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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link="#0563C1" vlink="#954F72"><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><span style='font-size:36.0pt;color:red'>Call to Action<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal>Greetings Federation Family, <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Unfortunately, the members of the House Appropriations and Budget Committee passed SB 733 on Monday. We must make every effort to let every member in the House know that we do not want this legislation. In addition to all of the other reasons previously discussed I have begun pointing out that the legislation in it’s current form is not a budget saving mechanism for the State of Oklahoma. I wonder why they continue to waste time and resources on pursuing this? Let them know that SB 733 is the same with the exception of the change of language from “shall” to “may”. Please point this out in your correspondence<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>While our engagement on Facebook has been an important part in driving our message we must continue to make phone calls, send e-mails and ask our friends and family members to do the same. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>SB 733 is the sister legislation to HB 1861. We stopped it from going to the floor, we can stop this too! Here is the letter that I recently sent to the House Appropriations and Budget committee:<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoBodyText style='mso-margin-top-alt:4.5pt;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:0in;margin-left:9.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoBodyText style='margin-top:.55pt'><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>April 1, 2017 <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoBodyText style='margin-top:.55pt'><span style='font-size:12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoBodyText style='margin-top:4.55pt'><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>Honorable Members of the House of Representatives Appropriations and Budget Committee:<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoBodyText style='margin-top:.05pt'><span style='font-size:12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoBodyText style='margin-top:.05pt'><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>In my capacity as President of the National Federation of the Blind of Oklahoma, our Board of Directors and our members across the state, I contact you today regarding our staunch opposition to S 733. The National Federation of the Blind of Oklahoma, Oklahoma Rehabilitation Association, and the Oklahoma State Rehabilitation Council, among others, continue to be disheartened by the engrossment of S 733, a bill establishing the "Rehabilitation Services Disbursing Fund", as did HB 1861 which did not make it to your floor this year. In good faith and trust in the democratic process many blind Oklahomans attended this committee meeting, on March 1st of this year, regarding HB 1861. All of the blind persons, their friends and family members in the room that day were there to demonstrate our opposition to passing the bill through your committee. It is important that you hear the voices of Oklahoma's blind citizens before making a final decision on S 733, since we will be directly affected by your vote. For many of the reasons we opposed HB 1861, we likewise oppose S 733 and ask that you vote against passing it through committee. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoBodyText style='margin-top:.05pt'><span style='font-size:12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoBodyText style='margin-top:.05pt'><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>This bill could potentially diminish services to older blind Oklahomans due to geographic limitations for services, limit capacity, and expose the state to undue financial risk. Additionally, the blind of Oklahoma were not and have not been consulted regarding the legislation nor do we want this legislation. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoBodyText style='margin-top:.05pt'><span style='font-size:12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoBodyText style='margin-right:24.3pt'><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>Currently, the Oklahoma Department of Rehabilitation Services Division of Visual Services assigns experts; many of them blind themselves, to work with clients in their homes anywhere in the state. The current approach has many advantages that may be compromised if the program is entirely implemented by a private contractor. It will be a time consuming and costly process for another entity to replicate the breadth and depth of services offered by Visual Services. For example, Visual Services already has access technology, Braille, orientation and mobility, and customized independent living classes. These customized classes are based on years and years of experience working with older blind Oklahomans, and indeed, the entire blind community. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoBodyText style='margin-top:.05pt'><span style='font-size:12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoBodyText style='margin-right:4.8pt'><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>S 733 proposes that funds for the older blind program “may” be entirely granted to private entities certified by the National Accreditation Council for Blind and Low Vision Services (NAC). While a network of regional service providers is possible, this is an unproven service model and will certainly result in diminished services during the transition period. Moving this work to private entities with only regional services will result in diminished services for clients outside their service area, especially in rural parts of the state. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoBodyText style='mso-margin-top-alt:0in;margin-right:4.8pt;margin-bottom:0in;margin-left:9.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoBodyText style='margin-right:4.8pt'><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>Furthermore, the requirement of NAC accreditation is problematic for several reasons. There is currently only one entity seeking NAC accreditation in the state, which means that this legislation will have the unintended consequence of eliminating competition for contracts to provide these services. We can find no information about NAC, its accreditation criteria, or who else it certifies via the internet, and we have concerns about requiring contractors to be accredited by an entity whose commitment to transparency is questionable at best. Although NAC makes little information public, years of sad experience tell us that NAC accredited entities do not meet the needs of blind people because NAC'S expectations and standards have historically been very low.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoBodyText style='margin-top:.05pt'><span style='font-size:12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoBodyText style='margin-right:6.05pt'><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>Rehabilitation services are overseen at the federal level by the Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA). The RSA is charged with ensuring that state rehabilitation plans are submitted yearly, monitoring their implementation, and disbursing federal funds to state rehabilitation agencies to carry out these plans. If the RSA determines that a rehabilitation plan has not been properly implemented, it can assess substantial financial penalties against the state rehabilitation department in order to recoup the federal funds received to implement the plan. It is important to note that such assessments would be levied against the state of Oklahoma, not against the private entities. In other words, if a private entity fails to provide adequate services to older blind Oklahomans, tax payers will be left on the hook.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoBodyText style='margin-top:.5pt'><span style='font-size:12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoBodyText style='margin-right:4.8pt'><!--[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">
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</v:shape><![endif]--><![if !vml]><span style='mso-ignore:vglayout;position:absolute;z-index:-1895825408;margin-left:74px;margin-top:1082px;width:248px;height:96px'><img width=165 height=64 src="cid:image002.png@01D2B93A.463DC260" v:shapes="_x0000_s1026"></span><![endif]><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>In summary, this bill will have the unintended consequences of diminishing services for older blind Oklahomans, limiting consumer choice, requiring accreditation from a nontransparent accrediting body with a poor track record, and exposing the state to uncertain financial penalties for services not directly performed by the state. In good faith, we, the blind, have communicated our thoughts based on experience and expertise to you and the members of the House of Representatives and Senate regarding our opposition to S 733. More than 40 blind persons, their friends and families attended the House Appropriations and Budget Committee meeting regarding HB 1861 to demonstrate our opposition. We have sent e-mails, made phone calls and have posted on social media regarding our opposition. While we do not feel that our voices have been heard, it is not too late to listen to us now. We oppose this bill and urge you to vote against it.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoBodyText style='margin-right:4.8pt'><span style='font-size:12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>We, the blind of Oklahoma, ask that you do not pass this legislation. If you are interested in protecting the rights of blind Oklahomans and in helping to create opportunity resulting in better education and training for the blind in Oklahoma, we have a wealth of experience, ideas and passion to lead the way. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me. I look forward to working with you to develop policies that work for all Oklahoma's citizens, including those of us who are blind. </span><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoBodyText style='margin-right:4.8pt'><span style='font-size:12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoBodyText style='margin-right:4.8pt'><span style='font-size:12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoBodyText style='mso-margin-top-alt:0in;margin-right:4.8pt;margin-bottom:0in;margin-left:9.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>Sincerely, <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoBodyText style='mso-margin-top-alt:2.8pt;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:0in;margin-left:9.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:13.2pt;mso-line-height-rule:exactly'><span style='font-size:12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoBodyText style='mso-margin-top-alt:2.8pt;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:0in;margin-left:9.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:13.2pt;mso-line-height-rule:exactly'><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>Jeannie Massay, President<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoBodyText style='margin-left:9.0pt;line-height:13.2pt;mso-line-height-rule:exactly'><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>National Federation of the Blind of Oklahoma<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoBodyText style='margin-left:9.0pt;line-height:13.2pt;mso-line-height-rule:exactly'><span style='font-size:12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>I am drafting a letter which will go to the entire House. That will go out by tomorrow. You can send a mass e-mail to the entire House by selecting the block of e-mails below and pasting it into the BCC field. <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="mailto:greg.babinec@okhouse.gov">greg.babinec@okhouse.gov</a>; <a href="mailto:rhonda.baker@okhouse.gov">rhonda.baker@okhouse.gov</a>; <a href="mailto:forrest.bennett@okhouse.gov">forrest.bennett@okhouse.gov</a>; <a href="mailto:john.bennett@okhouse.gov">john.bennett@okhouse.gov</a>; <a href="mailto:scott.biggs@okhouse.gov">scott.biggs@okhouse.gov</a>; <a href="mailto:meloyde.blancett@okhouse.gov">meloyde.blancett@okhouse.gov</a>; <a href="mailto:david.brumbaugh@okhouse.gov">david.brumbaugh@okhouse.gov</a>; <a href="mailto:carol.bush@okhouse.gov">carol.bush@okhouse.gov</a>; <a href="mailto:chad.caldwell@okhouse.gov">chad.caldwell@okhouse.gov</a>; <a href="mailto:kevin.calvey@okhouse.gov">kevin.calvey@okhouse.gov</a>;<a href="mailto:ed.cannaday@okhouse.gov">ed.cannaday@okhouse.gov</a>; <a href="mailto:dennis.casey@okhouse.gov">dennis.casey@okhouse.gov</a>; <a href="mailto:bob.cleveland@okhouse.gov">bob.cleveland@okhouse.gov</a>; <a href="mailto:josh.cockroft@okhouse.gov">josh.cockroft@okhouse.gov</a>; <a href="mailto:donnie.condit@okhouse.gov">donnie.condit@okhouse.gov</a>; <a href="mailto:jeff.coody@okhouse.gov">jeff.coody@okhouse.gov</a>; <a href="mailto:dale.derby@okhouse.gov">dale.derby@okhouse.gov</a>; <a href="mailto:mickey.dollens@okhouse.gov">mickey.dollens@okhouse.gov</a>; <a href="mailto:tim.downing@okhouse.gov">tim.downing@okhouse.gov</a>; <a href="mailto:travis.dunlap@okhouse.gov">travis.dunlap@okhouse.gov</a>; <a href="mailto:jason.dunnington@okhouse.gov">jason.dunnington@okhouse.gov</a>; <a href="mailto:jon.echols@okhouse.gov">jon.echols@okhouse.gov</a>; <a href="mailto:john.enns@okhouse.gov">john.enns@okhouse.gov</a>; <a href="mailto:george.faught@okhouse.gov">george.faught@okhouse.gov</a>; <a href="mailto:scott.fetgatter@okhouse.gov">scott.fetgatter@okhouse.gov</a>; <a href="mailto:roger.ford@okhouse.gov">roger.ford@okhouse.gov</a>; <a href="mailto:will.fourkiller@okhouse.gov">will.fourkiller@okhouse.gov</a>; <a href="mailto:avery.frix@okhouse.gov">avery.frix@okhouse.gov</a>; <a href="mailto:tom.gann@okhouse.gov">tom.gann@okhouse.gov</a>; <a href="mailto:regina.goodwin@okhouse.gov">regina.goodwin@okhouse.gov</a>; <a href="mailto:claudia.griffith@okhouse.gov">claudia.griffith@okhouse.gov</a>; <a href="mailto:elise.hall@okhouse.gov">elise.hall@okhouse.gov</a>; <a href="mailto:tommy.hardin@okhouse.gov">tommy.hardin@okhouse.gov</a>; <a href="mailto:katie.henke@okhouse.gov">katie.henke@okhouse.gov</a>; <a href="mailto:kyle.hilbert@okhouse.gov">kyle.hilbert@okhouse.gov</a>; <a href="mailto:chuck.hoskin@okhouse.gov">chuck.hoskin@okhouse.gov</a>; <a href="mailto:justin.humphrey@okhouse.gov">justin.humphrey@okhouse.gov</a>; <a href="mailto:scott.inman@okhouse.gov">scott.inman@okhouse.gov</a>; <a href="mailto:jp.jordan@okhouse.gov">jp.jordan@okhouse.gov</a>; <a href="mailto:chris.kannady@okhouse.gov">chris.kannady@okhouse.gov</a>; <a href="mailto:dell.kerbs@okhouse.gov">dell.kerbs@okhouse.gov</a>; <a href="mailto:dan.kirby@okhouse.gov">dan.kirby@okhouse.gov</a>; <a href="mailto:steve.kouplen@okhouse.gov">steve.kouplen@okhouse.gov</a>; <a href="mailto:mark.lawson@okhouse.gov">mark.lawson@okhouse.gov</a>; <a href="mailto:mark.lepak@okhouse.gov">mark.lepak@okhouse.gov</a>; <a href="mailto:ben.loring@okhouse.gov">ben.loring@okhouse.gov</a>; <a href="mailto:jason.lowe@okhouse.gov">jason.lowe@okhouse.gov</a>; <a href="mailto:scott.martin@okhouse.gov">scott.martin@okhouse.gov</a>; <a href="mailto:ryan.martinez@okhouse.gov">ryan.martinez@okhouse.gov</a>; <a href="mailto:mark.mcbride@okhouse.gov">mark.mcbride@okhouse.gov</a>; <a href="mailto:charles.mccall@okhouse.gov">charles.mccall@okhouse.gov</a>; <a href="mailto:randy.mcdaniel@okhouse.gov">randy.mcdaniel@okhouse.gov</a>; <a href="mailto:kevin.mcdugle@okhouse.gov">kevin.mcdugle@okhouse.gov</a>; <a href="mailto:scott.mceachin@okhouse.gov">scott.mceachin@okhouse.gov</a>; <a href="mailto:marcus.mcentire@okhouse.gov">marcus.mcentire@okhouse.gov</a>; <a href="mailto:matt.meredith@okhouse.gov">matt.meredith@okhouse.gov</a>; <a href="mailto:kohn.montgomery@okhouse.gov">kohn.montgomery@okhouse.gov</a>; <a href="mailto:lewis.moore@okhouse.gov">lewis.moore@okhouse.gov</a>; <a href="mailto:glen.mulready@okhouse.gov">glen.mulready@okhouse.gov</a>; <a href="mailto:cyndi.munson@okhouse.gov">cyndi.munson@okhouse.gov</a>; <a href="mailto:casey.murdock@okhouse.gov">casey.murdock@okhouse.gov</a>; <a href="mailto:jason.murphey@okhouse.gov">jason.murphey@okhouse.gov</a>; <a href="mailto:carl.newton@okhouse.gov">carl.newton@okhouse.gov</a>; <a href="mailto:monroe.nichols@okhouse.gov">monroe.nichols@okhouse.gov</a>; <a href="mailto:jadine.nollan@okhouse.gov">jadine.nollan@okhouse.gov</a>; <a href="mailto:terry.odonnell@okhouse.gov">terry.odonnell@okhouse.gov</a>; <a href="mailto:charles.ortega@okhouse.gov">charles.ortega@okhouse.gov</a>; <a href="mailto:mike.osburn@okhouse.gov">mike.osburn@okhouse.gov</a>; <a href="mailto:pat.ownbey@okhouse.gov">pat.ownbey@okhouse.gov</a>; <a href="mailto:scooter.park@okhouse.gov">scooter.park@okhouse.gov</a>; <a href="mailto:david.perryman@okhouse.gov">david.perryman@okhouse.gov</a>; <a href="mailto:john.pfeiffer@okhouse.gov">john.pfeiffer@okhouse.gov</a>; <a href="mailto:eric.proctor@okhouse.gov">eric.proctor@okhouse.gov</a>; <a href="mailto:brian.renegar@okhouse.gov">brian.renegar@okhouse.gov</a>; <a href="mailto:mike.ritze@okhouse.gov">mike.ritze@okhouse.gov</a>; <a href="mailto:dustin.roberts@okhouse.gov">dustin.roberts@okhouse.gov</a>; <a href="mailto:michael.rogers@okhouse.gov">michael.rogers@okhouse.gov</a>; <a href="mailto:todd.russ@okhouse.gov">todd.russ@okhouse.gov</a>; <a href="mailto:mike.sanders@okhouse.gov">mike.sanders@okhouse.gov</a>; <a href="mailto:earl.sears@okhouse.gov">earl.sears@okhouse.gov</a>; <a href="mailto:shane.stone@okhouse.gov">shane.stone@okhouse.gov</a>; <a href="mailto:chuck.strohm@okhouse.gov">chuck.strohm@okhouse.gov</a>; <a href="mailto:johnny.tadlock@okhouse.gov">johnny.tadlock@okhouse.gov</a>; <a href="mailto:tess.teague@okhouse.gov">tess.teague@okhouse.gov</a>; <a href="mailto:todd.thomsen@okhouse.gov">todd.thomsen@okhouse.gov</a>; <a href="mailto:steve.vaughan@okhouse.gov">steve.vaughan@okhouse.gov</a>; <a href="mailto:emily.virgin@okhouse.gov">emily.virgin@okhouse.gov</a>; <a href="mailto:collin.walke@okhouse.gov">collin.walke@okhouse.gov</a>; <a href="mailto:kevin.wallace@okhouse.gov">kevin.wallace@okhouse.gov</a>; <a href="mailto:weldon.watson@okhouse.gov">weldon.watson@okhouse.gov</a>; <a href="mailto:josh.west@okhouse.gov">josh.west@okhouse.gov</a>; <a href="mailto:kevin.west@okhouse.gov">kevin.west@okhouse.gov</a>; <a href="mailto:rick.west@okhouse.gov">rick.west@okhouse.gov</a>; <a href="mailto:tammy.west@okhouse.gov">tammy.west@okhouse.gov</a>; <a href="mailto:cory.williams@okhouse.gov">cory.williams@okhouse.gov</a>; <a href="mailto:rande.worthen@okhouse.gov">rande.worthen@okhouse.gov</a>; <a href="mailto:harold.wright@okhouse.gov">harold.wright@okhouse.gov</a>; <a href="mailto:george.young@okhouse.gov">george.young@okhouse.gov</a>; <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Thanks to those of you who have been a part of #BlindPushBack. United we stand, divided we fall. Let’s stop this and tell NewView that we don’t want them dictating our lives and pushing the medical model on unsuspecting blind seniors and others who, clearly, do not know any difference. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Warm regards, <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Jeannie <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Cambria",serif'>Jeannie M. Massay, President<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Cambria",serif'>National Federation of theBlind <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Cambria",serif'>Of Oklahoma<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Cambria",serif'>505 Baker Street<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Cambria",serif'>Norman, OK 73072<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Cambria",serif'>Phone: 405-600-0695<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='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-family:"Cambria",serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Cambria",serif'>Live the life you want!<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Cambria",serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='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-family:"Cambria",serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div></body></html>