[Colorado-talk] FWD: Catastrophic Impact on Vocational Rehabilitation

[Dan Burke]

Please make a call today to our Senators, Gardner and Bennet.  Almst
all of us on this list have received DVR (vocational rehabilitation)
services at some point, and none of us can afford to let those
services be treatened by the Senate's tax bill. John Pare's comments
follow. He gives the Capitol switchboard number to call.
* * * * *
The following blog was just posted to nfb.org:

Much attention has been given to Congress's planned tax reform efforts
and the varied effects those changes will have on Americans. However,
one aspect of the Senate Tax Cuts and Jobs
Act<https://www.congress.gov/bill/115th-congress/house-bill/1> that no
one seems to be talking about is the drastic effect it will have on
people with disabilities.

Though not explicitly mentioned in the legislation, the Tax Cuts and
Jobs Act may inadvertently eliminate federal funding for public
vocational rehabilitation (VR) programs. As this letter from the
National Council on State Agencies for the
Blind<https://nfb.org/images/nfb/ltr_impact_tax_cuts.pdf> explains, VR
programs provide critical training for people with disabilities to
secure and maintain employment. Defunding of this program will not
only curtail gainful employment opportunities for people with
disabilities, but also negatively impact other programs such as the
Social Security trust fund and Medicare.

We must strive to maintain our financial freedom and independence.
Please call your two senators and urge them to guarantee that the Tax
Cuts and Jobs Act does not trigger mandatory spending cuts that will
eliminate or reduce vocational rehabilitation funding. You can reach
your senators by calling (202) 224-3121 and asking for the appropriate
office.

https://nfb.org/blog/article/3408

John Paré
(410) 659-9314 x 2218
National Federation of the Blind

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-- 
Dan Burke
President, NFB of Denver

"Blindness is not what holds you back.  You can live the life you want!"
My Cell:  406.546.8546
Twitter:  @DallDonal