[Ct-nfb] Planning the Year Ahead for State Legislation

[Kathryn Webster]

Justin and all,

                I think we should make one of our largest priorities The
Blind Persons Right to Parent Act. I, along with many other affiliate
members I'm certain, will fight for this. Since other states have pursued
similar legislation, we will have great models to mirror and optimize our
efforts.

 

Best,

Kate Webster

 

From: Ct-nfb [mailto:ct-nfb-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Justin
Salisbury via Ct-nfb
Sent: Tuesday, December 15, 2015 5:21 PM
To: 'ct-nfb at nfbnet.org'
Cc: Justin Salisbury
Subject: [Ct-nfb] Planning the Year Ahead for State Legislation

 

Fellow Federationists:

 

The Legislative Committee of the National Federation of the Blind of
Connecticut needs your input! 

 

We need to know what you will be willing to fight for at the state level in
the coming year. Basically, we want to make sure that we are attempting to
legislatively lead the affiliate in the direction our members want to go.

 

I would like to see us prioritize no more than three state-level bills if
possible. Of course, we always react when things threaten us, like with that
guide dog legislation earlier this year. Here are some ideas. Please let me
know which ones matter most to you; if you think of one that I have not
listed, please share it!

 

The Blind Persons Right to Parent Act

This bill is a model bill which NFB affiliates have passed in other states
that prevents anyone involved in child and family services  from deciding
that a blind person is unfit to be a parent specifically because of
blindness. In other words, blindness can no longer be used as a reason to
take someone's kids away.

 

A bill to end subminimum wages

Do I really need to explain this one?

 

Advocating for blind vendors to keep their jobs in our state parks and
Department of Energy and Environmental Protection facilities

We know that the state is going to try to take these jobs away this year;
and we can prepare our resistance proactively

 

Do we need any legislation for the guide dog user community?

 

Do we want to ask for anything related to funding public transit systems?

 

On behalf of the Legislative Committee of the National Federation of the
Blind of Connecticut, thank you for your participation in our important
work. If anyone is interested in joining the committee, please email me
privately at president at alumni.ecu.edu <mailto:president at alumni.ecu.edu> .

 

Sincerely yours,

 

Justin Salisbury

 

Justin Salisbury, NOMC

Graduate Student

Professional Development and Research Institute on Blindness

Louisiana Tech University

Email: President at Alumni.ECU.edu <mailto:President at Alumni.ECU.edu> 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/profile/view?id=325734822

Twitter: @SalisburyJustin

 

"None can be free as long as any are enslaved" 

 

Dr. Kenneth Jernigan

 

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