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Dear Legislative Directors:<br>
<br>
A couple of you have asked about our legislative issues and status in
preparation for your state convention. In case others are interested, I
thought I might send this to the entire listserv. I would first mention
our two major legislative accomplishments: Marrakesh and Space Available.
I would then mention three items still in progress: Access Technology
Affordability Act, Accessible Instructional Materials in Higher Education
Act, and Transitioning to Integrated and Meaningful Employment Act.
Please see below for brief details regarding each of the five pieces of
legislation. <br>
<br>
Marrakesh Treaty to Facilitate Access to Published Works for Persons who
are Blind, Visually Impaired, or Otherwise Print Disabled:<br>
This treaty makes it easier to facilitate the import and export of
international accessible format copies of books. The Resolution of Advice
and Consent was passed unanimously by the Senate on June 28. On this date
the Senate also unanimously passed the implementing legislation
(Marrakesh Treaty Implementation Act, S. 2559). The bill was then
unanimously passed by the House of Representatives on September 25, and
signed into law by the President on October 9. We hope that the United
States government will deposit the instrument of ratification for the
Marrakesh Treaty in Geneva sometime in mid-November. <br>
<br>
Space Available:<br>
This legislation makes is possible for veterans with a service-connected
permanent disability rated as total to use the Space Available program.
The program allows active duty military, veterans, and their families to
fly free on military chartered flights if space is available. This
legislation was signed into law by the President on August 13 as part of
the National Defense Authorization Act.<br>
<br>
Access Technology Affordability Act:<br>
This bill would create a refundable tax credit, in the amount of $2,500
for use over a three-year period, for the purchase of accessible
technology for blind Americans. The House bill, H.R. 1734, currently has
86 cosponsors. The Senate bill, S. 732, currently has 13 cosponsors. For
information on this current initiative, please visit
<a href="https://nfb.org/access-technology-affordability-act">
https://nfb.org/access-technology-affordability-act</a>. <br>
<br>
Accessible Instructional Materials in Higher Education Act:<br>
This bill would create a purpose-based commission to construct a set of
guidelines for colleges and universities to use in the procurement of
accessible instructional materials. The House bill, H.R. 1772, currently
has 83 cosponsors. The Senate bill, S. 2138, currently has 5 cosponsors.
For information on this current initiative please visit
<a href="https://nfb.org/aimhighfactsheet">
https://nfb.org/aimhighfactsheet</a>. <br>
<br>
Transitioning to Integrated and Meaningful Employment Act:<br>
This bill would responsibly phase out the payment of subminimum wages to
persons with disabilities over a six-year period. The bill is only in the
House as H.R. 1377, and currently has 51 cosponsors. For information on
this current initiative please visit
<a href="https://nfb.org/fair-wages">https://nfb.org/fair-wages</a>.
<br>
<br>
If there is anything else that we can help you with, please do not
hesitate to contact me.<br>
<br>
Thanks,<br>
John<br>
<br>
John Paré<br>
(410) 659-9314 x 2218<br>
National Federation of the Blind</blockquote></body>
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