[Nfbc-info] FYI FW: [Nfb-legislative-directors] Exciting Updates Regarding the TIME Act

Wed Apr 15 19:52:53 UTC 2015

Hi all,

Here is an update on our TIME Act legislation effort and some other news. 

Best,

Michael Hingson

From: Nfb-legislative-directors
[mailto:nfb-legislative-directors-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Sloan,
Rose via Nfb-legislative-directors
Sent: Wednesday, April 15, 2015 8:59 AM
To: 'Nfb-legislative-directors at nfbnet.org'
Subject: [Nfb-legislative-directors] Exciting Updates Regarding the TIME Act

Legislative Directors:

We write to you with several exciting updates about the TIME Act!  

First, for those of you who were at the Legislative Director's Seminar in
January, you will undoubtedly remember "35 Cents," the faux-video Marcus
Soulsby and his group developed and performed for us.  That monologue was
the inspiration for the video released yesterday on NFB's YouTube page
called "35 Cents <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZfBM_qS9iok> ."  Although
this final video ultimately evolved from Marcus and team's original idea, it
nonetheless illustrates how employers are currently underestimating the true
vocational potential of people with disabilities. This concept was voted as
the winning idea for stimulating advocacy, so we are confident you will
watch the video, share it on your social media networks, and show us just
how effective this advocacy tool can be.  As a starting benchmark, after
just three days, each of the last two videos NFB released received over
1,000 views.  Let's beat that record with "35 Cents" by getting well over
1,000 views in its first three days.   

Second, the New Hampshire state legislature just passed today legislation
that repeals state laws that allow entities to apply for special wage
certificates permitting them to pay people with disabilities less than the
minimum wage!  This bill (SB 47) unanimously passed the state senate in
March and was passed by the New Hampshire House of Representatives today.
For those of you working to develop a state legislative agenda, let this
effort be a model. The Federation can leverage this victory in other states,
working to stop the practice of subminimum wage employment at the state
level in concert with our united efforts on the national level.  Vermont and
New Hampshire may be the states that broke ground, but the Federation is the
only group that can bring more piecemeal victories and truly cement the
legacy.      

Third, the regulations for WIOA have been released.  After an initial
review, it looks like there is a strong definition for competitive,
integrated employment.  However, it also looks as though there are no
enforcement mechanisms in place for Section 511.  Comments on the proposed
regulations are due in June, and NFB has already begun regular meetings to
formulate our official response.  

Fourth, Congress' Spring Break is officially over; let's make sure they're
truly back to work! We encourage you to activate your advocacy hierarchy and
conduct a large-scale round of follow-up with your members of Congress
regarding the TIME Act (HR 188).  Remember, the LD Seminar groups gave us
many good ideas beyond the "35 Cents" video, like the  idea of asking each
chapter to put some time aside during or after a chapter meeting
specifically for letter writing, allowing the entire affiliate to be engaged
and generating a large number of letters.  If your affiliate implements an
idea from the LD Seminar or comes up with a new and effective technique, let
us know so we can share it with the group! The current leaderboard winner
for follow-up is the New Jersey affiliate, which managed to send over sixty
follow-up emails to their members of Congress since Washington Seminar.  

As a reminder, use your follow-up email as an opportunity to explain why the
TIME Act is personal to you, and be sure to cc Rose (rsloan at nfb.org
<mailto:rsloan at nfb.org> ) so that she can follow-up as well.  Over the
weekend, the Huffington Post released an article about the TIME Act
<http://www.huffingtonpost.com/sarah-blahovec/its-about-time-ending-sub_b_70
41592.html> .  Articles such as these can be a great attachment when
following up with members of Congress.  If you're not sure who to contact,
please let us know off list, and we will provide you with the contact
information for the labor staffers in your state.  Please keep in mind that
we are trying to keep the cosponsor count even, and with a current breakdown
of 20 Democrats and 16 Republicans, it is especially important to follow up
with Republican offices.  Let's keep the support for the TIME Act coming!  

For those of you seeking updates on our other legislative initiatives, here
are some snippets:

Re TEACH Act, NFB is hosting our 7th negotiation meeting with the higher ed
lobby regarding the TEACH Act next week. 

Re the Marrakesh Treaty, NFB conducted critical follow-up last month to
build on your Washington Seminar meetings. The advocacy culminated with a
meeting at the State Department between Dr. Maurer, Scott LaBarre, and
Lauren with Under Secretary Cathy Novelli. All other groups have been trying
to meet with her, but NFB was the only one able to secure the sit-down. She
says the ratification package is coming, so stand by. 

We hope you all are having a wonderful spring, and we look forward to seeing
you at Convention.  

Best,

John, Lauren, and Rose

P.S. We are looking to reintroduce a modified version of the Blind Persons
Return to Work Act of 2009. The draft bill removes the SSDI cash cliff,
replacing it with a two-for-one phase out, and reduces administrative
burdens for SSA by eliminating the broken trial work period and streamlining
the two different types of work expenses. If you know of a Republican
Senator on the Finance or a Republican Congressperson on the Ways and Means
Committee that might be interested in sponsoring this bill, please let Rose
know.   

Rose Sloan

Government Affairs Specialist

National Federation of the Blind 

200 East Wells Street

Baltimore, MD 21230

Phone: (410) 659-9314, extension 2441

Email: rsloan at nfb.org <mailto:rsloan at nfb.org> 

"Eliminating Subminimum Wages for People with Disabilities" 

http://www.nfb.org/fair-wages

The National Federation of the Blind knows that blindness is not the
characteristic that defines you or your future. Every day we raise the
expectations of blind people, because low expectations create obstacles
between blind people and our dreams. You can live the life you want;
blindness is not what holds you back.

Make a gift <https://nfb.org/make-gift>  to the National Federation of the
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