<div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div class="gmail_default" style="font-family:georgia,serif;font-size:small">I received the email regarding the last call for input into to proposed changes to PA's VR services. It stated public meetings were held May 22nd. If that is the case, what is the meeting that is to take place in Harrisburg on June 13th? And will it really make a difference if we go? And do we know if anyone from the different chapters are going?</div><div class="gmail_default" style="font-family:georgia,serif;font-size:small"><br></div><div class="gmail_default" style="font-family:georgia,serif;font-size:small">Thank you</div><div class="gmail_default" style="font-family:georgia,serif;font-size:small"><span style="font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif"> </span><br style="font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif"><div dir="ltr" class="gmail_signature" style="font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif"><div dir="ltr"><div><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div><em><font color="#330099" face="georgia,serif" size="4"><strong>Linda Mackey</strong></font></em></div><div><em><font color="#330099" face="georgia,serif" size="4"><strong>610-750-6765</strong></font></em></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><div class="gmail_default" style="font-family:georgia,serif;font-size:small"><br></div><div class="gmail_default" style="font-family:georgia,serif;font-size:small"><br></div><div class="gmail_default" style="font-family:georgia,serif;font-size:small"><br></div></div><br><div class="gmail_quote"><div dir="ltr" class="gmail_attr">On Mon, Jun 3, 2019 at 12:03 PM Emily Gindlesperger via NFBP-Talk <<a href="mailto:nfbp-talk@nfbnet.org">nfbp-talk@nfbnet.org</a>> wrote:<br></div><blockquote class="gmail_quote" style="margin:0px 0px 0px 0.8ex;border-left:1px solid rgb(204,204,204);padding-left:1ex">
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<div style="font-family:arial,helvetica;font-size:10pt;color:black">Good morning everyone!</div>
<div style="font-family:arial,helvetica;font-size:10pt;color:black"><br>
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<div style="font-family:arial,helvetica;font-size:10pt;color:black">Tomorrow is the deadline to submit emails concerning the closing of the order of selection. Below is the information that we distributed earlier.</div>
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<div><span>Send email to </span><a rel="noopener noreferrer" href="mailto:OVRFeedback@pa.gov" target="_blank"><span>OVRFeedback@pa.gov</span></a><span>, with “OOS closing all categories”
in the subject line. </span></div>
<div><b><span style="color:rgb(31,73,125)">5PM on June 4 is the deadline.</span></b></div>
<div><b><span style="color:rgb(31,73,125)"><br>
</span></b></div>
<div><b><span style="color:rgb(31,73,125)"><br>
</span></b></div>
<div><b><span style="color:rgb(31,73,125)">Also, please remember to copy Joe Drenth </span></b><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica;font-size:10pt"><a href="mailto:Joe.Drenth@JBTC.COM" target="_blank">Joe.Drenth@JBTC.COM</a></span><b style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;font-size:12pt"><span style="color:rgb(31,73,125)"> on your submission, as well as the offices of your local representatives and senators. If you need help locating your representative's information, please email me.</span></b></div>
<div><b style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;font-size:12pt"><span style="color:rgb(31,73,125)"><br>
</span></b></div>
<div><b style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;font-size:12pt"><span style="color:rgb(31,73,125)">Thank you,</span></b></div>
<div><b style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;font-size:12pt"><span style="color:rgb(31,73,125)">Emily W. Gindlesperger</span></b></div>
<div><b style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;font-size:12pt"><span style="color:rgb(31,73,125)">Legislative Director</span></b></div>
<div><b style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;font-size:12pt"><span style="color:rgb(31,73,125)">National Federation of the Blind of PA</span></b></div>
<div><b><span style="color:rgb(31,73,125)"><br>
</span></b></div>
<div><b><span style="color:rgb(31,73,125)"> </span></b></div>
<div><b><span><img border="0" width="290" height="58" id="gmail-m_-15757555596058187yiv7811508779Picture_x0020_4" alt="Title: L&I's logo - Description: L&I's logo: a dark and light blue keystone with curved white stripes through it. To the right of the keystone is the text: Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry." src="cid:16b244faf2e4ce8e91"></span></b></div>
<div><strong><span>FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE</span></strong><br>
<strong><span>May 3, 2019
</span></strong></div>
<h1 style="margin-right:0in;margin-left:0in;margin-bottom:0.0001pt">
<a rel="nofollow" name="m_-15757555596058187__Hlk7598339"><strong><span style="font-size:14pt">L&I Seeks Public Input on Proposed Changes to Pennsylvania’s Vocational Rehabilitation Services Plan</span></strong></a><strong><span style="font-size:16pt"> </span></strong><span style="font-size:16pt;color:rgb(47,84,150);font-weight:normal"></span></h1>
<div><strong><span>Harrisburg, PA – </span>
</strong><span>Department of Labor & Industry (L&I) Secretary Jerry Oleksiak today encouraged Pennsylvanians to provide comments on proposed changes to the state’s vocational rehabilitation services plan. Pennsylvania
expects less federal reallocation funds for the vocational rehabilitation program and must adjust the plan.</span></div>
<div><span>“Our primary goal throughout this process is to ensure that services continue to be provided to as many people with disabilities as possible across the commonwealth,” said Secretary Oleksiak. “I urge interested
Pennsylvanians to provide us with their feedback.”</span></div>
<div><a rel="nofollow" name="m_-15757555596058187__Hlk7692067"><span>Due to the anticipated decline in federal reallocation funds, the independent Pennsylvania State Board of Vocational Rehabilitation recently voted unanimously to begin the process to close
the Order of Selection, in essence creating a temporary waiting list for new OVR customers. Services would continue for current OVR customers with an Individualized Plan for Employment, as well as Pre-employment Transition Services for students with disabilities,
as required by federal law. </span></a></div>
<div><a rel="nofollow" name="m_-15757555596058187__Hlk7701085"><span>The proposal is available in the
</span></a><a rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://nam03.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fu7061146.ct.sendgrid.net%2Fwf%2Fclick%3Fupn%3D84Em28S1K9SvtzcUtu04EuCj8in0zBzuXMOHmNCQAhgXi-2FyNdI38-2FSOBcAhtrPvG_-2BA7IvuaRH7qNzcMU-2FZJF4KQdPWbrMj5flbCIW-2FU7Gev-2BaVSDqP04jGUc-2BJk3zbhS6a-2FWKmIfwfDV2cqzcXOgUfImiIdt7fxLAhjIjo-2B2dkdoli3b0ZhiQR2VVwYReBkhE4MdUpugq-2F0DNdSXJbSL5RhdaKpll7-2BNBox0BKV7AXgNJQn83zaSeaPzUOWPM9m6BuwiOOCUBRJekbHC46zBlGNEFh6jsYj5MFJVF3FfLsGSiiLqbROA2xrsA3nrkleuEiRt-2FL8xPqiokSYyd6FNk-2BNYatIWjYs9lrEEcVmU4T0NzDoCYXPGOme-2Fv-2BY7vRoLtZBzjcOMOScY7BVVQR8i7Q-3D-3D&data=02%7C01%7CJoe.Drenth%40jbtc.com%7Cd3010bb0e9a643adb87a08d6d1da64cf%7C91c2207902ce47e8bb5bc93a3d5f1a78%7C0%7C0%7C636927133276470167&sdata=QVw5EpR8sSn6H24faHYFWx7z6bNNqRb4CPiOqQGCxao%3D&reserved=0" target="_blank"><span>Pennsylvania
Bulletin</span></a><span>. Comments will be accepted for 30 days, until 5:00 PM on Tuesday, June 4, 2019, and should be emailed to
</span><a rel="noopener noreferrer" href="mailto:OVRFeedback@pa.gov" target="_blank"><span>OVRFeedback@pa.gov</span></a><span>, with “OOS closing all categories” in the subject line. Written comments may also be mailed
to OVR Central Office, c/o Cindy Mundis, 1521 North 6</span><sup><span style="font-size:7.5pt">th</span></sup><span> Street, Harrisburg, PA 17102.
</span></div>
<div><span>Public meetings will be conducted in-person throughout the state in each
</span><a rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://nam03.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fu7061146.ct.sendgrid.net%2Fwf%2Fclick%3Fupn%3DG62jSYfZdO-2F12d8lSllQB7pPQw8nOaAr0Vyjd4RPu-2FRnOMG99qDj40RcY5GIPO8zcpklhQQngl0Qv-2FgXraJGL6T3L0hCLrgmv7sSwgNeHuhRjJuuP8qXRvWisrDxEDGGIGCJPYeSxSeku44K3XiJ7A-3D-3D_-2BA7IvuaRH7qNzcMU-2FZJF4KQdPWbrMj5flbCIW-2FU7Gev-2BaVSDqP04jGUc-2BJk3zbhS6a-2FWKmIfwfDV2cqzcXOgUfImiIdt7fxLAhjIjo-2B2dkdoli3b0ZhiQR2VVwYReBkhE4MdUpugq-2F0DNdSXJbSL5RhdaKpll7-2BNBox0BKV7AXgNJQn83zaSeaPzUOWPM9m64g5rGh-2FRfblYjAfXgZUsU6GguNpamio9NegUYhnJxb-2FgE9bWU5G79wNgrmqLDVPBm-2FN63tHGcQK6XWUAPYFgfu-2BR5iXSytvIC9J8DH6rQFw8LCGoFB-2BO-2BP0gmGFgrx6ZChLEwHI19mubzgqQwI8Q4A-3D-3D&data=02%7C01%7CJoe.Drenth%40jbtc.com%7Cd3010bb0e9a643adb87a08d6d1da64cf%7C91c2207902ce47e8bb5bc93a3d5f1a78%7C0%7C0%7C636927133276470167&sdata=g7rQhYG4D4geiiTDSF%2Fy6FA1JxnMxfg3N3urbhQOamA%3D&reserved=0" target="_blank"><span>OVR
district office</span></a><span> on Wednesday, May 22, 2019, from 3:00 PM to 4:30 PM and 5:00 PM to 6:30 PM. Individuals who are unable to attend in person can participate via
</span><a rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://nam03.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fu7061146.ct.sendgrid.net%2Fwf%2Fclick%3Fupn%3DG62jSYfZdO-2F12d8lSllQB7pPQw8nOaAr0Vyjd4RPu-2FRnOMG99qDj40RcY5GIPO8zMteAOfvbIkiKk1UyX64Nn3H75QVqSZL4Z9n7W4byF8ZyqIyhpM4kvfDW7wkRbb0x_-2BA7IvuaRH7qNzcMU-2FZJF4KQdPWbrMj5flbCIW-2FU7Gev-2BaVSDqP04jGUc-2BJk3zbhS6a-2FWKmIfwfDV2cqzcXOgUfImiIdt7fxLAhjIjo-2B2dkdoli3b0ZhiQR2VVwYReBkhE4MdUpugq-2F0DNdSXJbSL5RhdaKpll7-2BNBox0BKV7AXgNJQn83zaSeaPzUOWPM9m6eUnfrjfFMru0vXCuI0Y6Y4QeKAw47SW-2Bao9GFMSL9ckOzeq38XZjl4by-2FqVGR8w0q8fRuBwx91Hrc4iFjIQJcS1FDZdmHpWuMKIj-2BYBQVyamkV6ihceveGlhNOUb3ksFUMbiutC9oPzteSfrYGrCcA-3D-3D&data=02%7C01%7CJoe.Drenth%40jbtc.com%7Cd3010bb0e9a643adb87a08d6d1da64cf%7C91c2207902ce47e8bb5bc93a3d5f1a78%7C0%7C0%7C636927133276480162&sdata=tliqHWudLVc5GzlMQJG%2FuPUy4my1jxZy8rxWnIEaXQg%3D&reserved=0" target="_blank"><span>phone</span></a><span>.
All meeting sites are accessible and interpreters for people who are deaf or hard of hearing will be present at each public meeting.
</span></div>
<div><span>Following the public comment period, the U.S. Department of Education’s Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA) will review OVR’s request to temporarily close the order of selection. If approved, the waiting
list is expected to be implemented on July 1, 2019.</span></div>
<div><span>For more information, visit the
</span><a rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://nam03.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fu7061146.ct.sendgrid.net%2Fwf%2Fclick%3Fupn%3DG62jSYfZdO-2F12d8lSllQB7pPQw8nOaAr0Vyjd4RPu-2FRnOMG99qDj40RcY5GIPO8zMteAOfvbIkiKk1UyX64NnztDrFbcwX-2FFLx5qRQTNuiOH2mYWHRUld9dpicaDmsMo_-2BA7IvuaRH7qNzcMU-2FZJF4KQdPWbrMj5flbCIW-2FU7Gev-2BaVSDqP04jGUc-2BJk3zbhS6a-2FWKmIfwfDV2cqzcXOgUfImiIdt7fxLAhjIjo-2B2dkdoli3b0ZhiQR2VVwYReBkhE4MdUpugq-2F0DNdSXJbSL5RhdaKpll7-2BNBox0BKV7AXgNJQn83zaSeaPzUOWPM9m6mgeTuiM6V-2Bzrep9aFp-2BGRhInMdAbYDKkREbSoyFE8XG7dCe78dnYqIvS-2FXLmFuEcRAl1JIijRGLI63V7eR6aoeXxApo9-2FHWc5hcM5ffNjD9Kjat3-2FnsMNwZ6uvOShW3ILFyAIEtdSLJ-2BG8ibCzswIA-3D-3D&data=02%7C01%7CJoe.Drenth%40jbtc.com%7Cd3010bb0e9a643adb87a08d6d1da64cf%7C91c2207902ce47e8bb5bc93a3d5f1a78%7C0%7C0%7C636927133276480162&sdata=4D6Aa9g6sKXoXGVMq9ofXrAx%2FLWcZHF3NxGB3AGuPG0%3D&reserved=0" target="_blank"><span>OVR
page</span></a><span> on the Department of Labor & Industry’s website.
</span></div>
<div><strong><span style="color:rgb(33,33,33)">MEDIA CONTACT:
</span></strong><a rel="nofollow" name="m_-15757555596058187__Hlk5870526"><span style="color:rgb(33,33,33)">Penny Ickes,<strong><span>
</span></strong></span></a><span style="color:rgb(33,33,33)">717-787-7530 or
</span><a rel="noopener noreferrer" href="mailto:dlipress@pa.gov" target="_blank"><span>dlipress@pa.gov</span></a><span style="color:rgb(33,33,33)">
</span></div>
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