[nabs-l] Fwd: [Nfbnet-members-list] Technology, Education and Accessibility in College and Higher Education Act

Sat Nov 16 15:23:03 UTC 2013

Jimmy,

While I too am happy about the progress which has been made regarding
the teach act, I want to point out that this was not an announcement
that the bill has been passed. The bill has been introduced in the
House of Representatives and will now be able to be considered for
debate. It now must be passed by a committee of the house, then by the
full house during floor debate, then by the Senate, and finally signed
by the president before it becomes law. I am not saying that it's
introduction is not a sign of progress. However, I am simply pointing
out that we still have a long way to go before it becomes the law of
the land. So, let us pool our resources together, do a little
federation advocacy, and make this thing move the rest of the way to
passage!

Chris Nusbaum

Sent from my iPhone

> On Nov 16, 2013, at 12:03 AM, James Hulme <jim.hulme at gmail.com> wrote:
>
> I am greatly filled with happiness that the TEACH ACT has been passed.
> However, I cannot open any of the fuile attachments. Can you please try
> resending them in Adobe pdf please??  I guess I can now continue with my
> collegiate studies now that this act was passed by senators in government.
>
>
> Jimmy Hulme
> jim.hulme at gmail.com
>
>
> On Fri, Nov 15, 2013 at 3:52 PM, Laurel and Stockard <
> laurel.stockard at gmail.com> wrote:
>
>>
>>
>> Begin forwarded message:
>>
>>> From: "McLarney, Lauren" <LMcLarney at nfb.org> (by way of David Andrews <
>> dandrews at visi.com>)
>>> Subject: [Nfbnet-members-list] Technology, Education and Accessibility
>> in College and Higher Education Act
>>> Date: November 15, 2013 at 2:09:20 PM CST
>>> To: nfbnet-members-list at nfbnet.org
>>>
>>> Dear Fellow Federationists,
>>>
>>> I am proud to say that today after ten months of anticipation;
>> Congressman Tom Petri introduced the Technology, Education and
>> Accessibility in College and Higher Education Act (HR 3505)! The TEACH Act
>> creates long-overdue accessibility guidelines for electronic instructional
>> materials and related information technologies used by institutions of
>> higher education.
>>>
>>> The law currently prohibits the use of inaccessible technology in the
>> classroom because it is a form of discrimination that leaves blind students
>> behind, and yet the overwhelming majority of digital instructional material
>> is unusable by blind students. The guidelines created by the TEACH Act will
>> give direction for manufacturers of educational technology to increase
>> commercial availability of accessible materials, a prescription for
>> institutions of higher education for how to best serve their disabled
>> students and meet their legal obligations, and a promise that all students,
>> disabled or not, will have equal access to high-quality education in the
>> twenty-first century classroom.
>>>
>>> Blind people have been waiting for at least five years (much more, in
>> reality) to see something done about the needless burdens blind college
>> students face because of inaccessible technology. With the introduction of
>> the TEACH Act, we are done waiting for the process of change to start.
>>>
>>> The creation of the TEACH Act was the result of a collaboration between
>> the National Federation of the Blind and the Association of American
>> Publishers. The introduction of the TEACH Act is the result of many months
>> of networking and nuanced language tangling. However, the passage of the
>> TEACH Act will solely be the result of the passion and power of the NFB. I
>> have heard from so many of you about how personal this issue is, and I am
>> always, always, always impressed at how willing and excited you all are to
>> get going. Now we can finally stop chomping at the bit and get started! The
>> advocacy for this bill will start with targeted meetings with Republicans
>> on the Education and Workforce Committee. The legislative directors in the
>> applicable states have already begun planning pre-Washington Seminar
>> conference calls. I urge the rest of you to reach out to your members of
>> Congress today, bringing this to their attention while it is still a brand
>> new bill, giving them background for your upcoming Washington Seminar
>> meetings, and even urging them to co-sponsor now.  Please be advised that
>> this is a delicate political climate – all co-sponsors are welcome, but we
>> want this bill to be as bi-partisan as possible.
>>>
>>> The text of the bill and an updated fact sheet are attached. If you have
>> any questions, give me a ring at the National Center at 410.659.9314 ext.
>> 2207 or email me at lmclarney at nfb.org. I'm looking forward to working
>> with everyone to make this thing move!
>>>
>>> Lauren
>>>
>>> Lauren McLarney
>>> Government Affairs Specialist
>>> NATIONAL FEDERATION OF THE BLIND
>>> 200 East Wells St.
>>> Baltimore, MD 21230
>>> (410) 659 9314 ext. 2207
>>> lmclarney at nfb.org
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> Take the stress out of this year’s holiday shopping with NFB’s Bid for
>> Equality national online auction: Black Friday, Nov. 29, to Giving Tuesday,
>> Dec. 3. View our must-have donations and register to make your Bid for
>> Equality. The future is in your bid!
>>>
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>>
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