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

Sat Nov 16 20:38:41 UTC 2013

Hey guys, I don't know anything about any attachments, I just forwarded this to the nabs list as I got it from the main nfb members list. I just figured there might be some people on here who don't get emails from the general nfb national mailing list, so I figured I'd forward this. Also, glad to see some of your thoughts on here. I wish this would have been law when I was in college, would have saved me much much heartbreak and trouble. I was actually forced out of my Russian minor because of inaccessible technology and a professor unwilling to work with me.
I know it's not law yet, but I sure hope it passes.
Laurel
On Nov 16, 2013, at 9:23 AM, christopher nusbaum <dotkid.nusbaum at gmail.com> wrote:

> 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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>>>> Nfbnet-members-list at nfbnet.org
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>>> 
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