<div dir="ltr"><div>Hello all,</div><div><br></div><div>We need to write letters asking the members of the House Ways and Means Committee to support HB0547 so that students with disabilities can have a quality education. The hearing will be on February 24. Please get your letters in by February 28. <br></div><div><br></div><div>Tell the delegates that HB0547
will make the local school system, the Maryland State Department of
Education, and vendors accountable for providing accessible information
and communication technology to students with disabilities.
Accessibility has been the law for many years, but it is not enforced.
This bill will not only enforce accessibility, but will also give
students with disabilities the possibility of receiving a quality
education. <br></div><div><br></div><div>Here is the list. Everyone should write to the chairman, Vanessa Attbrbary. If you live in Allegany County, write to Jason Buckel. If you live in Anne Arundel County, write to Dana Jones. If you live in Baltimore City, write to Dalya Attar and Channel Branch. If you live in Baltimore County, write to Joseph Bottler, Jessica Feldmark, Bob Long, Michelle Guyton (thank her for sponsoring the bill!) and Eric Ebersole. If you live in Carroll County, write to April Rose. If you live in Cecil County, write to Kevin Hornburger. If you live in Cecil or Harford counties, write to Michael Griffith. If you live in Harford County, write to Mary Ann Lisanti. If you live in Howard County, write to Jessica Feldmark. If you live in Charles County, write to Edith Patterson. If you live in Montgomery County, write to Eric Luedtke, Julie PalakovichCarr, and Jheanelle Wilkins. If you live in PG county, write to Nick Charles, Julian Ivy and Alonzo Washington. If you live in Wicomico and Worcester Counties, write to Wayne Hartman.<br></div><div><br></div><div>
Blind students are counting on you. Please get your letters in quickly. Thank you.
</div><div><div><div dir="ltr" class="gmail_signature" data-smartmail="gmail_signature"><div dir="ltr"><div><b><font size="2">Sharon Maneki, Director of Legislation and Advocacy</font></b></div><div><font size="2">National Federation of the Blind of Maryland</font></div><div><font size="2">410-715-9596</font></div><div><font size="2"><br></font></div><div><font size="2">The National Federation of the Blind of Maryland knows that blindness is not the characteristic that defines you or your future. Everyday we raise the expectations of blind people, because low expectations create obstacles between blind people and our dreams. You can live the life you want; blindness is not what holds you back.<br></font></div><div><b><font size="2"></font></b></div><div><b><font size="2"><br></font></b></div></div></div></div></div></div>