[Colorado-talk] NFBCO 2016 State Day at the Capitol Tomorrow

Wed Jan 13 23:36:26 UTC 2016

Greetings everyone, this is a reminder that we are conducting our annual
Sate Day at the Capitol starting at 8:00 am tomorrow in the Old Supreme
Court Chambers which is located in the center of the Second Florr of  the
Capitol building.  We hope many of you will be there.  We will start out
with a briefing on our issues and then we will break up into small groups to
go visit our legislators.  If you do not already know your legislators, we
can help you figure that out tomorrow or you can go to
http://openstates.org/find_your_legislator/ and enter your address.  This
site will tell you who your Senator and Representative are.  Please tell
your group leader to ask for that card so that you can go to that office.  

Below you will find our 2016 legislative agenda.  It is also attached to
this email.

See you tomorrow!

Scott

MEMORANDUM

To:       The Members of the Colorado General Assembly

From:   The Members of the National Federation of the Blind of Colorado

Date:   January 14, 2016

Re:       Legislative Concerns of Blind Citizens 

GENERAL BACKGROUND

The National Federation of the Blind (NFB) is the oldest and largest
organization of the blind in the United States and in Colorado.  The primary
mission of the Federation is to allow the blind to live the lives they want
in all areas of life from ensuring basic civil rights to securing employment
and education for the blind.  Founded officially in 1955, the NFB of
Colorado engages in a number of programs specifically designed to create
greater opportunities for the blind.  For example, the Federation is the
chief sponsor of the Colorado Center for the Blind.  The Colorado Center
provides training in the alternative skills blind people need to become
fully participating members of society.  Additionally, NFB offers national
and statewide scholarships.  We also provide a free talking newspaper called
NFB-NEWSLINER which allows the blind of our state to read the daily
newspaper just as easily as their sighted peers.  We advocate for the rights
of the blind in all areas ranging from education to employment.  Where
positive changes are happening in the blindness field, there is a good
chance that the Federation is involved.

2016 LEGISLATIVE AGENDA

First, we wish to express publicly our sincerest gratitude for the work
performed by the 2015 Interim Study Committee on Vocational Rehabilitation
Services for the Blind under the leadership of Representative Jessie
Danielson (Chair), Senator David Balmer (Vice-Chair), Senator Aguilar,
Senator Lundberg, Representative Primavera, and Representative Windholz.
Second, we urge this Assembly to adopt H.B. 1048, recommended by the Interim
Committee and which would expand the scope of Colorado's Randolph-Sheppard
Program for blind entrepreneurs.  Third, likewise we urge passage of H.B.
1037, also forwarded by the Interim Committee, which would create tax
credits for the hiring of blind employees and additional tax credits for
employer- purchased assistive technology for blind employees.  Fourth, we
strongly support continued state funding for NFB-NEWSLINER which brings
daily newspapers and other periodicals to the blind of Colorado in
accessible formats.  

For further information contact:

Scott C. LaBarre, President

National Federation of the Blind of Colorado

Phone: 303 504-5979

Fax: 303 757-3640

Email: slabarre at labarrelaw.com
NFBCO GRATITUDE FOR THE WORK OF THE 2015 VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION SERVICES
FOR THE BLIND INTERIM STUDY COMMITTEE

Last year at this time, the NFB of Colorado called for an interim study
committee to examine the most efficacious delivery of vocational
rehabilitation services for the blind in our state.  Representative Pete Lee
and Senator Michael Merrifield officially sponsored a request for such a
committee.

Ultimately the Vocational Rehabilitation Services for the Blind Interim
Study Committee (the Committee) was created pursuant to Interim Committee
Letter 2015-3.  The purpose of the committee was to determine the most
effective structure and delivery model for vocational rehabilitation
services for the blind when Colorado's Vocational Rehabilitation Program is
transferred to the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment (CDLE) on
July 1 of this year, following the passage of Senate Bill 15-239.
Specifically, the interim study committee was mandated to make
recommendations based on the following: the findings and recommendations of
the November 2013 legislative audit concerning oversight and accountability
of the Vocational Rehabilitation Program; an evaluation of delays in the
delivery of vocational rehabilitation services for the blind; an assessment
of the efficacy of the application, receipt, and use of the federal
Rehabilitation Act "110" funding for the blind; the consideration of any and
all issues identified in the National Federation of the Blind Colorado
(NFBCO) Resolution 2014-7 and Resolution 2014-4; and consideration of any
other issues related to the effective delivery of vocational rehabilitation
services to the blind to assist them in obtaining job skills and long-term
high-paying jobs.

Comprised of Representative Jessie Danielson (Chair), Senator David Balmer
(Vice-Chair), Senators Lundberg and Aguilar, and Representatives Primavera
and Windholz, the Committee conducted six meetings during the interim and
heard from dozens of witnesses and collected substantial aural and written
testimony.  The Committee first recommended a bill to create a statutorily
separate vocational rehabilitation unit for the blind but later withdrew
that bill when CDLE announced that it would administratively create a
separate unit for the blind effective January 1st of 2016, long before any
legislation could do so.  It should be noted that the NFB of Colorado has
been extremely pleased with the leadership of Executive Director Ellen
Golombek and her staff from CDLE who are working vigorously to create better
opportunities for the blind of Colorado.

Second, the Committee officially voted to forward a bill, H.B. 1048 that
would expand the scope of Colorado's Randolph-Sheppard Program by extending
said program to state higher education and the State Fair Authority.  As
described fully elsewhere in this memo, the NFBCO strongly supports this
legislation and urges its passage.

Third, the Committee also forward to this Assembly a bill, H.B. 1037 that
would create tax credits to employers who hire blind individuals and
employers who purchase assistive technology for those employees.  As fully
described elsewhere in this Memo, the Federation wholly endorses this
legislation and recommends its passage.  We salute the Interim Committee and
express our gratitude for its important work!  

For further information regarding this issue contact:

Scott C. LaBarre, President

National Federation of the Blind of Colorado

Phone: 303 504-5979

Fax: 303 757-3640

Email:  <mailto:slabarre at labarrelaw.com> slabarre at labarrelaw.com

NFBCO URGES PASSAGE OF H.B. 1048, A BILL TO EXPAND BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES
FOR BLIND BUSINESS OWNERS

In 1936, Congress adopted the Randolph-Sheppard Act which has led to the
most successful employment program for the blind in our nation's history.
The Act creates a priority for duly licensed blind business owners to
operate vending facilities and other businesses on federal property.  Here
in Colorado, the Program is managed by the Business Enterprise Program of
the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation soon to be housed in the Colorado
Department of Labor and Employment (CDLE).  In addition to a priority on
federal property, Colorado grants such a priority to licensed blind
operators on state properties.  However, Colorado higher education and the
State Fair Authority have previously been exempted from this priority.

As recommended by the Vocational Rehabilitation Services for the Blind
Interim Committee and in recognition of the urgent need to create greater
employment for the blind, House Bill 16-1048 removes an existing statutory
exemption for property owned, leased, or occupied by higher education
institutions or the State Fair Authority, thereby granting priority to
persons who are blind and licensed vendors to operate vending facilities on
these properties. The bill also expands the scope of the program so that
persons who are blind may also operate businesses other than vending
facilities on state property.  The bill requires the program changes to be
implemented within existing appropriations to the CDLE.

The NFB of Colorado strongly supports H.B. 1048 and urges its adoption.  We
stand ready to work with all stake holders to implement this legislation in
an effective and responsible manner.  We are confident that this will
greatly improve employment opportunities for the blind of our state.

For further information regarding H.B. 1048 contact:

Scott C. LaBarre, President

National Federation of the Blind of Colorado

Phone: 303 504-5979

Fax: 303 757-3640

Email:  <mailto:slabarre at labarrelaw.com> slabarre at labarrelaw.com

NFBCO URGES PASSAGE OF H.B. 1037, A BILL CREATING GREATER EMPLOYMENT 

OF THE BLIND

Despite important societal advancements in the employment of those who are
blind or otherwise disabled, the working age blind still face an
unemployment rate exceeding seventy percent.  In response to this critical
lack of opportunity, the 2015 Vocational Rehabilitation Services for the
Blind Interim Committee has forwarded and placed before this General
Assembly House Bill 16-1037 which would create certain tax credits for
employers hiring and retaining blind employees.  The NFB of Colorado
strongly supports this bill and urges its adoption.  

The period of the tax credit created by H.B. 1037 would apply from January
1, 2016 through January 1, 2019 and would permit taxpaying employers to
receive tax credit in two different categories.  First, an employer who
hires a qualified blind or visually impaired person or a worker with a
Developmental Disability may receive a tax credit of: a. 50 percent of the
gross wages paid to that individual for the first 3 continuous months, and
b. 30 percent for the next 9 months of employment.  Second, an employer may
receive a tax credit for the maintenance, repair or upgrade of assistive
technology that is necessary for the qualified worker with a disability to
complete their assigned job for such costs incurred between January 1, 2016
and January 1, 2019:  a. 75 percent of the costs of the first year; b. 50
percent of the costs for the second year; and c. 25 percent of the cost for
the third year of employment.  Because this tax credit would only be
available regarding employees referred by the Division of Vocational
Rehabilitation, there will be minimal fiscal impact on the General Fund.

The Federation strongly supports this bill because of the great barriers the
blind face in securing competitive employment.  Offering incentives to
employers to hire the blind is an effective means to integrating the blind
into the workforce.  Additionally, assistive technology allows the blind to
participate fully in the workforce, but many employers fear that said
technology will cost too much forcing employers to shy away from hiring the
blind.  Offering tax credits for the purchase of such technology further
incentivizes   employers to give blind persons meaningful employment.

For further information regarding H.B. 1037 contact:

Scott C. LaBarre, President

National Federation of the Blind of Colorado

Phone: 303 504-5979

Fax: 303 757-3640

Email:  <mailto:slabarre at labarrelaw.com> slabarre at labarrelaw.com

CONTINUE FUNDING FOR NFB-NEWSLINER SERVICE

For more than a decade, the Colorado General Assembly has funded Colorado's
NFB-NEWSLINER, providing blind Coloradans the same daily access to
newspapers and magazines as their sighted neighbors and family members
enjoy.  This year, we request that the General Assembly maintain its support
of $60,000.00 to this project.  Continued funding to NFB-NEWSLINER will not
impact general funds because NFB-NEWSLINER is funded through the Disabled
Telephone Users Fund (DTUF), which comes from a very small fee on phone
lines in Colorado and which always registers a surplus.  

Access to information from the newspapers and magazines of our nation and
state play a critical role for each of us as informed and participating
citizens.  Recognizing this, the National Federation of the Blind created
NFB-NEWSLINER for the blind in the mid-1990s.  With this revolutionary
system, the blind are able to pick up their touch tone phone, call a toll
free number, and select from nearly 400 different newspapers and magazines
including the Denver Post, Colorado Springs Gazette, Wall Street Journal and
many other national newspapers.  Today the phone-in option is still in
place, but additional options include online on-demand reading, email
delivery and, most impressively, mobile phone and tablet apps that deliver
the two Colorado newspapers offered, national papers as well as nearly 40
magazines - everything from AARP publications to Time and Wired.  There are
even accessible and locally-relevant television listings - something
impossible to find in an accessible form for the blind otherwise.
Additionally, the system provides current weather conditions as well as
watches and warnings.  Currently, over 1300 blind Coloradans have access to
the 400 newspapers, magazines, and other publications on the system.  About
every two minutes, a blind Coloradan is tapping into the vast wealth of
information provided by NFB-NEWSLINER.

With the funding, the NFB of Colorado will maintain the system and expand
its reach.  We will create even greater opportunities to share NFB-NEWSLINER
on additional web based and other technological platforms; expand the number
of publications available; train more blind individuals to use the system;
and work with the Audio Information Network of Colorado (AIN) to provide
more information to the blind of Colorado. AIN is another service funded by
the DTUF providing other timely publications and information to our state's
blind and the NFB of Colorado supports continued funding for AIN as well.

For further information regarding NFB-NEWSLINER contact:

Scott C. LaBarre, President

National Federation of the Blind of Colorado

Phone: 303 504-5979

Fax: 303 757-3640

Email:  <mailto:slabarre at labarrelaw.com> slabarre at labarrelaw.com

SUPPORT THE COLORADO CENTER FOR THE BLIND AND OTHER NFB PROGRAMS

In your packets, you will find brochures on the Colorado Center for the
Blind and fliers for National Federation of the Blind national and local
scholarships.  These and other programs are of great importance and
therefore deserve a specific mention.  

Founded in 1988 by the NFB of Colorado, the Colorado Center for the Blind
(CCB) offers world class rehabilitation and adjustment to blindness training
to blind/visually impaired individuals in our state and from all over the
world.  The CCB believes that with the right kind of training and a positive
attitude, blindness need not be a tragedy and should not artificially limit
a person's hopes and dreams.  The program serves all ages from kids as young
as elementary age to seniors.  CCB teaches cane travel/orientation and
mobility, Braille, technology, independent daily living skills, employment
skills, and much, much more.  The vast majority of the teaching staff is
made up of blind instructors who serve as excellent role models.  Please
read the CCB brochure in your packet for more information or go to
www.cocenter.org.  Our Center is located in Littleton and you are always
welcome and encouraged to visit.

SCHOLARSHIPS

The National Federation of the Blind, on a national basis, offers thirty
scholarships to talented blind men and women attending a post-secondary
institution.  Over a hundred thousand dollars are awarded each year and
provide real opportunity for deserving students.  On a state level, the NFB
of Colorado offers up to five scholarships to blind men and women attending
a post-secondary institution and scholarships range from $1,500.00 to
$5,000.00.  More information on how to apply is contained in your
legislative packet.  Please inform your local high schools, colleges and
universities as well as any blind/visually impaired post-secondary student
you know about these valuable scholarship opportunities.

For further information on any of these issues contact:

Scott C. LaBarre, President

National Federation of the Blind of Colorado

Phone: 303 504-5979

Fax: 303 757-3640

Email: slabarre at labarrelaw.com

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