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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link="#0563C1" vlink="#954F72"><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal>Hi Virginia Federationists,<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>We need your assistance to protect the education of blind and disabled students in Virginia and across the country.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Congress is acting fast to implement COVID-19 legislation and there is an amendment (the Alexander IDEA amendment) we oppose that would allow states to waive the requirements to provide an appropriate education for disabled students under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>We are asking you to send 2 email messages this weekend to the Education staffer for each of our US Senators from Virginia.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;color:black'>The education contact for Senator Kaine is Karishma Merchant. Her email is <a href="mailto:karishma_merchant@kaine.senate.gov"><span style='font-size:11.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#00B9E4;background:white'>karishma_merchant@kaine.senate.gov</span></a>. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;color:black'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;color:black'>The education contact for Senator Warner is Lauren Marshall. Her email is <a href="mailto:lauren_marshall@warner.senate.gov"><span style='font-size:11.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#00B9E4;background:white'>lauren_marshall@warner.senate.gov</span></a>. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;color:black'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal>We are asking you to draft a message using the below text but rework it with your details including your name, city, and other details relevant to you.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Please carbon copy our National Staffer responsible for this issue on any message.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black'>Stephanie Flynt at <a href="mailto:sflynt@nfb.org"><span style='color:#005AA3'>sflynt@nfb.org</span></a></span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>If you have questions, please feel free to contact me.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Sample email to rework is below:<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><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'>"Hello, my name is [your name] and I am a constituent of [your senator]. I live in [city, state]. I am calling to urge [your senator] to advocate against any legislation that could undermine the rights of people with disabilities. While the COVID-19 outbreak has placed a tremendous and unprecedented strain on schools and districts, it is imperative that we work together to find solutions that allow children to receive equal access to an education and the services that support them without undoing all of their civil and educational rights. I am writing as a concerned (parent, teacher, blind person, etc.) to urge you to reject any provision that would negatively impact the civil rights of people with disabilities. Please support your constituents with disabilities in achieving equality, opportunity, and security during this critical time in America.</span><o:p></o:p></p><p style='mso-margin-top-alt:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:15.0pt;margin-left:0in;background:white;box-sizing: border-box'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black'>Sincerely,</span><o:p></o:p></p><p style='mso-margin-top-alt:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:15.0pt;margin-left:0in;background:white;box-sizing: border-box'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black'>(Your Name)”</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='box-sizing: border-box'><o:p> </o:p></p></div></body></html>