[Cabs-talk] legislative issues critical to students

[Hoby Wedler]

Hello everyone,

I too have been to Washington twice with the NFBC, in 2011 and 2012. It is a 
truly enlightening experience and I love how we can have such a tremendous 
influence on our members just by taking the time to talk to their offices.

Angela Fowler and I are planning a meeting with both of our rep, John 
Garamundi sometime soon.
Just because all the offices are in three easily-navigated buildings in 
Washington does not mean that we shouldn't treat the whole year like a 
Washington seminar and visit our representatives (who are working for us) at 
their district offices.

Best,
-- Hoby Wedler


-----Original Message----- 
From: Angela Fowler
Sent: Monday, February 18, 2013 4:25 PM
To: California Association of Blind Students Mailing List
Subject: [Cabs-talk] legislative issues critical to students

Hello fellow students,

                I was honored this year to be one of the 14 representing
California at Washington Seminar. There we met with our congressional
representatives and their aids, and discussed those issues effecting blind
Americans.

                Once again, we presented the issue of fair wages, and asked
Congress to eliminate section 14C of the Fair Labor Standards Act so that
disabled workers would be paid the minimum wage or higher.

                We presented HR 164. At present, retired military personnel
can fly on military aircraft at little or no cost provided there is space
available. This bill, which already has over 20 co-sponsors, would extend
that to include combat disabled veterans.

                Last but not least, we presented an issue critical to
students. This is the Technology Education and Accessibility in Colleges and
Higher Education (TEACH) act. This act would authorize the access board to
develop standards which publishers could use to make textbooks and
supplemental materials used in colleges classes accessible to blind
students. Those PDFs you can't read, those course web sites you can't
access, all would be covered under this act.

                The work we did at Washington Seminar was important, but
even more so is the work which follows, and it is work in which all of you
can take a hand. We need to follow up with our representatives in their
districts. So often we go to Washington Seminar, come home, and the
experience soon recedes into a sweet memory, nothing more. This year's team
of Washington Seminarians is spearheading the crucial follow-up work which
will drive our legislative agenda forward.

                If you are interested in helping to continue the great work
begun at Washington Seminar, contact me, Tiffany Manosh, or Michael Hingson.
Our contact info is listed below.

                California has by far the most congressional representatives
of any state in the nation. We also have a dedicated group of strong
legislative advocates spread out throughout the state. There is no reason
why we shouldn't be amongst the top in terms of co-sponsors per state. If we
all work together and persist in this effort, California could quickly
become a driving force on the National legislative front.

Sincerely,

Angela Fowler



Angela Fowler

(530-902-0987

fowlers at syix.com



Tiffany Manosh

(916) 202-3486

tmanosh at gmail.com\



Michael Hingson

415-246-7250

mike at michaelhingson.com



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