<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:"Calibri Light";
panose-1:2 15 3 2 2 2 4 3 2 4;}
/* Style Definitions */
p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal
{margin:0in;
margin-bottom:.0001pt;
font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;}
h1
{mso-style-priority:9;
mso-style-link:"Heading 1 Char";
margin-top:12.0pt;
margin-right:0in;
margin-bottom:0in;
margin-left:0in;
margin-bottom:.0001pt;
page-break-after:avoid;
font-size:16.0pt;
font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;
color:#2F5496;
font-weight:normal;}
h3
{mso-style-priority:9;
mso-style-link:"Heading 3 Char";
margin-top:2.0pt;
margin-right:0in;
margin-bottom:0in;
margin-left:0in;
margin-bottom:.0001pt;
page-break-after:avoid;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;
color:#1F3763;
font-weight:normal;}
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;}
p.MsoPlainText, li.MsoPlainText, div.MsoPlainText
{mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-link:"Plain Text Char";
margin:0in;
margin-bottom:.0001pt;
font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;}
p.MsoListParagraph, li.MsoListParagraph, div.MsoListParagraph
{mso-style-priority:34;
margin:0in;
margin-bottom:.0001pt;
font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;}
span.Heading1Char
{mso-style-name:"Heading 1 Char";
mso-style-priority:9;
mso-style-link:"Heading 1";
font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;
color:#2F5496;}
p.msonormal0, li.msonormal0, div.msonormal0
{mso-style-name:msonormal;
mso-margin-top-alt:auto;
margin-right:0in;
mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;
margin-left:0in;
font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;}
span.PlainTextChar
{mso-style-name:"Plain Text Char";
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-link:"Plain Text";
font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;}
span.EmailStyle21
{mso-style-type:personal;
font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;
color:windowtext;}
span.EmailStyle23
{mso-style-type:personal-reply;
font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;
color:windowtext;}
span.Heading3Char
{mso-style-name:"Heading 3 Char";
mso-style-priority:9;
mso-style-link:"Heading 3";
font-family:"Calibri Light",sans-serif;
color:#1F3763;}
.MsoChpDefault
{mso-style-type:export-only;
font-size:10.0pt;}
@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>Please act fast to secure your hotel room by Wednesday, January 8.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'><span class=Heading3Char><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>A</span></span><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>s we say goodbye to 2019 and look toward the future, imminently on the horizon is the 2020 Washington Seminar. As of today, we are a mere thirty-five days away from the Great Gathering-In. That means that time is quickly winding down to reserve your hotel room. The last day to reserve a room using the Federation room block is this Wednesday, January 8. Please be sure to <a href="https://www.holidayinn.com/redirect?path=rates&brandCode=HI&localeCode=en®ionCode=1&hotelCode=wassm&checkInDate=06&checkInMonthYear=012020&checkOutDate=15&checkOutMonthYear=012020&_PMID=99801505&GPC=N2F&cn=no&viewfullsite=true">book your room</a> before the deadline. </span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'><span style='font-size:12.0pt'> </span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>In more Washington Seminar news, below are brief descriptions of our three legislative priorities for the 2020 Washington Seminar, including links to the fact sheets for each. </span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'><span style='font-size:12.0pt'> </span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'><span style='font-size:12.0pt'><a href="https://www.nfb.org/programs-services/advocacy/legislative-agenda/access-technology-affordability">Access Technology Affordability Act (ATAA) (H.R. 2086/S. 815)</a><br>The cost of critically needed access technology is out of reach for most blind Americans. By providing a refundable tax credit for qualifying purchases, Congress will stimulate individual procurement of this technology and promote affordability of these tools.</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'><span style='font-size:12.0pt'> </span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'><span style='font-size:12.0pt'><a href="https://www.nfb.org/programs-services/advocacy/legislative-agenda/greater-access-independence-nonvisual-access-technology">Greater Access and Independence through Nonvisual Access Technology (GAIN) Act (H.R. 3929)<span style='font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:blue'><br></span></a>Advanced digital interfaces create barriers that prevent blind individuals from independently operating essential devices that enhance quality of life. Congress must end the digital divide that threatens the independence of blind Americans by developing minimum accessibility requirements for such devices.</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'><span style='font-size:12.0pt'> </span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'><span style='font-size:12.0pt'><a href="https://www.nfb.org/programs-services/advocacy/legislative-agenda/accessible-instructional-materials-higher-education">Accessible Instructional Materials in Higher Education (AIM HIGH) Act (H.R. 5312/S. 3095)</a><br>Until a market-driven solution for accessible instructional materials is achieved, blind college students are denied access to critical course content. The AIM HIGH Act will remove these barriers to equality in the classroom by creating a set of guidelines that clearly define accessible instructional materials.</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoListParagraph><span style='font-size:12.0pt'> </span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>More details ae found below.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><div><p class=MsoNormal>Tracy Soforenko<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>President, National Federation of the Blind of Virginia<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>202 285-4595<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><a href="mailto:Tracy.soforenko@gmail.com">Tracy.soforenko@gmail.com</a><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><a href="http://www.nfb.org">www.nfb.org</a><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><a href="http://www.nfbv.org">www.nfbv.org</a><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>National Federation of the Blind. Live the Life You Want<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>The National Federation of the Blind is a community of members and friends who believe in the hopes and dreams of the nation’s blind. Every day we work together to help blind people live the lives they want.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><div><div style='border:none;border-top:solid #E1E1E1 1.0pt;padding:3.0pt 0in 0in 0in'><p class=MsoNormal><b>From:</b> tracy.soforenko@gmail.com <tracy.soforenko@gmail.com> <br><b>Sent:</b> Sunday, December 22, 2019 12:52 PM<br><b>To:</b> nfbv-announce@nfbnet.org<br><b>Cc:</b> 'Fellows - Deepa Goraya' <deepa.goraya@gmail.com><br><b>Subject:</b> 2020 Washington Seminar Details & Financial Assistance<o:p></o:p></p></div></div><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Happy Holidays,<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Washington Seminar is fast approaching. This message provides details on Washington Seminar and provides details about requesting financial assistance.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><h1>The 2020 Washington Seminar<o:p></o:p></h1><p class=MsoNormal>From Deepa Goraya, Virginia Affiliate Washington Seminar Legislative Director<o:p></o:p></p><h1><o:p> </o:p></h1><p class=MsoPlainText>Hello Virginia Federationists,<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>I hope you all are planning time with friends and family. Although it may seem like it's still 6 weeks away, Washington Seminar is fast approaching. I wanted to send out some info to help you begin thinking about reserving your room and deciding in your schedule to attend.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>The legislative Committee needs to begin creating teams of those who will be attending Washington Seminar and start scheduling appointments with members of Congress. So, the earlier you can let us know whether you will be attending, the better. Please let us know by January 21 whether you plan to attend. When you let us know, please provide the name of your member of the House of Representatives. If you don't know, please provide your address including street address and ZIP code so we can easily look it up. If you want to look it up yourself, you can access this information at:<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText><a href="https://www.house.gov/">https://www.house.gov/</a><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>The Great-Gathering-In is scheduled for Monday, February 10, 2020 from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>At 2:00 PM that afternoon, there will be a seminar to explain the issues in detail, so you are prepared for our legislative appointments. I expect that most of our Congressional appointments will be conducted on Tuesday, February 11 with some appointments on Wednesday, February 12. Finally, there will be a reception on Tuesday, February 11 at 5:30 PM in one of the Senate ballrooms where we invite our entire Congressional delegation.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>. The deadline for making hotel reservations with the Holiday Inn Capitol is Wednesday, January 8, 2020, and although I know most of you are busy as we are in the holiday season, the hotel would certainly appreciate getting your reservations as early as possible to ensure that you secure your reservation.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText><o:p> </o:p></p><p style='mso-margin-top-alt:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:15.0pt;margin-left:0in;background:white'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black'>Please reserve your room at the Holiday Inn Washington-Capitol (550 C Street, SW Washington, DC 20024) by Wednesday, January 8, 2020.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style='mso-margin-top-alt:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:15.0pt;margin-left:0in;background:white;box-sizing: border-box;font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;text-align:start;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black'>Check in at our booking rate begins Friday, February 7, 2020 with a check out by Thursday, February 13, 2020.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style='mso-margin-top-alt:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:15.0pt;margin-left:0in;background:white;box-sizing: border-box;font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;text-align:start;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black'>Our booking rate is $198 per night. This rate does not include DC sales tax, currently 14.95 percent.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style='mso-margin-top-alt:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:15.0pt;margin-left:0in;background:white;box-sizing: border-box;font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;text-align:start;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black'>You can <a href="https://www.holidayinn.com/redirect?path=rates&brandCode=HI&localeCode=en®ionCode=1&hotelCode=wassm&checkInDate=06&checkInMonthYear=012020&checkOutDate=15&checkOutMonthYear=012020&_PMID=99801505&GPC=N2F&cn=no&viewfullsite=true" target="_blank"><span style='color:#005AA3'>begin booking reservations online by using this link to the Holiday Inn Washington-Capitol website that includes our booking code</span></a>. You can also make reservations by calling 1-877-572-6951 and referencing booking code N2F.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style='mso-margin-top-alt:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:15.0pt;margin-left:0in;background:white;box-sizing: border-box;font-variant-ligatures: normal;font-variant-caps: normal;orphans: 2;text-align:start;widows: 2;-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;text-decoration-style: initial;text-decoration-color: initial;word-spacing:0px'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black'>Credit card information will be needed at the time of your reservation. The individual cancellation policy is seventy-two hours prior to the date of arrival to avoid a one night's room plus tax cancellation charge on the credit card provided. If your departure date changes, you must inform the hotel seventy-two hours in advance of your departure to avoid a $100 fee.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoPlainText><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>A few members of the Northern Virginia chapters may have a guest room available for those who would consider this approach. You will need to be extremely self-sufficient to make this model work and requests should be submitted to me by January 17. Please contact me and I can see what can be done to accommodate your request.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>Last year, we had a record number of Virginians attending! Please encourage all your chapter members, friends, and acquaintances to attend so we can show Congress that blind Virginians are committed to our important issues!<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>Our national web site will be updated with details on Washington Seminar as they become available.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText><a href="https://www.nfb.org/programs-services/advocacy/washington-seminar">https://www.nfb.org/programs-services/advocacy/washington-seminar</a><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>If you have any questions or concerns, you may contact me, your co-legislative director, at <a href="mailto:deepa.goraya@gmail.com">deepa.goraya@gmail.com</a> <<a href="mailto:deepa.goraya@gmail.com">mailto:deepa.goraya@gmail.com</a>> or call me at 9099643699.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>Financial Assistance for the 2020 Washington Seminar<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>By tracy Soforenko, President<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:12.0pt'>From Every year, the affiliate president will receive a few requests for Washington Seminar assistance from affiliate members. I am putting some ground rules in place to help clarify expectations.<br><br>If you are planning to request assistance, please send your request to me in email. Your request should factor in the following:<br><br>A. What are my total expected costs:<br><br>What should I expect to pay for Washington Seminar factoring in expected costs for travel, lodging, meals, and other expenses? I have no idea how much it costs to get from your home to Washington DC and the Holiday Inn Capitol. You need to do the research. Many people choose to share rooms and you will start seeing roommate requests posted to our announce list starting soon. Please be aware that the deadline for hotel reservations at the Holiday Inn Capitol is Wednesday, January 8, so act fast <br><br>B. What can I afford myself<br><br>No one will be going to Washington Seminar for free. Individuals requesting financial assistance should expect to make a contribution to your Washington Seminar expenses. You should be factoring in this expense into your budget.<br><br>C. What is my chapter or division contributing?<br><br>Your chapter is a resource for financial assistance. Do not come to the Virginia Affiliate requesting financial assistance if you have not asked your local chapter. I will be following up with chapter presidents to understand how you are contributing at the chapter level to programming and fundraising. If you are receiving funding from a division such as NABS or VABS, please also factor that into your request. <br><br>D. How much are you requesting from the affiliate <br><br>After considering other sources, how much are you requesting from the Virginia affiliate. Please note that we do not provide funding in advance.<br>Mark Roane will provide funding at Washington Seminar, but you need to work locally to get your travel and room expenses addressed. You should expect to attend the Great Gathering In on Monday, February 10 from 5:00 PM to 7:00 Pm. I expect that most of our Congressional appointments will be conducted on Tuesday, February 11 with some appointments on Wednesday, February 12. It is not Mark's job to hunt you down at Washington Seminar and it is not Mark's job to provide you funds as you walk into the hotel. <br><br><br>Speaking of selling, fundraising is the means through which we have the resources to provide financial assistance. When I talk to your chapter president, I am checking to determine if you are engaged in the chapter and affiliate fundraising. This year, I am hoping that we can have some people selling NFB Membership Coin holders at Washington Seminar. <br><br><br>We are asking that requests are submitted no later than Friday, January 17, 2020. You should be planning, booking your hotel room and taking advantage of early transportation discounts. <br><br><br>We want to have a strong showing in Washington and we hope this guidance clarifies the process. However, if you have questions, I am glad to address them.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Tracy Soforenko<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>President, National Federation of the Blind of Virginia<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>202 285-4595<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><a href="mailto:Tracy.soforenko@gmail.com">Tracy.soforenko@gmail.com</a><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><a href="http://www.nfb.org">www.nfb.org</a><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><a href="http://www.nfbv.org">www.nfbv.org</a><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>National Federation of the Blind. Live the Life You Want<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>The National Federation of the Blind is a community of members and friends who believe in the hopes and dreams of the nation’s blind. Every day we work together to help blind people live the lives they want.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div></body></html>