[Colorado-Talk] Day at the Capitol is Tuesday, Feb. 18

Sun Feb 16 00:14:31 UTC 2025

Greetings all -

Yes, we'll meet at the Capitol this tuesday at 11:00 in the Old State
Library. This is on the second floor near the elevators, so we'll have a
marshal or two out there to guide folks in. We'll go over our issues, break
up into groups and set out to meet the Senators and Representatives of the
2025 Colorado General Assembly. Hope to see you there. And below find the
full legislative memorandum that we'll be giving to our legislators on
Tuesday. It's several pages long, and I will also attach it.

Best,
Dan

*MEMORANDUM*

To:      The Members of the Colorado General Assembly

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

Date:   February 18, 2025

Re:       Legislative Concerns of Blind Coloradans

*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 work toward full access for the blind to
participation in all aspects of society, including insuring basic civil
rights, securing meaningful employment and education for the blind, thus
allowing us, the blind, to live the lives we want.

Founded officially in 1955, the NFB of Colorado (NFBCO) engages in several
programs specifically designed to create greater opportunities for the
blind. For example, NFBCO is the founder and chief sponsor of the Colorado
Center for the Blind, an agency which provides training in the alternative
skills blind people need to become fully participating members of society.
Additionally, NFB offers national and statewide scholarships to blind
students. We also provide a free talking newspaper called NFB-NEWSLINE®, a
service which enables the blind of our state to read daily newspapers and
many other on-demand publications just as easily as their sighted peers.  We
advocate for the rights of the blind in all areas ranging from education to
employment, including recent legislation strengthening the rights of
parents with disabilities and accessible prescription labeling.  Where
positive changes are happening in the blindness field, there is a good
chance that the Federation is involved.

*2025 LEGISLATIVE AGENDA*

1.      Maintain access to critical news sources for blind Coloradans
through funding for NFB-Newsline®

2.     Empanel an interim study committee to hold public hearings to
discover and highlight the systemic and rampant discrimination against
blind guide dog users by rideshare drivers, and to develop a legislative
solution.

3.     We include a fact sheet on federal laws and funded programs which
are critical to blind Coloradans.

For further information on any of these issues contact:

Jessica Beecham, President, National Federation of the Blind of Colorado

Phone: 615-497-0435   |   Email: jbbeecham at gmail.com

*MAINTAIN ACCESS TO CRITICAL NEWS SOURCES FOR BLIND*

*COLORADANS THROUGH FUNDING FOR NFB-NEWSLINE*®

Access to information from the newspapers and magazines of our nation and
state plays a critical role for each of us as informed and participating
citizens. NFB-NEWSLINE® is a free audio news service for anyone who is
blind, low-vision, deafblind, or otherwise print-disabled, providing access
to more than 500 publications, emergency weather alerts, job listings, and
more. Currently, over 1500 blind Coloradans have access to 500-plus
newspapers, 75 magazines, and other publications on NFB-NEWSLINE®,
including the Denver Post, Grand Junction Sentinel, Colorado Springs
Gazette, Fort Collins Coloradoan, and Colorado Springs Independent. About
once every two minutes, a blind Coloradan taps into the vast wealth of
information available through NFB-NEWSLINE® - all available in formats
accessible to the assistive technology the blind use to read printed
information.

For nearly two decades, the Colorado General Assembly has funded
NFB-NEWSLINE® from the Telephone Users with Disabilities Fund (TUDF),
currently at $120,000 a year. The funding is allocated to the Colorado
Department of Education, Colorado State Library’s Colorado Talking Book
Library and issued through a grant to the National Federation of the Blind
of Colorado to manage the NFB-NEWSLINE® program. Because TUDF funding comes
from a small (currently 3 cents per phone line) tax on land and VOIP mobile
phones, there is not a direct impact on the General Fund.

This year, HB25-1154 seeks to create an enterprise that would house other
programs that rely on TUDF funds, principally those in the Commission for
the Deaf, Hard of Hearing, and Deaf-blind. Initial drafts included
NFB-NEWSLINE® and AfterSight, the two reading services for the blind housed
in the Colorado State Library’s Talking Book Library. At the time of this
writing, possible amendments to HB25-1154 may result in keeping the reading
services for the blind, including NFB-NEWSLINE®, in the Library. We are
comfortable with either option, so long as the NFB-NEWSLINE® funding of
$120,000 doesn’t get lost somewhere along the way.

Thus, we ask your support for maintaining the current funding of $120,000
for NFB-NEWSLINE® regardless of where it is finally located for FY 2026.

For further information on this issue contact:

Jessica Beecham, President

National Federation of the Blind of Colorado

Phone: 615-497-0435

Email: jbbeecham at gmail.com

*CALL FOR INTERIM STUDY TO DETERMINE ACTION TO PREVENT ONGOING
DISCRIMINATION AGAINST THE BLIND BY TRANSPORTATION NETWORK COMPANIES*

Access to transportation means access to employment, education, family,
worship, medical care, and civic life. For more than a decade,
transportation network companies (also known as rideshare providers) such
as Uber and Lyft have changed the transportation landscape for tens of
thousands of Colorado residents. Transportation network companies have
become an indispensable option in the Colorado transit system, especially
as public transit options have failed to fully rebound since the COVID
pandemic. This is certainly true for many Coloradans who are blind, low
vision, or deafblind, for whom driving is not an option.

Far too often, however, blind riders with guide dogs are denied
transportation when drivers find out that they will be transporting a
passenger with a guide dog, leaving the erstwhile rider stranded, causing
them to be late for work, medical appointments, or picking up children from
childcare or activities. These service denials are discriminatory and
create unwarranted obstacles to the ability of the blind to live the lives
we want on terms of equality with our peers who can see. Despite our
concerted advocacy, we who are blind are finding denial of transportation
services by transportation network companies to be increasing in
frequency—to the extent that some guide dog handlers are being forced to
consider abandoning the use of guide dogs as a primary and equalizing
travel tool. What should be a great equalizer for people with disabilities
has become a source of exclusion and profound anxiety.

For many years, the National Federation of the Blind of Colorado has worked
diligently with community partners to end the horrendous practice of
discrimination by transportation network company drivers, which is a clear
violation of state and federal laws. Although there seems to be some
progress on the national level through increased dialog with Uber, constant
denials of service continue to blight the everyday lives of riders with
service animals, creating unwarranted barriers to jobs, education, and
community life. Attempts by the National Federation of the Blind of
Colorado to engage in productive dialog with the Colorado Department of
Regulatory Agencies have met with little response, making the need for
higher-level intervention abundantly clear.

We call upon the Colorado General Assembly to hold public hearings,
possibly through an interim study committee, to discover and highlight the
systemic and rampant discrimination against blind guide dog users by
rideshare drivers, and to develop a legislative solution for the same.

For further information on this issue contact:

Jessica Beecham, President

National Federation of the Blind of Colorado

Phone: 615-497-0435

Email: jbbeecham at gmail.com

*LAWS THE BLIND DEPEND ON*

Fifteen members of the National Federation of the Blind of Colorado
attended our annual Washington Seminar from Feb. 3 to Feb. 6 in our
nation’s capital. Along with our other legislative priorities in Congress,
we shared this fact sheet with the members of the Colorado delegation. The
following are federal laws that impact the lives of Blind Coloradans, and
are offered for information purposes:
  *THE REHABILITATION ACT OF 1973*

Section 501 prohibits the federal government from discriminating against
people with disabilities in employment and requires reasonable
accommodations for federal employees.

Section 503 prohibits federal contractors from discriminating against
individuals with disabilities in employment, including requiring reasonable
accommodations.

Section 504 prohibits the federal government and federal grantees from
discriminating on the basis of disability in providing programs and
services.

Section 508 requires federal technology, including websites, software, and
technology provided by vendors, to be accessible to the blind.

*THE AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT*

Title I of the ADA prohibits discrimination against people with
disabilities by private and public employers.

Title II of the ADA prohibits state and local governments from
discriminating on the basis of disability in their programs and services,
including requiring reasonable modifications and requiring their websites
and applications to be accessible to the blind. Title II ensures that
voting, transportation, justice systems and government services are
accessible to the blind.

Title III of the ADA prohibits disability discrimination by private public
accommodations in their goods, services, and information, including
reasonable modifications and accessible websites and applications.

*INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES EDUCATION ACT*

The IDEA requires public schools to accommodate students with disabilities
and to provide specialized education services when students need them.
Braille literacy is essential to blind students and, therefore, they need
specialized Braille instruction and Braille equipment. They also need
access technology, such as screen reading software, audio materials, large
print materials, and tactile graphics, all of which are considered special
education. The IDEA provides for important due process protections that
allow parents of students with disabilities to resolve disputes with their
schools without resorting to the courts.

For further information on this issue contact:

Jessica Beecham, President

National Federation of the Blind of Colorado

Phone: 615-497-0435

Email: jbbeecham at gmail.com
*FEDERAL FUNDING THE BLIND DEPEND ON*

*SPECIAL EDUCATION*

The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act provides federal funding to
states to provide required “special education” services for public school
students with disabilities. While states provide most of the special
education funding, the federal government provides about $15 billion. This
serves some 7.5 million students. Special education services for the blind
include Braille instruction, access technologies, and specialized teachers
of the blind.

*VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION*

The federal government provides grants to states to provide “vocational
rehabilitation” (VR) programs to help people with disabilities become
employed. The federal government provides about 79 percent of the funding,
with states providing the rest. VR programs serve over 800,000 individuals
each year. Without VR services, many blind people would be unable to gain
employment, leaving them reliant on public benefits to survive.

*FREE MATTER FOR THE BLIND*

The US Postal Service provides free postage for special material used by
blind individuals, such as Braille or audio material. Organizations who
serve the blind rely on this service to keep costs down, which, due to the
size of the materials, would be cost-prohibitive. *(Note: The Colorado
Talking Book Library relies on the Free Matter program to move its
specialized formats and equipment to and from its patrons.)*

*NATIONAL LIBRARY SERVICE FOR THE BLIND AND INSTITUTE OF * *MUSEUM AND
LIBRARY SERVICES*

NLS provides free Braille and recorded materials to the blind. IMLS is a
federal agency that helps libraries and museums. An important part of IMLS
funding supports libraries to be accessible to the blind. Without access to
library services, blind people would lose access to information, education,
and entertainment others take for granted.

*OLDER BLIND PROGRAMS*

Federally-funded state-run older blind programs serve blind individuals
over age 54 to help them live independently. The programs teach independent
living skills so blind people can remain in their homes and communities and
avoid placement in expensive nursing homes.

*PROTECTION & ADVOCACY*

Each state has a federally-funded “protection and advocacy” program that
represents people with disabilities facing abuse, civil rights violations,
denials of benefits, and lack of access to health care, education,
employment, housing, transportation, and voting.

*MEDICAID*

Medicaid is a federal grant program to states to cover health care for
low-income and disabled individuals. The federal government provides about
70 percent of the funding and states making up the rest. Without Medicaid
funding, many blind people would lose access to health care, including
treatment for their vision disabilities.

For further information on this issue contact:

Jessica Beecham, President

National Federation of the Blind of Colorado

Phone: 615-497-0435

Email: jbbeecham at gmail.com

*SUPPORT THE COLORADO CENTER FOR THE BLIND AND*

*NFB SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAMS*

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/low vision individuals in our state and from all over the
world. We believe blind people can do anything. Every day, we encourage and
challenge each student—and they come to understand their potential as they
build the skills and confidence to live the life they want. Because when
you believe in yourself and experience a thriving community of positive
blind people, nothing can hold you back from pursuing your dreams.

CCB programs serve 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. Nearly all of the teaching staff are 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 two hundred thousand dollars are awarded each year and
provide real opportunity for deserving students. Interested applicants can
find more information at https://nfb.org/scholarships.

On a state level, the NFB of Colorado offers up to five scholarships to
blind students attending a post-secondary institution. 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/low vision post-secondary
student you know about these valuable scholarship opportunities.

For further information on this issue contact:

Jessica Beecham, President

National Federation of the Blind of Colorado

Phone: 615-497-0435

Email: jbbeecham at gmail.com

-- 
Dan Burke

National Federation of the Blind of Colorado Legislative Co-chair

"Blindness is not what holds you back.  You can live the life you want!"

My Cell:  406.546.8546
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