[Ncabs] Fw: [Nfb-legislative-directors] National Federation of the Blind letter of support for the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act

[sharon_newton via Ncabs]

Please see below!  Thanks!
----- Original Message ----- 
From: sharon_newton 
To: waltergray555 at yahoo.com ; sjy04127 at gmail.com ; GARY RAY ; tmjnc2 at gmail.com ; lusi98 at nc.rr.com ; locagirl at windstream.net ; blocklear44 at gmail.com ; joynjesus at live.com ; angusparker at suddenlink.net ; julius.locklear1 at gmail.com 
Sent: Monday, June 02, 2014 3:04 PM
Subject: Fw: [Nfb-legislative-directors] National Federation of the Blind letter of support for the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act


Hello Everyone!

Below is an update from John Pare concerning WIA's section 511, RSA, and other issues.  The votes on these issues in the Senate and House will probably take place this week and next week.    I spoke with John this morning and, at present, he feels we have enough letters concerning these issues.  However,  we all know how quickly attitudes in Washington can change so we must be ready if we get the call to re-iterate our views to our reps and senators!   

Thank you to every person who corresponded or called about the issues in John's letter below!

Sharon Newton
Legislative Committee


----- Original Message ----- 
From: Pare, John via Nfb-legislative-directors 
To: state-affiliate-leadership-list at nfbnet.org ; NFB Legislative DirectorsList (nfb-legislative-directors at nfbnet.org) 
Sent: Friday, May 30, 2014 3:46 PM
Subject: [Nfb-legislative-directors] National Federation of the Blind letter of support for the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act


May 30, 2014


The Honorable Tom Harkin                          The Honorable Lamar Alexander

731 Hart Senate Office Building                             455 Dirksen Senate Office Building

Washington, DC 20510                                           Washington, DC 20515


The Honorable John Kline                                        The Honorable George Miller

2439 Rayburn House Office Building                     2205 Rayburn House Office Building

Washington, DC 20515                                           Washington, DC 20515


Dear Senator Harkin, Senator Alexander, Congressman Kline, and Congressman Miller:


The National Federation of the Blind, the oldest and largest organization of blind people in the United States, supports the passage of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act. Title IV of this legislation, the Rehabilitation Act, is the product of serious and substantive discussions and negotiations with the blind and other Americans with disabilities. It is an important first step toward eliminating wage discrimination against people with disabilities, and it focuses the rehabilitation system on providing quality rehabilitation services that empower people with all disabilities to obtain competitive integrated employment.  


In particular, we believe that the compromise language in Section 511, while not perfect, will help reduce the number of disabled youth being tracked into sheltered subminimum wage employment. We are also pleased that the Rehabilitation Services Administration will remain within the Department of Education and that programs for the older blind will also continue to be handled by this department. The critical importance of the Rehabilitation Services Administration is properly maintained because its director will continue to be appointed by the president and confirmed by the United States Senate. 


The National Federation of the Blind is disappointed in the shifting of the National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research to the Department of Health and Human Services. We also disagree with the reduction in membership of the National Council on Disability, a significant downgrade of this important voice on disability policy. We are also disappointed with the lowering of standards for the qualifications of rehabilitation counselors.


As a whole, however, the National Federation of the Blind supports this legislation and believes that it represents a significant improvement in policies designed to create and enhance employment opportunities for American workers with disabilities. We thank each of you for your hard work in crafting this important bill and look forward to working with you to see it become law.


Sincerely,


John G. Paré Jr.

Executive Director for Advocacy and Policy

National Federation of the Blind




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