[il-talk] Fwd: [State-affiliate-leadership-list] FW: [Nfb-legislative-directors] Tomorrow is Fix WIA Wednesday! Sample E-mail to Send Senators

[denise avant]

Sent from my iPhone

Begin forwarded message:

> From: "Lewis, Anil" <ALewis at nfb.org>
> Date: January 14, 2014 at 8:45:53 AM CST
> To: "Affiliate Presidents (state-affiliate-leadership-list at nfbnet.org)" <state-affiliate-leadership-list at nfbnet.org>
> Subject: [State-affiliate-leadership-list] FW: [Nfb-legislative-directors] Tomorrow is Fix WIA Wednesday! Sample	E-mail to Send Senators
> Reply-To: State Affiliate Leadership List <state-affiliate-leadership-list at nfbnet.org>
> 
> From Rose Sloan:
>  
>  
> Federationists:
>  
> On Wednesday, January 15, 2014 we need to tell our Senators that it is time to #FixWIA.  Below is the email I plan to send to my Senators.  I encourage you to use this letter as a template (or create your own) to inform your Senators about the problems with WIA. 
>  
> Thanks for all of your work. Let’s get this done! 
>  
> Rose
>  
> #######
>  
> Dear Senator Durbin,
>  
> I am writing to voice my concerns about S. 1356, the reauthorization of the Workforce Investment Act (WIA).  Although I know the reauthorization of WIA is overdue, I just cannot support the current bill as it is written. 
>  
> During the 1990s, the disability community fought really hard for language that would not allow a vocational rehabilitation case to be closed by a placement in a sheltered workshop. The current bill language of Section 511, a controversial section among the disability community, will allow vocational rehabilitation counselors to successfully close cases by placing their clients in subminimum-wage sheltered workshops.  Subminimum-wage sheltered work does not come close to adequately training people with disabilities for mainstream competitive employment.  In fact, research shows that people with disabilities have to unlearn the habits taught in sheltered workshops in order to get a mainstream job.  Ninety-five percent of people with disabilities who enter sheltered workshops never obtain the employment they are being “trained” for.  In other words, once a person with disability is placed in a sheltered workshop, their full potential is almost never reached.  They must remain on public assistance for the rest of their lives. 
>  
> I am also concerned with the bill language moving the Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA) from the Department of Education to the Department of Labor. There is no research that shows this move will improve the efficiency and outcomes of the RSA.  It is important to keep in mind that everyone needs an education before he/she obtains a job.  For many, this education comes in the form of college and/or graduate school.  For people with severe disabilities, this might mean having access to quality rehabilitation services to develop their unique skills and talents.  This process is an educational process—RSA should stay in the Department of Education. 
>  
> Senator Durbin, I need your help.  Please consider offering an amendment that will strike Section 511 of Title V of WIA, and remove the language that transfers RSA from Education to Labor. 
>  
> Thank you.  I look forward to hearing from you soon.  If you have any questions or concerns, feel free to reach me at rsloan at nfb.org.
>  
> Sincerely,
>  
> Rose Sloan
>  
>  
>  
> Rose Sloan
> Government Affairs Specialist
>  
> “Eliminating Subminimum Wages for People with Disabilities”
> http://www.nfb.org/fair-wages
>  
> National Federation of the Blind
> 200 East Wells Street
> Baltimore, MD 21230
> rsloan at nfb.org
> (410)-659-9314 ext 2441
>  
> The National Federation of the Blind needs your support to ensure blind children get an equal education; to connect blind veterans with the training and services they need; and to help seniors who are losing vision continue to live independent and fulfilling lives. To make a donation, please go to www.nfb.org.
>  
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