[Massachusetts-NFB] IMPORTANT Please read entire email

Tue Nov 18 02:03:00 UTC 2025

How to Attend & Testify?

The hearing is hybrid – you can attend either:

*	In person: State House, Hearing Room B-1
*	Virtually: Via Microsoft Teams

Registration: 

To register to testify in person or virtually, fill out this form:  <https://forms.office.com/pages/responsepage.aspx?id=a36UCyb_E0uuHFc8Z1DIiAKqn8DEYFxJoe9Ad0JlIbdUMDhFOUNINFVSM0ZQWTMwVlREN0k5OVJWVi4u&route=shorturl> Joint Committee on Labor and Workforce Development November 20th Hearing. The deadline is tomorrow, Friday, November 14, at 3:00 p.m.

Written Testimony: 

Written or pre-recorded testimony may be submitted until Friday, November 21, at 5:00 p.m. via email to  <mailto:labor.workforce.development at gmail.com> labor.workforce.development at gmail.com.  

Need Help?

If you have any questions or you'd like assistance with:

*	Registering to testify (virtually or in person)
*	Submitting oral or written testimony
*	Navigating time conflicts or other accommodations

Please reach out to me directly at ktorresradisic at bostoncil.org <mailto:ktorresradisic at bostoncil.org>  or 978-893-8100. I have attached a testimony guide to this email with more information and testimony templates. 

With care,

Kat

Shara Winton

President, National federation of the Blind of Massachusetts

www.nfbma.org <http://www.nfbma.org/> 

sharawinton at gmail.com <mailto:sharawinton at gmail.com> 

617-304-0347

From: Massachusetts-NFB <massachusetts-nfb-bounces at nfbnet.org> On Behalf Of Pam Kalinoski via Massachusetts-NFB
Sent: Monday, November 17, 2025 8:52 PM
To: massachusetts-nfb at nfbnet.org
Cc: Pam Kalinoski <pamsyk52 at gmail.com>
Subject: Re: [Massachusetts-NFB] IMPORTANT Please read entire email

Hi Shara, 

I'd be happy to let Congress know about the Connect with Health Act. I didn't get a Zoom link for the guide dog hearing, either. Didn't want to bug you. I know you have lots going on. 

Pam  

Sent from my iPhone

On Nov 17, 2025, at 6:59 PM, Shara Winton via Massachusetts-NFB <massachusetts-nfb at nfbnet.org <mailto:massachusetts-nfb at nfbnet.org> > wrote:

Happy Day NFB Family,

I hope you are all well. First of all, I want to let each of you know that I am grateful for each and every one of you! Our members are on the move and making a difference in many areas! Our Transportation Director, Stephen, has been working so hard and showing up for every meeting that has anything to do with autonomous vehicles, guide dogs and the Ride and the T. Thank you Stephen for all your hard work and thank you to everyone else who has shown up for any of these events. Kyra has been working hard on getting meetings with all of our U.S. Reps to discuss changes to the Department of Education and how it is especially effecting people with disabilities in a significant way. Thank you Kyra and to all of the others who have accompanied her in these meetings.  Thank you to all of the Chapter presidents and division presidents for having your meetings and planning lots of Holiday cheer in December! This affiliate is what it is thanks to each and every one of you! 

Walking Alone and Marching Together:

The Walking Alone and Marching Together podcast launched on November 16, the eighty-fifth Federation anniversary. This podcast shares the history of the National Federation of the Blind's fight for equality and inclusion from 1940 to 1990. 

The first three episodes are now available. We will be releasing a new episode every Sunday. You can listen, subscribe, or share on: 

1.	 <https://nfb.org/resources/publications-and-media/walking-alone-and-marching-together> Walking Alone and Marching Together webpage (includes episode transcripts)
2.	 <https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/walking-alone-and-marching-together-podcast/id1849913820> Apple Podcasts
3.	 <https://open.spotify.com/show/6TMfseujdBqtecMXyj3DSO> Spotify
4.	 <https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/702e141c-675d-4df5-b5e3-c7fda1a73414/walking-alone-and-marching-together-podcast> Amazon Music
5.	 <https://walkingaloneandmarchingtogether.podbean.com/> Podbean

Department of Education OSERS and OCR Update:

Since the announcement of reduction in force (RIF) notices in the Department of Education, specifically in the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS) and the Office for Civil Rights (OCR), on October 10, the members of the National Federation of the Blind have been engaging with our members in Congress to let them know just how big of an impact this action will have on us. We asked you to call or email your senators and representatives, and you did. Then we asked some of you to come to Washington, DC, in person to meet with your senators on the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee, and you did. I am happy to report that in the most recent Continuing Resolution to fund the government, Congress agreed that the RIF notices would be rescinded. However, that does not mean that this battle is won. We need to keep advocating to ensure that the government knows just how important the programs that are administered by OSERS and OCR are to us. If you didn’t get to meet with your members in Congress, please still try to get those meetings so that we can make sure our message is heard from one corner of the Capitol to the other.  

We, in Massachusetts, have meant with Senator Warren, Representative Auchincloss, representative Keating and we will be meeting with Senator Markey later this week. We also just heard from Representative Clark’s office and will meet with her after Thanksgiving. Our legislative director, Kyra is trying to firm up appointments with the other seven reps, now. Please let us know if you are able and willing to  meet your rep. 

Giggle Gala: 

Our first Annual Giggle Gala is coming on December 11!!! It promises to be an evening full of laughter, food and good cheer! Please secure your seat by purchasing  your tickets now. Seats are limited, so Hurry, don't miss out on this evening of doing something great while having a fabulous time!  Thanks to a generous donation, the next 20 people who purchase tickets will go in to a drawing to win a crisp $100!!! So, don't delay purchase your ticket now. If you buy more than one ticket, your name will go in more than one time. So... think Christmas gifts for your loved ones. Most would love a comedy show and pizza!  You must be in the room when this drawing takes place to win! Good Luck! 

  Our silent auctions include a Wine party for 20, vacation packages to seven different locations; including: Las Vegas, Nappa Valley, New York City, and Nashville. This is not all, but just some of the items you can bid on that this exciting event! 

Attached, you will find a flyer, that can be printed and shared in any way you choose. Some ideas include texting it to your network, posting it on social media or printing hard copies and hanging them on community bulletin boards. Whatever you do, please share and get out the word about this wonderful evening with the NFB of Massachusetts.

There is a QR code on the flyer for your convenience, which will bring you directly to the place to order tickets. We can't wait to see you and laugh with you at the Giggle Gala 2025!!!

Medicare Telehealth Benefits Extended:

With the passage of the most recent Continuing Resolution on November 13 to fund the federal government, a provision was included to extend Medicare telehealth benefits once again. However, this is again a temporary extension and will expire on January 30, 2026. We need to continue our advocacy on this effort to ensure that these benefits are made permanent. The most effective way to do that is to call or email your members in Congress and ask them to cosponsor the CONNECT for Health Act (H.R. 4206/S. 1261). For more information on the bill, please refer to our  <https://nfb.org/programs-services/advocacy/legislative-priorities/legislative-alerts/pass-connect-health-act> legislative alert from September.

Independence Market Upcoming Holiday Schedule:

The Independence Market will be closed for Thanksgiving on Thursday, November 27, and Friday, November 28. The market will reopen for regular business on Monday, December 1. Additionally, for best holiday gift results, customers should order by Thursday, December 11, for delivery before Christmas Day. Please be mindful that deliveries around the holiday may take longer than usual. Customers are welcome to reach out to the market staff for tracking information and updates. Keep in mind that the Independence Market online store will remain open and will accept orders twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week, at nfb.org/ecommerce. 

Career Quest Program at the Washington Seminar: 

Share this opportunity with blind students, early professionals, or emerging leaders:

Blind students are invited to join us at the National Federation of the Blind (NFB) Career Quest Program, held during the NFB Washington Seminar, from January 25 to January 28. This program empowers blind and low-vision students and early professionals to become confident advocates and future leaders.

Participants will have the opportunity to advocate on Capitol Hill, learn advocacy skills that will become valuable in college and in their careers, connect with peers at the NABS Winter Meeting, meet employers at the NFB Career Fair, and network with Federation mentors and professionals.

Participants must complete the  <https://nfb.org/programs-services/employment/career-quest/application> Career Quest Interest Application by December 12 to secure their spot. Please direct all questions to Nikki Jackson at 410-659-9314, extension 2404. 

Dates to Keep in Mind:

1.	December 11, 2025 Giggle Gala
2.	December 17, 2025Affiliate Board meeting
3.	January 26-29, 2026: Washington Seminar
4.	July 3-8, 2026: National Convention; Austin, Texas

Chapter Presidents Calls

5.	Thursday, December 11 and Sunday, December 14

Shara Winton

President, National federation of the Blind of Massachusetts

www.nfbma.org <http://www.nfbma.org/> 

sharawinton at gmail.com <mailto:sharawinton at gmail.com> 

617-304-0347

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