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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link="#0563C1" vlink="#954F72"><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal style='text-indent:.5in'><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>From the desk of NFB of Pennsylvania President Lynn Heitz.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>Received from Denice Brown, President, Greater Philadelphia Chapter.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><h1 align=center style='text-align:center'><b>CENSUS 101: WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOWThe 2020 Census is closer than you think!<br>Here’s a quick refresher of what it is and why it’s essential that everyone is counted.<o:p></o:p></b></h1><h2><b>Everyone counts.<o:p></o:p></b></h2><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>The census counts every person living in the United States once, only once, and in the right place.<o:p></o:p></span></p><h2><b>It’s about fair representation.<o:p></o:p></b></h2><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>Every 10 years, the results of the census are used to reapportion the House of Representatives, determining how many seats eachstate gets.<o:p></o:p></span></p><h2><b>It’s in theConstitution.<o:p></o:p></b></h2><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>The U.S. Constitution mandates that everyone in the country be counted every 10 years. The first census was in 1790.<o:p></o:p></span></p><h2><b>It’s about $675 billion. <o:p></o:p></b></h2><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>The distribution of more than $675 billion in federal funds, grants, and support to states, counties, and communities are based on census data.That money is spent on schools, hospitals, roads, public works, and other vital programs.<o:p></o:p></span></p><h2><b>It’s about redistricting. <o:p></o:p></b></h2><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>After each decade’s census, state officials redraw the boundaries of the congressional and state legislative districts in their states to account for population shifts.<o:p></o:p></span></p><h2>Taking part is your civic duty.<o:p></o:p></h2><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>Completing the census is mandatory: it’s a way to participate in our democracy and say “I COUNT!”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>FIND OUT HOW TO HELP AT <a href="http://2020census.gov/PARTNERS">2020CENSUS.GOV/PARTNERS</a><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>Image of the U.S. Census Bureau Logo<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>Image of U.S. Census 2020 Logo<o:p></o:p></span></p><h2>Census data are being used all around you.<o:p></o:p></h2><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>Residents use the census to support community initiatives involving legislation, quality-of-life, and consumer advocacy.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>Businesses use census data to decide where to build factories, offices, and stores, which create jobs. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>Local governments use the census for public safety and emergency preparedness. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>Real estate developers use the census to build new homes and revitalize old neighborhoods. <o:p></o:p></span></p><h2><b>Your privacy is protected.<o:p></o:p></b></h2><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>It’s against the law for the Census Bureau to publicly release your responses in any way that could identify you or your household. By law, your responses cannot be used against you and can only be used to produce statistics. <o:p></o:p></span></p><h2><b>2020 will be easier than ever.<o:p></o:p></b></h2><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>In 2020, you will be able to respond to the census online.<o:p></o:p></span></p><h2><b>You can help.<o:p></o:p></b></h2><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>You are the expert—we need your ideas on the best way to make sure everyone in your community gets counted. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'>Image of a computer with the U.S. Census 2020 logo on it.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt'>***<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><h1 align=center style='text-align:center'><b>The 2020 Census is accessible for everyone.<o:p></o:p></b></h1><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt'>We’re making sure that however you choose to respond—online, by phone, or by mail—that the census is accessible. You’ll receive an invitation to respond beginning in mid-March. You choose how you want to respond.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt'>Image of a computer<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt'>You can respond online in English or in 12 additional languages. The online questionnaire is accessible, following the latest web accessibility guidelines.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt'>We’ll also have a video in American Sign Language available to guide you through responding online.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt'>Image of a TDD symbol<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt'>You can respond by phone in English or in 12 additional languages. You can also respond in English by TDD at 844-467-2020.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt'>Image of finger reading braille<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt'>By mid-April, we’ll mail a paper questionnaire to every household that hasn’t already responded. (Some households will receive a paper questionnaire along with the first invitation in March.)We’ll have braille and large print guides available online to assist you with completing the paper questionnaire. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt'>Image of hands signing<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt'>If necessary, you can respond in person beginning in mid-May. Census takers will visit all households that have not yet responded. We’ll have census takers available who can communicate in American Sign Language and additional languages. When the census taker visits to help you respond, you can request that another census taker who communicates in American Sign Language returns, if you prefer. If you prefer, you may also choose to have another member of your household interact with the census taker.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt'>Responding is important. A complete count helps ensure that services like Medicare, Medicaid, social security, and public transportation can support those who need them. Responding is safe. All of the information you share with us is protected by law and cannot be used against you. Responding is accessible. We’re doing everything we can to ensure the ways to respond are accessible for everyone. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt'>Any questions? Please visit <a href="http://2020census.gov/">2020census.gov</a>. This website is 508 compliant and accessible to people of all abilities. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt'>Image of the U.S. Census Bureau Logo<o:p></o:p></span></p></div></body></html>