[Md-sligo] FW: [NFBMD] Help Needed May 2

[Janice Toothman]

Patty,

I would gladly come to your court trial next Wednesday to support your 
case.  However, my monthly Immunologlobulin Infusion  is on that day so 
I regret that I  will not be able to attend the court hearing in person.

However, I will support you in my thoughts and prayers on that day. I 
wish you success and a positive outcome.

Janice

On 4/27/2018 9:57 PM, Deborah via MD-Sligo wrote:
>
> We would like people to go to this hearing to support Patty.    I 
> imagine the MARC train will get you close.  Please let me know if you 
> can go.
>
> Debbie
>
> *From:* NFBMD [mailto:nfbmd-bounces at nfbnet.org] *On Behalf Of 
> *Ringlein, Ellen via NFBMD
> *Sent:* Friday, April 27, 2018 4:28 PM
> *To:* State President, Maryland <nfbmd at earthlink.net>; NFB of Maryland 
> e-mail list <nfbmd at nfbnet.org>; NFB of Maryland Baltimore Chapter 
> Discussion List <greater-baltimore at nfbnet.org>; 
> 'Towson/Lutherville/Cockysville Maryland Chapter List' 
> <nfbmdtlc-chapter at nfbnet.org>
> *Cc:* Ringlein, Ellen <ERinglein at nfb.org>
> *Subject:* [NFBMD] Help Needed May 2
>
> Fellow Federationists
>
> Next Wednesday afternoon there is an oral argument at the Federal 
> Courthouse in Baltimore in a case which involves Patty Homan, a blind 
> Randolph-sheppard vendor. We would like as many blind folks as 
> possible to be there to support her. The details are below. Please let 
> Sharon Maneki know, if you can attend.
>
> Cordially,
>
> Ellen
>
> Federal Court in Baltimore to Decide Important Rights for Blind People
>
> When: Wednesday, May 2, 2018 at 2:15 PM
>
> Where: court room 5C (5^th floor, court room C), United States 
> District Court, District of Maryland, located at 101 W. Lombard St. in 
> Baltimore.
>
> Note: Please plan to arrive at the Courthouse by 2:00 PM to give 
> sufficient time to pass through security. A photo ID may be needed.  
> Laptop or other computers are not allowed.  Cell phones are permitted 
> but must be turned off during court proceedings.
>
> This is an oral argument before district court judge Marvin J. Garbis, 
> open to the public.  Anyone interested should attend and pass the word 
> to others.
>
> The Issue
>
> Patty Homan is a blind vendor and member of the NFB of Maryland. Six 
> years ago the state wrongfully denied her a promotion in the BEP 
> program.  Federal law gives blind vendors the right of arbitration to 
> challenge actions or decisions of the state agency.
>
> Last year a three-member arbitration panel convened by the U. S. 
> Department of Education said Patty should have been promoted and 
> ordered the state to pay her the money she would have earned; 
> approximately $200 thousand due her in back pay. But now the state is 
> refusing to pay Patty, arguing to the court that a blind vendor can't 
> recover money damages and attorneys' fees when the state is found in 
> violation of the law.  Although this appeal seems outrageous, some 
> other federal courts have ruled in favor of states and against the 
> blind  in similar cases, citing sovereign immunity of the states under 
> the U. S. constitution. Therefore, the outcome in this case has 
> important implications for upholding the rights of blind people under 
> Randolph-sheppard and other laws.
>
> The official name of the case is Maryland State Department of 
> Education v. United States Department of Education et al. Our 
> attorneys, Dr. Marc Maurer and Susan Rockwood Gashel will appear 
> before Judge Garbis to make the important oral arguments on behalf of 
> Ms. Homan and all blind people. Please be present in the room to show 
> the court that the decision will have an important impact on the lives 
> and livelihoods of blind people beyond that of Patty Homan alone.
>
>
>
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