<div dir="ltr"><div class="gmail_quote gmail_quote_container"><div dir="ltr" class="gmail_attr">Hi everyone,</div><div dir="ltr"><div><br></div><div>This is just a reminder to please make sure you are making calls and sending emails about this. If you've already done so, thank you, but also please feel free to do so again, we want to make it very clear that this is a vital issue for us. I'm also attaching a fact sheet that goes into a little bit more detail. You don't necessarily need it for your calls and emails, but it will help you to understand what is likely to happen if this reduction in force stays in place. If you have any additional questions, please don't hesitate to ask!</div><div><br></div><div>Thank you,</div><div>Katie Adkins<br>Legislative Director, National Federation of the Blind of Kentucky<br><br><div class="gmail_quote"><div dir="ltr" class="gmail_attr">---------- Forwarded message ---------<br>From: <strong class="gmail_sendername" dir="auto">National Federation of the Blind</strong> <span dir="auto"><<a href="mailto:webmaster@nfb.org" target="_blank">webmaster@nfb.org</a>></span><br>Date: Tue, Oct 14, 2025 at 10:17\u202fPM<br>Subject: Advocacy Alert: Regarding Reduction in Force at the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services<br>To: Katie Adkins <<a href="mailto:katie.adkins@nfbky.org" target="_blank">katie.adkins@nfbky.org</a>><br></div><br><br>
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<h1><span style="font-family:calibri,sans-serif;font-size:24pt;color:black">Member Call to Action</span></h1>
<p><span style="font-family:calibri,sans-serif;font-size:14pt;color:black">Dear Federation Family,</span></p>
<p><span style="font-family:calibri,sans-serif;font-size:14pt;color:black">On Friday, October 10, the Department of Education issued reduction in force notices to almost every employee in the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS). As a result, we issued the following statement: </span></p>
<p><span style="font-family:calibri,sans-serif;font-size:14pt;color:black"><a href="https://nfb.org/civicrm/mailing/url?u=40486&qid=11819457" rel="nofollow" style="color:blue;text-decoration:underline" target="_blank">National Federation of the Blind Denounces Devastating Job Cuts Within the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services</a>.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-family:calibri,sans-serif;font-size:14pt;color:black">If not reversed, this action will severely undermine the Department of Education\u2019s ability to carry out its legal responsibilities under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and the Randolph-Sheppard Act. <a href="https://nfb.org/civicrm/mailing/url?u=40486&qid=11819457" rel="nofollow" style="color:blue;text-decoration:underline" target="_blank">Access the full statement and resources</a>. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-family:calibri,sans-serif;font-size:14pt;color:black">Even though the federal government is currently shut down, we are asking that you call or email both of your Senators and your Representative and request them to take congressional action. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-family:calibri,sans-serif;font-size:14pt;color:black">When you call or email you might say: "My name is [YOUR NAME] and I want to urge [REPRESENTATIVE/SENATOR NAME] to take congressional action to protect the congressionally mandated disability programs that have been devastated by the reduction in force at the Department of Education issued on October 10. If not reversed, this action will severely undermine the Department of Education\u2019s ability to carry out its legal responsibilities under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and the Randolph-Sheppard Act. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-family:calibri,sans-serif;font-size:14pt;color:black">These laws ensure that blind children receive Braille and other essential educational services, that blind adults receive the training necessary for competitive employment, and that blind entrepreneurs have opportunities to operate businesses on federal properties. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-family:calibri,sans-serif;font-size:14pt;color:black">The consequences will be devastating\u2014fewer blind students learning Braille and accessible technology, fewer blind adults receiving mobility and employment training, and fewer business opportunities for blind entrepreneurs. Please demand the Administration rescind the reduction in force immediately to protect the disability-focused programs that Congress previously established to educate and empower Americans with disabilities."</span></p>
<p><span style="font-family:calibri,sans-serif;font-size:14pt;color:black">We suggest a subject like: "Please Urge the Administration to Rescind the Reduction in Force Order Regarding OSERS"</span></p>
<p><span style="font-family:calibri,sans-serif;font-size:14pt;color:black">To find the contact information for your specific senators\u2019 or representative\u2019s office, please download <a href="https://nfb.org/civicrm/mailing/url?u=40487&qid=11819457" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">the Senate spreadsheet</a> or <a href="https://nfb.org/civicrm/mailing/url?u=40488&qid=11819457" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">the House spreadsheet</a>. They are organized alphabetically by state. You can also call the Capitol Switchboard at 202-224-3121 and ask for the office in question. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-family:calibri,sans-serif;font-size:14pt;color:black">If you send an email, please copy Justin Young at <a href="https://nfb.org/civicrm/mailing/url?u=40489&qid=11819457" rel="nofollow" style="color:blue;text-decoration:underline" target="_blank">jyoung@nfb.org</a>. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-family:calibri,sans-serif;font-size:14pt;color:black">If you are having trouble finding the contact information for your members of Congress, please contact Lindsey Walsh at <a href="mailto:lwalsh@nfb.org" target="_blank">lwalsh@nfb.org</a>. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-family:calibri,sans-serif;font-size:14pt;color:black">Thank you for your commitment to advance the lives of our members and all blind people in the United States. </span></p>
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