[Colorado-talk] Littleton Independent Article ON Congressman Crow's Visit to CCB

[Dan Burke]

Time to tackle barriers to the blind, advocates tell Crow
Congressman urged to support legislation to assist those with vision
disabilities
Congressman Jason Crow, left, and Scott LaBarre, the president of the
National Federation of the Blind of Colorado, tour Littleton's
Colorado Center for the Blind on Feb. 19. LaBarre and the center's
leaders urged Crow, a Democrat who represents Colorado's Sixth
Congressional District in Congress, to support a host of legislative
efforts to reduce barriers to success for the blind.
Congressman Jason Crow, left, and Scott LaBarre, the president of the
National Federation of the Blind of Colorado, tour Littleton's
Colorado Center for the Blind on Feb. 19. LaBarre and the center's
leaders urged Crow, a Democrat who represents Colorado's Sixth
Congressional District in Congress, to support a host of legislative
efforts to reduce barriers to success for the blind.
DAVID GILBERT
Posted Monday, February 25, 2019 9:43 am
David Gilbert
dgilbert at coloradocommunitymedia.com
Blind people face systemic barriers to independence, and it's time to
address them.
That was the message from leaders in the blind community at the
Colorado Center for the Blind to U.S. Rep. Jason Crow during a tour of
the Littleton facility on Feb. 19.
Blind people face high unemployment rates, low wages, hard-to-use
technology and steep prices for necessary assistive devices, the
center's leaders told Crow, and they're hoping a host of bills
currently making their way to or through Congress can help.
Crow, a Democrat who represents Colorado's 6th Congressional District
— which includes Littleton, Centennial, Highlands Ranch and Aurora,
among other areas — became the first member of Congress to visit the
center. He got a rundown of the facility's wide-ranging programs — and
of legislative efforts championed by the center and the National
Federation of the Blind, or NFB.
“The NFB believes blind people can live the lives they want, but they
need the opportunity, the training, and a fair shake,” said NFB
Colorado President Scott LaBarre.
The center, which draws students from around the world for an
immersive life skills curriculum aimed at instilling independence, is
the showpiece of NFB Colorado. But the center's efforts can't conquer
the systemic barriers faced by the nation's roughly 2 million legally
blind people, LaBarre said.
Home appliances and devices are increasingly difficult for blind
people to use as manufacturers transition from knobs and buttons to
touch screens, LaBarre said.
“Thank God I have one of the last washing machines without a touch
screen,” said LaBarre, who is blind.
Many medical devices are also transitioning to touch screens, said
Julie Deden, the center's director.
“Many blind people are diabetic, and insulin pumps often aren't
accessible without help,” Deden said.
The Greater Accessibility and Independence through Nonvisual Access
Technology (GAIN) Act would compel manufacturers to include audible
screen reading technology in new devices, according to NFB materials.
The act has not yet been introduced to Congress.
Another agenda item, the Access Technology Affordability Act, would
provide a refundable tax credit for crucial access devices that are
often hugely expensive, LaBarre said.
Braille reading and writing devices can cost thousands of dollars,
according to NFB materials, but can prove invaluable to helping blind
people maintain employment and stay connected to the world. The
devices are seldom covered by medical insurance, LaBarre said.
The bill enjoys bipartisan support, but is currently stalled out in Congress.
Another act would address employment barriers. Nearly three-quarters
of blind people are unemployed or underemployed, according to NFB
materials, and often find themselves hampered by antiquated training
programs that relegate the blind to menial, repetitive tasks.
The Disability Employment Act would reform training programs, tax
incentives and government contracts to prioritize workers who are
blind or disabled, according to NFB materials. The bill has not yet
seen the floor of Congress.
A recently added legislative priority would address a decades-old law
that allows employers to pay employees who are blind or disabled less
than minimum wage.
The law was originally written with the intent that employers would
provide training and vocational programs, LaBarre said, but “in
practice, we've seen that almost never happens.”
The Transition to Competitive Employment Act would phase out
sub-minimum wages over six years. Two forms of the bill are currently
before the House and Senate.
The legislative agenda could mean a world of difference to blind
people nationwide, Deden said — and pressed that the numbers of blind
people are growing.
“As baby boomers age, macular degeneration is increasing,” Deden said.
Crow wasn't ready to confirm his support of the legislative agenda,
saying he needed to read the text of the bills first.
But he said, “these seem like things that are consistent with my
values: giving everyone an opportunity to succeed and fulfill their
potential.”
LaBarre said he was pleased with the meeting.
“It's always reassuring to work with elected officials who listen and
take a genuine interest,” LaBarre said. “We're encouraged.”

https://littletonindependent.net/stories/time-to-tackle-barriers-to-the-blind-advocates-tell-crow,277152?fbclid=IwAR38uW7g0FwQSCrpzTknHALd50bGYnfLmHG-kZK-m0TbHI7h20W0YME149M



-- 
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