<html><head><meta http-equiv="content-type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"></head><body dir="auto"><br id="lineBreakAtBeginningOfSignature"><div dir="ltr">Robert Stigile, Second Vice-President<div>National Federation of the Blind of California</div><div>President San Fernando Valley Chapter</div><div>818-381-9568</div><div>Kn6uvd</div></div><div dir="ltr"><br>Begin forwarded message:<br><br></div><blockquote type="cite"><div dir="ltr"><b>From:</b> National Federation of the Blind <webmaster@nfb.org><br><b>Date:</b> February 18, 2025 at 3:02:17 PM PST<br><b>To:</b> Robert Stigile <rstigile@gmail.com><br><b>Subject:</b> <b>We Belong and Want to Contribute—Lend a Hand to Our Advocacy</b><br><b>Reply-To:</b> Bounces+r.24518.10998530.85d4ff2bc3ead8a2@mailings.nfb.org<br><br></div></blockquote><blockquote type="cite"><div dir="ltr"><!--[if gte mso 9]>
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<h1><span style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 24pt; color:black;">Advocacy News and Calls to Action</span></h1>
<p><span style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; color:black;">The National Federation of the Blind is busy defending the rights of blind people, working to create opportunities for our greater participation, and calling on elected officials to stop using stereotypes about us in political discourse. We need your help to advance these important matters below. </span></p>
<h2><span style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 20pt; color:black;">Blind Americans Return to Work Act Introduced</span></h2>
<p><span style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; color:black;">The National Federation of the Blind is excited to share that <a href="https://nfb.org/civicrm/mailing/url?u=37586&qid=10998530" rel="nofollow" style="color:blue; text-decoration:underline">the Blind Americans Return to Work Act of 2025, sponsored by Representative Pete Sessions (R-TX-17) and co-led by Kweisi Mfume (D-MD-7), has been introduced</a> in the 119th Congress as H.R. 1175. Please call or email your members in the House of Representatives and ask them to cosponsor H.R. 1175, the Blind Americans Return to Work Act. If you send an email, please be sure to copy Jesse Shirek at <a href="https://nfb.org/civicrm/mailing/url?u=37587&qid=10998530" rel="nofollow" style="color:blue; text-decoration:underline">jshirek@nfb.org</a>. </span></p>
<h2><span style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 20pt; color:black;">Legislative Alert Reminder: Call State Representatives about Section 504</span></h2>
<p><span style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; color:black;">The National Federation of the Blind (NFB) is deeply concerned about the Texas v. Becerra case, brought by the attorneys general of 17 states (Alaska, Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, South Carolina, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, and West Virginia). </span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; color:black;">These states have sued the federal government regarding updated rules which note that “gender dysphoria” may be within the definition of “disability” under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act and which make clear that people at risk of institutionalization have a cause of action to prevent unnecessary institutionalization. As a result, these states have charged that this regulations renders the entire Section 504 unconstitutional. As a reminder, Section 504 requires that entities which receive federal funding, like schools and hospitals, cannot discriminate on the basis of disability. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; color:black;">The NFB is not alone in this opposition, with other organizations like the National Disability Rights Network and the American Association of People with Disabilities also expressing concern. The NFB urges individuals in the affected states to contact their state’s attorney general or governor to oppose the lawsuit and emphasize the importance of Section 504 in protecting all people with disabilities, including blind individuals, from discrimination. There is early indication that our outreach is already getting some states to reconsider their involvement in this harmful case.</span></p>
<h2><span style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 20pt; color:black;">Federal Workers Impacted by Recent Layoffs</span></h2>
<p><span style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; color:black;">We know that federal employees with disabilities have been disproportionally affected by recent reductions in the federal employment work force and we are doing all we can to help our blind colleagues. If you are a federal worker impacted by the government layoffs and interested in information on career opportunities through the National Federation of the Blind Employment Initiatives, please submit the <a href="https://nfb.org/civicrm/mailing/url?u=37588&qid=10998530" rel="nofollow" style="color:blue; text-decoration:underline"> Employment Interest Form</a> to receive announcements regarding career opportunities. </span></p>
<h2><span style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 20pt; color:black;">Share Statement on Harmful Stereotyping of Blind People</span></h2>
<p><span style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; color:black;">Please read and share the <a href="https://nfb.org/civicrm/mailing/url?u=37589&qid=10998530" rel="nofollow" style="color:blue; text-decoration:underline"> Statement from the National Federation of the Blind on the Harmful Stereotyping of Blind People in Political Discourse</a>. Here is some background information on the matter. Dylan Hedtler-Gaudette, the director of government affairs for the Project on Government Oversight and member of the National Federation of the Blind, testified at a congressional hearing regarding Delivering on Government Efficiency. Government officials, media professionals, and social media users used his blindness to
mock and discredit his expertise.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; color:black;">We call on all elected leaders, policymakers, and media outlets to engage in informed, respectful discourse that recognizes the capabilities of blind individuals rather than exploiting ignorance for political gain. Please share the video of President Riccobono regarding this matter on social media. It is posted on <a href="https://nfb.org/civicrm/mailing/url?u=37590&qid=10998530" rel="nofollow" style="color:blue; text-decoration:underline">Facebook</a>, <a href="https://nfb.org/civicrm/mailing/url?u=37591&qid=10998530" rel="nofollow" style="color:blue; text-decoration:underline">YouTube</a>, <a href="https://nfb.org/civicrm/mailing/url?u=37592&qid=10998530" rel="nofollow" style="color:blue; text-decoration:underline">Mastodon</a>, <a href="https://nfb.org/civicrm/mailing/url?u=37593&qid=10998530" rel="nofollow" style="color:blue; text-decoration:underline">LinkedIn</a>, <a href="https://nfb.org/civicrm/mailing/url?u=37594&qid=10998530" rel="nofollow" style="color:blue; text-decoration:underline">TikTok</a>, <a href="https://nfb.org/civicrm/mailing/url?u=37595&qid=10998530" rel="nofollow" style="color:blue; text-decoration:underline">Instagram</a>, and <a href="https://nfb.org/civicrm/mailing/url?u=37596&qid=10998530" rel="nofollow" style="color:blue; text-decoration:underline">X</a>.</span></p>
<h2><span style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 20pt; color:black;">Who are We? NFB</span></h2>
<p><span style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; color:black;">As someone who values our advocacy efforts, please consider a <a href="https://nfb.org/civicrm/mailing/url?u=37597&qid=10998530" rel="nofollow" style="color:blue; text-decoration:underline">contribution</a>. Your help makes a difference. The National Federation of the Blind advances the lives of its members and all blind people in the United States. We know 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. Our collective power, determination, and diversity achieve the aspirations of all blind
people. Thank you for your commitment to the nation’s blind.</span></p>
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