[NFBMD] Action needed on national air line bill

[Sharon Maneki]

Hello all, Please contact Senator Cardin and Senator Van hollen and ask
them to make sure the disability provisions in HR 3935 remain. Read the
below message from our advocacy and policy team. Please make these calls or
send these emails by Thursday at the latest Thanks.
Contact Your Senators Regarding the FAA and Blind Air Passengers

Dear Federation Member,

Once every five years, Congress must pass legislation to reauthorize the
Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). The House and Senate have been
meeting and have agreed to legislation which will be considered this week
in the Senate using the bill number H.R. 3935.

The National Federation of the Blind strongly advocated for some of the
provisions related to blind air passengers that are contained within the
bill. These provisions include training requirements for assisting
passengers with disabilities, better access standards for the accessibility
of in-flight entertainment, and improved access to airline websites.
Additionally, the bill initiates a pilot program for air passengers to
register their service animal, eliminating the need to complete the service
animal forms for each flight. Therefore, we are asking you to contact your
Senators, either by phone or by email, to urge them to maintain the
disability related portions of the bill as it moves through the Senate.
Example Message

When you call or email, you might say the following:

"Hello, my name is [YOUR NAME], and I am a constituent of [SENATOR NAME]. I
live in [CITY, STATE]. I would like to urge [SENATOR NAME] to maintain the
disability-related provisions of H.R 3935 as it moves through the Senate.
These provisions in the legislation will help increase the accessibility of
air travel for blind and disabled passengers. Thanks."

If applicable, feel free to personalize your message with a recent
disability barrier you experienced while traveling.
How to Contact Your Senator

You can contact your Senator by calling the Capitol Switchboard and asking
for the office in question. The number is 202-224-3121. The contact
information for all Senate offices is also in the attached spreadsheet. If
you send an email to your Senator’s office, please copy Justin Young at
jyoung at nfb.org <https://nfb.org/civicrm/mailing/url?u=33948&qid=9799975> on
the email.

Thank you for your commitment to advancing the lives of blind people.
*Sharon Maneki, Director of Legislation and Advocacy*
National Federation of the Blind of Maryland
410-715-9596

The National Federation of the Blind of Maryland knows that blindness is
not the characteristic that defines you or your future. Everyday 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.
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