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<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><B><FONT FACE="Aptos">Good evening. Since August is normally one of the hottest months of the year, please stay safe and take care. I want to encourage you to do two important things: reserve your hotel room and go ahead and register for the convention.</FONT></B></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-us"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-us"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-us"></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><B><FONT FACE="Aptos">No contest has been offered yet, but once contests are announced—which could happen at any time after this email is posted—you will need to be registered. Names will be pulled from those already in the system.</FONT></B></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-us"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-us"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-us"></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><B><FONT FACE="Aptos">The agenda for our state convention is filling up. Some members have sent ideas, and we will do our best to include them if possible. Please do what you can to assist new members and help them through the registration and reservation process.</FONT></B></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-us"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-us"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-us"></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><B><FONT FACE="Aptos">National Federation of the Blind of Ohio (NFBO)</FONT></B></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-us"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-us"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-us"></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><B><FONT FACE="Aptos">2026 Convention Announcement</FONT></B></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-us"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-us"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-us"></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">The Convention dates are Thursday, November 5, 2026, through Sunday, November 8, 2026.</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">Ohio Affiliate, President, Richard Payne, and the Ohio Board of Directors invite you to come learn how to reach your maximum leadership potential, participate in motivational and leadership development seminars, and most of all learn about “living the life you want.”</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><B><FONT FACE="Aptos">2026 Theme:</FONT></B></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-us"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-us"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-us"></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><B><FONT FACE="Aptos">“Reflecting Our Journey, Shaping a New Vision: Empowering Members to Inspire the Future.”</FONT></B></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">The 80</FONT></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-us"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-us"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-us"><SUP><FONT FACE="Aptos">th</FONT></SUP></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-us"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-us"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos"> Ohio State convention will be held at the University of Dayton, Marriott Hotel. The address is 1414 South Patterson Blvd. Dayton Ohio 45409. You can make reservations by calling (800) 627-4688. Individuals must identify themselves as being with the group, (The National Federation of the Blind), at the time the reservation is made. The discounted room rate is $129.00, with taxes of 16.5%. The last date to reserve a room is Monday, October 5, 2026. </FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">The good news is that when you make your reservations, funds are not deducted from your credit card until you arrive at the hotel.</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">RESERVE NOW!</FONT></SPAN></P>
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<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos"> </FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><B><FONT FACE="Aptos">Seeking Members for Blind Unbound Focus Group:</FONT></B></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-us"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-us"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-us"></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">As part of Blind Unbound, we are developing resources for educating students in grades K through 12 about blind people. To shape this project, we would like to hear from members who have given a presentation or lesson about blind people in their local school, scout group, or other community youth group. Your input will help ensure that these educational resources reflect authentic stories of blind people and break down misconceptions. We are holding focus groups on Thursday, September 17, at 4:00 p.m., Eastern, and Monday, September 28, at 8:00 p.m., Eastern. If you have participated in a lesson about blind people for students in any grades from kindergarten through 12th grade and would like to share your experience, please email</FONT></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-us"> </SPAN><A HREF="mailto:atyler@nfb.org"><SPAN LANG="en-us"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-us"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-us"><U><FONT COLOR="#467886" FACE="Aptos">atyler@nfb.org</FONT></U></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-us"></SPAN></A><SPAN LANG="en-us"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-us"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos"> with your name and your preferred focus group date. Thank you for sharing your story and shaping Blind Unbound.</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos"> </FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><B><FONT FACE="Aptos">Big Advocacy Win:</FONT></B></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-us"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-us"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-us"></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">A federal court has vacated the Department of Education’s December 2025 decision limiting the Randolph-Sheppard priority for Army dining facility contracts. The ruling protects blind entrepreneurs, reinforces the required public process, and recognizes that the department’s closed process caused substantial prejudice. This victory follows the National Federation of the Blind’s December statement and January lawsuit with blind entrepreneurs and partners. Read and share our press release on the update:</FONT></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-us"> </SPAN><A HREF="https://nfb.org/about-us/press-room/federal-court-vacates-department-education-decision-limiting-randolph-sheppard"><SPAN LANG="en-us"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-us"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-us"><U><FONT COLOR="#467886" FACE="Aptos">Federal Court Vacates Department of Education Decision Limiting Randolph-Sheppard Priority for Army Dining Contracts</FONT></U></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-us"></SPAN></A><SPAN LANG="en-us"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-us"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-us"></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos"> </FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><B><FONT FACE="Aptos">Advocacy and Policy Job Openings:</FONT></B></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-us"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-us"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-us"></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">Our Advocacy and Policy Department has two job openings that need to be filled. We are looking for a qualified NFB-NEWSLINE contract specialist and an Independence Market specialist. For more information on both of these positions, please visit our</FONT></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-us"> </SPAN><A HREF="https://nfb.org/about-us/career-opportunities"><SPAN LANG="en-us"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-us"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-us"><U><FONT COLOR="#467886" FACE="Aptos">Career Opportunities</FONT></U></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-us"></SPAN></A><SPAN LANG="en-us"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-us"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos"> page. </FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><B><FONT FACE="Aptos"> </FONT></B></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-us"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-us"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-us"></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><B><FONT FACE="Aptos">Legislative Alert on Removing Barriers to Work for Disabled Americans Act, H.R. 8884:</FONT></B></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-us"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-us"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-us"></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">On July 23, the Removing Barriers to Work for Disabled Americans Act, H.R. 8884, passed the House of Representatives. In short, this bill authorizes the Social Security Administration to conduct demonstration projects, like the one outlined in the Blind Americans Return to Work Act, within the Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) program. The bill still needs to pass the Senate before it can be signed into law by the president, which means we need your help to advocate for this. For more details, please review the</FONT></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-us"> </SPAN><A HREF="https://nfb.org/programs-services/advocacy/legislative-priorities/legislative-alerts/removing-barriers-work"><SPAN LANG="en-us"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-us"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-us"><U><FONT COLOR="#467886" FACE="Aptos">legislative alert on H.R. 8884</FONT></U></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-us"></SPAN></A><SPAN LANG="en-us"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-us"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos"> that was sent out by our Advocacy and Policy Department last week. </FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos"> </FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><B><FONT FACE="Aptos">Fall Conference for Blindness Professionals:</FONT></B></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-us"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-us"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-us"></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">The National Federation of the Blind invites education and rehabilitation professionals to the Dare to Be Remarkable Conference, November 18–20, 2026, at the NFB Jernigan Institute in Baltimore. This immersive training challenges us to teach with purpose, lead with high expectations, and strengthen outcomes for blind people nationwide. Grounded in Structured Discovery, this national training brings together practitioners, administrators, and emerging leaders for practical skill-building and thought-provoking discussions. Registration is now open.</FONT></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-us"> </SPAN><A HREF="https://nfb.org/programs-services/employment/dare-be-remarkable"><SPAN LANG="en-us"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-us"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-us"><U><FONT COLOR="#467886" FACE="Aptos">Dare to Be Remarkable | National Federation of the Blind</FONT></U></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-us"></SPAN></A><SPAN LANG="en-us"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-us"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-us"></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><B><FONT FACE="Aptos"> </FONT></B></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-us"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-us"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-us"></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><B><FONT FACE="Aptos">Plan Today. Build Tomorrow:</FONT></B></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-us"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-us"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-us"></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">August is Make-A-Will Month, a good reminder that planning for the future helps sustain the programs and services of the National Federation of the Blind. Please consider joining our Dream Makers Circle by including the NFB in your estate plans or naming the Federation as a beneficiary of your IRA, life insurance, or retirement plan. For more information, contact Patti Chang at extension 2422 or</FONT></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-us"> </SPAN><A HREF="mailto:pchang@nfb.org"><SPAN LANG="en-us"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-us"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-us"><U><FONT COLOR="#467886" FACE="Aptos">pchang@nfb.org</FONT></U></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-us"></SPAN></A><SPAN LANG="en-us"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-us"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">.</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><B><FONT FACE="Aptos"> </FONT></B></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-us"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-us"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-us"></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><B><FONT FACE="Aptos">Student Seminar in September:</FONT></B></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-us"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-us"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-us"></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">The National Federation of the Blind Southwest Student Seminar, “The Power of Connection: Networking with Intention,” September 18-20 in Tucson, Arizona. Designed for blind students at all stages of their educational journey, the seminar is hosted by the National Association of Blind Students and will feature interactive workshops, engaging discussions, and opportunities to connect with blind peers and mentors from across the region. Participants will explore topics ranging from accommodations and advocacy to identity, leadership, and building meaningful professional networks. NABS is committed to ensuring that finances are not a barrier to participation and encourages interested students to</FONT></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-us"> </SPAN><A HREF="https://nabslink.org/civicrm/event/info?id=8&reset=1"><SPAN LANG="en-us"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-us"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-us"><U><FONT COLOR="#467886" FACE="Aptos">learn more and register by August 21</FONT></U></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-us"></SPAN></A><SPAN LANG="en-us"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-us"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">.</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos"> </FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos"> </FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><B></B></SPAN><A NAME=""><SPAN LANG="en-us"><B></B></SPAN></A><SPAN LANG="en-us"><B></B></SPAN><A NAME=""><SPAN LANG="en-us"><B></B></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-us"><B><FONT FACE="Aptos">Dates to Keep in Mind:</FONT></B></SPAN></A></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><B></B><FONT FACE="Symbol">·<FONT FACE="Courier New"> </FONT></FONT></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-us"><B></B></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-us"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-us"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-us"> <FONT FACE="Aptos">July 2-7, 2027: National Convention; Austin, Texas</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Symbol">·<FONT FACE="Courier New"> </FONT></FONT> <FONT FACE="Aptos">July 3-8, 2028: National Convention; Chicago, Illinois</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Symbol">·<FONT FACE="Courier New"> </FONT></FONT> <FONT FACE="Aptos">July 2-7, 2029: National Convention; Chicago, Illinois</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos"> </FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">Introduction to the Organized Blind Movement Calls</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Symbol">·<FONT FACE="Courier New"> </FONT></FONT></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-us"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-us"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-us"> <FONT FACE="Aptos">Wednesday, August 5</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Symbol">·<FONT FACE="Courier New"> </FONT></FONT> <FONT FACE="Aptos">Wednesday, November 4</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos"> </FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">Chapter Presidents Calls</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Symbol">·<FONT FACE="Courier New"> </FONT></FONT></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-us"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-us"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-us"> <FONT FACE="Aptos">Thursday, September 10 and Sunday, September 13 </FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Symbol">·<FONT FACE="Courier New"> </FONT></FONT> <FONT FACE="Aptos">Thursday, December 10 and Sunday, December 13</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos"> </FONT></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"> </SPAN></P>
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<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT FACE="Aptos">Richard Payne, President</FONT></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-us"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-us"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-us"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-us"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-us"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-us"> <FONT COLOR="#000000" SIZE=2 FACE="Helvetica">National Federation of the Blind of Ohio</FONT></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-us"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-us"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-us"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-us"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-us"></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT COLOR="#000000" SIZE=2 FACE="Helvetica">937/829/3368</FONT></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-us"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-us"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-us"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-us"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-us"></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"></SPAN><A HREF="mailto:Rchpay7@gmail.com"><SPAN LANG="en-us"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-us"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-us"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-us"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-us"><U></U></SPAN><U><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT COLOR="#467886" SIZE=2 FACE="Helvetica">Rchpay7@gmail.com</FONT></SPAN></U><SPAN LANG="en-us"></SPAN></A><SPAN LANG="en-us"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-us"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-us"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-us"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-us"></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"></SPAN><A HREF="http://www.nfbohio.org/"><SPAN LANG="en-us"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-us"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-us"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-us"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-us"><U></U></SPAN><U><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT COLOR="#467886" SIZE=4 FACE="Aptos">www.nfbohio.org</FONT></SPAN></U><SPAN LANG="en-us"></SPAN></A><SPAN LANG="en-us"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-us"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-us"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-us"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-us"></SPAN></P>
<P DIR=LTR><SPAN LANG="en-us"><FONT COLOR="#000000" SIZE=4 FACE="Aptos">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, becaus</FONT><FONT COLOR="#000000" SIZE=4 FACE="Aptos">e low expectations create obstacles between blind people and our dreams. Our collective power, determination, and diversity achieve the aspirations of all blind people.</FONT></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-us"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-us"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-us"></SPAN><SPAN LANG="en-us"></SPAN></P>
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