<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)"><style><!--
/* Font Definitions */
@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;}
@font-face
{font-family:Cambria;
panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4;}
/* Style Definitions */
p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal
{margin:0in;
margin-bottom:.0001pt;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;}
a:link, span.MsoHyperlink
{mso-style-priority:99;
color:#0563C1;
text-decoration:underline;}
a:visited, span.MsoHyperlinkFollowed
{mso-style-priority:99;
color:#954F72;
text-decoration:underline;}
span.EmailStyle17
{mso-style-type:personal-compose;
font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;
color:windowtext;}
.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;}
--></style><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:shapedefaults v:ext="edit" spidmax="1026" />
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:shapelayout v:ext="edit">
<o:idmap v:ext="edit" data="1" />
</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link="#0563C1" vlink="#954F72"><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif'>Federation family, <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif'>Thanks to those of you who have really been pushing back against the legislation we are concerned about through social media. We have made our presence and thoughts known about our position on this legislation. Thank you, thank you, thank you! This is collective action and we are the National Federation of the Blind!<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif'>If you have not yet done so, please do. The e-mail sent out from Audrey regarding how to engage in our social media efforts is below my signature. If you would prefer to e-mail Representative Osborne about HB 1861 or Representative Mulready about HB 2230 the information to do so is below:<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><u><span style='font-size:14.0pt'>HB1861 Regarding the Older Blind program </span></u></b><b><u><span style='font-size:14.0pt'><o:p></o:p></span></u></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Please e-mail or call Representative Osborne to show your support for the older blind in our community. <span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal>Contact Representative Leslie Osborne to let her know that you, as a blind person, or someone that has close ties to the blind community question why this is necessary and that you oppose HB1861. You may call or e-mail Representative Osborne at <span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:black'>(405) 557-7333 or </span><a href="mailto:leslie.osborn@okhouse.gov"><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif'>leslie.osborn@okhouse.gov</span></a><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><u><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#333333'>HB2230 Regarding the exemption of county jail commissaries from priority to licensed blind managers<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><u><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#333333'><o:p><span style='text-decoration:none'> </span></o:p></span></u></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#333333'>Please contact Representative Mulready by phone or e-mail to let him know that you support the BEP and the blind managers in Oklahoma and that you oppose this legislation. You may contact Representative Mulready at </span><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:black'>(405) 557-7340</span><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#333333'> or </span><a href="mailto:glen.mulready@okhouse.gov"><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif'>glen.mulready@okhouse.gov</span></a><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:black'>.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:black'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:black'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:black'>Time is of the essence as both proposed house bills are up for votes in committee tomorrow. If you can’t be present with us please take the time to make a call or send an e-mail!<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:black'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:black'>Your sister in the Federation, <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:black'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:black'>Jeannie <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:black'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Cambria",serif'>Jeannie M. Massay, President<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Cambria",serif'>National Federation of theBlind <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Cambria",serif'>Of Oklahoma<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Cambria",serif'>505 Baker Street<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Cambria",serif'>Norman, OK 73072<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Cambria",serif'>Phone: 405-600-0695<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Cambria",serif'><a href="mailto:Jeannie.massay@nfbok.org">Jeannie.massay@nfbok.org</a> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Cambria",serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Cambria",serif'>Live the life you want!<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Cambria",serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Cambria",serif'>The National Federation of the Blind knows that blindness is not the characteristic that defines you or your future. Every day, we raise expectations of the blind because low expectations create obstacles between blind people and our dreams. Blindness is not what holds you back. You can live the life you want.!. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Cambria",serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif'>**********************<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal>Greetings everyone.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>We need you, your friends, family and anyone on social media who can be convince to spend a few seconds supporting our cause. Here’s what we need you to do:<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>1. Follow the @nfbok account on Twitter and retweet us like crazy.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>2. Write your own tweets opposing HB 1861 and HB 2230. Use the hashtag #BlindPushBack. When tweeting about HB 1861, be sure to tag the bliss author, @leslieosborn1. Sample tweets that you can cut and paste are below.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>3. Like our Facebook page:<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><a href="http://www.facebook.com/nationalfederationoftheblindok">http://www.facebook.com/nationalfederationoftheblindok</a><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>4. Share our Facebook posts on your personal timeline and gather support from your friends and family.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>5. Both HB 1861 and 2230 will be acted on by the Legislature in some capacity on Wednesday March 1. Keep the tweets and post coming from now through Wednesday. We need to keep the pressure up.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>We need lots of volume to have a successful social media campaign. Retweeting and sharing just takes a few minutes. We must stand together as the blind push back against harmful legislation about us that was written without input from us. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>HB 1861 seeks to move rehabilitation services for older blind to private entities and out of the Visual Services Division of DRS. Private entities don’t have the blindness skills and experience that is offered by Visual Services staff so training would reduce in quality. Also, Visual Services provides services statewide, including rural areas. Private entities are limited to their regional locations and will leave rural Oklahomans without services.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>HB 2230 gives an exemption to county jails allowing them to exclude their commissaries from the Randolph-Sheppard Blind Entrepreneurs Program. This will put blind business owners out of work unfairly. Jobs for the blind are already hard to come by. We don’t want these jobs taken away.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Sample tweets to copy and paste:<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:3.75pt;-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0);-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial'>Rep. @leslieosborn1 The blind of Oklahoma know what services and training work best for us. We want services from @OKDRS. #BlindPushBack<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:3.75pt;-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0);-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;min-height: 15px'><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:3.75pt;-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0);-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial'>Tell Representative @leslieosborn1 that blind Oklahomans have a voice. Not about us, without us. No on HB 1861 #BlindPushBack<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:3.75pt;-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0);-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;min-height: 15px'><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:3.75pt;-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0);-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial'>HB 1861 will reduce services to older blind in OK. Keep services with @okdrs. @leslieosborn1 #BlindPushBack<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:3.75pt;-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0);-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;min-height: 15px'><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:3.75pt;-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0);-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;min-height: 15px'><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:3.75pt;-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0);-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;min-height: 15px'>HB 2230 unfairly takes jobs from the blind. Let us work! @okhousenews #BlindPushBack<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Unemployment for blind is 70%. HB 2230 will make this worse. Don’t take our jobs. @okhousenews #BlindPushBack<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>We want to work, not be forced on to social benefits. No on HB 2230. @okhousenews #BlindPushBack<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Thank you for standing together for #BlindPushBack<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Audrey T. Farnum<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>First Vice President<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Communications Director<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>National Federation of the Blind Of Oklahoma<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><a href="http://www.nfbok.org">www.nfbok.org</a><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div></body></html>