<html><head><meta http-equiv="content-type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"></head><body dir="auto"><div dir="ltr"><meta http-equiv="content-type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"><br><blockquote type="cite"><div dir="ltr"><div class="WordSection1"><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">From Tracy Soforenko, President, National Federation of the Blind of Virginia<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="NotebookText">Every year the National Federation of the Blind conducts a concentrated and focused set of meetings to educate members of Congress about issues affecting blind Americans. This event is referred to as the Washington Seminar. The 2021 Washington Seminar will be virtual. The Great Gathering-In will still be Monday, February 8, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. eastern. Our Virginia appointments will be scheduled either Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday, February 9, 10, or 11.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="NotebookText">We will be announcing our issues sometime during the month of December and will be distributing our fact sheets in early January. We will also be conducting extensive training during that month.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="NotebookText">It’s too early to begin scheduling our Congressional meetings—most offices will not want to begin scheduling meetings for 2021 until January, but our affiliate will begin thinking about how we can maximize constituent participation, especially in House meetings. This virtual model creates great opportunities to have more people attend and participate in our legislative action in Congress.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="NotebookText">If you are uncertain who your representative is, please look it up at <a href="https://www.house.gov/representatives/find-your-representative">https://www.house.gov/representatives/find-your-representative</a>.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="NotebookText">In the meantime, we still want to build cosponsor support for each of our seven bills. Doing so will help us when we restart in 2021 or may even help get them passed during one of the few remaining times Congress will be in session this year, so watch for upcoming legislative alerts.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">With Congress currently closed for in-person appointments, it is outstanding that our national advocacy team has provided this direction so we can plan in advance and make the 2021 Washington Seminar our largest and most successful. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">If you have questions, do not hesitate to contact me.<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"><span style="color:#0563C1">Tracy.soforenko@gmail.com</span></a><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://www.nfb.org"><span style="color:#0563C1">www.nfb.org</span></a><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://www.nfbv.org"><span style="color:#0563C1">www.nfbv.org</span></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></div></blockquote><style><!--
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