:11.0pt;line-height:105%;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:#0563C1;mso-ligatures:none'>https://www.nfbnet.org/</span></span><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk215480122'></span></a><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk215480122'><u><span style='font-size:11.0pt;line-height:105%;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:#0563C1;mso-ligatures:none'>"</span></u></span><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk215480122'><span style='font-size:11.0pt;line-height:105%;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;mso-ligatures:none'> website contains the Email/Web/FTP service of the National Federation of the Blind. The first link on the page is where you go to join or drop NFB mailing lists, as well as browse the archives. Clicking that link opens a page containing the NFB e-mail lists. Search for "NFBCS" and follow the subscription instructions.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;line-height:105%'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk215480122'><span style='font-size:11.0pt;line-height:105%;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;mso-ligatures:none'><o:p> </o:p></span></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:12.0pt;line-height:105%;page-break-after:avoid'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk215480122'><span style='font-size:16.0pt;line-height:105%;font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;color:#2F5496;mso-ligatures:none'>Questions<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;line-height:105%'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk215480122'><span style='font-size:11.0pt;line-height:105%;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;mso-ligatures:none'><o:p> </o:p></span></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;line-height:105%'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk215480122'><span style='font-size:11.0pt;line-height:105%;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;mso-ligatures:none'>If you have any questions, please contact Louis Maher (713-444-7838, </span></span><a href="mailto:ljmaher03@outlook.com"><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk215480122'><span style='font-size:11.0pt;line-height:105%;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:#0563C1;mso-ligatures:none'>ljmaher03@outlook.com</span></span><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk215480122'></span></a><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk215480122'><span style='font-size:11.0pt;line-height:105%;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;mso-ligatures:none'>).<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;line-height:105%'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk215480122'><span style='font-size:11.0pt;line-height:105%;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;mso-ligatures:none'><o:p> </o:p></span></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;line-height:105%'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk215480122'><span style='font-size:11.0pt;line-height:105%;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;mso-ligatures:none'><o:p> </o:p></span></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;line-height:105%'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk215480122'><span style='font-size:11.0pt;line-height:105%;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;mso-ligatures:none'><o:p> </o:p></span></span></p><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk215480122'></span><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:8.0pt;line-height:105%'><span style='font-size:11.0pt;line-height:105%;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;mso-ligatures:none'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><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><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></body></html>