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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link=blue vlink=purple><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal>Good Morning All:<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>‘First, I want to apologize for the way the last message went out. It was supposed to be a blind carbon copy as this one is, but focus went into the wrong field and it was too late when I sent it. Anyway please see below for a summary of our Washington Seminar legislative issues for this year and a reminder about hotel reservations for those who are going. We are working on our legislative appointments and hope  to have that wrapped up soon. Janae Burgmeier will be our legislative director in D.C. this year as I am unable to make it. Please let me know if there are any questions. Thank you! Here are the issues and fact sheets will be sent out when they are available as well as information on how to contact our representatives and senators before Washington Seminar.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoListParagraph style='text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1'><![if !supportLists]><span style='font-family:Symbol'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>·<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'>       </span></span></span><![endif]>The Access Technology Affordability Act (ATAA)<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><a name="OLE_LINK1"></a><a name="OLE_LINK2"></a>The cost of critically needed access technology is out of reach for most blind Americans. By providing a refundable tax credit for qualifying purchases, Congress will stimulate individual procurement of access technology and promote affordability of these much-needed tools.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoListParagraph style='text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l2 level1 lfo2'><![if !supportLists]><span style='font-family:Symbol'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>·<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'>       </span></span></span><![endif]>Grater Accessibility and Independence through Nonvisual Access Technology (GAIN) Act<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>New advancements in digital interfaces for home use medical devices, home appliances, and fitness equipment create barriers preventing blind individuals from operating these devices independently. Congress must end the digital divide that threatens the independence of blind Americans by developing minimum accessibility requirements for such devices.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoListParagraph style='text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l3 level1 lfo3'><![if !supportLists]><span style='font-family:Symbol'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>·<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'>       </span></span></span><![endif]>The Disability Employment Act (DEA)<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>The AbilityOne Program creates a segregated work environment that fails to adequately equip workers with disabilities for the challenges of the twenty-first century. The Disability Employment Act will spur innovation that will increase and enhance modern employment opportunities for people with disabilities.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoListParagraph style='text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l1 level1 lfo4'><![if !supportLists]><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>1.<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'>    </span></span><![endif]>Hotel Reservations- The deadline to reserve your room(s) at the Holiday Inn Capitol is fast approaching on Friday December 28, 2018. You can find all of the reservation information on our Washington Seminar <a href="https://www.nfb.org/washington-seminar">webpage</a>.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Let’s use this opportunity to build the Federation and make contacts with those who can help move these issues forward!<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Cordially:<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Scott Van Gorp     <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in'><span style='font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>Scott Van Gorp, President<br>National Federation of the Blind of Iowa<br>Phone: 515-720-5282<br></span><a href="mailto:svangorp@nfbi.org"><span style='color:#0563C1'>Email</span></a><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><a href="http://www.nfbi.org/"><i><span style='font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:#0563C1'>Website</span></i></a><i><span style='font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'> <br></span></i><a href="https://www.facebook.com/National-Federation-Of-the-Blind-Of-Iowa-372681823082570/posts"><i><span style='font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:#0563C1'>Facebook</span></i></a><i><span style='font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'> <br></span></i><a href="https://twitter.com/nfb_iowa"><i><span style='font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:#0563C1'>Twitter</span></i></a><i><span style='font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'> <br>Live the life you want.<br></span></i><br>The National Federation of the Blind of Iowa is a community of members and friends who believe in the hopes and dreams of the nation’s blind. Every day we work together to help blind people live the lives they want.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div></body></html>