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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link="#0563C1" vlink="#954F72"><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal>Hello, <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>If you have ever attended classes at Louisiana Tech University, hired a graduate of Louisiana Tech, or know of someone who has benefited from the graduate training at Louisiana Tech University, then we are seeking your input. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>The Federal Government is determining whether to continue supporting its Long-term training grant program. This is the program that provides scholarships to universities for training professionals, namely Orientation and Mobility and Rehabilitation teaching for the Blind professionals. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>It would be helpful if you would consider going to the following link and submitting a comment related to the value of this scholarship program. Again, many professionals now working in this field would not have had the opportunity to gain this level of training if it were not for the RSA scholarship funding, so it is important that we show the government that this funding remains important. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Comments are due by July 3<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>The link to comment is here:<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><a href="https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2018/05/04/2018-09429/request-for-information-on-the-future-direction-of-the-rehabilitation-training-program#open-comment">https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2018/05/04/2018-09429/request-for-information-on-the-future-direction-of-the-rehabilitation-training-program#open-comment</a><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>I have submitted a comment myself and it only took a few minutes. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Thank you for your support of our programs. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><div><p class=MsoNormal>Edward C. Bell, Ph.D., CRC, NOMC, Director, <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Professional Development and Research Institute on Blindness<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Louisiana Tech University<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>600 Mayfield Ave / 210 Woodard Hall<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>PO Box 3158<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Ruston LA 71272<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Office: 318.257.4554 Fax: 318.257.2259 <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><a href="mailto:ebell@latech.edu">ebell@latech.edu</a> www.pdrib.com<o:p></o:p></p><div style='mso-element:para-border-div;border-top:dotted windowtext 3.0pt;border-left:none;border-bottom:dotted windowtext 3.0pt;border-right:none;padding:1.0pt 0in 1.0pt 0in'><p class=MsoNormal style='border:none;padding:0in'>*************<o:p></o:p></p></div><p class=MsoNormal>"I am somehow less interested in the weight and convolutions of Einstein's brain than in the near certainty that people of equal talent have lived and died in cotton fields and sweatshops."<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> -- Stephen Jay Gould<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><div><div style='border:none;border-top:solid #E1E1E1 1.0pt;padding:3.0pt 0in 0in 0in'><p class=MsoNormal><b>From:</b> LeJeune, B.J. <bjlejeune@colled.msstate.edu> <br><b>Sent:</b> Friday, May 04, 2018 11:18 AM<br><b>To:</b> Edward Bell <ebell@pdrib.com><br><b>Subject:</b> RE: RSA seeking information on impact of Long Term Training.<o:p></o:p></p></div></div><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'>Hi Eddie,<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'>I have heard of some accessibility problems with the link I sent yesterday. Here is the Federal Register Link that was posted today. <a href="https://www.federalregister.gov/d/2018-09429">https://www.federalregister.gov/d/2018-09429</a>. Hopefully it will be accessible. Thanks for your response to this.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'>Have a good weekend.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'>BJ<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'><img border=0 width=179 height=31 style='width:1.8645in;height:.3229in' id="_x0000_i1026" src="cid:image001.png@01D3E399.8B710E20"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'>B. J. LeJeune, CRC, CVRT<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#660033'>National Research and Training Center <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#660033'>on Blindness and Low Vision<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#660033'>P. O. Box 6189<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#660033'>Mississippi State, MS 39762<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#660033'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'>P: 662-325-2694<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'>F: 662-325-8989<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#660033'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'><a href="mailto:bjlejeune@colled.msstate.edu">bjlejeune@colled.msstate.edu</a></span><span style='color:#660033'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'><a href="http://www.blind.msstate.edu/">www.blind.msstate.edu</a></span><span style='color:#660033'> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#660033'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#660033'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p></div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'><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>From:</b> Edward Bell [mailto:ebell@pdrib.com] <br><b>Sent:</b> Friday, May 04, 2018 4:54 AM<br><b>To:</b> LeJeune, B.J. <bjlejeune@colled.msstate.edu><br><b>Subject:</b> RE: RSA seeking information on impact of Long Term Training.<o:p></o:p></p></div></div><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Will do and thank you BJ<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><div><p class=MsoNormal>Edward C. Bell, Ph.D., CRC, NOMC, Director, <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Professional Development and Research Institute on Blindness<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Louisiana Tech University<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>600 Mayfield Ave / 210 Woodard Hall<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>PO Box 3158<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Ruston LA 71272<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Office: 318.257.4554 Fax: 318.257.2259 <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><a href="mailto:ebell@latech.edu">ebell@latech.edu</a> <a href="http://www.pdrib.com">www.pdrib.com</a><o:p></o:p></p><div style='border-top:dotted windowtext 3.0pt;border-left:none;border-bottom:dotted windowtext 3.0pt;border-right:none;padding:1.0pt 0in 1.0pt 0in'><p class=MsoNormal>*************<o:p></o:p></p></div><p class=MsoNormal>"I am somehow less interested in the weight and convolutions of Einstein's brain than in the near certainty that people of equal talent have lived and died in cotton fields and sweatshops."<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>-- Stephen Jay Gould<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><div><div style='border:none;border-top:solid #E1E1E1 1.0pt;padding:3.0pt 0in 0in 0in'><p class=MsoNormal><b>From:</b> LeJeune, B.J. <<a href="mailto:bjlejeune@colled.msstate.edu">bjlejeune@colled.msstate.edu</a>> <br><b>Sent:</b> Thursday, May 03, 2018 11:22 AM<br><b>To:</b> <a href="mailto:RobinsonW7@michigan.gov">RobinsonW7@michigan.gov</a>; Farrow, Kendra <<a href="mailto:kfarrow@colled.msstate.edu">kfarrow@colled.msstate.edu</a>>; McDonnall, Michele <<a href="mailto:MCapella@colled.msstate.edu">MCapella@colled.msstate.edu</a>>; <a href="mailto:vs-alum@lists.msstate.edu">vs-alum@lists.msstate.edu</a>; Vsp-list <<a href="mailto:vsp-list@lists.msstate.edu">vsp-list@lists.msstate.edu</a>>; Pris Rogers <<a href="mailto:progers@afb.net">progers@afb.net</a>>; Jeffords, Nikki <<a href="mailto:njeffords@colled.msstate.edu">njeffords@colled.msstate.edu</a>>; Raymond, Paul <<a href="mailto:Paul.Raymond@ablegeorgia.ga.gov">Paul.Raymond@ablegeorgia.ga.gov</a>>; Maynus, Kevin L <<a href="mailto:Kevin.L.Maynus@wv.gov">Kevin.L.Maynus@wv.gov</a>>; Glisson, Curtis (Rehab) <<a href="mailto:Curtis.Glisson@rehab.alabama.gov">Curtis.Glisson@rehab.alabama.gov</a>>; Saner, Paul (MCB) <<a href="mailto:Paul.Saner@MassMail.State.MA.US">Paul.Saner@MassMail.State.MA.US</a>>; Mark Richert <<a href="mailto:4justice@concentric.net">4justice@concentric.net</a>>; Roxann Mayros <<a href="mailto:RMayros@visionservealliance.org">RMayros@visionservealliance.org</a>>; <a href="mailto:kmonk@lwc.la.gov">kmonk@lwc.la.gov</a>; <a href="mailto:Shirley.Robinson@gvs.ga.gov">Shirley.Robinson@gvs.ga.gov</a>; Pankow, Carol (DEED) <<a href="mailto:carol.pankow@state.mn.us">carol.pankow@state.mn.us</a>>; Lueders, Kerry <<a href="mailto:klueders@salus.edu">klueders@salus.edu</a>>; <a href="mailto:Cynthia.speight@dhhs.nc.gov">Cynthia.speight@dhhs.nc.gov</a>; Strechay, Joe <<a href="mailto:jstrechay@pa.gov">jstrechay@pa.gov</a>>; <a href="mailto:Ray.Hopkins@dbvi.virginia.gov">Ray.Hopkins@dbvi.virginia.gov</a>; <a href="mailto:helen.lee@wmich.edu">helen.lee@wmich.edu</a>; Gaylen Kapperman <<a href="mailto:gkapperman@niu.edu">gkapperman@niu.edu</a>>; <a href="mailto:ebell@latech.edu">ebell@latech.edu</a>; Kathleen Zeider <<a href="mailto:kzeider@acvrep.org">kzeider@acvrep.org</a>><br><b>Subject:</b> RSA seeking information on impact of Long Term Training.<o:p></o:p></p></div></div><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Greetings Friends,<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Thought this might be of interest to you. It relates to RSA grants in support of long term training such as the Vision Specialist, Rehabilitation Counseling, VRT, O&M and LVT programs. RSA is soliciting comments from state agency directors, university personnel, former and current scholars and consumers. Here is what the memo from RSA stated:<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'>Through this RFI, the U.S. Department of Education, Rehabilitation Services Administration, is requesting input on the portfolio of grants supported under the Rehabilitation Training Program, specifically those supported under the Rehabilitation Long-Term Training, Rehabilitation Short-Term Training, and Innovative Rehabilitation Training authorities to determine whether the activities funded under the Rehabilitation Training Program are aligned with the goals of the Department and the needs of State vocational rehabilitation agencies. We will use the information gathered in response to this RFI to determine whether any changes are needed in designing and implementing grant activities under this program, including the specific mix of activities supported each year.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>The link to the document that will be released in the federal register tomorrow is here.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><a href="https://s3.amazonaws.com/public-inspection.federalregister.gov/2018-09429.pdf">https://s3.amazonaws.com/public-inspection.federalregister.gov/2018-09429.pdf</a> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>This is very important. I urge those of you who have been in the these programs, or had staff in the programs to respond about the impact such programs have on your ability to serve consumers effectively. If you feel the program has made a difference in the qualifications of personnel and the way consumers are served, please support the continuation of these programs. We often hear about shortages of qualified personnel and this is one of the major ways we are able to meet these personnel demands. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Please share as you feel it is appropriate.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Thanks in advance for your support.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>BJ<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><img border=0 width=179 height=31 style='width:1.8645in;height:.3229in' id="Picture_x0020_1" src="cid:image001.png@01D3E399.8B710E20"><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>B. J. LeJeune, CRC, CVRT<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#660033'>National Research and Training Center <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#660033'>on Blindness and Low Vision<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#660033'>P. O. Box 6189<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#660033'>Mississippi State, MS 39762<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#660033'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal>P: 662-325-2694<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>F: 662-325-8989<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#660033'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><a href="mailto:bjlejeune@colled.msstate.edu">bjlejeune@colled.msstate.edu</a><span style='color:#660033'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><a href="http://www.blind.msstate.edu/">www.blind.msstate.edu</a><span style='color:#660033'> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#660033'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#660033'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div></body></html>