[Diabetes-Talk] 2019 NFB Legislative Priority

[Milton Ota]

Hello All:

I being the one that posted the information about the NFB's Legislative 
Priority, let me explain why this became a priority for this years 
Legislative Washington Seminar.

Over the past few years at the National convention resolutions were 
passed by the convention for accessible medical devices used in the 
home, exercise equipment that either you buy or use in a gymn that you 
pay for membership and home appliances that manufacturers continue to 
produce that are not fully accessible.
Granted that we have seen talking microwave ovens, and most recently 
the Amazon Echo come out with a microwave that works in conjunction 
with your Echo, but that is still not enough. Like you are saying what 
about dishwashers, washing machines and smart refrigerators. Then, it 
comes to smart televisions and they too are not all accessible.

The National Federation of the Blind is asking the U.S. Access Board 
through legislation to put a priority on setting guidelines for home 
medical devices, then exercise equipment and then followed by home 
appliances. It sounds like a long shot but if we all Americans pull 
together we will see it happen.

So I hope you will all get on the band wagon with your local affiliate 
and if you are not part of a local affiliate, you might want to look 
for your local affiliate president on the National Federation of the 
Blind homepage, and talk with them about becoming a member.

Original message:
> Veronica,

> I don't disagree with you, but this is a starting point. Is anyone else
> crafting and introducing legislation that includes accessible medical
> devices? No. And the entire point of Washington seminar is so we can speak
> directly with reps and their aids about this legislation. Any of us could
> have attended a couple of weeks ago, and most affiliate's do provide
> financial assistance for members who want to attend, because it's not cheap,
> but it's one of the rare times we can meet with actual reps who make all
> these decisions. We have the opportunity to say from our own mouths directly
> to our reps why this is so important and why we need access like this. We
> can contact company after company, but until there are laws supporting us, I
> doubt any will listen and create accessible medical tech. So, we need
> legislation to be drafted. Is this enough? No. Is the NFB and everyone else
> doing everything possible? No. But again, it's a start, and we have to start
> somewhere.

> Bridgit

> -----Original Message-----
> From: Diabetes-Talk <diabetes-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org> On Behalf Of Veronica
> Elsea via Diabetes-Talk
> Sent: Sunday, February 10, 2019 11:58 AM
> To: 'Diabetes Talk for the Blind' <diabetes-talk at nfbnet.org>
> Cc: Veronica Elsea <veronica at laurelcreekmusic.com>
> Subject: Re: [Diabetes-Talk] 2019 NFB Legislative Priority

> Sorry, I am not totally behind this legislation. Nobody is going to die
> waiting ten years for an accessible dish washer. This process is too slow,
> and filled with people who know nothing about our lives or the devices we
> need. Dish washers don't involve the FDA, Medicare and everyone else. I
> believe medical devices will get lost in the shuffle here because the group
> of appliances is so large. Not like we heard from the NFB when crafting this
> potential legislation, did we? Did I miss something? So if even the people
> supposedly speaking on our behalf don't talk to us, what can we expect from
> legislators and access board rule making? I don't think so.
> Veronica


> "Guide Dogs, First Hand", Veronica Elsea's classic album is now available on
> iTunes, along with other music from her and from the Guide Dog Glee Club.
> To learn more, visit:
> http://www.laurelcreekmusic.com
>                 Veronica Elsea, Owner
> Laurel Creek Music Designs
> Santa Cruz, California
> Phone: 831-429-6407


> -----Original Message-----
> From: Diabetes-Talk [mailto:diabetes-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of
> Bridgit Kuenning-Pollpeter via Diabetes-Talk
> Sent: Sunday, February 10, 2019 9:25 AM
> To: 'Diabetes Talk for the Blind'
> Cc: Bridgit Kuenning-Pollpeter
> Subject: Re: [Diabetes-Talk] 2019 NFB Legislative Priority

> Yes, this is incredibly important. We've been sending out these notices in
> several places. We need support of the Federationist around the country, the
> blind community in general and our allies to make this happen. Contact your
> reps on capitol hill and get your family and friends to do so as well.
> Working together is how we will get this pushed forward.

> Bridgit

> -----Original Message-----
> From: Diabetes-Talk <diabetes-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org> On Behalf Of Milton
> Ota via Diabetes-Talk
> Sent: Sunday, February 10, 2019 10:02 AM
> To: diabetes-talk at nfbnet.org
> Cc: Milton Ota <mota1252 at samobile.net>
> Subject: [Diabetes-Talk] 2019 NFB Legislative Priority

> Hello All:

> Here, attached is one of the Legislative Priorities that the National
> Federation of the Blind took to Capitol Hill to present to congress. I
> suggest that as many of you get on board with this by contacting your
> congressman and asking him/her to support this bill once it drops and get a
> bill number and assigned to a committee. The more of us diabetics let
> congress know of the seriourness of accessibility of medical home equipment
> it will get them to get the U.S. Access Board to work on developing
> guidelines for manufacturers to design accessibility into their products.

> As many of you are aware, diabetes is one of the highest and leading causes
> of blindness.

> If you have more questions about this legislative priority, I suggest that
> you contact someone in the Government Affairs Section in the National Office
> of the National Federation of the Blind, (410) 659-9314.


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