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  <NewsItem contentIssues="true" id="87430" important="false" status="posted" url="https://dev.my.umbc.edu/groups/accessibility/posts/87430">
  <Title>Make your PowerPoints Accessible w/Instructional Technology</Title>
  <Tagline>Be an Accessible Content Ally with your PowerPoints!</Tagline>
  <Body>
    <![CDATA[
    <div class="html-content"><div><div><br>Are your PowerPoint presentations accessible to every student in your course? Instructors routinely upload PowerPoint presentations into their course, but this doesn't mean that every student has the same opportunity to access the materials, based on an individual's abilities. </div><div><br></div><div><strong><em>Instructional Technology is conveniently offering this online, one-hour course on November 13th at noon.  Click on the Visit Website button below to register through myUMBC.</em></strong></div><div><br></div><div>Microsoft PowerPoint is widely used to distribute content and information. Unfortunately, students with disabilities are often faced with an array of challenges when accessing PowerPoint presentations. According to the Quality Matters rubric for assessing courses, “course design [and content] should reflect a commitment to accessibility and usability for all learners, ensuring they can access all course content and activities.” </div><div><br></div><div>Join us to learn how you can make your PowerPoint Presentations more accessible. Remember: accessible content is good content! </div></div><div><br></div><div><strong>Objectives</strong></div><div>Upon completion of the workshop, participants will be able to:</div><div><ul><li>Update to the latest version of Microsoft Office through UMBC's Office 365 license </li><li>Utilize headers, formatting tools, and text styles rather than stylizing text</li><li>Modify alt text on images and shapes for screen-readers</li><li>Explain the importance of layout stylization and its impact on accessibility, like creating table headers, or splitting text into multiple columns </li><li>Review accessibility through the Read Aloud, Check Accessibility, and Ally tools   </li></ul></div><div><br></div><div><strong>About Ally</strong></div><div><a href="https://wiki.umbc.edu/pages/viewpage.action?pageId=77431271" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">Ally </a>is a tool used for instructors to <a href="https://wiki.umbc.edu/pages/viewpage.action?pageId=77431289" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">receive feedback on the accessibility of their content</a>, coupled with instructions on how to <a href="https://wiki.umbc.edu/pages/viewpage.action?pageId=77431315" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">improve the accessibility of their content</a>. Additionally, Ally automatically <a href="https://wiki.umbc.edu/pages/viewpage.action?pageId=77431260" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">creates alternative versions of files </a>which allows students to choose the type of file they want that best suits their needs. To learn more about Ally, visit our <a href="https://wiki.umbc.edu/display/faq/Ally" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">extensive FAQ collection</a>. </div><div><br></div><div><strong>Accessible Content Ally Badge</strong></div><div>Instructional Technology will be awarding the Accessible Content Ally Badge to instructors who complete all of the following trainings:</div><div><ul><li>Making Word Docs Accessible -- 1 training OR 1 webinar</li><li>Making PowerPoints Accessible -- 1 training OR 1 webinar</li><li>Making PDFs Accessible -- 1 training OR 1 webinar</li><li>Any Ally Orientation -- 1 training OR 1 webinar</li></ul></div></div>
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  <Summary>Are your PowerPoint presentations accessible to every student in your course? Instructors routinely upload PowerPoint presentations into their course, but this doesn't mean that every student has...</Summary>
  <Website>https://my3.my.umbc.edu/groups/instructional-technology/events/73357</Website>
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  <Tag>accessibility</Tag>
  <Tag>ally</Tag>
  <Tag>blackboard</Tag>
  <Tag>design</Tag>
  <Tag>disability</Tag>
  <Tag>faculty</Tag>
  <Tag>instructional</Tag>
  <Tag>microsoft</Tag>
  <Tag>powerpoint</Tag>
  <Tag>technology</Tag>
  <Tag>training</Tag>
  <Tag>universal</Tag>
  <Group token="accessibility">Office of Accessibility &amp;amp; Disability Services</Group>
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  <Sponsor>Instructional Technology</Sponsor>
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  <PostedAt>Wed, 09 Oct 2019 02:09:15 -0400</PostedAt>
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  <NewsItem contentIssues="true" id="86765" important="false" status="posted" url="https://dev.my.umbc.edu/groups/accessibility/posts/86765">
  <Title>What is it like living with a disability? Veterans share</Title>
  <Tagline>Explained so even a 5 year-old can understand it</Tagline>
  <Body>
    <![CDATA[
    <div class="html-content"><div>In our post-9/11 experience, we have more people, including more veterans, who have survived traumatic events and are navigating life with a disability.  Here are two examples:</div><div><br></div><div><a href="https://youtu.be/XFBlfzVveao" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">Life with an invisible disability</a>:  Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder:  <a href="https://youtu.be/XFBlfzVveao">https://youtu.be/XFBlfzVveao</a> *</div><div><br></div><div><a href="https://youtu.be/igIkKmMzuS4" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">Life after an injury</a>: <a href="https://youtu.be/igIkKmMzuS4">https://youtu.be/igIkKmMzuS4</a> *</div><div><br></div><div>Both videos include the journey from "before" to their current lived experience, including family caregiver perspectives.  Some of the experiences are similar for people who have survived trauma resulting in disability, such as being hit by a car as a pedestrian.  Both videos include people who may come to a campus for academic, work, and event purposes. What are the strat<span>egies they use to be successful that might work at UMBC?</span></div><div><br></div><div><em><strong>Find support and ask for help.</strong></em></div><div><br></div><div>When an incoming or current undergraduate or graduate student is working with a licensed health care professional (including VA providers) accommodations for academic life are requested through Student Disability Services: <a href="https://sds.umbc.edu/" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">https://sds.umbc.edu</a>.  <span>The student accommodation process is available online through the website and is described here:  </span><a href="https://sds.umbc.edu/accommodations/registering-with-sds/" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">https://sds.umbc.edu/accommodations/registering-with-sds/</a></div><div><br></div><div>Students seeking local support can reach out to the <a href="https://counseling.umbc.edu/" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">Counseling Center </a>and <a href="https://uhs.umbc.edu/" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">University Health Services</a></div><div><br></div><div>Employees with disabilities may also request <a href="https://accessibility.umbc.edu/employee-accommodation-request/" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">work-related accommodations</a>.  The process is available here: <a href="https://accessibility.umbc.edu/employee-accommodation-request/" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">https://accessibility.umbc.edu/employee-accommodation-request/</a></div><div><br></div><div><div>For others who might want to help - the person with a disability takes the lead with asking for accommodation as a matter of respect and dignity. They are students and employees here because they have the qualifications for the role.  Accommodations are handled confidentially, so it is entirely possible that a classmate, workmate or a bystander might be the nth person to offer unsolicited advice for something that is well-covered.  How new is the person to their health condition? How new are they to UMBC? Is this related to your role with the person with a disability?  How new is a potential ally to working with someone with a disability?  <a href="https://youtu.be/Gv1aDEFlXq8" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">This linked video helps those who are very new to engaging with people with disabilities</a>. Do what you would do with anyone on campus: be present, listen, and reflect before acting, and ask the person involved. If it's a technical question, the disability professionals on campus are only a phone call away: 410-455-2459 or 410-455-5745.</div></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><strong><em>Self-Care</em></strong></div><div><br></div><div>Self-care on campus can include a variety of activities that are part of the <span>UMBC Wellness Initiative: </span><a href="https://wellness.umbc.edu/" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">https://wellness.umbc.edu/</a><span>  and are available to people of all abilities.  Some activities include taking a Zumba or Yoga class, as well as using the weight room or going for a swim at the RAC (the pools have lifts).  Taking a walk around the loop or on the CERA trail. Accessing <a href="https://counseling.umbc.edu/resources/" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">resources through the Counseling Center,</a> such as the Mind Spa is an option. </span></div><div><br></div><div>Connecting with people who know the journey, including successes and struggles, can also be a part of self-care.  UMBC Student Veterans have more information and resources on their website:  <a href="https://veterans.umbc.edu/" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">https://veterans.umbc.edu/</a></div><div><br></div><div>Getting busy with other people can also help, and there are several service and social action student organizations listed here for joining or volunteering:  <a href="https://my3.my.umbc.edu/groups/studentorgs" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">https://my3.my.umbc.edu/groups/studentorgs</a> including<a href="https://my3.my.umbc.edu/groups/retrievets" rel="nofollow external" class="bo"> Retrievets</a> some are  health-related such as Red Cross and UMBC-NAMI, and much, much more. Just like they say on the airplane, take care of your own oxygen first.</div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div>Take good care, all!</div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div>As a community that cares, accessibility concerns, may be reported here:  <a href="https://accessibility.umbc.edu/report-campus-accessibility-concern/" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">https://accessibility.umbc.edu/report-campus-accessibility-concern/</a>  If it is a repair, call it in to Work Control first: 410-455-2550, as they coordinate sending out the repairpersons.</div><div><br></div><div>*Both videos are from Sesame Street in the Community resources and are accessible for adults.  Their work is here:  <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCuEgW3r4ytXwd9UfQySv_Nw" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCuEgW3r4ytXwd9UfQySv_Nw</a> and includes many, many videos that often involve muppets</div></div>
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  </Body>
  <Summary>In our post-9/11 experience, we have more people, including more veterans, who have survived traumatic events and are navigating life with a disability.  Here are two examples:     Life with an...</Summary>
  <Website>https://accessibility.umbc.edu/</Website>
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  <Tag>academic</Tag>
  <Tag>accessibility</Tag>
  <Tag>accommodation</Tag>
  <Tag>ally</Tag>
  <Tag>ask</Tag>
  <Tag>awkward</Tag>
  <Tag>care</Tag>
  <Tag>caregiving</Tag>
  <Tag>disability</Tag>
  <Tag>employment</Tag>
  <Tag>healing</Tag>
  <Tag>help</Tag>
  <Tag>invisible</Tag>
  <Tag>mobility</Tag>
  <Tag>normal</Tag>
  <Tag>parent</Tag>
  <Tag>power</Tag>
  <Tag>ptsd</Tag>
  <Tag>recovery</Tag>
  <Tag>reentry</Tag>
  <Tag>resources</Tag>
  <Tag>retrievets</Tag>
  <Tag>self</Tag>
  <Tag>selfcare</Tag>
  <Tag>social</Tag>
  <Tag>support</Tag>
  <Tag>tbi</Tag>
  <Tag>training</Tag>
  <Tag>veteran</Tag>
  <Tag>visible</Tag>
  <Tag>wheelchair</Tag>
  <Tag>work</Tag>
  <Group token="accessibility">Office of Accessibility &amp;amp; Disability Services</Group>
  <GroupUrl>https://dev.my.umbc.edu/groups/accessibility</GroupUrl>
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  <Sponsor>Office of Accessibility &amp; Disability Services</Sponsor>
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  <PostedAt>Wed, 18 Sep 2019 11:08:25 -0400</PostedAt>
  <EditAt>Wed, 18 Sep 2019 11:29:54 -0400</EditAt>
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  <NewsItem contentIssues="true" id="85797" important="true" status="posted" url="https://dev.my.umbc.edu/groups/accessibility/posts/85797">
  <Title>UMBC DoIT Instructional Tech Team offers Ally Orientation</Title>
  <Tagline>Webinar 9/16/19: Using Ally in Blackboard</Tagline>
  <Body>
    <![CDATA[
    <div class="html-content"><p><em>WEBINAR IS ONLINE, SEPTEMBER 16, NOON TO 1 PM</em></p><p><em>Learn to make your course materials accessible in Blackboard.</em></p><p><em><span>During the SP2019 semester, </span><a href="https://my3.my.umbc.edu/groups/instructional-technology/posts/82487" rel="nofollow external" class="bo"><span>Ally was deployed</span></a><span> to courses using Ultra. Ally is available in all courses regardless of course interface starting in SU2019.</span></em></p><p><span>Learn about </span><a href="https://wiki.umbc.edu/display/faq/Ally" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">Ally</a><span>, a new tool to help improve the accessibility of course content in Blackboard. Attend this orientation and demonstration session to see Ally’s powerful file conversion tools for alternative formats. Review the accessibility of your own course materials using the Ally indicator.</span></p><p><span><strong>Workshop Objectives</strong></span></p><p><span>Upon completion of the workshop, participants should be able to:</span></p><ul><li><p><span>Review accessibility guidelines.</span></p></li><li><p><span>Create alternative, more accessible versions of course content.</span></p></li><li><p><span>Review key barriers that hinder the accessibility of content.</span></p></li><li><p><span>Apply changes to content based on recommendations from the Ally accessibility plan.</span></p></li><li><p><span>Understand and interpret results based on recommended remediation approaches.</span></p></li><li><p><span>Identify and utilize accessibility tools to create more accessible content.</span></p></li></ul><div>The webinar will take place in a Blackboard Collaborate virtual conference room. Use the link below to enter the webinar up to 15 minutes before the start time:</div><div><a href="https://umbc-dot-yamm-track.appspot.com/Redirect?ukey=1Aq-h__dznkNVJO7yl8cUz3a9sKW2XX8GD1XEnQU5x6o-1235257812&amp;key=YAMMID-95661690&amp;link=https%3A%2F%2Fus.bbcollab.com%2Fguest%2FF86094D72DC738A34DDA685549B72E78" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">https://us.bbcollab.com/guest/F86094D72DC738A34DDA685549B72E78</a>  <br><br><strong>Prior to the session</strong></div><div><strong><br></strong></div><div><div>If this is your first time joining one of our webinars, please review <a href="https://umbc-dot-yamm-track.appspot.com/Redirect?ukey=1Aq-h__dznkNVJO7yl8cUz3a9sKW2XX8GD1XEnQU5x6o-1235257812&amp;key=YAMMID-95661690&amp;link=https%3A%2F%2Fhelp.blackboard.com%2FCollaborate%2FUltra%2FParticipant%2FGet_Started%2FStart_Here_With_The_Basics" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">Getting Started Guide</a>. You will also find additional helpful information for using Blackboard Collaborate at our extensive <a href="https://umbc-dot-yamm-track.appspot.com/Redirect?ukey=1Aq-h__dznkNVJO7yl8cUz3a9sKW2XX8GD1XEnQU5x6o-1235257812&amp;key=YAMMID-95661690&amp;link=https%3A%2F%2Fwiki.umbc.edu%2Fdisplay%2Ffaq%2FBlackboard%2BCollaborate" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">FAQs</a>. </div><div><br>For the best viewing experience, we recommend using Chrome or a recent browser update. Webinars are bandwidth intensive, so closing any unnecessary browser tabs will help conserve your bandwidth. After joining the session, please <a href="https://umbc-dot-yamm-track.appspot.com/Redirect?ukey=1Aq-h__dznkNVJO7yl8cUz3a9sKW2XX8GD1XEnQU5x6o-1235257812&amp;key=YAMMID-95661690&amp;link=https%3A%2F%2Fhelp.blackboard.com%2FCollaborate%2FUltra%2FParticipant%2FGet_Started%2FAudio_and_Video_Set_Up" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">configure your audio</a>. </div><div><br>The session will be recorded if two or more people attend and the link will be distributed to everyone who registered.</div></div><p><span>For more information about Ally at UMBC, please <a href="https://my3.my.umbc.edu/groups/instructional-technology/posts/82487" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">see this announcement</a> and <a href="https://wiki.umbc.edu/x/2IGdB" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">the FAQ collection</a>.</span></p></div>
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  </Body>
  <Summary>WEBINAR IS ONLINE, SEPTEMBER 16, NOON TO 1 PM  Learn to make your course materials accessible in Blackboard.  During the SP2019 semester, Ally was deployed to courses using Ultra. Ally is...</Summary>
  <Website>https://my3.my.umbc.edu/groups/instructional-technology/events/72091</Website>
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  <Tag>accessible</Tag>
  <Tag>blackboard</Tag>
  <Tag>content</Tag>
  <Tag>course</Tag>
  <Tag>development</Tag>
  <Tag>disability</Tag>
  <Tag>doit</Tag>
  <Tag>faculty</Tag>
  <Tag>instructional</Tag>
  <Tag>men-s-basketball</Tag>
  <Tag>pdf</Tag>
  <Tag>services</Tag>
  <Tag>technology</Tag>
  <Tag>training</Tag>
  <Tag>ultra</Tag>
  <Group token="accessibility">Office of Accessibility &amp;amp; Disability Services</Group>
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  <NewsItem contentIssues="true" id="85537" important="true" status="posted" url="https://dev.my.umbc.edu/groups/accessibility/posts/85537">
    <Title>A WIN for Course Accessibility with Blackboard Ally</Title>
    <Tagline>How to be a Faculty Ally for Students with Disabilities</Tagline>
    <Body>
      <![CDATA[
          <div class="html-content"><span>DoIT's Instructional Technology division will be holding various Blackboard training sessions to highlight changes to Ultra and the addition of Ally, which supports the accessibility of course materials for all students, especially students with disabilities. </span><div><br></div><div><span>Learn about </span><a href="https://wiki.umbc.edu/display/faq/Ally" rel="nofollow external" class="bo"><span>Ally</span></a><span>, a new tool to help improve the accessibility of course content in Blackboard. Attend this orientation and demonstration session to see Ally’s powerful file conversion tools for alternative formats. Review the accessibility of your own course materials using the Ally indicator while getting an understanding of how to create accessible course materials.</span><br><div><br></div><div>If you would like to learn sooner,<span> put the Ally Orientation on your calendar for Monday August 12th from noon-1:00 p.m. It's being held online.  </span></div><div><br></div><div>Read more about Instructional Technology's event, and get the link to join in the orientation here:</div><div><br></div><div><a href="https://doit.umbc.edu/itnm/training/?id=70663" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">https://doit.umbc.edu/itnm/training/?id=70663</a></div><div><br></div><div>If you can't make Monday's training, additional options (all online and interactive via Blackboard Collaborate) sign up here:</div><div><br></div><div>August 23rd:  <a href="https://my3.my.umbc.edu/groups/instructional-technology/events/71615" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">https://my3.my.umbc.edu/groups/instructional-technology/events/71615</a></div></div><div><br></div><div>September 16th:  <a href="https://my3.my.umbc.edu/groups/instructional-technology/events/72091" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">https://my3.my.umbc.edu/groups/instructional-technology/events/72091</a></div><div><br></div><div>October 16th: <a href="https://my3.my.umbc.edu/groups/instructional-technology/events/72092" rel="nofollow external" class="bo">https://my3.my.umbc.edu/groups/instructional-technology/events/72092</a></div></div>
      ]]>
    </Body>
    <Summary>DoIT's Instructional Technology division will be holding various Blackboard training sessions to highlight changes to Ultra and the addition of Ally, which supports the accessibility of course...</Summary>
    <Website>https://doit.umbc.edu/itnm/training/?id=70663</Website>
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    <Tag>blackboard</Tag>
    <Tag>blind</Tag>
    <Tag>content</Tag>
    <Tag>course</Tag>
    <Tag>disability</Tag>
    <Tag>faculty</Tag>
    <Tag>handicap</Tag>
    <Tag>instructional</Tag>
    <Tag>low</Tag>
    <Tag>pdf</Tag>
    <Tag>print</Tag>
    <Tag>remediate</Tag>
    <Tag>technology</Tag>
    <Tag>training</Tag>
    <Tag>vision</Tag>
    <Group token="accessibility">Office of Accessibility &amp;amp; Disability Services</Group>
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    <Sponsor>Instructional Technology</Sponsor>
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    <PostedAt>Tue, 23 Jul 2019 19:38:32 -0400</PostedAt>
    <EditAt>Wed, 14 Aug 2019 10:18:31 -0400</EditAt>
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  <NewsItem contentIssues="true" id="82617" important="false" status="posted" url="https://dev.my.umbc.edu/groups/accessibility/posts/82617">
    <Title>Accommodations with Student Internships and Practicums</Title>
    <Tagline>Planning for Positive Outcomes with disABILITY</Tagline>
    <Body>
      <![CDATA[
          <div class="html-content"><div><strong>WEBINAR TOPIC: </strong><span>ADA Accommodations for Internships &amp; Practicums: Differentiate Between Institutional vs. Individual Obligations to Meet Compliance Standards</span></div><div><div><br></div><div>Faculty and classroom instructors have a responsibility to provide equal educational opportunity to qualified students of all abilities, with or without a reasonable accommodation — the same is true for internship and practicum locations. Communicating with collaboration sites about understanding and complying with ADA and disability-informed rules and regulations is par for the course. <strong><em>Connecting with internship/practicum coordinators and students with disabilities to assure they understand their individual responsibilities when it comes to requesting and complying with ADA accommodations is essential,</em></strong> so determinations can be made about what is reasonable while meeting your compliance obligations.</div><div><br></div><div><strong>PANELISTS: </strong></div><div><ul><li>Brandon Washington is the Director of Equal Opportunity and Compliance at the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill.</li><li>Daiquiri Steele serves as the Director of Diversity &amp; Inclusion and Assistant Professor of Law in Residence at the University of Alabama School of Law.</li></ul><div><br></div><div>The webinar is being held for faculty and staff on March 7th from 2-3:30p on campus.  Additional seats are available.  If you are a faculty or staff member who is interested in attending, contact Stephanie Lazarus, Accessibility Manager via <a href="mailto:slazar@umbc.edu">slazar@umbc.edu</a>.</div></div></div></div>
      ]]>
    </Body>
    <Summary>WEBINAR TOPIC: ADA Accommodations for Internships &amp; Practicums: Differentiate Between Institutional vs. Individual Obligations to Meet Compliance Standards      Faculty and classroom...</Summary>
    <Website>https://www.paper-clip.com/Main/Product-Catalog/ADA-Accommodations-for-Internships-Practicums-Diff-4306.aspx</Website>
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    <Tag>accessibility</Tag>
    <Tag>ada</Tag>
    <Tag>career</Tag>
    <Tag>disability</Tag>
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    <Tag>learning</Tag>
    <Tag>on-the-job</Tag>
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    <PostedAt>Tue, 05 Mar 2019 14:18:08 -0500</PostedAt>
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