[MDPOBC] Fwd: Legislative Alert: Urge House to Fund Critical Programs

Fri Aug 29 19:23:13 UTC 2025

Hello all,
Jesse sent us a very important message. Read below and take action. Our
programs are in jeopardy. The Maryland House Delegation is Representative
Katherine Clark (brooke.scannell at mail.house.gov), Representative Sarah
Elfreth (hannah.cooper at mail.house.gov), Representative Andy Harris (
travis.trejo at mail.house.gov), Representative Steny Hoyer (
jim.notter at mail.house.gov), Representative Glenn Ivey (
walter.gonzales at mail.house.gov), Representative April McClain Delaney (
kaylee.robinson at mail.house.gov), Representative Kweisi Mfume (
ramon.correa at mail.house.gov), Representative Johnny Olszewski (
isabel.sanchez at mail.house.gov), and Representative Jamie Raskin (
diane.adamson at mail.house.gov). Choose the appropriate one. You need to
write to Chairman Aderholt, as specified in the email, as well as to your
own Congressperson. I have provided all of the Maryland congressmen, choose
the right one.

*Sharon Maneki, Director of Legislation and Advocacy*
National Federation of the Blind of Maryland
410-715-9596

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.

---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: Sharon Maneki <skmaneki at gmail.com>
Date: Fri, Aug 29, 2025 at 3:13 PM
Subject: Fwd: Legislative Alert: Urge House to Fund Critical Programs
To: <nfbmdsm at gmail.com>

---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: National Federation of the Blind <webmaster at nfb.org>
Date: Thu, Aug 28, 2025 at 12:00 PM
Subject: Legislative Alert: Urge House to Fund Critical Programs
To: Sharon Maneki <skmaneki at gmail.com>

[image: National Federation of the Blind logo and tagline live the life you
want] <https://nfb.org/civicrm/mailing/url?u=40031&qid=11610980>
Blind Americans Urge the House of Representatives to Fund Critical Programs
in Upcoming Appropriations Package

The National Federation of the Blind, the transformative membership and
advocacy organization of blind Americans, urges the House Appropriations
Committee to include critical funding for programs that benefit the blind
into the upcoming appropriations package.

Those programs include the Institute of Museum and Library Services (which
plays a large part in helping to fund libraries for the blind across the
country), special education programs, vocational rehabilitation programs,
Independent Living Services for Older Individuals who are Blind (OIB), and
the American Printing House for the Blind.

These programs are funded through the Departments of Labor, Health and
Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies Appropriation Bill each
fiscal year. Frequently, we will refer to this as the “Labor H
Appropriations Bill.”
How Members Can Help

On July 28, President Riccobono wrote letters to the chairs and ranking
members of both the House and Senate Appropriations Subcommittees on Labor,
Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies.

He urged them to appropriate funding for the Institute of Museum and
Library Services, special education programs, and vocational rehabilitation
programs at the fiscal year 2024 level plus a 5 percent cost of living
adjustment over the last two fiscal years.

He also urged them to appropriate $254.7 million for the OIB program, which
is currently woefully underfunded, and $53.4 million for the American
Printing House for the Blind to help facilitate the distribution of the
Monarch, an innovative multi-line Braille and tactile graphics technology
that is revolutionizing access to education for blind students.

He also asked that the annual $9 million grant for Bookshare be maintained.
Later that week the full Senate Appropriations Committee voted in favor of
a version of the Labor H Appropriations Bill that funded all of the above
programs at the Fiscal Year 2024 level, which is less than what we were
hoping for. In some cases, much less.

Fortunately, the House version of the bill has not yet been finalized. This
is where you come in. We need everyone to contact Representative Robert
Aderholt, the Chairman of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor,
Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies, as well as your
own representative in the House and urge them to fund these important
programs for all blind Americans.
Sample Script

When you call or email you might say: “My name is [YOUR NAME] and I want to
urge [REPRESENTATIVE NAME] to ensure that critical funding for crucial
programs for blind Americans will be included in the Labor H Appropriations
Bill. Specifically, I would like to urge a five percent increase over the
Fiscal Year 2024 funding for the Institute of Museum and Library Services,
special education programs, and vocational rehabilitation programs
(including the client assistance program and protection and advocacy
program).

I would also like to urge that the Independent Living Services for Older
Individuals who are Blind program receives a significant funding increase
up to $254.7 million, and that the American Printing House for the Blind
receives an increase in funding up to $53.4 million. Finally, I would like
to ask that the annual $9 million grant for Bookshare is maintained.

This funding would help ensure that blind Americans are able to get proper
education, maximize our employment potential, and live independent lives.
Thank you.”

We suggest a subject like: “Please Ensure that Critical Funding for Blind
Americans Remains in the Labor H Appropriations Bill”

For Chairman Aderholt’s office, please contact Megan Medley at
megan.medley at mail.house.gov
<https://nfb.org/civicrm/mailing/url?u=40032&qid=11610980>, or by calling
202-225-4876.

To find the contact information for your specific representative’s office,
please use the attached spreadsheet. It is organized alphabetically by
state.

If you are having trouble finding the contact information for your member
of Congress, please contact Lindsey Walsh at lwalsh at nfb.org
<https://nfb.org/civicrm/mailing/url?u=40033&qid=11610980>. If you email,
please copy Jesse Shirek at jshirek at nfb.org
<https://nfb.org/civicrm/mailing/url?u=40034&qid=11610980>.
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=40035&qid=11610980>.
Government Affairs Contact:

Jesse Shirek
Governmental Affairs Specialist
National Federation of the Blind
410-659-9314, extension 2348
jshirek at nfb.org <https://nfb.org/civicrm/mailing/url?u=40034&qid=11610980>

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