<div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div class="gmail_default" style="font-family:tahoma,sans-serif;font-size:small;color:rgb(0,0,0)">Hello all,</div><div class="gmail_default" style="font-family:tahoma,sans-serif;font-size:small;color:rgb(0,0,0)">Jesse sent us a very important message. Read below and take action. Our programs are in jeopardy. The Maryland House Delegation is <span style="font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;color:rgb(34,34,34)">Representative Katherine Clark (<a href="mailto:brooke.scannell@mail.house.gov" target="_blank">brooke.scannell@mail.house.gov</a>), </span><span style="font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;color:rgb(34,34,34)">Representative Sarah Elfreth (<a href="mailto:hannah.cooper@mail.house.gov" target="_blank">hannah.cooper@mail.house.gov</a>), </span><span style="font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;color:rgb(34,34,34)">Representative Andy Harris (<a href="mailto:travis.trejo@mail.house.gov" target="_blank">travis.trejo@mail.house.gov</a>), </span><span style="font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;color:rgb(34,34,34)">Representative Steny Hoyer (<a href="mailto:jim.notter@mail.house.gov" target="_blank">jim.notter@mail.house.gov</a>), </span><span style="font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;color:rgb(34,34,34)">Representative Glenn Ivey (<a href="mailto:walter.gonzales@mail.house.gov" target="_blank">walter.gonzales@mail.house.gov</a>), </span><span style="font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;color:rgb(34,34,34)">Representative April McClain Delaney (<a href="mailto:kaylee.robinson@mail.house.gov" target="_blank">kaylee.robinson@mail.house.gov</a>), </span><span style="font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;color:rgb(34,34,34)">Representative Kweisi Mfume (<a href="mailto:ramon.correa@mail.house.gov" target="_blank">ramon.correa@mail.house.gov</a>), </span><span style="font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;color:rgb(34,34,34)">Representative Johnny Olszewski (<a href="mailto:isabel.sanchez@mail.house.gov" target="_blank">isabel.sanchez@mail.house.gov</a>), and </span><span style="font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;color:rgb(34,34,34)">Representative Jamie Raskin (<a href="mailto:diane.adamson@mail.house.gov" target="_blank">diane.adamson@mail.house.gov</a>). 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. </span></div><div><br clear="all"></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><br><br><div class="gmail_quote"><div dir="ltr" class="gmail_attr">---------- Forwarded message ---------<br>From: <strong class="gmail_sendername" dir="auto">Sharon Maneki</strong> <span dir="auto"><<a href="mailto:skmaneki@gmail.com" target="_blank">skmaneki@gmail.com</a>></span><br>Date: Fri, Aug 29, 2025 at 3:13\u202fPM<br>Subject: Fwd: Legislative Alert: Urge House to Fund Critical Programs<br>To: <<a href="mailto:nfbmdsm@gmail.com" target="_blank">nfbmdsm@gmail.com</a>><br></div><br><br><div dir="ltr"><div class="gmail_default" style="font-family:verdana,sans-serif;font-size:small"><br></div><br><div class="gmail_quote"><div dir="ltr" class="gmail_attr">---------- Forwarded message ---------<br>From: <strong class="gmail_sendername" dir="auto">National Federation of the Blind</strong> <span dir="auto"><<a href="mailto:webmaster@nfb.org" target="_blank">webmaster@nfb.org</a>></span><br>Date: Thu, Aug 28, 2025 at 12:00\u202fPM<br>Subject: Legislative Alert: Urge House to Fund Critical Programs<br>To: Sharon Maneki <<a href="mailto:skmaneki@gmail.com" target="_blank">skmaneki@gmail.com</a>><br></div><br><br>
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<h1><span style="font-family:calibri,sans-serif;font-size:24pt;color:black">Blind Americans Urge the House of Representatives to Fund Critical Programs in Upcoming Appropriations Package</span></h1>
<p><span style="font-family:calibri,sans-serif;font-size:14pt;color:black">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. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-family:calibri,sans-serif;font-size:14pt;color:black">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. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-family:calibri,sans-serif;font-size:14pt;color:black">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 \u201cLabor H Appropriations Bill.\u201d </span></p>
<h2><span style="font-family:calibri,sans-serif;font-size:20pt;color:black">How Members Can Help</span></h2>
<p><span style="font-family:calibri,sans-serif;font-size:14pt;color:black">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. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-family:calibri,sans-serif;font-size:14pt;color:black">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. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-family:calibri,sans-serif;font-size:14pt;color:black">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. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-family:calibri,sans-serif;font-size:14pt;color:black">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. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-family:calibri,sans-serif;font-size:14pt;color:black">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. </span></p>
<h3 style="color:1b5633"><span style="font-family:calibri,sans-serif;font-size:18pt"><font color="1b5633">Sample Script</font></span></h3>
<p><span style="font-family:calibri,sans-serif;font-size:14pt;color:black">When you call or email you might say: \u201cMy 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). </span></p>
<p><span style="font-family:calibri,sans-serif;font-size:14pt;color:black">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. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-family:calibri,sans-serif;font-size:14pt;color:black">This funding would help ensure that blind Americans are able to get proper education, maximize our employment potential, and live independent lives. Thank you.\u201d </span></p>
<p><span style="font-family:calibri,sans-serif;font-size:14pt;color:black">We suggest a subject like: \u201cPlease Ensure that Critical Funding for Blind Americans Remains in the Labor H Appropriations Bill\u201d </span></p>
<p><span style="font-family:calibri,sans-serif;font-size:14pt;color:black">For Chairman Aderholt\u2019s office, please contact Megan Medley at <a href="https://nfb.org/civicrm/mailing/url?u=40032&qid=11610980" rel="nofollow" style="color:blue;text-decoration:underline" target="_blank">megan.medley@mail.house.gov</a>, or by calling 202-225-4876. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-family:calibri,sans-serif;font-size:14pt;color:black">To find the contact information for your specific representative\u2019s office, please use the attached spreadsheet. It is organized alphabetically by state. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-family:calibri,sans-serif;font-size:14pt;color:black">If you are having trouble finding the contact information for your member of Congress, please contact Lindsey Walsh at <a href="https://nfb.org/civicrm/mailing/url?u=40033&qid=11610980" rel="nofollow" style="color:blue;text-decoration:underline" target="_blank">lwalsh@nfb.org</a>. If you email, please copy Jesse Shirek at <a href="https://nfb.org/civicrm/mailing/url?u=40034&qid=11610980" rel="nofollow" style="color:blue;text-decoration:underline" target="_blank">jshirek@nfb.org</a>.</span></p>
<h2><span style="font-family:calibri,sans-serif;font-size:20pt;color:black">About the National Federation of the Blind</span></h2>
<p><span style="font-family:calibri,sans-serif;font-size:14pt;color:black">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. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-family:calibri,sans-serif;font-size:14pt;color:black">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 <a href="https://nfb.org/civicrm/mailing/url?u=40035&qid=11610980" rel="nofollow" style="color:blue;text-decoration:underline" target="_blank">nfb.org</a>.</span></p>
<h2><span style="font-family:calibri,sans-serif;font-size:20pt;color:black">Government Affairs Contact:</span></h2>
<p><span style="font-family:calibri,sans-serif;font-size:14pt;color:black">Jesse Shirek<br>
Governmental Affairs Specialist<br>
National Federation of the Blind<br>
410-659-9314, extension 2348<br>
<a href="https://nfb.org/civicrm/mailing/url?u=40034&qid=11610980" rel="nofollow" style="color:blue;text-decoration:underline" target="_blank">jshirek@nfb.org</a></span></p>
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National Federation of the Blind | 200 E Wells Street | Baltimore, MD 21230 | 410-659-9314 </td> </tr> <tr style="height:25px"> <td colspan="8" align="center" style="color:white;font-size:12px;font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-weight:bold"> <a href="https://nfb.org/civicrm/mailing/unsubscribe?reset=1&jid=25281&qid=11610980&h=742e98f8f052196b" title="Unsubscribe" style="color:white;font-size:12px;font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-weight:bold" target="_blank">Unsubscribe from this mailing list</a> | <a href="https://nfb.org/civicrm/mailing/optout?reset=1&jid=25281&qid=11610980&h=742e98f8f052196b" title="Opt Out" style="color:white;font-size:12px;font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-weight:bold" target="_blank">Opt out of all mailing lists</a> | <a href="https://nfb.org/civicrm/mailing/url?u=40042&qid=11610980" rel="nofollow" title="Sign up for email newsletter" style="color:white;font-size:12px;font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-weight:bold" target="_blank">Sign up for our newsletter</a> </td> </tr> <tr> <td colspan="8" align="center" style="display:none;color:white;font-size:12px;font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-weight:bold"> <div><span><span>200 East Wells Street at Jernigan Place</span><br><span>Baltimore</span>, <span>MD</span> <span>21230</span><br><span>United States</span></span></div>.. </td> </tr> </tbody> </table>
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