<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:12.0pt;
font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;
mso-ligatures:standardcontextual;}
a:link, span.MsoHyperlink
{mso-style-priority:99;
color:#0563C1;
text-decoration:underline;}
p.MsoNoSpacing, li.MsoNoSpacing, div.MsoNoSpacing
{mso-style-priority:1;
margin:0in;
font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;}
span.EmailStyle17
{mso-style-type:personal-compose;
font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;
color:windowtext;
font-weight:normal;
font-style:normal;}
.MsoChpDefault
{mso-style-type:export-only;}
@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:408354855;
mso-list-type:hybrid;
mso-list-template-ids:-514825800 -1181564958 67698691 67698693 67698689 67698691 67698693 67698689 67698691 67698693;}
@list l0: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-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";}
@list l0: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";}
@list l0: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 l0: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 l0: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";}
@list l0: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 l0: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 l0: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";}
@list l0: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 l1
{mso-list-id:1322848554;
mso-list-type:hybrid;
mso-list-template-ids:-783938104 1424146276 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-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";}
@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";}
@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";}
@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";}
@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;}
ol
{margin-bottom:0in;}
ul
{margin-bottom:0in;}
--></style><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:shapedefaults v:ext="edit" spidmax="1027" />
</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 style='margin-bottom:1.5pt;line-height:150%'><!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shapetype id="_x0000_t75" coordsize="21600,21600" o:spt="75" o:preferrelative="t" path="m@4@5l@4@11@9@11@9@5xe" filled="f" stroked="f">
<v:stroke joinstyle="miter" />
<v:formulas>
<v:f eqn="if lineDrawn pixelLineWidth 0" />
<v:f eqn="sum @0 1 0" />
<v:f eqn="sum 0 0 @1" />
<v:f eqn="prod @2 1 2" />
<v:f eqn="prod @3 21600 pixelWidth" />
<v:f eqn="prod @3 21600 pixelHeight" />
<v:f eqn="sum @0 0 1" />
<v:f eqn="prod @6 1 2" />
<v:f eqn="prod @7 21600 pixelWidth" />
<v:f eqn="sum @8 21600 0" />
<v:f eqn="prod @7 21600 pixelHeight" />
<v:f eqn="sum @10 21600 0" />
</v:formulas>
<v:path o:extrusionok="f" gradientshapeok="t" o:connecttype="rect" />
<o:lock v:ext="edit" aspectratio="t" />
</v:shapetype><v:shape id="Picture_x0020_1" o:spid="_x0000_s1026" type="#_x0000_t75" alt="NFB of SC logo with tagline live the life you want" style='position:absolute;margin-left:4.65pt;margin-top:6.9pt;width:60.85pt;height:68.7pt;z-index:-251658240;visibility:visible;mso-wrap-style:square;mso-width-percent:0;mso-height-percent:0;mso-wrap-distance-left:9pt;mso-wrap-distance-top:0;mso-wrap-distance-right:9pt;mso-wrap-distance-bottom:0;mso-position-horizontal:absolute;mso-position-horizontal-relative:text;mso-position-vertical:absolute;mso-position-vertical-relative:text;mso-width-percent:0;mso-height-percent:0;mso-width-relative:page;mso-height-relative:page'>
<v:imagedata src="cid:image001.png@01DCAF0E.0ECEF780" o:title="NFB of SC logo with tagline live the life you want" />
<w:wrap type="square"/>
</v:shape><![endif]--><![if !vml]><img width=81 height=92 style='width:.8437in;height:.9583in' src="cid:image002.png@01DCAF0E.0ECEF780" align=left hspace=12 alt="NFB of SC logo with tagline live the life you want" v:shapes="Picture_x0020_1"><![endif]><span style='font-size:14.0pt;line-height:150%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>March 8, 2026<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:1.5pt;text-align:justify'><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Memo To: Executive Officers, Board Members, Chapter & Division Presidents & Others<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:1.5pt;text-align:justify'><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>From: Marty R. McKenzie, President<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:1.5pt;margin-left:1.0in;text-align:justify'><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>843-939-8091 </span><a href="mailto:president@nfbofsc.org"><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>president@nfbofsc.org</span></a><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:1.5pt;margin-left:1.0in;text-align:justify'><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Positive Note: 2064<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:1.5pt;margin-left:1.0in;text-align:justify'><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNoSpacing><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Dear Federation Family,<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNoSpacing><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNoSpacing><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>On Thursday, March 5, 2026, the Annual Spring Procedures for Teachers of the Visually Impaired was held at Saluda Shoals Park in Columbia, South Carolina. Successful Transitions employees were present to interact with the TVIs in attendance and gain valuable professional information. Jodi Floyd serves as the Lead Teacher for Statewide Blind and Low Vision Education and presented information on the importance of and methods for conducting access technology assessments for academic blind and low vision students. Her tips and tricks are legendary! Then, Dr. Tina Herzberg from the University of South Carolina Upstate and Sara Larkin, math consultant from Iowa, presented on digital math in the afternoon session. Attendees left with a lot of new information that will assist them in their daily work.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNoSpacing><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNoSpacing><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>The Annual Vision Summit sponsored by the South Carolina Vision Education Partnership was held on Friday, March 6, 2026, in the same location. Again, Successful Transitions showed up and showed out supporting this event and gaining valuable information to assist them in their work. Additionally, Commissioner Darline Graham and approximately fifteen of her staff were also present for this event. Deputy Commissioner Luis Mendoza gave the update for the agency. I presented information on behalf of the South Carolina School for the Deaf and the Blind and the National Federation of the Blind of South Carolina. Each of the other partners presented their slides which makes it much more interesting for the audience. I presented the keynote address titled “The Impact of Technology on Independent Living — We Can Live the Lives We Want.” This keynote highlighted my 33 years in the field of blind and low vision education and access technology growth that has taken place. I also shared a portion of my personal story and the impact of access technology on my life. The afternoon was filled with additional information from Dr. Herzberg on digital math which attendees enjoyed. Dan Publicover from the SC Department of Education’s Office of Assessment and Standards provided a presentation on accommodations for statewide assessments. He provided specific guidance on what accommodations are available and how to document them in the IEP. It was an excellent Vision Summit at which the partners all supported the program admirably.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNoSpacing><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNoSpacing><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>The March edition of the Braille Monitor is out and it is packed with timely and very important information as well as some uplifting stories. Here is a sample of what it contains.<o:p></o:p></span></p><ul style='margin-top:0in' type=disc><li class=MsoNoSpacing style='mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1'><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Cold Weather and Common Sense: The 2026 Washington Seminar<o:p></o:p></span></li><li class=MsoNoSpacing style='mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1'><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>The Significance of Washington Seminar 2026<o:p></o:p></span></li><li class=MsoNoSpacing style='mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1'><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Adventure in Annapolis<o:p></o:p></span></li><li class=MsoNoSpacing style='mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1'><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>National Federation of the Blind and Blind Entrepreneurs File Federal Lawsuit Challenging Army-Wide Waiver of Randolph-Sheppard Act<o:p></o:p></span></li><li class=MsoNoSpacing style='mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1'><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>But I Don’t Know How to Dance<o:p></o:p></span></li><li class=MsoNoSpacing style='mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1'><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Filling in the Gap<o:p></o:p></span></li><li class=MsoNoSpacing style='mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1'><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Divorce Me<o:p></o:p></span></li></ul><p class=MsoNoSpacing><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNoSpacing><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>AI continues to evolve and fascinate many of us who are blind or have low vision. Often, I use it to get instructions about random things. Today, the prompt was something like, “I am on AT&T wireless and need to change the number of rings before a call rolls to voicemail. Provide step-by-step instructions on what I can do to accomplish this.” This prompt will work in most AI chatbots.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNoSpacing><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNoSpacing><b><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Statewide Leadership Seminar</span></b><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNoSpacing><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>The Statewide Leadership Seminar takes place on Saturday, March 28, 2026, at the Federation Center of the Blind beginning at 10:00 a.m. This day is set aside for National Federation of the Blind of South Carolina Board Members, chapter and division presidents, and boards. We are especially pleased to welcome Past Presidents Parnell Diggs and Frank Coppel, if they are available. Please let David Houck know by close of business on Monday, March 24, 2026, how many will attend from your chapter, including drivers who will remain for the day. This allows for adequate food purchase and preparation.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNoSpacing><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNoSpacing><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>SUN Shares pledges from the Statewide Seminar are due by March 31, 2026. If you have not taken care of this, please do so. We will mail the final check to the National Office shortly after March 31, 2026. Thank you for your generosity!<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNoSpacing><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNoSpacing><b><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Summer Internship Opportunity:</span></b><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNoSpacing><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>The National Federation of the Blind 2026 Summer Internship Program offers a unique opportunity to make an impact while gaining professional experience. Interns work on projects that advance innovation and raise expectations for blind people nationwide.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNoSpacing><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>This paid, ten-week internship runs from June 1–August 7, 2026, at NFB headquarters in Baltimore and includes participation in the NFB National Convention in Austin, Texas. Apply by March 14 to help shape the future and strengthen your leadership skills. The application can be found at https://nfb.org/programs-services/employment/summer-internship-program.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNoSpacing><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNoSpacing><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>The National Federation of the Blind National Convention will be held July 3–8, 2026, in Austin, Texas, at the JW Marriott and the Austin Marriott Downtown overflow hotel. Room rates are $139 per night for single or double occupancy and $155 for triple or quad occupancy, plus 19% in taxes and fees. The first night’s room charge is due at the time of booking. To reserve a room, call 800-627-7468 and use room block BL1. Cancellations made by May 31, 2026, will receive a 50% deposit refund; no refunds are available after that date.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNoSpacing><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNoSpacing><b><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>National Convention Registration Now Open</span></b><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNoSpacing><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Early bird registration for the National Convention is now open. Go to </span><a href="https://www.nfb.org/convention"><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>https://www.nfb.org/convention</span></a><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'> to register. The cost is $25 and banquet tickets are $85 for those who plan to attend the banquet.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNoSpacing><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNoSpacing><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>The Kenneth Jernigan Scholarships support active blind and sighted first-time attendees at the National Convention. Applications are due by March 31, 2026, and applicants must meet with President Marty McKenzie for a letter of support. In recent years, individual awards have been $700 and family awards $1,100; these do not cover all expenses. Recipients receive a prepaid Visa card after arriving at the hotel at a specified time and location. The online application must be completed in one session, so applicants are encouraged to prepare responses in Microsoft Word and copy and paste them. Those who are not comfortable using a computer are encouraged to seek assistance from a friend. The online application can be found at https://nfb.org/get-involved/national-convention/kenneth-jernigan-convention-scholarship.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNoSpacing><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNoSpacing><b><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Things to Remember</span></b><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p></o:p></span></p><ul style='margin-top:0in' type=disc><li class=MsoNoSpacing style='mso-list:l1 level1 lfo2'><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Summer Internship Opportunity due by March 14, 2026<o:p></o:p></span></li><li class=MsoNoSpacing style='mso-list:l1 level1 lfo2'><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>NFB of SC Statewide Leadership Seminar on March 28, 2026<o:p></o:p></span></li><li class=MsoNoSpacing style='mso-list:l1 level1 lfo2'><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>National Federation of the Blind Scholarship Applications due by March 31, 2026<o:p></o:p></span></li><li class=MsoNoSpacing style='mso-list:l1 level1 lfo2'><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Kenneth Jernigan Convention Scholarship Applications due by March 31, 2026<o:p></o:p></span></li><li class=MsoNoSpacing style='mso-list:l1 level1 lfo2'><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>SUN Shares pledges due by March 31, 2026<o:p></o:p></span></li><li class=MsoNoSpacing style='mso-list:l1 level1 lfo2'><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>National Convention hotel reservations due by May 31, 2026<o:p></o:p></span></li></ul><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;mso-ligatures:none'>Marty<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;mso-ligatures:none'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;mso-ligatures:none'>Marty R. McKenzie, President<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;mso-ligatures:none'>National Federation of the Blind of South Carolina<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;mso-ligatures:none'>119 S. Kilbourne Road<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;mso-ligatures:none'>Columbia, SC 29205<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;mso-ligatures:none'>Phone: 803-254-3777<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;mso-ligatures:none'>Mobile: 843-939-8091<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;mso-ligatures:none'>Website: <a href="http://www.nfbofsc.org/">www.nfbofsc.org</a> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div></body></html>