[NFBK] Attend the Washington Seminar for our Feburary Meeting

[Lonnie Swafford]

Greetings Everyone!

 

We have decided that focus for our local chapter will be attending the
Washington Seminar for our February meeting. All are welcome to attend the
Great Gathering-In on Monday, February 8 from: 5 PM to 7 PM, eastern time.
If you're interested in attending other virtual meetings, please contact the
affiliate president, Jayne Seif directly by email at: Jayne.seif at nfbofky.org
<mailto:Jayne.seif at nfbofky.org> . This is an excellent opportunity for you
to become familiar with the current legislative issues! 

 

Please feel free to review the below information and look for additional
details posted at:
https://www.nfb.org/programs-services/advocacy/washington-seminar

 

Best,

 

Lonnie T. Swafford - President

National Federation of the Blind of Greater Louisville

Phone: (502) 609-2394

Fax: (502) 491-1992

Email: lonnie at nfbofky.org <mailto:lonnie at nfbofky.org> 

 

At our Washington Seminar, members of the National Federation of the Blind
convene to learn about and advocate for legislative initiatives that will
improve the lives of blind Americans.

Approximately three legislative initiatives are chosen for priority
attention each year. These initiatives, which form the
<https://www.nfb.org/programs-services/advocacy/washington-seminar/washingto
n-seminar-priorities> Washington Seminar priorities, are based on the
<https://www.nfb.org/resources/speeches-and-reports/resolutions> official
positions of the NFB adopted at the national convention and can address
concerns related to civil rights, educational programs and services,
rehabilitation of the blind for competitive employment, the operation of
vending facilities by blind persons on public property, specialized library
services for the blind, the organization and funding of federal programs,
Social Security Disability and Supplemental Security Income programs, and
other timely topics.

The first Washington Seminar took place in 1973. Today, more than five
hundred people from the fifty states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto
Rico typically attend. 


Dates and Location


Monday, February 8 through Thursday, February 11, 2021
Washington Seminar will be held virtually this year. Stay tuned for more
details.


Schedule


Great Gathering-In-Monday, February 8, 2021


The Great Gathering-In is the very exciting opening session of the
Washington Seminar. It will take place virtually this year, beginning Monday
afternoon at 5:00 p.m. ET and  adjourning promptly at 7:00 p.m. ET.


Congressional Appointments-Tuesday, February 9 through Thursday, February
11, 2021


Virtual Congressional appointments should be made for Tuesday, Wednesday,
and Thursday. A virtual meeting for NFB members to review progress and
provide guidance will occur on Wednesday.

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 we want. The following is the
agenda of the Washington Seminar, fact sheet, and digital packet.


Legislative Priorities & Fact Sheets


The following are the Washington Seminar priorities for the 117th Congress,
Second Session.


Access Technology Affordability Act


The cost of critically needed access technology is out of reach for most
blind Americans. The
<https://www.nfb.org/programs-services/advocacy/washington-seminar/washingto
n-seminar-agenda/fact-sheet-access> Access Technology Affordability Act will
improve affordability of critically needed access technology necessary for
employment and independent living. 

*
<https://www.nfb.org/programs-services/advocacy/washington-seminar/washingto
n-seminar-agenda/fact-sheet-access> Access Technology Affordability Act
(HTML)
*
<https://www.nfb.org/sites/www.nfb.org/files/2021-01/Washington%20Seminar%20
Priorities/access_technology_affordability_act.mp3> Access Technology
Affordability Act (Audio)


Medical Device Nonvisual Accessibility Act


Advanced digital interfaces create barriers that prevent blind individuals
from independently and safely operation home-use medical devices that are
essential to their daily healthcare needs. The
<https://www.nfb.org/programs-services/advocacy/washington-seminar/washingto
n-seminar-agenda/fact-sheet-medical-device> Medical Device Nonvisual
Accessibility Act will end unequal access to home-use medical devices for
blind Americans.

*
<https://www.nfb.org/programs-services/advocacy/washington-seminar/washingto
n-seminar-agenda/fact-sheet-medical-device> Medical Device Nonvisual
Accessibility Act (HTML
*
<https://www.nfb.org/sites/www.nfb.org/files/2021-01/Washington%20Seminar%20
Priorities/medical_device_nonvisual_accessibility_act.mp3> Medical Device
Nonvisual Accessibility Act (Audio)


Accessible Websites Act


Websites are required by law to be accessible, but without implementing
regulations most businesses and retailers have little understanding of what
accessible means. The
<https://www.nfb.org/programs-services/advocacy/washington-seminar/washingto
n-seminar-agenda/fact-sheet-accessible-websites-act> Accessible Websites Act
will end website and mobile application inaccessibility for blind Americans.

*
<https://www.nfb.org/programs-services/advocacy/washington-seminar/washingto
n-seminar-agenda/fact-sheet-accessible-websites-act> Accessible Websites Act
(HTML)
*
<https://www.nfb.org/sites/www.nfb.org/files/2021-01/Washington%20Seminar%20
Priorities/21st_century_mobile_apps_and_website_accessibility_act.mp3>
Accessible Websites Act (Audio)


Accessible Voting Act


The constitutionally protected right to vote that is available to all
Americans is inaccessible to blind Americans. The
<https://www.nfb.org/programs-services/advocacy/washington-seminar/washingto
n-seminar-agenda/fact-sheet-accessible> Accessible Voting Act will ensure
that all methods of voting, including registration, are accessible to blind
and low-vision citizens.

*
<https://www.nfb.org/programs-services/advocacy/washington-seminar/washingto
n-seminar-agenda/fact-sheet-accessible> Accessible Voting Act (HTML)
*
<https://www.nfb.org/sites/www.nfb.org/files/2021-01/Washington%20Seminar%20
Priorities/americans_with_disabilities_voting_rights_act.mp3> Accessible
Voting Act (Audio)

THESE PRIORITIES WILL REMOVE OBSTACLES TO ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY, MEDICAL
DEVICES, WEBSITES, AND CIVIL RIGHTS. WE URGE CONGRESS TO SUPPORT OUR
LEGISLATIVE INITIATIVES.


More Information


For more information, please contact Kyle Walls at 410-659-9314, extension
2223, or  <mailto:kwalls at nfb.org> kwalls at nfb.org.

 

 

Lonnie T. Swafford - Board Member

National Federation of the Blind of Kentucky

 

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