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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link="#467886" vlink="#96607D" style='word-wrap:break-word'><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal>Why learn Braille if I can still read print? Why pick up a cane when I can just pick up and go? And perhaps the most important question: Why be blind when I can still see? It’s a persistent gray area that makes us feel like we don’t belong in either world.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Project RISE Presents: Too Blind to Leave, Too Sighted to Stay<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>In October we kicked off our virtual series with learning all about assistive technology that could help us be more productive at school and how to advocate for it. This month we’re taking a step back and acknowledging that in order for assistive technology, reasonable accommodations, and accessibility to make sense, we have to recognize these items apply to us at all.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>If you are a blind or low vision high school or college student, please join us for an evening of personal stories from seasoned blind professionals who went from seeing everything to losing it all. Also learn from young adults who are still navigating this space, because as you may suspect, you are not alone.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Accepting your blindness is a huge leap. No positive philosophy in the world is going to make you feel better about it overnight, but perhaps, by creating a safe space where you can share your experiences and ask questions, you might learn to come to terms and start to learn ways to genuinely advocate for what you need. For this hour, you don’t have to pretend. You can be yourself. You just might learn a few things about yourself and come away from the discussion with a more solid foot, not as a member of any one community, but rather, as an informed participant of the world at large, however you choose to shape it.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Date: Wednesday, December 18<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Time: 8:00 PM - 9:00 PM Eastern<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Format: Virtual, Zoom details will be provided after registration.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>The way you think about blindness affects everything, including the way others treat your blindness. Acceptance doesn't mean giving up. It just means opening yourself to new possibilities and ways of doing things and creating your new normal. Think of blindness skills like learning a new language. The sooner you embrace them, the more fluent you become. Whether it's Braille, screen readers, or mobility techniques—these aren't just tools, they're your bridge to independence.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>But, maybe you’re not ready to hear that?<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>That’s okay. As counterintuitive as this may sound, this means you’re the perfect candidate for this dynamic discussion, no matter your sight acuity.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Are you at least a little curious? Good. Please register below. We can’t wait to talk to you soon. Please tell fellow students about it!<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><a href="https://nfbv.org/rsvp"><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>https://nfbv.org/rsvp</span></a><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Yours in service,<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Joe Orozco, Program Coordinator<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Project RISE <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div></body></html>