[NFB-Idaho] Fw: Advocacy Alert: Regarding Reduction in Force at the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services

[Ramona Walhof]

I received this message this morning, and I believe it is an emergency.  Reducttion in force at the federal government can be taken too far.  Please read this message carefully and take action by contacting our Senators and representatives.  That's the only way they have to know it affects blind people, especially children and newly blind.  The 3 laws affected here cannot be administered primarily by the states because they are federal laws.
Ramona
________________________________
From: National Federation of the Blind <webmaster at nfb.org>
Sent: Wednesday, October 15, 2025 2:18 AM
To: Ramona Walhof <walhoframona at gmail.com>
Subject: Advocacy Alert: Regarding Reduction in Force at the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services


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[National Federation of the Blind logo and tagline live the life you want]<https://nfb.org/civicrm/mailing/url?u=40485&qid=11820339>
Member Call to Action

Dear Federation Family,

On Friday, October 10, the Department of Education issued reduction in force notices to almost every employee in the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS). As a result, we issued the following statement:

National Federation of the Blind Denounces Devastating Job Cuts Within the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services<https://nfb.org/civicrm/mailing/url?u=40486&qid=11820339>.

If not reversed, this action will severely undermine the Department of Education’s ability to carry out its legal responsibilities under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and the Randolph-Sheppard Act. Access the full statement and resources<https://nfb.org/civicrm/mailing/url?u=40486&qid=11820339>.

Even though the federal government is currently shut down, we are asking that you call or email both of your Senators and your Representative and request them to take congressional action.

When you call or email you might say: "My name is [YOUR NAME] and I want to urge [REPRESENTATIVE/SENATOR NAME] to take congressional action to protect the congressionally mandated disability programs that have been devastated by the reduction in force at the Department of Education issued on October 10. If not reversed, this action will severely undermine the Department of Education’s ability to carry out its legal responsibilities under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and the Randolph-Sheppard Act.

These laws ensure that blind children receive Braille and other essential educational services, that blind adults receive the training necessary for competitive employment, and that blind entrepreneurs have opportunities to operate businesses on federal properties.

The consequences will be devastating—fewer blind students learning Braille and accessible technology, fewer blind adults receiving mobility and employment training, and fewer business opportunities for blind entrepreneurs. Please demand the Administration rescind the reduction in force immediately to protect the disability-focused programs that Congress previously established to educate and empower Americans with disabilities."

We suggest a subject like: "Please Urge the Administration to Rescind the Reduction in Force Order Regarding OSERS"

To find the contact information for your specific senators’ or representative’s office, please download the Senate spreadsheet<https://nfb.org/civicrm/mailing/url?u=40487&qid=11820339> or the House spreadsheet<https://nfb.org/civicrm/mailing/url?u=40488&qid=11820339>. They are organized alphabetically by state. You can also call the Capitol Switchboard at 202-224-3121 and ask for the office in question.

If you send an email, please copy Justin Young at jyoung at nfb.org<https://nfb.org/civicrm/mailing/url?u=40489&qid=11820339>.

If you are having trouble finding the contact information for your members of Congress, please contact Lindsey Walsh at lwalsh at nfb.org.

Thank you for your commitment to advance the lives of our members and all blind people in the United States.


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