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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link="#467886" vlink="#96607D" style='word-wrap:break-word'><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal>Hello all,<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Great news! Representative Sarah McBride has become a sponsor of the Blind Americans Return To Work Act (HR1175)! She, and her team, are currently reviewing the ATAA. Keep up the good work! <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Sincerely\u2026 Carol King-Ries<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><div><div style='border:none;border-top:solid #E1E1E1 1.0pt;padding:3.0pt 0in 0in 0in'><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;mso-ligatures:none'>From:</span></b><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;mso-ligatures:none'> cmkries@comcast.net <cmkries@comcast.net> <br><b>Sent:</b> Tuesday, April 1, 2025 6:37 PM<br><b>To:</b> 'Specter, Hatti' <Hatti.Specter@mail.house.gov><br><b>Cc:</b> cmkries@comcast.net; 'SYLVIA REID' <shevra@verizon.net><br><b>Subject:</b> RE: Two important bills for blind/low vision Delawareans<o:p></o:p></span></p></div></div><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Hello Hatti Specter,<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>I hope this email finds you well. Thank you so much for the great news! This bill means a lot to me personally, and to many blind Delawareans and Americans. Please thank the entire team for elevating this request; and please share my thanks and appreciation with Representative McBride. Let us know if there is anything we can do to help with clarification on the ATAA. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Best regards\u2026 Carol King-Ries<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Legislative Director, NFB of Delaware<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Live the life you want with love, hope, and determination!<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><div><div style='border:none;border-top:solid #E1E1E1 1.0pt;padding:3.0pt 0in 0in 0in'><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;mso-ligatures:none'>From:</span></b><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;mso-ligatures:none'> Specter, Hatti <<a href="mailto:Hatti.Specter@mail.house.gov">Hatti.Specter@mail.house.gov</a>> <br><b>Sent:</b> Tuesday, April 1, 2025 3:20 PM<br><b>To:</b> <a href="mailto:cmkries@comcast.net">cmkries@comcast.net</a><br><b>Subject:</b> Re: Two important bills for blind/low vision Delawareans<o:p></o:p></span></p></div></div><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif'>Hi Carol, <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif'>I\u2019m reaching out with some good news \u2013 the Congresswoman has agreed to cosponsor the Blind Americans Return to Work Act! You should see this reflected on Congress.gov soon. We\u2019re still running the Access Technology Affordability Act through our process, but I will keep in touch with any updates.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif'>Thank you for your advocacy! <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><div><div><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;mso-ligatures:none'>Hatti Specter </span></b><span style='font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;mso-ligatures:none'>| Legislative Aide<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;mso-ligatures:none'>Office of Congresswoman Sarah McBride<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;mso-ligatures:none'>1306 Longworth House Office Building<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;mso-ligatures:none'>Washington, DC 20515<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;mso-ligatures:none'>O: 202.225.4165<o:p></o:p></span></p></div></div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><div style='border:none;border-top:solid #B5C4DF 1.0pt;padding:3.0pt 0in 0in 0in'><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:black;mso-ligatures:none'>From: </span></b><span style='font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:black;mso-ligatures:none'>"Specter, Hatti" <<a href="mailto:Hatti.Specter@mail.house.gov">Hatti.Specter@mail.house.gov</a>><br><b>Date: </b>Wednesday, March 26, 2025 at 6:44\u202fPM<br><b>To: </b>"<a href="mailto:cmkries@comcast.net">cmkries@comcast.net</a>" <<a href="mailto:cmkries@comcast.net">cmkries@comcast.net</a>><br><b>Subject: </b>Re: Two important bills for blind/low vision Delawareans<o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='mso-ligatures:none'><o:p> </o:p></span></p></div><p class=MsoNormal><i><span style='font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif'>Moving Jacob and Emma to bcc<o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class=MsoNormal><i><span style='font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></i></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif'>Hi Carol,<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif'>It\u2019s great to hear from you! Thank you for notifying us and bringing these bills to our attention again. I look forward to putting these bills in front of the Congresswoman soon and I will be in touch with any questions and updates. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif'>Thank you for your advocacy!<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><div><div><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;mso-ligatures:none'>Hatti Specter </span></b><span style='font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;mso-ligatures:none'>| Legislative Aide<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;mso-ligatures:none'>Office of Congresswoman Sarah McBride<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;mso-ligatures:none'>1306 Longworth House Office Building<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;mso-ligatures:none'>Washington, DC 20515<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;mso-ligatures:none'>O: 202.225.4165<o:p></o:p></span></p></div></div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><div style='border:none;border-top:solid #B5C4DF 1.0pt;padding:3.0pt 0in 0in 0in'><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:black;mso-ligatures:none'>From: </span></b><span style='font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:black;mso-ligatures:none'>"Glasser, Jacob" <<a href="mailto:Jacob.Glasser@mail.house.gov">Jacob.Glasser@mail.house.gov</a>><br><b>Date: </b>Monday, March 24, 2025 at 7:37\u202fPM<br><b>To: </b>"<a href="mailto:cmkries@comcast.net">cmkries@comcast.net</a>" <<a href="mailto:cmkries@comcast.net">cmkries@comcast.net</a>><br><b>Cc: </b>"Specter, Hatti" <<a href="mailto:Hatti.Specter@mail.house.gov">Hatti.Specter@mail.house.gov</a>>, "Wethered, Emma" <<a href="mailto:Emma.Wethered@mail.house.gov">Emma.Wethered@mail.house.gov</a>><br><b>Subject: </b>RE: Two important bills for blind/low vision Delawareans<o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='mso-ligatures:none'><o:p> </o:p></span></p></div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif'>Hi Carol-<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif'>Thanks for reaching out! I\u2019m looping in Hatti Specter, who met with the group and covers health for the Congresswoman. She\u2019d be happy to look into both of these bills! <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><div><div style='border:none;border-top:solid #E1E1E1 1.0pt;padding:3.0pt 0in 0in 0in'><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;mso-ligatures:none'>From:</span></b><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;mso-ligatures:none'> Wethered, Emma <<a href="mailto:Emma.Wethered@mail.house.gov">Emma.Wethered@mail.house.gov</a>> <br><b>Sent:</b> Sunday, March 23, 2025 10:04 PM<br><b>To:</b> <a href="mailto:cmkries@comcast.net">cmkries@comcast.net</a><br><b>Cc:</b> Glasser, Jacob <<a href="mailto:Jacob.Glasser@mail.house.gov">Jacob.Glasser@mail.house.gov</a>><br><b>Subject:</b> RE: Two important bills for blind/low vision Delawareans<o:p></o:p></span></p></div></div><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Hi Carol,<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Thank you so much for sending this information below. We will pass this message along to Congresswoman McBride. I\u2019m also looping in Jacob Glasser, the Congresswoman\u2019s Legislative Director, for his awareness. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Best,<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='background:white'><b><span style='color:black;mso-ligatures:none'>Emma Wethered</span></b><span style='color:black;mso-ligatures:none'> | Scheduler<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='background:white'><span style='color:black;mso-ligatures:none'>Office of Congresswoman Sarah McBride (DE-AL)</span><span style='color:#222222;mso-ligatures:none'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='background:white'><span style='color:#222222;mso-ligatures:none'>1306 Longworth House Office Building | Washington, DC 20515<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='background:white'><span style='color:black;mso-ligatures:none'>O: 202.225.4165</span><span style='color:#222222;mso-ligatures:none'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><div><div style='border:none;border-top:solid #E1E1E1 1.0pt;padding:3.0pt 0in 0in 0in'><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;mso-ligatures:none'>From:</span></b><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;mso-ligatures:none'> <a href="mailto:cmkries@comcast.net">cmkries@comcast.net</a> <<a href="mailto:cmkries@comcast.net">cmkries@comcast.net</a>> <br><b>Sent:</b> Wednesday, March 19, 2025 1:29 PM<br><b>To:</b> Wethered, Emma <<a href="mailto:Emma.Wethered@mail.house.gov">Emma.Wethered@mail.house.gov</a>><br><b>Cc:</b> <a href="mailto:cmkries@comcast.net">cmkries@comcast.net</a><br><b>Subject:</b> Two important bills for blind/low vision Delawareans<o:p></o:p></span></p></div></div><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Hello Emma,<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>I hope this email finds you well. My name is carol King-Ries, and I am the Legislative director for the National Federation of the Blind of Delaware (NFB DE). Once again, I would like to thank Representative McBride for her support of people with disabilities in Delaware. When we spoke with her on February 4<sup>th</sup>, we told her that we would let her know of any movement on legislation that would impact blind/low vision Delawareans. Two bills have recently been introduced in the House, and we are requesting Representative McBride\u2019s support as a co-sponsor.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>On Monday, February 24, Representative Mike Kelly of Pennsylvania introduced the Access Technology Affordability Act (ATAA) in the 119th Congress. The bill number is H.R. 1529. The ATAA will create a $2,000 refundable tax credit for the purchase of qualified access technology for the blind. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>The Blind Americans Return to Work Act (H.R. 1175), was introduced by Representative Pete Sessions of Texas on February 10. This bill will eliminate the SSDI earnings cliff by instituting a two-for-one phase out of benefits for any income earned above the substantial gainful activity threshold.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Both of these pieces of legislation will help blind Delawareans to thrive in the workplace. Please let me know if you have any questions or concerns and thank you once again for your support of our efforts to help blind people live the lives they want.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Also, if I should be directing this correspondence to someone else, please let me know.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Best regards\u2026 Carol King-Ries<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Legislative Director, NFB Delaware<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Live the life you want with love, hope, and determination!<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div></body></html>