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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><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Please find below and attached our 2026 fact sheet<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Some of you will receive this message twice since I have blind carbon copied Richmond Seminar registrants.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN style='font-size:11.0pt'> </span><!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shapetype id="_x0000_t75" coordsize="21600,21600" o:spt="75" o:preferrelative="t" path="m@4@5l@4@11@9@11@9@5xe" filled="f" stroked="f">
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</v:shapetype><v:shape id="_x0000_s1028" type="#_x0000_t75" alt="Tracy Soforenko, President 1511 North Jackson Street Arlington, VA 22201 202-285-4595 tracy.soforenko@gmail.com " style='position:absolute;margin-left:306.25pt;margin-top:-35.75pt;width:204.25pt;height:81.4pt;z-index:251659264;visibility:visible;mso-width-percent:0;mso-height-percent:0;mso-wrap-distance-left:9pt;mso-wrap-distance-top:0;mso-wrap-distance-right:9pt;mso-wrap-distance-bottom:0;mso-position-horizontal:absolute;mso-position-horizontal-relative:text;mso-position-vertical:absolute;mso-position-vertical-relative:text;mso-width-percent:0;mso-height-percent:0;mso-width-relative:page;mso-height-relative:page'>
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</v:shape><![endif]--><![if !vml]><span style='mso-ignore:vglayout;position:relative;z-index:251661312'><span style='position:absolute;left:8px;top:-53px;width:324px;height:138px'><img width=259 height=110 style='width:2.7in;height:1.15in' src="cid:image007.jpg@01DC8733.9EB38800" v:shapes="Picture_x0020_4"></span></span><![endif]><span lang=EN style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span lang=EN style='font-size:11.0pt'>2026 LEGISLATIVE PRIORITIES FROM THE BLIND OF VIRGINIA</span></b><span lang=EN style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span lang=EN style='font-size:11.0pt'>Priority 1: Enable Use of Autonomous Vehicles in Virginia<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span lang=EN style='font-size:11.0pt'>Action: Co-Sponsor H.B. 1125 (Del. Reid) </span></b><span lang=EN style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><a name="_heading=h.997e54afwcmv"></a><b><u><span lang=EN style='font-size:11.0pt'>Issue</span></u></b><span lang=EN style='font-size:11.0pt'>: Blind people who wish to travel independently throughout their communities face limited transportation options. Many rely on rideshare services such as Lyft and Uber, yet discrimination against blind and low-vision riders, especially those who use service dogs, is widespread. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><a name="_heading=h.47sdpi66hb1"></a><span lang=EN style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><a name="_heading=h.rjuoicp890o2"></a><span lang=EN style='font-size:11.0pt'>Nearly 100% of guide dog users and more than 50% of blind cane users report being <b>denied rides because of their </b><w:Sdt SdtTag="goog_rdk_0" ID="-816079286"></w:Sdt><w:Sdt SdtTag="goog_rdk_1" ID="-103220986"></w:Sdt><w:Sdt SdtTag="goog_rdk_2" ID="-1045245423"></w:Sdt><b>blindness or service dog use</b>, often multiple times in a single week.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span lang=EN style='font-size:11.0pt'>Fully autonomous vehicle technology offers a promising solution.</span></b><span lang=EN style='font-size:11.0pt'> These vehicles operate without a human driver, using artificial intelligence, specialized software, and sensors—including cameras, radar, and infrared lasers—to safely navigate their surroundings. Twenty-five states have already passed legislation allowing for the testing or commercial operation of autonomous vehicles. Today, these vehicles are operating in cities nationwide, including San Francisco, Los Angeles, Phoenix, Atlanta, and Austin, with additional deployments underway in San Diego, Las Vegas, Baltimore, Washington, D.C., and Detroit. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN style='font-size:11.0pt'>In these cities, blind people can summon an autonomous vehicle as easily as ordering a rideshare, without fear of discrimination, and many blind individuals are already doing so. Autonomous vehicle service is not yet available in Virginia.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><u><span lang=EN style='font-size:11.0pt'>Solution</span></u></b><span lang=EN style='font-size:11.0pt'>: HB 1125 would permit commercial operation of autonomous vehicles in Virginia. Because these vehicles do not require a human driver, they eliminate a key source of discrimination and provide blind and low-vision individuals, as well as people with other disabilities, with equal, independent access to transportation.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN style='font-size:11.0pt'>The National Federation of the Blind has been working closely with autonomous vehicle developers to ensure nonvisual accessibility as this technology is designed and deployed. Allowing autonomous vehicles in <w:Sdt SdtTag="goog_rdk_3" ID="-615650930"></w:Sdt>Virginia would expand transportation options, support economic participation, and position the Commonwealth to benefit from innovation that is already improving access and mobility across the country.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span lang=EN style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span lang=EN style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p><b><span lang=EN style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Aptos",sans-serif;mso-fareast-language:EN-US'><br clear=all style='page-break-before:always'></span></b><p class=MsoNormal><b><span lang=EN style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span lang=EN style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span lang=EN style='font-size:11.0pt'>Priority 2: Electronic Ballot Return for Uniformed & Overseas Citizens and People with Print Disabilities<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span lang=EN style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span lang=EN style='font-size:11.0pt'>Action: Co-Sponsor H.B. 493 (Del. Hope)</span></b><span lang=EN style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><u><span lang=EN style='font-size:11.0pt'>Issue</span></u></b><b><span lang=EN style='font-size:11.0pt'>:</span></b><span lang=EN style='font-size:11.0pt'> Blind and low-vision Virginians can mark absentee ballots using the same accessible ballot-marking tools available to Uniformed and Overseas Citizens. These tools are compatible with screen reader software, enabling voters to complete their ballots independently. However, once the ballot is marked, it must still be printed, mailed to the registrar, and manually transcribed onto an official ballot for tabulation. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN style='font-size:11.0pt'>For many blind voters, <b>this process creates a significant barrier. </b>Many blind people do not own or use printers, and printing and mailing ballots often requires outside assistance, compromising both accessibility and privacy. Uniformed and Overseas Citizens face similar challenges due to distance and mail reliability.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><u><span lang=EN style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p><span style='text-decoration:none'> </span></o:p></span></u></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><u><span lang=EN style='font-size:11.0pt'>Solution</span></u></b><span lang=EN style='font-size:11.0pt'>: H.B. 493 enables Uniformed and Overseas Citizens, as well as voters with print disabilities with the option to <b>return their ballots electronically</b>. These ballots would be printed at the registrar’s office, transcribed onto official ballots, and scanned alongside all other ballots.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN style='font-size:11.0pt'>Thirteen states currently allow electronic ballot return with <b>no reported problems. <o:p></o:p></b></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span lang=EN style='font-size:11.0pt'>ABOUT THE NATIONAL FEDERATION OF THE BLIND</span></b><span lang=EN style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN style='font-size:11.0pt'>The National Federation of the Blind is America’s largest and most active organization of blind people. With tens of thousands of members nationwide, we are not an “agency” claiming to speak for the blind; we are blind people speaking for ourselves. In Virginia, we are organized into 11 local chapters throughout the Commonwealth, and into various special interest divisions.<u><o:p></o:p></u></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;mso-ligatures:none'>Tracy Soforenko<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;mso-ligatures:none'>President, National Federation of the Blind of Virginia<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;mso-ligatures:none'>202 285-4595<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;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='font-size:11.0pt;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='font-size:11.0pt;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='font-size:11.0pt;mso-ligatures:none'>National Federation of the Blind. Live the Life You Want<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;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>