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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><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Hey NFB Family and Friends,<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Smile! If you’re feeling frustrated, stressed, or down in any way, SMILE! Take at least four deep breaths and put a smile on your face. Your mood will improve and you will make a difference for anyone who sees you. I mean, how can you be grumpy when you’re facing someone who has a big grin on their face?!<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Kudos Corner…<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Stand up and raise your glasses to two intelligent, thoughtful women making a difference in our world…Annette Carr and Arielle Silverman!! Read on to see what I mean and give a call, text, or email to Annette and Arielle give them your love and congratulations! Way to go ladies!<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>On October 12-14, 2021 the annual Federal InterAgency Accessibility Forum (IAAF) took place. Annette Carr, President of the Fairfax Chapter of the NFB of Virginia and Disability Program Manager for the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), was the lead on pulling together an all-star panel of subject matter experts in the employment of people with disabilities in the Federal government. Carr was joined by the Section 508 Coordinators from the Center for Disease Control (CDC) and Internal Revenue Service (IRS), and the National Disability Program Manager for the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to discuss the importance of forming partnerships across departments within and across Federal agencies, as well as with community partners to achieve successful employment outcomes for people with disabilities. Panelist shared their successes and challenges, and tips for networking to foster and maintain these partnerships.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Carr’s brainstorm for this panel presentation was in response to Executive Order 14035 Diversity-Equity-Inclusion-Accessibility in the Federal Workplace signed by President Biden in June of this year. This Executive Order highlights the importance of integrating accessibility into all aspects of the Federal government culture. The timeliness of this presentation was well received by IAAF organizers and attendees, and did not go unnoticed by the news media including such sources as the Federal News Network Morning Report for Thursday October 14. A copy of the article where Carr was quoted several times can be found at URL:<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><a href="https://federalnewsnetwork.com/management/2021/10/for-federal-accessibility-managers-addition-of-the-a-in-new-deia-initiative-is-a-welcome-change/">https://federalnewsnetwork.com/management/2021/10/for-federal-accessibility-managers-addition-of-the-a-in-new-deia-initiative-is-a-welcome-change/</a><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Bookman Old Style",serif'>The Greater Alexandria Chapter is on the watch! What are we watching for, you ask? <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Bookman Old Style",serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Bookman Old Style",serif'>We are watching for the release of a new and very important book written by our very own Arielle Silverman! <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Bookman Old Style",serif'>This is even more exciting than watching for Santa's sleigh!!<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Bookman Old Style",serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Bookman Old Style",serif'>This event is happening Monday, November 15, 2021 at 8:00 p.m on ZOOM!<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Bookman Old Style",serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Bookman Old Style",serif'>ZOOM Link: <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Bookman Old Style",serif'><a href="%20">https://zoom.us/j/6025022255</a> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Bookman Old Style",serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Bookman Old Style",serif'>Or dial by phone: 646-558-8656, 6025022255#<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Bookman Old Style",serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Bookman Old Style",serif'>We really hope you will all join us on our watch! We are so proud and excited for our Arielle and we hope you will all be with us to cheer her on!<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Bookman Old Style",serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Bookman Old Style",serif'>Remember...8 :00 p.m.! See you there!<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Bookman Old Style",serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:7.5pt;font-family:"Helvetica Neue"'>Renee F. Valdez, M.A.</span></b><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:7.5pt;font-family:"Helvetica Neue"'>Secretary/Treasurer, National Federation of the Blind, </span></b><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:7.5pt;font-family:"Helvetica Neue"'>Greater Alexandria Chapter</span></b><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:7.5pt;font-family:"Helvetica Neue"'>Co-Chair, National Federation of the Bilind of Virginia, </span></b><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:7.5pt;font-family:"Helvetica Neue"'>Fundraising Committee</span></b><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoPlainText><b><span style='font-size:7.5pt;font-family:"Helvetica Neue"'>Vice President, Northern VA Regional Local Human Rights Committee</span></b><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>Just Human: The Quest for Disability Wisdom, Respect, and Inclusion<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>About the book:<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>Born without sight, Dr. Arielle Silverman has never missed the visual. Being blind never bothered her much but, as she grew, she discovered others saw her blindness very differently. Many people saw her as either helpless or inspirational, but rarely did they see her as just human, with the same capacities and desires as her peers.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>Arielle has spent a lifetime exploring ways to foster respect and inclusion, not only for blind people like her, but for all of us whose bodies or minds differ from the norm.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>In Just Human, she reflects on her formative years and presents unique anecdotes from her life that carry teachable moments for all of us. She recalls the feel of her mother's embrace, the smell of her grandparents' brisket, the inner sensations of a preteen crush, the music on her wedding day, and scholarly lessons from her dissertation research. Her words paint pictures from her mind's eye: a vision of a world where we can radically accept ourselves and our fellow humans, while at the same time work to change systems of inequality. As she writes of the past and the present, Arielle looks toward the future, considering how we can build a more inclusive world for those who come after us.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>...........<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>"Just Human will inspire you... Not in the feel-good way some stories do, staying at the surface level of the lives of people with disabilities. Instead, Arielle's memoir immerses you into the real-life reflections of a blind woman, from birth to adulthood. At times heartbreaking and at other times light-hearted, her narrative cloth methodically weaves in threads of disability history, theory, and wisdom. This vast compilation of experience, research, and applicable strategies has the potential to heal age-old misconceptions and stereotypes that perpetuate barriers to inclusion and equality. Arielle has done much of the work for us. Now we must be willing to dive below the surface to listen, human to human."<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>-Sarah Mason, mother of a blind daughter, and educator of blind children and youth<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>Contact Arielle at <a href="mailto:Arielle@DisabilityWisdom.com">Arielle@DisabilityWisdom.com</a> for information on purchasing the book. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Spotlight On…<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Please join the Greater Williamsburg Chapter as we welcome Sandy Halverson, 1<sup>st</sup> Vice President, to our meeting on November15th. Sandy will be talking about our newest program, Silver Bells. We meet at the Center Street Grill in Williamsburg, at 6 PM. Looking forward to seeing you in person or on our Affiliate Zoom.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Everyone Should Have a Braille Buddy<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Pour your coffee<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Pour your tea<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Find some paper<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Get ready to key<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Where's my stylus?<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Where's my slate?<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>I'll need them with me<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>For my Braille Buddy date<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Come one, come all<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Don't be shy<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Braille is brilliant<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Like stars in the sky<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Come join us for some light hearted conversation every Tuesday Evening, starting December 7<sup>th</sup>, 7 PM, EST on our Affiliate Zoom (see below for link). Bring your questions and join us to make new friends. Any level of experience with Braille is welcome. Come have a few laughs and learn from your friends.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Many of our Chapters are meeting in person, please check the Chapter Meetings section to join in a meeting. All meetings are open to the public. Chapters and Divisions are using the Affiliate Zoom link, if a meeting is using an alternate platform, the phone number or instructions to join will follow the meeting name. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><a name="_Hlk81826064">Here’s how to join:<o:p></o:p></a></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:12.0pt'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk81826064'>Zoom Link </span><a href="https://zoom.us/j/8297256345?pwd=SFAyamlQNU44ZTJ6dUZNMTV4RmhCQT09"><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk81826064'>https://zoom.us/j/8297256345?pwd=SFAyamlQNU44ZTJ6dUZNMTV4RmhCQT09</span><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk81826064'></span></a><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk81826064'><br><br><br><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk81826064'>One tap mobile<br><a name="_Hlk50492302"></a></span><a href="tel:%20+13017158592,,8297256345"><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk81826064'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk50492302'>tel: +13017158592,,8297256345# </span></span><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk81826064'><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk50492302'></span></span></a><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk50492302'></span><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk81826064'><br>Telephone Dial: 1 (301) 715-8592<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk81826064'>Meeting ID: 829 725 6345# <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk81826064'> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk81826064'>If needed the password is 20201940<o:p></o:p></span></p><p><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk81826064'> </span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Chapter and Division Meetings…<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> <span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif'> </span> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Greater Williamsburg, Monday, November 15, 6 pm. Center Street Grill, <u>5101 Center Street, Williamsburg,23188</u>.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto'> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Fairfax, Thursday, November 18th, 7 pm<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto'> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto'>Winchester, Saturday, November 20<sup>th</sup>, 10am. Solenberger’s True Value Hardware, 832 Berryville Avenue, Winchester, 22601. Call in number is 978-990-5395. The meeting id number is 1566808.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto'> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto'>Peninsula, Saturday, November 20<sup>th</sup> 11:00 am. Conference call number <u><span style='color:#0563C1'>605-475-4825</span></u> meeting id 549778<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto'> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto'>Prince William, Saturday, November 20th from 1 to 3pm at Bar Louie, address 15001 Potomac Town Place, Woodbridge, VA. There is also a conference call line to dial into: 605-313-5562, passcode 293383.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Tidewater, Saturday , November 20<sup>th</sup>, 2:00 PM (lunch <u>at 1:00 PM</u> ). Bangkok Gardens, <u>417 West 21<sup>st </sup>Street, Norfolk 23517</u>. : Zoom link: <a href="https://us02web.zoom.us/j/3661685508?pwd=a2RwY0o5TWVIa2xBbDBPSEJzL0l2QT09">https://us02web.zoom.us/j/3661685508?pwd=a2RwY0o5TWVIa2xBbDBPSEJzL0l2QT09</a>. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>One touch mobile <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> <a href="tel:+13017158592,,3661685508#,,,,*21211955">+13017158592,,3661685508#,,,,*21211955#</a>. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto'>Telephone Dial: 1 (301) 715-8592.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Meeting ID: 366 168 5508#<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Passcode: 21211955.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Seniors Division, Wednesday, November 24<sup>th</sup> 7:00 pm.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto'> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto'>Greater Alexandria, Thursday, November 25<sup>th</sup> 7:00 pm. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto'> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Chesapeake Bay, Saturday, November 27<sup>rd</sup> 11 AM. Gus and George’s Spaghetti and Steak House, <u>4312 Virginia Beach Blvd.</u>, Va. Beach, zip 23456. Conf. call phone num. <u><span style='color:#0563C1'>605 468 8758</span></u> and the access code is 197498.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto'> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Richmond, Monday, November 29<sup>th</sup> 6:30 PM.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>At Large, Tuesday, December 14th, 8 pm we will be having our Holiday Party Call! conference call number 877-394-5901, meeting i.d. <u><span style='color:#0563C1'>6149670</span></u><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Smile and think about all of the things in your life that are blessings. Family, the one you are born into and the ones you gather throughout your life, baby giggles, the smell of fresh coffee or bread, sunshine on your face, good friends, love, laughter, secrets and surprises, health, dark chocolate and wine, the ocean, pets, a fuzzy blanket, …I could go on for pages, so many, many things to be thankful for! Thank you!<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#222222'><br>Peace,<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:12.0pt'><span style='color:#222222'>Jacki Bruce<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:12.0pt'><span style='color:#222222'>Corresponding Secretary, National Federation of the Blind of Virginia<br><a href="mailto:jackibruce6@gmail.com" target="_blank"><span style='color:blue'>mailto:jackibruce6@gmail.com</span></a></span><span style='color:black'><br></span><span style='color:#222222'><a href="tel:(757)291-1789" target="_blank"><span style='color:blue'>tel:(757)291-1789</span></a></span><span style='color:black'><br></span><span style='color:#222222'><a href="http://www.nfb.org/" target="_blank"><span style='color:blue'>www.nfb.org</span></a></span><span style='color:black'><br></span><span style='color:#222222'><a href="http://www.nfbv.org/" target="_blank"><span style='color:blue'>www.nfbv.org</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:12.0pt'><span style='color:#222222'>Follow us on Twitter @NFBVirginia<br>Find us on Facebook @NationalFederationoftheBlindofVirginia<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:12.0pt'><span style='color:#222222'>Live the life you want.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#222222'>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></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div></body></html>