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--></style></head><body lang=EN-US link="#0563C1" vlink="#954F72" style='word-wrap:break-word'><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>From: NFB National Office<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><h3><b>NFB Scholarship Program:</b><o:p></o:p></h3><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.25in'><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>The National Federation of the Blind is accepting applications for the 2026 NFB Scholarship Program. We offer an array of scholarships to blind students to support their educational and professional goals.</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.25in'><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>In addition to the $10,000 cash award, each recipient receives funding to attend our national convention, opportunities to network with other blind students, and avenues to connect with hundreds of blind professionals.</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.25in'><a href="https://nfb.org/programs-services/scholarships-and-awards/scholarship-program"><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Apply for the 2026 scholarship program.</span></a><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'> The application deadline is March 31, 2026. Students may </span><a href="https://nfb.org/programs-services/scholarships-and-awards/scholarship-program/scholarship-program-faqs"><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>review the eligibility requirements, rules, and submission checklist for more information.</span></a><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'> </span><o:p></o:p></p><h3><b>2026 Jacobus tenBroek Disability Law Symposium:</b><o:p></o:p></h3><p class=MsoListParagraph style='line-height:115%'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>This year\u2019s Jacobus tenBroek Disability Law Symposium will take place March 26\u201327 at the National Federation of the Blind Jernigan Institute in Baltimore, Maryland. Our theme for 2026 is "Collaboration and Creativity: Addressing Challenges and Advancing Opportunities Now and in the Future." Attendees will experience interactive workshops and in-depth plenary sessions focused on intersectional representation in the disability rights community. Registration opens later this week. A hotel block is available at the Courtyard Baltimore Downtown McHenry Row (1803 Porter Street, Baltimore, MD 21230), with a room rate of $159, plus taxes and fees, per night. To reserve your room, call 443-853-9918 and mention the "National Federation of the Blind JTLS2026," or </span><a href="https://www.marriott.com/event-reservations/reservation-link.mi?id=1765306812041&key=GRP&app=resvlink&_branch_match_id=1302272576938599399&_branch_referrer=H4sIAAAAAAAAA8soKSkottLXTywo0MtNLCrKzC8p0UvOz9UvSi3OyczLtgdK2ALZZSCOWmaKraG5mamxgZmFoZGBiaFadmqlrXtQgFpdUWpaKlB3Xnp8UlF%2BeXFqka1zRlF%2BbioAWF4%2Bd2AAAAA%3D" target="_blank"><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>book online through the Marriott website</span></a><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>. The hotel block deadline is Wednesday, March 9, 2026. We will operate complimentary shuttles between the Courtyard and the NFB Jernigan Institute throughout the conference. To learn more about the symposium, visit </span><a href="https://nfb.org/programs-services/legal-program/jacobus-tenbroek-disability-law-symposium"><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Jacobus tenBroek Disability Law Symposium | National Federation of the Blind</span></a><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>. </span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'> </span><o:p></o:p></p><h3><b>Independence Market Specialized Product Support:</b><o:p></o:p></h3><p class=MsoListParagraph style='line-height:115%'><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Here at the National Federation of the Blind our Independence Market is committed to providing excellent customer service. That includes answering general questions about the products we offer to our members and customers, and while many items are familiar to our team, some specialized products may require customers to contact the manufacturer directly for detailed support. If this is the case, an Independence Market specialist is happy to assist with providing the appropriate contact information. To reach us, call 410-659-9314, then press 3, email us at <a href="mailto:independencemarket@nfb.org">independencemarket@nfb.org</a>, or you can browse the catalog and shop online on the NFB website at </span><a href="https://nfb.org/programs-services/independence-market"><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Independence Market</span></a><span style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>.</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'> </span><o:p></o:p></p><h3><b>NEW: Federal Lawsuit Challenging Army-Wide Waiver of Randolph-Sheppard Act:</b><o:p></o:p></h3><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.25in'><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>The National Federation of the Blind, the National Association of Blind Merchants, and several blind entrepreneurs have filed a federal lawsuit challenging the US Department of Education\u2019s approval of an Army\u2011wide waiver that eliminates the Randolph\u2011Sheppard Act priority for blind vendors operating dining facilities on Army installations. Filed in the District of Maryland, the suit argues that the Department of Education exceeded its authority, failed to follow required procedures, and relied on unsupported claims. This action threatens the livelihoods of blind vendors nationwide. Read the press release announcement at \u201c</span><a href="https://nfb.org/about-us/press-room/national-federation-blind-and-blind-entrepreneurs-file-federal-lawsuit"><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>National Federation of the Blind and Blind Entrepreneurs File Federal Lawsuit Challenging Army-Wide Waiver of Randolph-Sheppard Act</span></a>.\u201d<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'> </span><o:p></o:p></p><h3><b>Wednesday: Blindness Rehabilitation Panel:</b><o:p></o:p></h3><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.25in'><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>In recognition of Black History Month, the National Federation of the Blind National Organization of Blind Black Leaders Division will host a panel discussion featuring three Black Federationists who are succeeding in the field of blindness rehabilitation. Roland Allen, Monique Melton, and Jordan Moon will share their experiences and answer questions related to their work as rehabilitation specialists.</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.25in'><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>This event will be held on Wednesday, February 4, at 8:00 p.m., Eastern.</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.25in'><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Zoom link: </span><a href="https://nfb-org.zoom.us/j/8204086286?omn=96185224498%23success"><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>nfb-org.zoom.us/j/8204086286</span></a><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'> </span><o:p></o:p></p><h3><b>Thursday: Where the Blind Work Webinar:</b><o:p></o:p></h3><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.25in'><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Join the National Federation of the Blind for the \u201cWhere the Blind Work Webinar: Orientation and Mobility\u201d on February 5, 8:00\u20139:00 p.m. Eastern, via Zoom. This informative discussion will feature a panel of blind professionals sharing insights into their typical workdays, how they advocate for job accommodations, and the techniques they use to succeed at work. Our panelists are:</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.25in;mso-add-space:auto'><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Carley Mullen, NOMC, Cane Travel Instructor, Maryland</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.25in;mso-add-space:auto'><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Joni Martinez, NOMC, Blindness Skills Trainer, Admissions Coordinator, Texas</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.25in;mso-add-space:auto'><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Dezman Jackson, NOMC, Independent Contractor, Maryland</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.25in;mso-add-space:auto'><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'> </span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.25in'><a href="https://nfb.org/programs-services/employment/where-blind-work"><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Register for the Where the Blind Work Webinar.</span></a><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'> Registration closes February 5.</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'> </span><o:p></o:p></p><h3><b>Upcoming Webinar: Strengthen Your Emergency Readiness:</b><o:p></o:p></h3><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.25in'><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Be ready before disaster strikes. Join the National Federation of the Blind, the American Red Cross, and Operation HOPE for a webinar on February 11 at 2:00 p.m., Eastern, on emergency and financial preparedness. Learn strategies to stay safe, explore Red Cross tools and apps, and build financial resilience.</span><a href="https://nfb.org/programs-services/training-and-education/disaster-and-financial-preparedness-webinar"><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'> Register for the Disaster and Financial Preparedness Webinar.</span></a><o:p></o:p></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>Peace,<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Jacki Bruce<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><a href="mailto:jackibruce6@gmail.com">mailto:jackibruce6@gmail.com</a> or <a href="mailto:membership@nfbv.org">membership@nfbv.org</a> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><a href="tel:(757)291-1789">tel:(757)291-1789</a><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Find us on Facebook @NationalFederationoftheBlindofVirginia<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Find us on Instragram @nfbofvirginia<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Subscribe to our Youtube: NFB Virginia<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><a href="http://www.nfbv.org/">www.nfbv.org</a><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div></body></html>