[Massachusetts-NFB] Fwd: Legislative Alert: Reinstate Funding for Blind Students

Fri Sep 12 15:09:46 UTC 2025

Good morning everyone,

I have just found out that the phone number in the email I sent last night
does not work. If you are calling the Department of Education, please call
this number instead: 202-401-3000.

Thanks to David Ticchi for figuring this out with the national office and
sharing the correct number!

Kyra

On Thu, Sep 11, 2025 at 8:22 PM stephen yerardi <spyerardi at gmail.com> wrote:

>  Thank you kyra I had forwarded the same content practically from a ER,
> which I had been a member of when I was with Diana Petschauer her company
> was Assistive Technology for education and employment, when I was in New
> Hampshire, we would go around to the school district, and train with
> braille displays and iPads, teachers of visually impaired, and their
> parents and IEP teams, for on instructions with the refresh of Braille
> display 18, and the iPad.
> I am glad that I still forwarded what I had from earlier. But this is
> great to see that NFB was backing it up. And I had a feeling somehow they
> were responsible meaning the National Federation Of The Blind for those
> grants to have the training centers. My long-term, I mean long time teacher
> Sandy Smith, work with Umass Boston with the Braille teaching program.
> It’s nice to see that I was not that far off with it. I will be writing
> definitely a letter as it says in there to secretary McMahon‘s attention.
> Thank you for forwarding it, I mean, letting us know that the National
> office is behind it. I had a feeling that we’re going to be. Sincerely,
>
> Steven.
> Sent from my iPhone
>
> On Sep 11, 2025, at 6:28 PM, Kyra Sweeney via Massachusetts-NFB <
> massachusetts-nfb at nfbnet.org> wrote:
>
> 
> Hello everyone,
>
> The Department of Education has just cut funding for blind students by
> canceling grants intended to train educators of blind students to be fluent
> in Braille. One of the Braille training grants that was canceled was for a
> program for teachers of the blind here in Massachusetts at UMass Boston. It
> is critical that we call and email the Department of Education to express
> our opposition to these cuts. Details on how to do so can  be found below.
> I am available to answer questions that anyone may have.
>
> Best,
> Kyra Sweeney
> NFBMA First Vice President and Legislative Director
> kyra.sweeney94 at gmail.com
>
>
>
> Begin forwarded message:
>
> *From:* National Federation of the Blind <webmaster at nfb.org>
> *Date:* September 11, 2025 at 6:00:28 PM EDT
> *To:* Kyra Sweeney <kyra.sweeney94 at gmail.com>
> *Subject:* *Legislative Alert: Reinstate Funding for Blind Students*
> *Reply-To:* Bounces+r.25331.11640739.a5da437473238a3b at mailings.nfb.org
>
> 
>
> [image: National Federation of the Blind logo and tagline live the life
> you want] <https://nfb.org/civicrm/mailing/url?u=40221&qid=11640739>
> Blind Americans Urge the Department of Education to Reinstate Funding for
> Critical Programs that Benefit the Blind
>
> Earlier this week, the National Federation of the Blind learned that the
> US Department of Education was canceling funding for twenty-five
> competitive grants that fall under Part D of the Individuals with
> Disabilities Education Act, and nine grants that are distributed by the
> Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA).
>
> Critically, of the programs being cut under the RSA is funding for 235E
> grants, which are specifically tailored to train educators of blind
> students to be more fluent in Braille.
>
> The National Federation of the Blind instigated the creation of these
> Braille demonstration program grants nearly thirty years ago and they have
> had a tremendous positive outcome on Braille literacy in that time. As if
> that wasn’t bad enough, the grants that were cut also included federal
> funding for four technical assistance centers for families of deafblind
> children.
> How Members Can Help
>
> We know that Braille literacy in our youth often leads to better
> performance in school, the ability to obtain and keep employment as an
> adult, and the freedom to live a life of independence. That all begins with
> educators who understand and can teach Braille themselves.
>
> Additionally, we know that our deafblind brothers and sisters and their
> families truly benefit from the opportunity to utilize training centers
> across the country and that any decrease in funding will be detrimental to
> living independently.
>
> We need to flood the US Department of Education with calls and emails and
> urge them to maintain these important funding grants. That’s where you come
> in.
>
> We are asking that you call or email the US Department of Education and
> urge them to reinstate this critical funding to support Braille literacy
> and independence. If you are emailing, please send your messages to
> IDEA at ed.gov <https://nfb.org/civicrm/mailing/url?u=40222&qid=11640739>
> and linda.mcmahon at ed.gov.
> <https://nfb.org/civicrm/mailing/url?u=40223&qid=11640739> If you are
> calling, please call 202-245-7468.
> Sample Script
>
> When you call or email you might say: “My name is [YOUR NAME] and I want
> to urge Secretary McMahon to reinstate the grant funding for IDEA Part D
> programs as well as the RSA 235E grants. This funding is critical to
> support increased Braille literacy for teachers of blind students and the
> blind youth of America.
>
> Studies have shown that students who can read Braille go on to have better
> education outcomes and better employment outcomes later in life.
> Additionally, I’m also asking that you reinstate funding for the four
> deafblind technical assistance centers in Oregon, Washington, Wisconsin,
> and Massachusetts. Please allow today’s blind and deafblind students to
> have an opportunity to better themselves for a brighter future for all of
> us.”
>
> We suggest a subject like: “Please Reinstate Critical Funding for Blind
> and Deafblind Students”
>
> If you email, please copy Justin Young at jyoung at nfb.org.
> <https://nfb.org/civicrm/mailing/url?u=40224&qid=11640739>
> About the National Federation of the Blind
>
> The National Federation of the Blind (NFB), headquartered in Baltimore,
> defends the rights of blind people of all ages and provides information and
> support to families with blind children, older Americans who are losing
> vision, and more.
>
> Founded in 1940, the NFB is the transformative membership and advocacy
> organization of blind Americans with affiliates, chapters, and divisions in
> the fifty states, Washington DC, and Puerto Rico. We believe in the hopes
> and dreams of blind people and work together to transform them into
> reality. Learn more about our many programs and initiatives at nfb.org
> <https://nfb.org/civicrm/mailing/url?u=40225&qid=11640739>.
> Government Affairs Contact:
>
> Justin Young
> Governmental Affairs Specialist
> National Federation of the Blind
> 410-659-9314, extension 2210
> jyoung at nfb.org <https://nfb.org/civicrm/mailing/url?u=40224&qid=11640739>
>
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