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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'>Hello my emails have been sent.<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'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><div><p class=MsoNormal>Richard Payne, President <span style='font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif;color:black'>National Federation of the Blind of Ohio<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif;color:black'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif;color:black'>937/829/3368<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif;color:black'><a href="mailto:Rchpay7@gmail.com"><span style='color:#467886'>Rchpay7@gmail.com</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:black;background:white'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:black;background:white'><a href="http://www.nfbohio.org/"><span style='color:#467886'>www.nfbohio.org</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:black;background:white'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:black;background:white'>The National Federation of the Blind advances the lives of its members and all blind people in the United States. We know that blindness is not the characteristic that defines you or your future. Every day we raise the expectations of blind people, because low expectations create obstacles between blind people and our dreams. Our collective power, determination, and diversity achieve the aspirations of all blind people.<o:p></o:p></span></p></div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><div><div style='border:none;border-top:solid #E1E1E1 1.0pt;padding:3.0pt 0in 0in 0in'><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;mso-ligatures:none'>From:</span></b><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;mso-ligatures:none'> Ohio-Communities-of-Faith <ohio-communities-of-faith-bounces@nfbnet.org> <b>On Behalf Of </b>Suzanne Turner via Ohio-Communities-of-Faith<br><b>Sent:</b> Thursday, June 19, 2025 12:47 PM<br><b>To:</b> smturner.234@gmail.com<br><b>Cc:</b> smturner.234@gmail.com<br><b>Subject:</b> [Ohio-Communities-of-Faith] URGENT - Call to action!<o:p></o:p></span></p></div></div><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Good Noon Day, Ohio,<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'>The DeafBlind community are in need of your support asap.<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'>Here is a message from Terry who sits on the Helen Keller Board.<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'>Please follow his lead today.<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'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:20.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Terry to the group:<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:20.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'> The Senate passed the Omnibus bill and now, it goes to the Conference Committee, who will “harmonize” both versions of the budget bill (senate version and House version). As you all know, the Senate version includes $200,000 per year, for the 2026-2027 biannual budget. The Conference Committee is currently made up of 4 Republicans and 2 Democrats.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:20.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'> I asked Brittanie to provide me with the names of the members of the Conference Committee and she has provided that to me. In the meantime, Brittanie and Julia has helped draft a quick letter that we can send to the members of the Conference Committee. Below is the names and email addresses of the committee members and the sample letter that you can modify to your liking and send. Being that the Conference Committee is meeting right now, I strongly encourage you to act on this request today, if at all possible.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:20.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:20.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Senator Chavez: <a href="mailto:chavez@ohiosenate.gov">chavez@ohiosenate.gov</a><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:20.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Senator Cirino: <a href="mailto:cirino@ohiosenate.gov">cirino@ohiosenate.gov</a><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:20.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Senator Hicks-Hudson: <a href="mailto:hicks-hudson@ohiosenate.gov">hicks-hudson@ohiosenate.gov</a><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:20.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Rep. Stewart: <a href="mailto:Rep12@ohiohouse.gov">Rep12@ohiohouse.gov</a><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:20.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Rep. Dovila: <a href="mailto:Rep17@ohiohouse.gov">Rep17@ohiohouse.gov</a><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:20.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Rep. Sweeney: <a href="mailto:Rep16@ohiohouse.gov">Rep16@ohiohouse.gov</a><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:20.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:20.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Sample letter:<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:20.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:20.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Dear Honorable [fill in name of member],<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:20.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>On behalf of the DeafBlind community, we respectfully submit this letter for your consideration. We deeply appreciate the dedication of legislators in securing funding for the SSP/CN Program for DeafBlind Ohioans. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:20.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Support Service Providers (SSP’s) are specially trained in mobility guiding and communication facilitation, equipping DeafBlind Ohioans with essential visual and environmental information to make informed life decisions. Their work ensures that people who are DeafBlind have safe, reliable<i> </i>access to their communities while maintaining independence in daily activities.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:20.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Over the past two years, the SSP Pilot Program has proven a tremendous success by significantly improved the quality of life of DeafBlind Ohioans. Continued funding will reduce isolation, mitigate associated challenges, and allow engagement in life. The growing waiting list highlights the increasing demand for these services. We urge that funding for the program (GRF 415515 DeafBlind Fund) remain at its Senate-passed level of $200,000 for FY26 and $200,000 for FY27. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:20.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>We sincerely appreciate your consideration, and we welcome any questions.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:20.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:20.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Sincerely,<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:20.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>[Your name]<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:20.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>[Your email address]<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:20.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:20.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:20.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>EOM<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:20.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:20.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p></div></body></html>