<html><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html charset=utf-8"></head><body style="word-wrap: break-word; -webkit-nbsp-mode: space; -webkit-line-break: after-white-space;" class="">Please see Dr. Bell’s message below about supporting university scholarships for blindness professional training.<div class=""><br class=""><div class="">
<div style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); letter-spacing: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; word-wrap: break-word; -webkit-nbsp-mode: space; -webkit-line-break: after-white-space;" class=""><div style="margin: 0px;" class="">---</div><div style="margin: 0px;" class="">Liz Wisecarver, Director</div><div style="margin: 0px;" class="">NFB-NEWSLINE Texas</div></div></div><div><br class=""><blockquote type="cite" class=""><div class=""></div><div class=""><blockquote type="cite" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;" class=""><div class=""><div class="WordSection1" style="page: WordSection1;"><div class=""><div style="border-style: solid none none; border-top-width: 1pt; border-top-color: rgb(225, 225, 225); padding: 3pt 0in 0in;" class=""><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;" class=""><b class="">From:</b><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Edward Bell <<a href="mailto:ebell@pdrib.com" style="color: rgb(149, 79, 114); text-decoration: underline;" class="">ebell@pdrib.com</a>><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><br class=""><b class="">Sent:</b><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Monday, May 7, 2018 8:42 AM<br class=""><b class="">To:</b><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>NOMC Mailing list <<a href="mailto:nomc@lists.nbpcb.org" style="color: rgb(149, 79, 114); text-decoration: underline;" class="">nomc@lists.nbpcb.org</a>>;<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><a href="mailto:pibe-division@nfbnet.org" style="color: rgb(149, 79, 114); text-decoration: underline;" class="">pibe-division@nfbnet.org</a><br class=""><b class="">Subject:</b><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>RSA seeking information on impact of Long Term Training.<o:p class=""></o:p></div></div></div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;" class=""><o:p class=""> </o:p></div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;" class="">Hello,<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><o:p class=""></o:p></div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;" class=""><o:p class=""> </o:p></div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;" class="">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 class=""></o:p></div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;" class=""><o:p class=""> </o:p></div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;" class="">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.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><o:p class=""></o:p></div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;" class=""><o:p class=""> </o:p></div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;" class="">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 class=""></o:p></div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;" class="">Comments are due by July 3<o:p class=""></o:p></div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;" class="">The link to comment is here:<o:p class=""></o:p></div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;" class=""><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" style="color: rgb(149, 79, 114); text-decoration: underline;" class="">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 class=""></o:p></div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;" class=""><o:p class=""> </o:p></div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;" class="">I have submitted a comment myself and it only took a few minutes.<o:p class=""></o:p></div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;" class=""><o:p class=""> </o:p></div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;" class="">Thank you for your support of our programs.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><o:p class=""></o:p></div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;" class=""><o:p class=""> </o:p></div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;" class=""><o:p class=""> </o:p></div><div class=""><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;" class="">Edward C. Bell, Ph.D., CRC, NOMC, Director,<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><o:p class=""></o:p></div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;" class="">Professional Development and Research Institute on Blindness<o:p class=""></o:p></div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;" class="">Louisiana Tech University<o:p class=""></o:p></div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;" class="">600 Mayfield Ave / 210 Woodard Hall<o:p class=""></o:p></div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;" class="">PO Box 3158<o:p class=""></o:p></div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;" class="">Ruston LA 71272<o:p class=""></o:p></div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;" class="">Office: 318.257.4554 Fax: 318.257.2259<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><o:p class=""></o:p></div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;" class=""><a href="mailto:ebell@latech.edu" style="color: rgb(149, 79, 114); text-decoration: underline;" class="">ebell@latech.edu</a> <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><a href="http://www.pdrib.com/" style="color: rgb(149, 79, 114); text-decoration: underline;" class="">www.pdrib.com</a><o:p class=""></o:p></div><div style="border-top-width: 3pt; border-style: dotted none; border-top-color: windowtext; border-bottom-width: 3pt; border-bottom-color: windowtext; padding: 1pt 0in;" class=""><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;" class="">*************<o:p class=""></o:p></div></div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;" class="">"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 class=""></o:p></div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;" class="">-- Stephen Jay Gould<o:p class=""></o:p></div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;" class=""><o:p class=""> </o:p></div></div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;" class=""><o:p class=""> </o:p></div><div class=""><div style="border-style: solid none none; border-top-width: 1pt; border-top-color: rgb(225, 225, 225); padding: 3pt 0in 0in;" class=""><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;" class=""><b class="">From:</b><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>LeJeune, B.J. <<a href="mailto:bjlejeune@colled.msstate.edu" style="color: rgb(149, 79, 114); text-decoration: underline;" class="">bjlejeune@colled.msstate.edu</a>><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><br class=""><b class="">Sent:</b><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Friday, May 04, 2018 11:18 AM<br class=""><b class="">To:</b><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Edward Bell <<a href="mailto:ebell@pdrib.com" style="color: rgb(149, 79, 114); text-decoration: underline;" class="">ebell@pdrib.com</a>><br class=""><b class="">Subject:</b><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>RE: RSA seeking information on impact of Long Term Training.<o:p class=""></o:p></div></div></div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;" class=""><o:p class=""> </o:p></div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;" class=""><span style="color: rgb(31, 73, 125);" class="">Hi Eddie,<o:p class=""></o:p></span></div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;" class=""><span style="color: rgb(31, 73, 125);" class=""><o:p class=""> </o:p></span></div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;" class=""><span style="color: rgb(31, 73, 125);" class="">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" style="color: rgb(149, 79, 114); text-decoration: underline;" class="">https://www.federalregister.gov/d/2018-09429</a>. Hopefully it will be accessible. Thanks for your response to this.<o:p class=""></o:p></span></div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;" class=""><span style="color: rgb(31, 73, 125);" class=""><o:p class=""> </o:p></span></div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;" class=""><span style="color: rgb(31, 73, 125);" class="">Have a good weekend.<o:p class=""></o:p></span></div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;" class=""><span style="color: rgb(31, 73, 125);" class=""><o:p class=""> </o:p></span></div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;" class=""><span style="color: rgb(31, 73, 125);" class="">BJ<o:p class=""></o:p></span></div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;" class=""><span style="color: rgb(31, 73, 125);" class=""><o:p class=""> </o:p></span></div><div class=""><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;" class=""><span style="color: rgb(31, 73, 125);" class=""><o:p class=""> </o:p></span></div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;" class=""><span style="color: rgb(31, 73, 125);" class=""><img border="0" id="_x0000_i1026" aria-label="0 bytes" aria-roledescription="Attachment" style="" class="" apple-inline="yes" src="cid:image001.png@01D3E399.8B710E20"><o:p class=""></o:p></span></div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;" class=""><span style="color: rgb(31, 73, 125);" class=""><o:p class=""> </o:p></span></div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;" class=""><span style="color: rgb(31, 73, 125);" class="">B. J. LeJeune, CRC, CVRT<o:p class=""></o:p></span></div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;" class=""><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 51);" class="">National Research and Training Center<o:p class=""></o:p></span></div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;" class=""><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 51);" class="">on Blindness and Low Vision<o:p class=""></o:p></span></div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;" class=""><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 51);" class="">P. O. Box 6189<o:p class=""></o:p></span></div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;" class=""><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 51);" class="">Mississippi State, MS 39762<o:p class=""></o:p></span></div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;" class=""><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 51);" class=""><o:p class=""> </o:p></span></div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;" class=""><span style="color: rgb(31, 73, 125);" class="">P: 662-325-2694<o:p class=""></o:p></span></div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;" class=""><span style="color: rgb(31, 73, 125);" class="">F: 662-325-8989<o:p class=""></o:p></span></div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;" class=""><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 51);" class=""><o:p class=""> </o:p></span></div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;" class=""><span style="color: rgb(31, 73, 125);" class=""><a href="mailto:bjlejeune@colled.msstate.edu" style="color: rgb(149, 79, 114); text-decoration: underline;" class="">bjlejeune@colled.msstate.edu</a></span><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 51);" class=""><o:p class=""></o:p></span></div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;" class=""><span style="color: rgb(31, 73, 125);" class=""><a href="http://www.blind.msstate.edu/" style="color: rgb(149, 79, 114); text-decoration: underline;" class="">www.blind.msstate.edu</a></span><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 51);" class=""><o:p class=""></o:p></span></div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;" class=""><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 51);" class=""><o:p class=""> </o:p></span></div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;" class=""><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 51);" class=""><o:p class=""> </o:p></span></div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;" class=""><span style="color: rgb(31, 73, 125);" class=""><o:p class=""> </o:p></span></div></div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;" class=""><span style="color: rgb(31, 73, 125);" class=""><o:p class=""> </o:p></span></div><div class=""><div style="border-style: solid none none; border-top-width: 1pt; border-top-color: rgb(225, 225, 225); padding: 3pt 0in 0in;" class=""><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;" class=""><b class="">From:</b><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Edward Bell [<a href="mailto:ebell@pdrib.com" style="color: rgb(149, 79, 114); text-decoration: underline;" class="">mailto:ebell@pdrib.com</a>]<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><br class=""><b class="">Sent:</b><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Friday, May 04, 2018 4:54 AM<br class=""><b class="">To:</b><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>LeJeune, B.J. <<a href="mailto:bjlejeune@colled.msstate.edu" style="color: rgb(149, 79, 114); text-decoration: underline;" class="">bjlejeune@colled.msstate.edu</a>><br class=""><b class="">Subject:</b><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>RE: RSA seeking information on impact of Long Term Training.<o:p class=""></o:p></div></div></div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;" class=""><o:p class=""> </o:p></div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;" class="">Will do and thank you BJ<o:p class=""></o:p></div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;" class=""><o:p class=""> </o:p></div><div class=""><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;" class="">Edward C. Bell, Ph.D., CRC, NOMC, Director,<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><o:p class=""></o:p></div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;" class="">Professional Development and Research Institute on Blindness<o:p class=""></o:p></div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;" class="">Louisiana Tech University<o:p class=""></o:p></div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;" class="">600 Mayfield Ave / 210 Woodard Hall<o:p class=""></o:p></div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;" class="">PO Box 3158<o:p class=""></o:p></div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;" class="">Ruston LA 71272<o:p class=""></o:p></div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;" class="">Office: 318.257.4554 Fax: 318.257.2259<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><o:p class=""></o:p></div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;" class=""><a href="mailto:ebell@latech.edu" style="color: rgb(149, 79, 114); text-decoration: underline;" class="">ebell@latech.edu</a> <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><a href="http://www.pdrib.com/" style="color: rgb(149, 79, 114); text-decoration: underline;" class="">www.pdrib.com</a><o:p class=""></o:p></div><div style="border-top-width: 3pt; border-style: dotted none; border-top-color: windowtext; border-bottom-width: 3pt; border-bottom-color: windowtext; padding: 1pt 0in;" class=""><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;" class="">*************<o:p class=""></o:p></div></div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;" class="">"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 class=""></o:p></div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;" class="">-- Stephen Jay Gould<o:p class=""></o:p></div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;" class=""><o:p class=""> </o:p></div></div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;" class=""><o:p class=""> </o:p></div><div class=""><div style="border-style: solid none none; border-top-width: 1pt; border-top-color: rgb(225, 225, 225); padding: 3pt 0in 0in;" class=""><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;" class=""><b class="">From:</b><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>LeJeune, B.J. <<a href="mailto:bjlejeune@colled.msstate.edu" style="color: rgb(149, 79, 114); text-decoration: underline;" class="">bjlejeune@colled.msstate.edu</a>><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><br class=""><b class="">Sent:</b><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Thursday, May 03, 2018 11:22 AM<br class=""><b class="">To:</b><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><a href="mailto:RobinsonW7@michigan.gov" style="color: rgb(149, 79, 114); text-decoration: underline;" class="">RobinsonW7@michigan.gov</a>; Farrow, Kendra <<a href="mailto:kfarrow@colled.msstate.edu" style="color: rgb(149, 79, 114); text-decoration: underline;" class="">kfarrow@colled.msstate.edu</a>>; McDonnall, Michele <<a href="mailto:MCapella@colled.msstate.edu" style="color: rgb(149, 79, 114); text-decoration: underline;" class="">MCapella@colled.msstate.edu</a>>;<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><a href="mailto:vs-alum@lists.msstate.edu" style="color: rgb(149, 79, 114); text-decoration: underline;" class="">vs-alum@lists.msstate.edu</a>; Vsp-list <<a href="mailto:vsp-list@lists.msstate.edu" style="color: rgb(149, 79, 114); text-decoration: underline;" class="">vsp-list@lists.msstate.edu</a>>; Pris Rogers <<a href="mailto:progers@afb.net" style="color: rgb(149, 79, 114); text-decoration: underline;" class="">progers@afb.net</a>>; Jeffords, Nikki <<a href="mailto:njeffords@colled.msstate.edu" style="color: rgb(149, 79, 114); text-decoration: underline;" class="">njeffords@colled.msstate.edu</a>>; Raymond, Paul <<a href="mailto:Paul.Raymond@ablegeorgia.ga.gov" style="color: rgb(149, 79, 114); text-decoration: underline;" class="">Paul.Raymond@ablegeorgia.ga.gov</a>>; Maynus, Kevin L <<a href="mailto:Kevin.L.Maynus@wv.gov" style="color: rgb(149, 79, 114); text-decoration: underline;" class="">Kevin.L.Maynus@wv.gov</a>>; Glisson, Curtis (Rehab) <<a href="mailto:Curtis.Glisson@rehab.alabama.gov" style="color: rgb(149, 79, 114); text-decoration: underline;" class="">Curtis.Glisson@rehab.alabama.gov</a>>; Saner, Paul (MCB) <<a href="mailto:Paul.Saner@MassMail.State.MA.US" style="color: rgb(149, 79, 114); text-decoration: underline;" class="">Paul.Saner@MassMail.State.MA.US</a>>; Mark Richert <<a href="mailto:4justice@concentric.net" style="color: rgb(149, 79, 114); text-decoration: underline;" class="">4justice@concentric.net</a>>; Roxann Mayros <<a href="mailto:RMayros@visionservealliance.org" style="color: rgb(149, 79, 114); text-decoration: underline;" class="">RMayros@visionservealliance.org</a>>;<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><a href="mailto:kmonk@lwc.la.gov" style="color: rgb(149, 79, 114); text-decoration: underline;" class="">kmonk@lwc.la.gov</a>;<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><a href="mailto:Shirley.Robinson@gvs.ga.gov" style="color: rgb(149, 79, 114); text-decoration: underline;" class="">Shirley.Robinson@gvs.ga.gov</a>; Pankow, Carol (DEED) <<a href="mailto:carol.pankow@state.mn.us" style="color: rgb(149, 79, 114); text-decoration: underline;" class="">carol.pankow@state.mn.us</a>>; Lueders, Kerry <<a href="mailto:klueders@salus.edu" style="color: rgb(149, 79, 114); text-decoration: underline;" class="">klueders@salus.edu</a>>;<a href="mailto:Cynthia.speight@dhhs.nc.gov" style="color: rgb(149, 79, 114); text-decoration: underline;" class="">Cynthia.speight@dhhs.nc.gov</a>; Strechay, Joe <<a href="mailto:jstrechay@pa.gov" style="color: rgb(149, 79, 114); text-decoration: underline;" class="">jstrechay@pa.gov</a>>;<a href="mailto:Ray.Hopkins@dbvi.virginia.gov" style="color: rgb(149, 79, 114); text-decoration: underline;" class="">Ray.Hopkins@dbvi.virginia.gov</a>;<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><a href="mailto:helen.lee@wmich.edu" style="color: rgb(149, 79, 114); text-decoration: underline;" class="">helen.lee@wmich.edu</a>; Gaylen Kapperman <<a href="mailto:gkapperman@niu.edu" style="color: rgb(149, 79, 114); text-decoration: underline;" class="">gkapperman@niu.edu</a>>;<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><a href="mailto:ebell@latech.edu" style="color: rgb(149, 79, 114); text-decoration: underline;" class="">ebell@latech.edu</a>; Kathleen Zeider <<a href="mailto:kzeider@acvrep.org" style="color: rgb(149, 79, 114); text-decoration: underline;" class="">kzeider@acvrep.org</a>><br class=""><b class="">Subject:</b><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>RSA seeking information on impact of Long Term Training.<o:p class=""></o:p></div></div></div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;" class=""><o:p class=""> </o:p></div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;" class="">Greetings Friends,<o:p class=""></o:p></div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;" class=""><o:p class=""> </o:p></div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;" class="">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 class=""></o:p></div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;" class=""><o:p class=""> </o:p></div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.5in; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;" class="">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 class=""></o:p></div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;" class=""><o:p class=""> </o:p></div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;" class="">The link to the document that will be released in the federal register tomorrow is here.<o:p class=""></o:p></div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;" class=""><a href="https://s3.amazonaws.com/public-inspection.federalregister.gov/2018-09429.pdf" style="color: rgb(149, 79, 114); text-decoration: underline;" class="">https://s3.amazonaws.com/public-inspection.federalregister.gov/2018-09429.pdf</a><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span> <o:p class=""></o:p></div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;" class=""><o:p class=""> </o:p></div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;" class="">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.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><o:p class=""></o:p></div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;" class=""><o:p class=""> </o:p></div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;" class="">Please share as you feel it is appropriate.<o:p class=""></o:p></div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;" class=""><o:p class=""> </o:p></div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;" class="">Thanks in advance for your support.<o:p class=""></o:p></div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;" class=""><o:p class=""> </o:p></div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;" class="">BJ<o:p class=""></o:p></div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;" class=""><o:p class=""> </o:p></div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;" class=""><img border="0" id="Picture_x0020_1" aria-label="0 bytes" aria-roledescription="Attachment" style="" class="" apple-inline="yes" src="cid:image001.png@01D3E399.8B710E20"><o:p class=""></o:p></div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;" class=""><o:p class=""> </o:p></div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;" class="">B. J. LeJeune, CRC, CVRT<o:p class=""></o:p></div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;" class=""><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 51);" class="">National Research and Training Center<o:p class=""></o:p></span></div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;" class=""><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 51);" class="">on Blindness and Low Vision<o:p class=""></o:p></span></div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;" class=""><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 51);" class="">P. O. Box 6189<o:p class=""></o:p></span></div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;" class=""><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 51);" class="">Mississippi State, MS 39762<o:p class=""></o:p></span></div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;" class=""><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 51);" class=""><o:p class=""> </o:p></span></div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;" class="">P: 662-325-2694<o:p class=""></o:p></div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;" class="">F: 662-325-8989<o:p class=""></o:p></div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;" class=""><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 51);" class=""><o:p class=""> </o:p></span></div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;" class=""><a href="mailto:bjlejeune@colled.msstate.edu" style="color: rgb(149, 79, 114); text-decoration: underline;" class="">bjlejeune@colled.msstate.edu</a><span style="color: rgb(102, 0, 51);" class=""><o:p class=""></o:p></span></div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;" class=""><a href="http://www.blind.msstate.edu/" style="color: rgb(149, 79, 114); text-decoration: underline;" class="">www.blind.msstate.edu</a></div></div></div></blockquote></div></blockquote></div><br class=""></div></body></html>