[IL-Talk] Alert!: Member Call to Action Regarding Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS)

[Dustin Cather]

Member Call to Action
Dear Federation Family,

On Friday, October 10, the Department of Education issued reduction in
force notices to almost every employee in the. As a result, we issued the
following statement:

National Federation of the Blind Denounces Devastating Job Cuts Within the
Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services.

If not reversed, this action will severely undermine the Department of
Education’s ability to carry out its legal responsibilities under the
Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), the Rehabilitation Act
of 1973, and the Randolph-Sheppard Act. Access the full statement and
resources.

Even though the federal government is currently shut down, we are asking
that you call or email both of your Senators and your Representative and
request them to take congressional action.

When you call or email you might say: "My name is [YOUR NAME] and I want to
urge [REPRESENTATIVE/SENATOR NAME] to take congressional action to protect
the congressionally mandated disability programs that have been devastated
by the reduction in force at the Department of Education issued on October
10. If not reversed, this action will severely undermine the Department of
Education’s ability to carry out its legal responsibilities under the
Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), the Rehabilitation Act
of 1973, and the Randolph-Sheppard Act.

These laws ensure that blind children receive Braille and other essential
educational services, that blind adults receive the training necessary for
competitive employment, and that blind entrepreneurs have opportunities to
operate businesses on federal properties.

The consequences will be devastating—fewer blind students learning Braille
and accessible technology, fewer blind adults receiving mobility and
employment training, and fewer business opportunities for blind
entrepreneurs. Please demand the Administration rescind the reduction in
force immediately to protect the disability-focused programs that Congress
previously established to educate and empower Americans with disabilities."

We suggest a subject like: "Please Urge the Administration to Rescind the
Reduction in Force Order Regarding OSERS"

To find the contact information for your specific senators’ or
representative’s office, please download the Senate spreadsheet or the
House spreadsheet. They are organized alphabetically by state. You can also
call the Capitol Switchboard at 202-224-3121 and ask for the office in
question.

If you send an email, please copy Justin Young at jyoung at nfb.org.

If you are having trouble finding the contact information for your members
of Congress, please contact Lindsey Walsh at lwalsh at nfb.org.

Thank you for your commitment to advance the lives of our members and all
blind people in the United States.