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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link=blue vlink=purple><div class=WordSection1><h1 align=center style='text-align:center'>The National Federation of the Blind Applauds the Introduction of Legislation Implementing the Marrakesh Treaty<o:p></o:p></h1><p class=MsoNormal align=center style='margin-bottom:12.0pt;text-align:center'><b>Treaty will Expand Availability of Accessible Books for Blind and Print Disabled Americans<o:p></o:p></b></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:12.0pt'><b>Washington, DC (March 15, 2018): Senator Charles E. “Chuck” Grassley (R-IA) and Senators Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), Bob Corker (R-TN), and Bob Menendez (D-NJ) have introduced the Marrakesh Treaty Implementation Act of 2018, S. 2559.<br><br>“The National Federation of the Blind was a principal leader in the development and negotiation of the Marrakesh Treaty,” said Mark A. Riccobono, President of the National Federation of the Blind. “By allowing the worldwide production and exchange of accessible books, the treaty will dramatically increase the availability of knowledge to blind people everywhere. We urge both houses of Congress to swiftly pass this legislation, and in doing so, unlock the doors to expanded literacy for millions of blind Americans.”<br><br>The legislation will make modifications to United States copyright law to ensure that it fully complies with the terms of the treaty. These modifications are supported by publishing, library, and disability organizations.<o:p></o:p></b></p><p class=MsoNormal align=center style='margin-bottom:12.0pt;text-align:center'><b>###<o:p></o:p></b></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:12.0pt'><b>About the National Federation of the Blind <br><br>The National Federation of the Blind (NFB), headquartered in Baltimore, is the oldest and largest nationwide organization of blind Americans. Founded in 1940, the NFB consists of affiliates, chapters, and divisions in the fifty states, Washington DC, and Puerto Rico. The NFB defends the rights of blind people of all ages and provides information and support to families with blind children, older Americans who are losing vision, and more. We believe in the hopes and dreams of blind people and work together to transform them into reality. Learn more about our many programs and initiatives at <a href="https://nfb.org/sites/all/modules/civicrm/extern/url.php?u=10598&qid=2193235">www.nfb.org</a>.<br><br> <br><br>CONTACT:<br><br>Chris Danielsen<br><br>Director of Public Relations<br><br>National Federation of the Blind<br><br>(410) 659-9314, extension 2330<br><br>(410) 262-1281 (Cell)<br><br><a href="https://nfb.org/sites/all/modules/civicrm/extern/url.php?u=10599&qid=2193235">cdanielsen@nfb.org</a><o:p></o:p></b></p><table class=MsoNormalTable border=0 cellpadding=0><tr><td width=16 style='width:12.0pt;padding:.75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt'></td><td width=16 style='width:12.0pt;padding:.75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt'><p class=MsoNormal><a href="https://nfb.org/sites/all/modules/civicrm/extern/url.php?u=10600&qid=2193235"><span style='text-decoration:none'><img border=0 width=50 height=35 id="_x0000_i1025" src="https://nfb.org/images/nfb/images/images/iof-facebook-ms.png" alt="Facebook Logo"></span></a><a href="https://nfb.org/sites/all/modules/civicrm/extern/url.php?u=10600&qid=2193235"> </a><o:p></o:p></p></td><td width=16 style='width:12.0pt;padding:.75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt'><p class=MsoNormal><a href="https://nfb.org/sites/all/modules/civicrm/extern/url.php?u=10601&qid=2193235"><span style='text-decoration:none'><img border=0 width=50 height=35 id="_x0000_i1026" src="https://nfb.org/images/nfb/images/images/iof-twitter-ms.png" alt="Twitter Logo"></span></a><o:p></o:p></p></td><td width=16 style='width:12.0pt;padding:.75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt'><p class=MsoNormal><a href="https://nfb.org/sites/all/modules/civicrm/extern/url.php?u=10602&qid=2193235"><span style='text-decoration:none'><img border=0 width=50 height=35 id="_x0000_i1027" src="https://nfb.org/images/nfb/images/images/iof-instagram-ms.png" alt="Instagram Logo"></span></a><o:p></o:p></p></td><td width=16 style='width:12.0pt;padding:.75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt'><p class=MsoNormal><a href="https://nfb.org/sites/all/modules/civicrm/extern/url.php?u=10603&qid=2193235"><span style='text-decoration:none'><img border=0 width=51 height=35 id="_x0000_i1028" src="https://nfb.org/images/nfb/images/images/iof-youtube-ms.png" alt="YouTube Logo"></span></a><o:p></o:p></p></td><td width=16 style='width:12.0pt;padding:.75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt'><p class=MsoNormal><a href="https://nfb.org/sites/all/modules/civicrm/extern/url.php?u=10604&qid=2193235"><span style='text-decoration:none'><img border=0 width=50 height=35 id="_x0000_i1029" src="https://nfb.org/images/nfb/images/images/iof-email-ms.png" alt="Email Icon Image"></span></a><o:p></o:p></p></td><td width=16 style='width:12.0pt;padding:.75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt'><p class=MsoNormal><a href="https://nfb.org/sites/all/modules/civicrm/extern/url.php?u=10605&qid=2193235"><span style='text-decoration:none'><img border=0 width=50 height=35 id="_x0000_i1030" src="https://nfb.org/images/nfb/images/images/iof-donte-ms.png" alt="Donate to the NFB Icon."></span></a><o:p></o:p></p></td><td width=16 style='width:12.0pt;padding:.75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt'></td></tr><tr><td width=128 colspan=8 style='width:96.0pt;padding:.75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt'><p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'>National Federation of the Blind | 200 E Wells Street | Baltimore, MD 21230 | (410) 659-9314 <o:p></o:p></p></td></tr><tr><td width=128 colspan=8 style='width:96.0pt;padding:.75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt'><p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><a href="https://nfb.org/civicrm/mailing/unsubscribe?reset=1&jid=8632&qid=2193235&h=5e95ba55d5d24b4e">Unsubscribe</a> | <a href="https://nfb.org/civicrm/mailing/optout?reset=1&jid=8632&qid=2193235&h=5e95ba55d5d24b4e">Opt Out</a> | <a href="https://nfb.org/sites/all/modules/civicrm/extern/url.php?u=10606&qid=2193235">Sign up for email newsletter</a> <o:p></o:p></p></td></tr><tr><td width=128 colspan=8 style='width:96.0pt;padding:.75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt'><p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><br>200 East Wells Street<br>Baltimore, MD 21230<br>United States.. <o:p></o:p></p></td></tr></table><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div><div id="DAB4FAD8-2DD7-40BB-A1B8-4E2AA1F9FDF2"><br />
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