[il-talk] Please Schedule Meetings with Senator Durbin and Kirk!

Fri Aug 2 02:14:43 UTC 2013

I'm free during most of August, so let me know if you'd like me to meet with 
Kirk or Durbin.  Glad to help if I can!

Debbie

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Rose Sloan" <rosesloan920 at gmail.com>
To: <il-talk at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Thursday, August 01, 2013 8:12 PM
Subject: [il-talk] Please Schedule Meetings with Senator Durbin and Kirk!

Dear Fellow Federationists of Illinois.**

** **

Anil Lewis and the Advocacy and Policy team are asking that we request a
meeting with our senators (Mark Kirk and Dick Durbin) during the upcoming
Senate recess from  August 3 - September 6.  A meeting request template is
below.  Please make the necessary changes to reflect the information from
your area.  I can provide you with talking points that can be used to
prepare for your meetings soon. However, even before you have the talking
points, it is important to make appointments with Sen. Kirk and Sen Durbin
now.  The Senators and staffers are very busy!  **

**

To recap the issue:  The Senate HELP Committee Passed the Workforce
Investment Act (WIA) Reauthorization bill S. 1356 out of committee.
Unfortunately, the subminimum wage language of Section 511 of the
Rehabilitation Act and the transfer of the Rehabilitation Services
Administration (RSA) to the U.S. Department of Labor were not removed from
the bill.  Now the bill will go to the Senate floor for debate and a final
vote. ****

** **

The inclusion of Section 511 in the WIA reauthorization affords us an
opportunity to broaden our subminimum wage advocacy.  While we work to
ensure that Section 511 is removed from the WIA and to prevent RSA from
being transferred to the U.S. department of Labor, we will expand our
efforts to get a Fair Wages for Workers with Disabilities bill introduced
in the U.S. Senate.****

** **

We will succeed in our efforts to have Section 511 removed from the WIA, to
prevent the Rehabilitation Act from being sabotaged, and to eliminate the
unfair, discriminatory, immoral subminimum wage provision of Section 14(c)
of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). But only if we all work together to
get it done!  **

I would love to see us have meetings in at least two of the in state
offices.  Please let me know if you are available to a visit!

** **

As always, if you have any questions, please let me know!

“Come join with me on the barricades, and we will make it all come
true.”(Dr. Kenneth Jernigan)****

** **
Thanks for all you do.

Sincerely,

** **

Rose

PS Special thanks to Debbie Stein who contacted Senator Kirk earlier this
week!

SAMPLE LETTER TO REQUEST MEETING WITH SENATOR:

Date

Dear Senator _______________:

A delegation from the National Federation of the Blind of Illinois, the
state’s most influential group of blind Illinoisans, would like to meet
with you in your ________ office during the August congressional recess to
discuss a critical issue that could adversely affect blind and other
disabled people in our state.  On Wednesday, July 31, the Senate HELP
Committee passed S. 1356, the reauthorization of the Workforce Investment
Act (WIA).  The bill contains language in Section 511 of the Rehabilitation
Act that will authorize vocational rehabilitation agencies to use an
antiquated, discriminatory subminimum-wage provision to provide training
and employment that costs more, produces poorer outcomes, and actually
teaches skills that need to be unlearned in order for an individual with a
disability to obtain competitive integrated employment.  This bill will
probably be coming to the Senate floor for debate in September.  That is
why it is imperative that we get to meet with you during the August recess.

Some 400,000 Americans with disabilities, are already victims of the false
perception of incapacity perpetuated by Section 14(c) of the Fair Labor
Standards Act (FLSA), which leaves them working in jobs that pay less than
the federal minimum wage.  This grave situation is a legacy of outdated
laws and outdated assumptions about the capabilities of people with
disabilities, and it stands to afflict even more disabled workers if
incorporated into the Rehabilitation Act.

The National Federation of the Blind is the leading advocate for fair wages
for workers with disabilities.  We support the implementation and further
development of proven strategies to employ all people with disabilities in
real jobs at competitive wages.  We are advocating that Section 511 of
Title V. of the WIA be removed, as we work to have Section 14(c) of the
FLSA phased out.

We respectfully request the opportunity to speak with you as soon as
possible to discuss how we can work together to address this critical
issue.  Please have your scheduler contact me as soon as possible to set up
a meeting. I look forward to talking with you soon.

Sincerely,

Your Name

Your Address

Your Phone number

Your E-mail address

-- 
Rose Sloan
Northwestern University
School of Education and Social Policy l Social Policy
Northwestern University Club Gymnastics l President
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