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

[David Andrews]

The Act has not been passed.  It has only been 
introduced into the House of Representatives.  There is yet a long way to go.

Dave

At 11:02 PM 11/15/2013, you 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