February 2019 - NOMC - lists.nbpcb.org

Tactile compasses
by widearc2000＠gmail.com 25 Feb '19

25 Feb '19

I have a client who has a friend who is trying to make tactile compasses. My client is deaf blind and her friend was motivated by her own need for a tactile compass. Since the original company has stopped making or repairing them, Many deaf blind people have been making comments about looking for a new source. I didn?t know how serious my client and her friend were. I have not seen a finish product so I don?t know if they are doing a good job. She wants to know what kind of market is out there and I think there?s a pretty good one. I asked her if she could have 20 of them completed by national convention so I can bring them. I don?t know how much they will cost but I?m sure the first couple of batches will be more expensive due to regular research and development costs. Is there any interest out there? Can you folks email and let me know how much interest there is, not just from you but from people you know who are not on the list? Sent from my iPhone Jane Lansaw NOMC

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Blindness Skills Instructor Position with the New Mexico Commission for the Blind Orientation Center
by ebell＠pdrib.com 22 Feb '19

22 Feb '19

Greetings from the Land of Enchantment! We at the New Mexico Commission for the Blind Orientation Center in Alamogordo are seeking a new team member. The Orientation Center is approved as a Structured Discovery Cane Travel center by the National Blindness Professional Certification Board and accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities. We provide blindness skills training to blind New Mexicans who are part of the Commission's Vocational Rehabilitation program. We are recruiting to fill a Blindness Skills Instructor vacancy for Personal Management and Computers and Assistive Technology classes. The position is assigned to the Orientation Center located in Alamogordo, New Mexico. The ideal candidate should be comfortable teaching both subject areas and working collaboratively with a co-teacher also assigned to these subject areas. The most relevant portions of the job posting are provided below my signature block. The position will remain open until filled, but we hope to pull the list of applications on March 11, 2019 so please apply soon. To reach the job posting, 1. Visit the following link to go directly to the posting: https://careers.share.state.nm.us/psc/hprdcg/EMPLOYEE/HRMS/c/HRS_HRAM_FL.HRS _CG_SEARCH_FL.GBL?Page=HRS_APP_SCHJOB_FL&FOCUS=Applicant& 2. Go to the NM State Personnel Website at www.spo.state.nm.us<http://www.spo.state.nm.us>, click the link for View Job Opportunities And Apply, enter the job title in the search field, and look for the Blindness Skills Instructor vacancies. Applications are accepted through the New Mexico State Personnel Office online application system only! Note to screen reader users: Recent updates to this online application utility have made it very difficult to complete independently using screen reading technology. Screen reader users who experience difficulty with the application utility should notify Ms. Andrea Rivera-Smith of the State Personnel Office @ (505) 695-5606 for assistance. She can also confirm that your application (including uploaded transcripts, certificates, etc.) has been successfully received for consideration. It seems that Google Chrome works best for applicants using screen reader technology. Please pay particular attention to question 2 in the Specific Supplemental Questions section: How many years of experience do you have RELATED to the PURPOSE of this position? Minimum qualifications for this position are at least two years of related experience. Be sure that if you indicate that you have two years of experience that is related to the purpose of the position, that you clearly describe *at least* two years of full-time equivalent related experience in the Work History section of the online application. Similarly, if you indicate in this question that you have five years of experience related to the purpose of the position, you must describe *at least* five years of full-time equivalent experience in the Work History section. Regardless of the number of years of related experience that you claim to have in answer to this question, you will be disqualified if you do not substantiate that number of years in the Work Experience section of the application, even if you described at least the minimum number of years required. For example, if you claim five years of related experience, but only describe four years of related experience, you will be disqualified even though you have at least two years of related experience (two years being the minimum require for this particular position). If you are interested in learning more about the position, please feel free to contact me at 505-383-2294 or Jessica.bartenbach at state.nm.us<mailto:Jessica.bartenbach at state.nm.us>. You may also contact Lucy Mallahan, Center Director, at 505-383-2291 or by email at lucy.alexander at state.nm.us<mailto:lucy.alexander at state.nm.us>. Also, please share this notice widely. Thank you, Jessica Jessica Bartenbach Assistive Technology Specialist Supervisor, Braille Instructor New Mexico Commission for the Blind Orientation Center Phone: 505-383-2294 Email: Jessica.bartenbach at state.nm.us<mailto:Jessica.bartenbach at state.nm.us> Some details regarding this position: Salary $15.28 - $26.59 Hourly $31,782 - $55,307 Annually This position is a Pay Band 65 Why does the job exist? To provide blindness skills training. How does it get done? Primarily training in the area of computers and assisted technology and personal management, using the structured discovery model to Vocational Rehabilitation consumers attending the New Mexico Commission for the blind's Orientation Center in Alamogordo. Who are the customers? Students of the New Mexico Commission for the Blind Orientation Center. Ideal Candidate - Speak, read and write Spanish. - Three or more years of experience working for an agency whose primary focus is providing blindness skills training to individuals who are visually impaired. - Possess National Certification in Rehabilitation Teaching, National Certification in Unified English Braille, National Orientation and Mobility Certificate, and/or Freedom Scientific JAWS Certification. - Possess a Master's degree or certificate in Rehabilitation Teaching of the Blind, Teacher of Blind Students, Orientation and Mobility, Vocational Rehabilitation, or another related field of study. Minimum Qualification Associate's degree in Education, Social Science, Behavioral Science, or related field and two (2) years of experience in a field such as orientation and mobility, vocational rehabilitation counseling, education, social work, gerontology, family and community services, child development, home economics related to families, or services for people with disabilities. Additional education may substitute for the required experience on a year for year basis. Experience in this job classification may substitute for the required education on a year for year basis. * Education and years of experience must be related to the purpose of the position. * If Minimum Qualification requires a specific number of "semester hours" in a field (e.g. 6 semester hours in Accounting), applicants MUST have those semester hours in order to meet the minimum qualifications. No substitutions apply for semester hours. Employment Requirements Employment is subject to a pre-employment background investigation and is conditional pending results of the investigation. Working Conditions Work is primarily performed in office and classroom settings with exposure to Visual/Video Display Terminal (VDT) and personal computer and telephone usage. Work is also regularly performed away from the center in a variety of community based activities and settings. Some travel is required including occasional overnight stays. Regularly works with individuals with secondary disabilities, some of which result in challenging behaviors. Occasionally exposed to service animals. Must be able to lift 25 pounds. Agency Contact Information: Kelly Quintana, (505) 476-4456 or email: kelly.quintana at state.nm.us<mailto:kelly.quintana at state.nm.us>. Bargaining Unit Position This position is covered by a collective bargaining agreement and all terms/conditions of that agreement apply and must be adhered to. _______________________________________________ Rehab mailing list Rehab at nfbnet.org http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/rehab_nfbnet.org To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for Rehab: http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/rehab_nfbnet.org/ebell%40pdrib.com

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Third and final request
by ebell＠pdrib.com 14 Feb '19

14 Feb '19

Greetings, I am writing to invite you to participate in a research project titled "Survey for Blind Orientation and Mobility Specialists". If you have already completed this survey please disregard this email. We appreciate your feedback. Currently I am working with a research team (Dr. Laura Bozeman, Director of Vision Studies, UMass Boston, School for Global Inclusion and Social Development, University of Massachusetts Boston; The Nguyen, Vitalis Othuon, Kyle Steinle, TTU research assistants; Anita Page, TTU research aide) on a research project to learn about the accommodations, teaching strategies, and resources used when blind orientation and mobility specialists are teaching orientation and mobility to students who are blind/visually impaired. Dr. Edward Bell from NOMS was instrumental in the development of the survey. The results of this research project will help us develop a list of accommodations university preparation programs in orientation and mobility can use when they have students in their programs who are blind/visually impaired. In this project you will be asked to complete a survey with some basic demographic information (e.g., education, gender) and information concerning the identification of accommodations, teaching techniques, and resources you use to teach orientation and mobility (O&M) skills to students with visual impairments. This survey will take about 15-20 minutes of your time, and we will use the results for this research study. We will not identify you individually. It is anonymous. To show our appreciation for your participation, upon the completion of the online survey, you will be offered an opportunity to win a $25 gift certificate for Amazon in a random drawing. A total of four gift certificates will be given in this study. For further information about this research, please contact Dr. Nora Griffin-Shirley (806-834-0225 or n.griffin-shirley at ttu.edu). If you are interested in participating in this project, please follow the following link for the survey. https://educttu.az1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_9HaiRhzDYNtCyhf Once again, thank you very much for all of your time.Sincerely, Nora Nora Griffin-Shirley, Ph.D., Professor Coordinator of O&M Program Director of Virginia Murray Sowell Center for Research and Education in Sensory Disabilities Texas Tech University Box 41071 Lubbock, TX 79409-1071 (806) 834-0225 (806) 742-2326 FAX n.griffin-shirley at ttu.edu <mailto:n.griffin-shirley at ttu.edu> Edward C. Bell, Ph.D., CRC, NOMC, Director, Professional Development and Research Institute on Blindness Louisiana Tech University 600 Mayfield Ave / 210 Woodard Hall PO Box 3158 Ruston LA 71272 Office: 318.257.4554 Fax: 318.257.2259 ebell at latech.edu <mailto:ebell at latech.edu> www.pdrib.com ************* "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." -- Stephen Jay Gould From: Griffin-Shirley, N <N.Griffin-Shirley at ttu.edu> Sent: Thursday, February 14, 2019 2:15 PM To: Edward Bell <ebell at pdrib.com> Subject: Invitation Letter to participants (002) Dr. Bell, We still only have 12 responses. What do you think about sending out the invitation letter one more time? I think it would be a great idea. Thanks. Nora

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Cane Travel Position at Colorado Center for the Blind
by ebell＠pdrib.com 12 Feb '19

12 Feb '19

Hello, The Colorado Center for the Blind is searching for a full time Cane Travel Instructor for our Independence Training Program. A job description is attached. The position includes two months of free housing plus full benefits. Please let us know if you are interested in joining our wonderful team of instructors by sending a letter of interest and a resume to Carol Sprague, Administrative Coordinator, csprague at cocenter.org <mailto:csprague at cocenter.org> Best Regards, Duncan Larsen, NOMC Director of Senior Services Colorado Center for the Blind 2233 West Shepperd Ave. Littleton, CO 80120 303-778-1130 x226 dlarsen at cocenter.org <mailto:dlarsen at cocenter.org> www.cocenter.org <http://www.cocenter.org> Take Charge with Confidence

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Cane Travel Job Colorado Center
by ebell＠pdrib.com 08 Feb '19

08 Feb '19

COLORADO CENTER FOR THE BLIND 2233 West Shepperd Avenue Littleton, CO 80120 Phone: 303-778-1130 Fax: 303-778-1598 ccb at cocenter.org <mailto:ccb at cocenter.org> www.cocenter.org <http://www.cocenter.org> Email cover letter and resume to: Carol Sprague csprague at cocenter.org <mailto:csprague at cocenter.org> CANE TRAVEL INSTRUCTOR Job Description Duties and Responsibilities 1. Provide individualized instruction to blind students in all areas of independent travel, including but not limited to: a. appropriate cane techniques b. using cardinal directions, the sun landmarks, and other cues in travel c. methods for traveling on public buses, light rail, and other forms of transportation d. planning and executing various travel routes, etc. e. other duties as assigned 2. Provide instruction to two or more students in all areas of independent travel. 3. Plan and develop a formalized curriculum in all areas of travel. 4. Conduct a thorough written evaluation on each student in the area of travel. 5. Write comprehensive monthly reports on each student describing progress made and goals to be completed. 6. Employee is expected to facilitate classes and seminars where all aspects of blindness are discussed. In addition, employee will fully participate and assist in all center activities including rock climbing, skiing, camping and other vital activities, promote a positive philosophy of blindness through personal role modeling, and promote these positive attitudes to students, co-workers and others, and provide support and guidance to students throughout their program. Requirements: Cane Travel Instructor 1. Previous work experience teaching cane travel or other alternative techniques of blindness. 2. Prefer a college degree in a teaching or human service profession. Work experience may be substituted for this requirement. 3. Ability to plan, organize and develop curriculum and lessons. 4. Must possess excellent written and verbal communication skills. 5. Must demonstrate the ability to work with a variety of people in all types of situations effectively. Edward C. Bell, Ph.D., CRC, NOMC, Director, Professional Development and Research Institute on Blindness Louisiana Tech University 600 Mayfield Ave / 210 Woodard Hall PO Box 3158 Ruston LA 71272 Office: 318.257.4554 Fax: 318.257.2259 <mailto:ebell at latech.edu> ebell at latech.edu www.pdrib.com ************* "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." -- Stephen Jay Gould

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NOMCT Committee
by ebell＠pdrib.com 04 Feb '19

04 Feb '19

Dear NOMC: As many of you are aware the National Blindness Professional Certification Board has over the past few years developed an approval process for training centers utilizing the Structured Discovery model, and has also been working to refine and revise the process for obtaining the NOMC certification. This has resulted in the development of a more specific apprenticeship program, and some important changes in the examination process, which are still evolving. Members of the NOMCT Committee will be asked to serve two year terms, which will be staggered, allowing an overlap of service among the members. Initially, one half of the appointments to the NOMCT Committee will be asked to serve a one year term, and at the end of their terms, will, as with all committee members, be reappointed by the Board for a two year term, should their ongoing service be deemed appropriate. If you are interested in serving on the NOMCT committee, you are asked to email your name, contact information and resume to Dr. Edward Bell at ebell at latech.edu <mailto:ebell at latech.edu> . Edward C. Bell, Ph.D., CRC, NOMC, Director, Professional Development and Research Institute on Blindness Louisiana Tech University 600 Mayfield Ave / 210 Woodard Hall PO Box 3158 Ruston LA 71272 Office: 318.257.4554 Fax: 318.257.2259 <mailto:ebell at latech.edu> ebell at latech.edu www.pdrib.com ************* "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." -- Stephen Jay Gould

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FW: Courtesy Copy: Job Posting - Vocational Rehabilitation Teacher
by ebell＠pdrib.com 04 Feb '19

04 Feb '19

Having trouble viewing this email? View it in your browser <https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/IACIO/bulletins/22c6e91> here <https://content.govdelivery.com/attachments/fancy_images/IACIO/2017/02/1217…> Vocational Rehabilitation Teacher Location: Des Moines, Iowa Salary Minimum: $48,672.00 Salary Maximum: $74,131.20 Post Close Date: February 22, 2019 Job Description: This is a courtesy posting for a non-merit position. Please follow instructions in the ?To Apply? section for directions on how to apply for this position. The Iowa Department for the Blind (IDB) is seeking applicants for a position that will promote IDB?s mission, vision and values through providing blindness-skills training to vocational rehabilitation clients throughout the state. A significant portion of this position will include teaching young adults. Duties and responsibilities to include the following: * Teach blindness skills, including but not limited to braille, cane travel, home and personal management, and basic technology usage, to vocational rehabilitation clients, individually and in groups, including pre-employment transition services for clients and potentially eligible students. * Provide regular written reports documenting training, and communicate regularly with vocational rehabilitation counselors regarding client progress and concerns. * Evaluate the skill level and training needs of vocational rehabilitation clients and potentially eligible students. * Provide reports documenting strengths, weaknesses and training recommendations to clients, counselors and IEP teams as appropriate. * Assist in developing and implementing group trainings for vocational rehabilitation clients and potentially eligible students such as transition weekend retreats. * Assist in developing assessments and training curricula for use with clients. * Assist in developing and provide training to service providers including paraprofessionals, in working with blind persons in a manner that supports skill development and fosters independence. Essential functions of this position: * Communicate effectively in person, on the phone, and in writing with clients, counselors, and the public using proper English grammar, spelling, and sentence structure. * Read, write, and teach contracted braille. * Independently travel using the long white cane under sleep shades and teach skills to clients. * Promote a positive philosophy of blindness including that blind persons can be as proficient as their sighted counterparts * Experience teaching blindness skills preferred. It is the policy of the Department for the Blind to conduct background checks on all finalist candidates prior to any offer of employment. For further information, contact Helen Stevens, 515-829-7411 or helen.stevens at blind.state.ia.us <mailto:helen.stevens at blind.state.ia.us> To Apply: <https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/iowa/jobs/2338491/vocational-rehabil…> Vocational Rehabilitation Teacher Positions in this class are exempt from the screening and referral requirements of the Iowa Department of Administrative Services ? Human Resources Enterprise. Persons who wish to be considered for this position must submit a resume and letter of application to: Helen Stevens Education and Training Director Iowa Department for the Blind 524 4th Street Des Moines, IA 50309-2364 helen.stevens at blind.state.ia.us <mailto:helen.stevens at blind.state.ia.us> <https://content.govdelivery.com/attachments/fancy_images/IACIO/2017/02/1217…> Phone: 515-281-1333 E-mail: <mailto:information at blind.state.ia.us> information at blind.state.ia.us Iowa Department for the Blind 524 Fourth Street Des Moines, IA 50309-2364 Stay Connected with the Iowa Department for the Blind: <https://www.facebook.com/idbonline/?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery> <https://twitter.com/idbonline?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery> <https://blind.iowa.gov/newsroom/blogs?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelive…> <https://www.youtube.com/user/IDBonline?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdeliv…> <https://public.govdelivery.com/accounts/IACIO/subscriber/topics?qsp=IACIO_30> Manage Subscriptions <https://public.govdelivery.com/accounts/IACIO/subscriber/edit?preferences=t…> Help <https://subscriberhelp.govdelivery.com/> <https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/IACIO/bulletins/22c6e91?reqfrom=sh…> Edward C. Bell, Ph.D., CRC, NOMC, Director, Professional Development and Research Institute on Blindness Louisiana Tech University 600 Mayfield Ave / 210 Woodard Hall PO Box 3158 Ruston LA 71272 Office: 318.257.4554 Fax: 318.257.2259 <mailto:ebell at latech.edu> ebell at latech.edu www.pdrib.com ************* "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." -- Stephen Jay Gould From: Janice Eggers <Janice.Eggers at blind.state.ia.us> Sent: Friday, February 01, 2019 2:16 PM Subject: Courtesy Copy: Job Posting - Vocational Rehabilitation Teacher This is a courtesy copy of an email bulletin sent by Janice Eggers - DFB. This bulletin was sent to the following groups of people: Subscribers of DFB_JobPostings (237 recipients) _____ Having trouble viewing this email? View it in your browser <https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/IACIO/bulletins/22c6e91> here Vocational Rehabilitation Teacher Location: Des Moines, Iowa Salary Minimum: $48,672.00 Salary Maximum: $74,131.20 Post Close Date: February 22, 2019 Job Description: This is a courtesy posting for a non-merit position. Please follow instructions in the ?To Apply? section for directions on how to apply for this position. The Iowa Department for the Blind (IDB) is seeking applicants for a position that will promote IDB?s mission, vision and values through providing blindness-skills training to vocational rehabilitation clients throughout the state. A significant portion of this position will include teaching young adults. Duties and responsibilities to include the following: * Teach blindness skills, including but not limited to braille, cane travel, home and personal management, and basic technology usage, to vocational rehabilitation clients, individually and in groups, including pre-employment transition services for clients and potentially eligible students. * Provide regular written reports documenting training, and communicate regularly with vocational rehabilitation counselors regarding client progress and concerns. * Evaluate the skill level and training needs of vocational rehabilitation clients and potentially eligible students. * Provide reports documenting strengths, weaknesses and training recommendations to clients, counselors and IEP teams as appropriate. * Assist in developing and implementing group trainings for vocational rehabilitation clients and potentially eligible students such as transition weekend retreats. * Assist in developing assessments and training curricula for use with clients. * Assist in developing and provide training to service providers including paraprofessionals, in working with blind persons in a manner that supports skill development and fosters independence. Essential functions of this position: * Communicate effectively in person, on the phone, and in writing with clients, counselors, and the public using proper English grammar, spelling, and sentence structure. * Read, write, and teach contracted braille. * Independently travel using the long white cane under sleep shades and teach skills to clients. * Promote a positive philosophy of blindness including that blind persons can be as proficient as their sighted counterparts * Experience teaching blindness skills preferred. It is the policy of the Department for the Blind to conduct background checks on all finalist candidates prior to any offer of employment. For further information, contact Helen Stevens, 515-829-7411 or helen.stevens at blind.state.ia.us <mailto:helen.stevens at blind.state.ia.us> To Apply: <https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/iowa/jobs/2338491/vocational-rehabil…> Vocational Rehabilitation Teacher Positions in this class are exempt from the screening and referral requirements of the Iowa Department of Administrative Services ? Human Resources Enterprise. Persons who wish to be considered for this position must submit a resume and letter of application to: Helen Stevens Education and Training Director Iowa Department for the Blind 524 4th Street Des Moines, IA 50309-2364 helen.stevens at blind.state.ia.us <mailto:helen.stevens at blind.state.ia.us> Phone: 515-281-1333 E-mail: <mailto:information at blind.state.ia.us> information at blind.state.ia.us Iowa Department for the Blind 524 Fourth Street Des Moines, IA 50309-2364 Stay Connected with the Iowa Department for the Blind: <https://www.facebook.com/idbonline/?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery> <https://twitter.com/idbonline?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery> <https://blind.iowa.gov/newsroom/blogs?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelive…> <https://www.youtube.com/user/IDBonline?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdeliv…> <https://public.govdelivery.com/accounts/IACIO/subscriber/topics?qsp=IACIO_30> Manage Subscriptions <https://public.govdelivery.com/accounts/IACIO/subscriber/edit?preferences=t…> Help <https://subscriberhelp.govdelivery.com/> <https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/IACIO/bulletins/22c6e91?reqfrom=sh…>

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FW: Orientation & Mobility Specialist Association announces 2019 Board of Directors
by ebell＠pdrib.com 01 Feb '19

01 Feb '19

Announcement The Orientation and Mobility Specialist Association Organizing Committee reviewed Board applications from many qualified OMSA members for Board positions. We are grateful for their commitment to the O&M profession and thank them for their service. We are excited to begin our work: To Promote, Shape, and Advance the Profession of Orientation and Mobility, The Organizing Committee has appointed the follow OMSA member to serve as the 2019 Officer and Board Members. President: Eileen Siffermann, M.A., M.Ed COMS Vice President: Edward Bell, Ph.D., CRC, NOMC Secretary: Nicholas Casias, Ed.D., COMS Treasurer: Susan Langendonk, M.A, COMS Members; GDMI: Lukas Franck, M.A., COMS, GDMI GDMI: William Henry, M.A., COMS, GDMI Higher Education: Eileen Bischof, Ph.D., TVI/COMS COMS: Mickey Damelio, M.A., COMS NOMC: Jennifer Kennedy, M.A., NOMC Student: Hailey McManus student at FSU Additionally, a Facebook group for members only has been created for OMSA, if you?d like to join please go to https://bit.ly/2S0nYz1 <--it?s a facebook link that has been shortened) to join. Once your membership has been verified you?ll be added. To Promote, Shape, and Advance the Profession of Orientation and Mobility

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