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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 style='mso-ligatures:none'>Anil Lewis is our national representative and a great friend. He is eager to meet you at our NFB of Virginia Convention, October 31 – November 3.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='mso-ligatures:none'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='mso-ligatures:none'>Here is a brief bio:<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='mso-ligatures:none'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#242424;background:white'>Anil Lewis, blind at age 25 due to retinitis pigmentosa, is</span><span style='color:black;border:none windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in;background:white'> the executive director for Blindness Initiatives for the National Federation of the Blind, located in Baltimore, Maryland. He </span><span style='color:#242424;background:white'>has <span style='border:none windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in'>been employed as a Braille and assistive technology instructor, a job development/placement specialist, </span>developed and managed a job placement program for people with disabilities as the manager of the Disability Employment Initiative with Randstad Staffing, worked for the Georgia Client Assistance Program (CAP) as a counselor/advocate, and joined the national staff of the National Federation of the Blind in 2010. While serving as the director of Advocacy and Policy for the NFB, Lewis was responsible for a variety of public policy and strategic programs. Most notably, he was the legislative lead of the NFB’s efforts to repeal Section 14(c) of the Fair Labor Standards Act, an obsolete provision that allows employers to pay workers with disabilities less than the federal minimum wage. Currently employed as the executive director of Blindness Initiatives for the National Federation of the Blind, Lewis leads a dynamic team of individuals responsible for the creation, development, implementation, and replication of innovative projects and programs throughout a nationwide network of affiliates that work to positively affect the education, employment, and quality of life of all blind people. <span style='border:none windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in'>Lewis has dedicated his life to serving as an advocate and mentor to achieve equality, opportunity, and security for all people with disabilities. He was appointed by governor Barnes as a board member and served as president of the Statewide Independent Living Council (SILC) of Georgia, </span>elected president of the National Federation of the Blind of Georgia, <span style='border:none windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in'>served as the founding chairman of the board of directors of the Disability Law and Policy Center (DLPC) of Georgia, </span>elected to the NFB national board of directors, <span style='border:none windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in'>appointed by governor Hogan as a board member and served as chairperson of the Maryland Statewide Rehabilitation Council, served as a board member of the American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD), and appointed by President Obama as a member of the Committee for Purchase from People Who are Blind or Severely Disabled, known as the U.S. AbilityOne Commission.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Anil is warm, genuine, and fun. I consider him a friend and we are eager to have you meet this rock star in our movement.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Please make your plans to join us in Portsmouth.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Details on the convention can be found at:<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><a href="https://nfbv.org/convention"><span style='color:windowtext;text-decoration:none'>https://nfbv.org/convention</span></a><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:1.0in'><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='mso-ligatures:none'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='mso-ligatures:none'>We look forward to being with you in Portsmouth.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='mso-ligatures:none'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='mso-ligatures:none'> Tracy Soforenko<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='mso-ligatures:none'>President, National Federation of the Blind of Virginia<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='mso-ligatures:none'>202 285-4595<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='mso-ligatures:none'><a href="mailto:Tracy.soforenko@gmail.com"><span style='color:#0563C1'>Tracy.soforenko@gmail.com</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='mso-ligatures:none'><a href="http://www.nfb.org"><span style='color:#0563C1'>www.nfb.org</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='mso-ligatures:none'><a href="http://www.nfbv.org"><span style='color:#0563C1'>www.nfbv.org</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='mso-ligatures:none'>National Federation of the Blind. Live the Life You Want<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='mso-ligatures:none'>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>