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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link="#0563C1" vlink="#954F72" style='word-wrap:break-word'><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal><span class=gmaildefault><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif'>Good morning, everyone,</span></span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span class=gmaildefault><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif'>During our recent national convention in Austin our national organization passed a resolution calling on the states currently involved in Texas v Kennedy to pull out of this harmful litigation. As you know, our attorney general, Ken Paxton, is leading the effort to move this suit forward, and that is why it is known as Texas v Kennedy. During the convention, presidents from the six states still involved in the lawsuit delivered a loud and clear message to AG Paxton by presenting a copy of the resolution to his office.</span></span><br clear=all><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span class=gmaildefault><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif'>Today, we are continuing our effort to convince General Paxton that this lawsuit should be abandoned by collaborating with Judy's League, a cross-disability social media organization, to send the message that blind Texan's are opposed to the suit. Judy's League is asking that we participate in Jam the Phones, Flood the Form today. To participate, here is what our members should do.</span></span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span class=gmaildefault><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif'>First, either call or complete the AG's contact form to let the office know that you oppose their effort to diminish the rights of disabled Americans by continuing to move forward with Texas v Kennedy. Months ago, Mr. Paxton said in a press release that he did not intend to cause harm to our community, but this suit has the potential to erase our rights under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act. If you prefer to call the office to send the message that we would like the AG to drop this suit, you may do so by dialing 512-463-2100.</span></span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span class=gmaildefault><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif'>Your message does not need to be complex. Tell them you are a member or a supporter of the National Federation of the Blind of Texas and that you are calling to request that Texas drop its participation in the Texas v Kennedy suit pertaining to Section 504. Feel free to also say that our president, Norma Crosby, would be pleased to have a meeting with General Paxton to discuss this matter in an effort to create a better understanding of our position. If asked for my contact information, share my email address and direct number. My direct number is 281-824-4045. </span></span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span class=gmaildefault><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif'>The number for the Office of the Attorney General is 512-463-2100. As always, be polite, professional, persuasive, and persistent. We should never be rude, but definitely offer my contact information if possible. A meeting with the AG would be very helpful, and if a number of people suggest that, it could help.</span></span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span class=gmaildefault><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif'>If you prefer to put your thoughts in writing, use their contact form. Again, use language that is similar to the following:</span></span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span class=gmaildefault><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif'>I am writing to express my opposition to the Texas v Kennedy lawsuit that would affect the rights of blind and disabled Texans under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act. I would appreciate it if General Paxton would reconsider his position on this matter, and I urge that he meet with Norma Crosby, who serves as president of the National Federation of the Blind of Texas in order to discuss our concerns about the suit.If Mr. Paxton is interested in reaching out in an effort to create a dialogue with our community, he may contact Mrs. Crosby at <a href="mailto:ncrosby@nfbtx.org">ncrosby@nfbtx.org</a> or 281-824-4045. </span></span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span class=gmaildefault><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif'>Thank you for considering my comments.</span></span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span class=gmaildefault><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif'>It is that simple. Offer opposition. Suggest a meeting between his office and our president, and end with a thank you. The language above is just an example. Feel free to use your own words and your own voice. To use the contact form, go to: </span></span><span style='font-family:Roboto;color:#1F1F1F'><a href="https://www.texasattorneygeneral.gov/contact-us-online-form">https://www.texasattorneygeneral.gov/contact-us-online-form</a></span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif'>Finally, since we are collaborating with Judy's League and our National Association of Blind Students, I would urge you to do two additional things after calling or writing. First, use the link below to tell the coordinator how your calls went or that you submitted a contact form. Second, follow up with me to do the same. Just send me a quick note to say that you made contact, which method you used, and give me a brief report of any interaction you had with AG personnel. Obviously, if you use the form, you may not get a response today. So, just let me know you did that. You may get some feedback if you call, so if that happens, let me know.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif'>Here is the link to report to Judy's League. <a href="https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeqnGbT7fMw_TDoV4VsqAkPaF_dq9BgkBLyEsD8jtjYPcSbZw/viewform">https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeqnGbT7fMw_TDoV4VsqAkPaF_dq9BgkBLyEsD8jtjYPcSbZw/viewform</a><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif'>I will be following up with their leadership to see what kind of response we are seeing. We are asking people to call or write today as a part of their effort, but if members call throughout the week, I think that would be great since the anniversary of passage of the ADA falls on Sunday.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif'>This lawsuit could have great impact on the lives of blind people if it continues to move forward. Missouri has dropped out since the convention ended, so there are only five states left. Let's do our part to decrease that number, and if we succeed, that would probably spell the end of the suit since Texas is the lead plaintiff.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif'>Best regards, <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Norma Crosby, President<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>National Federation of the Blind of Texas<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p></div></body></html>