<html xmlns:v="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:vml" xmlns:o="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" xmlns:w="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:word" xmlns:m="http://schemas.microsoft.com/office/2004/12/omml" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/TR/REC-html40"><head><meta http-equiv=Content-Type content="text/html; charset=utf-8"><meta name=Generator content="Microsoft Word 15 (filtered medium)"><!--[if !mso]><style>v\:* {behavior:url(#default#VML);}
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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link="#0563C1" vlink="#954F72" style='word-wrap:break-word'><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Dear Federation Family:<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>I have great legislative news. Three of our legislative priorities were introduced this week! They are:<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Transformation to Competitive Integrated Employment Act in the Senate S. 533, introduced by Senators Bob Casey and Steve Danes<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Transformation to Competitive Integrated Employment Act in the House H.R. 1263, introduced by Representatives Bobby Scott and Cathy McMorris Rodgers<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Medical Device Nonvisual Accessibility Act in the House H.R. 1328, introduced by Representative Jan Schakowsky with 32 originating cosponsors<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>We hope to have news on the Websites and Software Applications Accessibility Act, the Blind Americans Return to Work Act, and the Access Technology Affordability Act in the very near future. In the meantime, we want to build cosponsor support on each of these three bills especially the Medical Device Nonvisual Accessibility Act. I stress this bill because with 32 originating cosponsors we are already well on our way to moving this bill forward. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>So, please urge your Representative to cosponsor the Transformation to Competitive Integrated Employment Act, H.R. 1263, and the Medical Device Nonvisual Accessibility Act, H.R. 1328. Also, please urge your two Senators to cosponsor the Transformation to Competitive Integrated Employment Act, S. 533.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>When you call or email your representative, you might say the following:<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>"Hello, I’m [YOUR NAME], and I am a constituent of [REPRESENTATIVE NAME]. I live in [CITY, STATE]. I would like to urge [REPRESENTATIVE NAME] to cosponsor the Medical Device Nonvisual Accessibility Act (H.R. 1328). This legislation authorizes the FDA to establish a minimum nonvisual access standard for Class II and Class III medical devices so that blind people can operate them safely and independently.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>I would also like to urge [REPRESENTATIVE NAME] to cosponsor the Transformation to Competitive Integrated Employment Act, H.R. 1263. This legislation would gradually phase out Section 14(c) of the Fair Labor Standards Act and eliminate the payment of subminimum wages to people with disabilities. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Thanks."<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>When you call or email your senators, you might say the following:<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>"Hello, I’m [YOUR NAME], and I am a constituent of [SENATOR NAME]. I live in [CITY, STATE]. I would like to urge [SENATOR NAME] to cosponsor the Transformation to Competitive Integrated Employment Act, S. 533. This legislation would gradually phase out Section 14(c) of the Fair Labor Standards Act and eliminate the payment of subminimum wages to people with disabilities.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Thanks.”<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>You can contact your member of Congress by calling the Capitol Switchboard and asking for the office in question. The number is 202-224-3121. If you email your representative, please copy Justin Young at jyoung@nfb.org. For your convenience, we have attached lists of nearly every legislative director in both the House and Senate. If you are having trouble locating a specific contact, please email Jesa Medders at <a href="mailto:jmedders@nfb.org">jmedders@nfb.org</a>. Your calls and emails do make a difference. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Warm regards, <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>John<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>John G. Paré Jr. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Executive Director for Advocacy and Policy<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>200 East Wells Street, Baltimore, MD 21230<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>(410) 659-9314, extension 2218 | <a href="mailto:Jpare@nfb.org">Jpare@nfb.org</a><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><a href="https://nfb.org/"><span style='color:blue;border:solid windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in;text-decoration:none'><img border=0 width=210 height=76 style='width:2.1875in;height:.7916in' id="Picture_x0020_4" src="cid:image001.jpg@01D94E8F.D3DA9DF0" alt="Image removed by sender. National Federation of the Blind"></span></a><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> <a href="http://www.facebook.com/nationalfederationoftheblind"><span style='color:blue;border:solid windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in;text-decoration:none'><img border=0 width=24 height=24 style='width:.25in;height:.25in' id="Picture_x0020_3" src="cid:image002.jpg@01D94E8F.D3DA9DF0" alt="Image removed by sender. Facebook"></span></a> <a href="https://twitter.com/NFB_Voice"><span style='color:blue;border:solid windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in;text-decoration:none'><img border=0 width=24 height=24 style='width:.25in;height:.25in' id="Picture_x0020_2" src="cid:image002.jpg@01D94E8F.D3DA9DF0" alt="Image removed by sender. Twitter"></span></a> <a href="https://www.youtube.com/NationsBlind"><span style='color:blue;border:solid windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in;text-decoration:none'><img border=0 width=24 height=24 style='width:.25in;height:.25in' id="Picture_x0020_1" src="cid:image002.jpg@01D94E8F.D3DA9DF0" alt="Image removed by sender. Youtube"></span></a><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>The National Federation of the Blind is a community of members and friends who believe in the hopes and dreams of the nation’s blind. Every day we work together to help blind people live the lives they want. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> <o:p></o:p></p></div></body></html>