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--></style></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'>Update on Program Challenges and Advocacy Efforts<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Impact on Blind Vendors<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>This is truly a serious setback for the program and for jobs supporting blind vendors in Ohio and around the world. It is essential that we remain diligent and committed to protecting these programs, as they are currently under attack. Many vendors will be adversely affected, and it is important for us to be prepared to collaborate with our national team to play our part in securing the protections we have established.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Randolph-Sheppard Program in Ohio<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>The Randolph-Sheppard program in Ohio will also be impacted, particularly because we have vendors operating on military locations. We must closely monitor developments in this area to ensure we are informed and responsive to any changes.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Local Advocacy Efforts<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>You may recall that we passed a resolution to protect vendors in Columbus. While the results are not perfect, it does seem that some progress has been made at this time. Annette and I have been working with Jessie from our national office, as well as the Merchants Division President, to communicate with the State Licensing Agency. We are committed to ensuring that everyone remains aligned and informed as we move forward.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Holiday Greetings<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>For now, please enjoy the holidays. If you do not hear from me before then, I wish you a happy New Year.<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:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='mso-ligatures:standardcontextual'>Richard Payne, President </span><span style='font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif;color:black;mso-ligatures:standardcontextual'>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;mso-ligatures:standardcontextual'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif;color:black;mso-ligatures:standardcontextual'>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;mso-ligatures:standardcontextual'><a href="mailto:Rchpay7@gmail.com">Rchpay7@gmail.com</a><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:black;background:white;mso-ligatures:standardcontextual'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:black;background:white;mso-ligatures:standardcontextual'><a href="http://www.nfbohio.org/">www.nfbohio.org</a><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:black;background:white;mso-ligatures:standardcontextual'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:13.5pt;color:black;background:white;mso-ligatures:standardcontextual'>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'>From:</span></b><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif'> Ohio-Talk <ohio-talk-bounces@nfbnet.org> <b>On Behalf Of </b>President Capital chapter via Ohio-Talk<br><b>Sent:</b> Tuesday, December 23, 2025 7:22 PM<br><b>To:</b> Ohio Talk <ohio-talk@nfbnet.org><br><b>Cc:</b> President Capital chapter <president.capital.nfboh@gmail.com><br><b>Subject:</b> [Ohio-Talk] Statement on Federal Notice Limiting Randolph-Sheppard Priority for Department of the Army Dining Facility Contracts | National Federation of the Blind<o:p></o:p></span></p></div></div><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><div><p class=MsoNormal><br><a href="https://nfb.org/about-us/press-room/statement-federal-notice-limiting-randolph-sheppard-priority-department-army">https://nfb.org/about-us/press-room/statement-federal-notice-limiting-randolph-sheppard-priority-department-army</a><o:p></o:p></p></div><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><div><p class=MsoNormal>Annette Lutz<o:p></o:p></p><div><p class=MsoNormal>President<o:p></o:p></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal>Capital Chapter of the National Federation of the Blind of Ohio<o:p></o:p></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal>614-288-4323<o:p></o:p></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><a href="mailto:President.capital.nfboh@gmail.com">President.capital.nfboh@gmail.com</a><o:p></o:p></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:13.0pt'>The National Federation of the Blind knows that blindness is not the characteristic that defines you or your future. Everyday we raise the expectations of blind people because we know that low expectations create obstacles between blind people and our dreams. You can live the life you want, blindness is not what holds you back. </span><o:p></o:p></p></div></div></div></body></html>