[Nfbaz-talk] Senators Dodd and McCain Introduce Blind Persons Return to Work Act!

[Allison (NFBA)]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
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> CONTACT:
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> Chris Danielsen
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> Director of Public Relations
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> National Federation of the Blind
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> (410) 659-9314, extension 2330
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> (410) 262-1281 (Cell)
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> <mailto:cdanielsen at nfb.org>cdanielsen at nfb.org
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> Senators Dodd and McCain Introduce
> Blind Persons Return to Work Act
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> National Federation of the Blind Applauds a Common Sense
> Work Incentive for Blind Social Security Beneficiaries
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> Washington, D.C. (January 28, 2010): Senator Christopher Dodd (D-CT) 
> and Senator John McCain (R-AZ) today introduced the Blind Persons 
> Return to Work Act of 2010 (S. 2962), which will allow blind 
> Americans to more easily transition from Social Security 
> beneficiaries to income-earning, productive members of the workforce.
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> Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), a program meant to 
> provide disabled Americans with financial support, actually 
> discourages blind people from seeking employment by placing a limit 
> on how much money they can earn.  This bipartisan bill replaces the 
> monthly earnings limit with a gradual phase-out, allowing blind 
> beneficiaries to systematically replace benefits with earned income.
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> Dr. Marc Maurer, President of the National Federation of the Blind, 
> said: "The National Federation of the Blind applauds Senators Dodd 
> and McCain, both longtime champions of the blind and other Americans 
> with disabilities, for advancing this wise proposal to reform SSDI so 
> it encourages blind beneficiaries to reach their full employment 
> potential rather than discouraging them from becoming 
> independent.  Blind people want to work, and with the right training 
> and opportunity, we can hold any job to which we aspire.  Yet because 
> of misconceptions about blindness and flawed work incentives in the 
> SSDI program, 70 percent of working age blind people are unemployed 
> or underemployed.  We are confident that the Blind Persons Return to 
> Work Act will reduce the fear of termination of benefits resulting 
> from an earnings limit and encourage blind people to join the workforce."
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> "Blind Americans deserve the opportunity to enter or advance in the 
> workplace without their financial security being threatened by some 
> arbitrary limit," said Senator Dodd.  "We can encourage blind people 
> to take advantage of their independence without punishing them for 
> working.  This bipartisan legislation will protect millions of 
> Americans from the risk of losing their benefits and will increase 
> the productivity of our workforce."
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> "Blind Americans who want to work should not be discouraged from 
> pursuing employment," added Senator McCain.  "The current SSDI 
> program creates government dependency and limits achievement among 
> blind people.  The proposed reform will enable blind Americans to 
> fully reach their potential in the workforce and reduce the overall 
> number of federal beneficiaries, saving tax dollars for every American."
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> This legislation joins its House companion bill, H.R. 886, introduced 
> by John Lewis (D-GA) earlier this year.
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> About the National Federation of the Blind
> 
> With more than 50,000 members, the National Federation of the Blind 
> is the largest and most influential membership organization of blind 
> people in the <?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = 
> "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" />United States.  The 
> NFB improves blind people's lives through advocacy, education, 
> research, technology, and programs encouraging independence and 
> self-confidence.  It is the leading force in the blindness field 
> today and the voice of the nation's blind.  In January 2004 the NFB 
> opened the National Federation of the Blind Jernigan Institute, the 
> first research and training center in the United States for the blind 
> led by the blind.
>