[NABS-L] Fwd: Urgent Legislative Alert: Access Technology Affordability Act

Tue Nov 2 16:25:59 UTC 2021

Hi Everyone,
   I hope you guys had a great weekend.  There was a super important
legislative alert sent out yesterday and this morning which I am
forwarding to you.  Please feel free to reach out to me if you have any
questions or concerns.  We can all do our part to help try and get ATAA
passed.  My email is elozabethschoen1313 at gmail.com, and again don't
hesitate to reach out.

Thanks,
Elizabeth Schoen (LSAC Co-Chair)

---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: National Federation of the Blind <webmaster at nfb.org>
Date: Tue, Nov 2, 2021 at 9:29 AM
Subject: Urgent Legislative Alert: Access Technology Affordability Act
To: Elizabeth Schoen <elizabethschoen1313 at gmail.com>

[image: National Federation of the Blind logo and tagline live the life you
want] <http://nfb.org>
Blind Americans Urge Restoration of Access Technology Tax Credit to Build
Back Better Legislation

The National Federation of the Blind, the transformative membership and
advocacy organization of blind Americans, today urged House and Senate
leaders to restore a critical provision to the Build Back Better
legislation scheduled for a vote this week. Originally introduced in both
houses of Congress <https://nfb.org/civicrm/mailing/url?u=23430&qid=6258635>
as the Access Technology Affordability Act of 2021
<https://nfb.org/civicrm/mailing/url?u=23431&qid=6258635> (H.R. 431/S.
212), the provision would remove a barrier to educational and employment
success commonly experienced by blind Americans, who often cannot afford
the high cost of access technologies like screen readers and refreshable
Braille displays, by creating a refundable tax credit in the amount of
$2,000 to be used over a three-year period to offset the cost of these
technologies.

“The Access Technology Affordability Act aligns with the priorities of the
Build Back Better legislation, which is intended to create opportunity and
relieve economic pressure on American families,” said Mark Riccobono,
President of the National Federation of the Blind. “By alleviating the high
cost of technology that is critical to the educational and economic success
of blind and deafblind people, this provision will allow more of us to
support our families and participate fully in our nation’s progress and
prosperity.”
How Members Can Help

On October 20, President Riccobono wrote letters to both Speaker Pelosi and
Majority Leader Schumer urging them to keep this legislation, so critical
to the blind of America, in the bill. Unfortunately, we learned late last
week, on October 28, that the section of the Build Back Better Act
containing the ATAA had been removed.

The Build Back Better Act has not been finalized, so we still have a chance
to get the ATAA back into the bill before it goes for a floor vote, but we
must act quickly. We need everyone to contact Speaker Pelosi and Majority
Leader Schumer and urge them to restore this provision. When you call or
email you might say:

“My name is [YOUR NAME] and I want to urge [Speaker Pelosi OR Majority
Leader Schumer] to restore the Access Technology Affordability Act (H.R.
431/S. 212) into the Build Back Better Act (H.R. 5376). This bill will have
a tremendous impact on the lives of blind Americans by improving education,
increasing employment opportunities, and increasing overall
self-sufficiency. Thank you.”

We suggest a subject like: “Please Maintain the ATAA Provision in the Build
Back Better Act”

To contact Speaker Pelosi and Majority Leader Schumer please use the
following email addresses, or call the Capitol Switchboard at 202-224-3121.

Speaker Pelosi:

Terri McCullough, Chief of Staff
terri.mccullough at mail.house.gov
<https://nfb.org/civicrm/mailing/url?u=23432&qid=6258635>

Majority Leader Schumer:

Mike Lynch, Chief of Staff
mike_lynch at schumer.senate.gov
<https://nfb.org/civicrm/mailing/url?u=23433&qid=6258635>

If you email, please copy Jeff Kaloc at jkaloc at nfb.org
<https://nfb.org/civicrm/mailing/url?u=23434&qid=6258635>.
Share on Twitter

After contacting Speaker Pelosi and Majority Leader Schumer, please share
on social media. You can use the following draft or share (also known as
retweeting) posts from the National Federation of the Blind account
<https://nfb.org/civicrm/mailing/url?u=23435&qid=6258635>.

I urge @SpeakerPelosi and @LeaderHoyer to restore the provisions of the
Access Technology Affordability Act (H.R. 431/S. 212) to the Build Back
Better Act. This provision will help us improve education, obtain
employment, and increase self-sufficiency. @nfb_voice
About the National Federation of the Blind

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. 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 nfb.org
<https://nfb.org/civicrm/mailing/url?u=23436&qid=6258635>.
Media Contact:

Chris Danielsen
Director of Public Relations
National Federation of the Blind
(410) 659-9314, extension 2330
(410) 262-1281 (Cell)
cdanielsen at nfb.org <https://nfb.org/civicrm/mailing/url?u=23437&qid=6258635>
Government Affairs Contact:

Jeff Kaloc
Governmental Affairs Specialist
National Federation of the Blind
410-659-9314, extension 2206
jkaloc at nfb.org <https://nfb.org/civicrm/mailing/url?u=23434&qid=6258635>

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