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<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'">February 23,
2012<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'">Dear United States
Representative:<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="TEXT-INDENT: 0.5in; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'">I am writing to you in support of H.R.
3086, the Fair Wages for Workers with Disabilities Act of 2011.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>If you are already one of the cosponsors
of this bill, I thank you.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>If you
have not signed on as a cosponsor, I urge you to do so as quickly as you
can.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>I am also writing to you
representing disabled Americans who are affected by subminimum wage payments who
want this bill to pass.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes">
</SPAN>Furthermore, I am writing to you to sound the alarm against those who say
that they know better what to do for the disabled than disabled Americans
themselves.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>They will tell you that
disabled Americans cannot speak for themselves and that they have taken on “this
burden.”<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>They are trying to deny us
our own voice in Congress and we ask you to listen to the people, not to the
self-appointed so-called spokesmen of the people.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN><o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="TEXT-INDENT: 0.5in; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="TEXT-INDENT: 0.5in; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'">The National Federation of the Blind
and the growing list of over forty other organizations of disabled Americans
that support this legislation are well aware that those of you who are
cosponsoring this legislation or considering doing so are receiving considerable
pressure from representatives of sheltered workshops and others holding special
wage certificates that allow them to pay less than the federal minimum
wage.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>You are being told that the
workers who receive subminimum wages in the sheltered workshop system have
nowhere else to go, and that their lives would be destroyed by H.R. 3086.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Those of you from Missouri, in fact, may
have received a piece of correspondence that asks, “</SPAN><SPAN
class=FontStyle43><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; FONT-SIZE: 11pt">Where will Sammy,
Patti, and Becky go when you eliminate their jobs?”<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>This flyer also contains quotes from
parents, siblings, and caregivers of sheltered workshop employees, wondering
what H.R. 3086 will mean for their loved ones.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN><o:p></o:p></SPAN></SPAN></P>
<P style="TEXT-INDENT: 0.5in; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN
class=FontStyle43><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; FONT-SIZE: 11pt"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></SPAN></P>
<P style="TEXT-INDENT: 0.5in; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN
class=FontStyle43><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; FONT-SIZE: 11pt">Wh<?xml:namespace
prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" /><st1:PersonName
w:st="on">at</st1:PersonName>ever the motives of the people behind it, the
correspondence is based on outd<st1:PersonName w:st="on">at</st1:PersonName>ed
ideas about the capacity of workers with disabilities and a misguided commitment
to an antiqu<st1:PersonName w:st="on">at</st1:PersonName>ed model of service to
such workers.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>R<st1:PersonName
w:st="on">at</st1:PersonName>her than particip<st1:PersonName
w:st="on">at</st1:PersonName>ing in a constructive dialogue about
wh<st1:PersonName w:st="on">at</st1:PersonName> life will be like for workers
with disabilities, once the subminimum wage exemption is phased out in three
years as required by H.R. 3086, the workshops choose to circul<st1:PersonName
w:st="on">at</st1:PersonName>e correspondence meant to pull on your
heartstrings, to evoke your pity, and to promote low expect<st1:PersonName
w:st="on">at</st1:PersonName>ions.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes">
</SPAN><o:p></o:p></SPAN></SPAN></P>
<P style="TEXT-INDENT: 0.5in; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN
class=FontStyle43><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; FONT-SIZE: 11pt"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></SPAN></P><SPAN
class=FontStyle43><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; FONT-SIZE: 11pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA"><BR
style="PAGE-BREAK-BEFORE: always" clear=all></SPAN></SPAN>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN class=FontStyle43><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; FONT-SIZE: 11pt">United States
Representative<o:p></o:p></SPAN></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN class=FontStyle43><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; FONT-SIZE: 11pt">February 23,
2012<o:p></o:p></SPAN></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN class=FontStyle43><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; FONT-SIZE: 11pt">Page
two<o:p></o:p></SPAN></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN class=FontStyle43><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; FONT-SIZE: 11pt"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN class=FontStyle43><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; FONT-SIZE: 11pt"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></SPAN></P>
<P style="TEXT-INDENT: 0.5in; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN
class=FontStyle43><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; FONT-SIZE: 11pt">The argument of the
sheltered workshops is that some people, particularly those with severe
developmental disabilities, are simply unfit for competitive employment.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN><o:p></o:p></SPAN></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN class=FontStyle43><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; FONT-SIZE: 11pt">This is simply
wrong.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>To continue this practice
when proven employment strategies exist is inexcusable.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN><o:p></o:p></SPAN></SPAN></P>
<P style="TEXT-INDENT: 0.5in; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN
class=FontStyle43><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; FONT-SIZE: 11pt"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></SPAN></P>
<P style="TEXT-INDENT: 0.5in; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN
class=FontStyle43><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; FONT-SIZE: 11pt">We are also told that
these individuals must be given a choice.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes">
</SPAN>We are all for freedom of choice, but true freedom of choice can only
come with unbiased and accurate information.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Do Sammy, Patti, and Becky know that
people like them are in fact working in competitive jobs?<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Do they know that services like
supported employment are already available to help them acquire and keep such
jobs?<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Do their parents, guardians,
and loved ones know this?<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>My
experience tells me that they do not. Rather, they have far more likely been
told by sheltered workshop staff—who all too often share society’s low
expectations for disabled people and have an obvious conflict of interest—that
Sammy, Patti, and Becky will never achieve competitive employment and that the
sheltered workshop is the best they can hope for.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>In short, what they have been told is
neither accurate nor unbiased.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes">
</SPAN><o:p></o:p></SPAN></SPAN></P>
<P style="TEXT-INDENT: 0.5in; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN
class=FontStyle43><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; FONT-SIZE: 11pt"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></SPAN></P>
<P style="TEXT-INDENT: 0.5in; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN
class=FontStyle43><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; FONT-SIZE: 11pt">Despite the
manipul<st1:PersonName w:st="on">at</st1:PersonName>ive tone of the
correspondence, however, it is fair enough to ask wh<st1:PersonName
w:st="on">at</st1:PersonName> will happen to Sammy, Patti, and Becky and others
like them if this bill passes.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>I
believe th<st1:PersonName w:st="on">at</st1:PersonName> the answer to this
question is limited only by the spirit, ambition, and imagin<st1:PersonName
w:st="on">at</st1:PersonName>ion of disabled workers themselves, and by our
willingness as a society to work hard to help them succeed in their goals.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>I believe th<st1:PersonName
w:st="on">at</st1:PersonName> disabled workers can do far better than receiving
pennies per hour.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Under this bill,
they will either earn real wages in the workshops th<st1:PersonName
w:st="on">at</st1:PersonName> currently employ them, or they will receive the
training and support th<st1:PersonName w:st="on">at</st1:PersonName> they need
to obtain competitive employment somewhere else.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN></SPAN></SPAN><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'">Imagine for a moment th<st1:PersonName
w:st="on">at</st1:PersonName> all of the government and philanthropic resources
th<st1:PersonName w:st="on">at</st1:PersonName> are currently supporting the
sheltered workshop system were redirected to finding real employment
opportunities for people with disabilities.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>If they were, I suspect
th<st1:PersonName w:st="on">at</st1:PersonName> solutions as yet undreamt of
would emerge to help such individuals succeed in competitive employment
situ<st1:PersonName w:st="on">at</st1:PersonName>ions.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN><o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="TEXT-INDENT: 0.5in; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="TEXT-INDENT: 0.5in; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'">The sheltered workshop industry has
existed for over seventy years.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes">
</SPAN>Many argue th<st1:PersonName w:st="on">at</st1:PersonName> it is an
acceptable st<st1:PersonName w:st="on">at</st1:PersonName>us quo, which must not
be changed.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>We reject this
formul<st1:PersonName w:st="on">at</st1:PersonName>ion.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Even if you believe th<st1:PersonName
w:st="on">at</st1:PersonName> those of us advoc<st1:PersonName
w:st="on">at</st1:PersonName>ing against subminimum wages do not have all the
answers, this is no excuse for allowing the system to continue.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>The current practice of paying
subminimum wages is unfair, discrimin<st1:PersonName
w:st="on">at</st1:PersonName>ory, and immoral, and no amount of hand-wringing
about wh<st1:PersonName w:st="on">at</st1:PersonName> may follow it can change
th<st1:PersonName w:st="on">at</st1:PersonName>.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Please do not simply let inertia direct
our course.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>We are urging you and
other willing partners, including any from the sheltered workshop industry, to
work with us to find real solutions for people like Sammy, Patti, and Becky,
r<st1:PersonName w:st="on">at</st1:PersonName>her than shrugging
your<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA"><BR
style="PAGE-BREAK-BEFORE: always" clear=all></SPAN>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN class=FontStyle43><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; FONT-SIZE: 11pt">United States
Representative<o:p></o:p></SPAN></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN class=FontStyle43><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; FONT-SIZE: 11pt">February 23,
2012<o:p></o:p></SPAN></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN class=FontStyle43><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; FONT-SIZE: 11pt">Page
three<o:p></o:p></SPAN></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN class=FontStyle43><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; FONT-SIZE: 11pt"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN class=FontStyle43><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; FONT-SIZE: 11pt"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'">shoulders and saying th<st1:PersonName
w:st="on">at</st1:PersonName> the exploit<st1:PersonName
w:st="on">at</st1:PersonName>ion must continue because we as a society will not
expend the effort to come up with anything better.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN><o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="TEXT-INDENT: 0.5in; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="TEXT-INDENT: 0.5in; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'">There was a time in our
n<st1:PersonName w:st="on">at</st1:PersonName>ion’s history when
African-Americans were believed to have limited capacity and were fit only for
slave labor on plant<st1:PersonName w:st="on">at</st1:PersonName>ions.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>There was a time when women were thought
capable only of maintaining the family home, and thus were not even permitted to
vote.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Fortun<st1:PersonName
w:st="on">at</st1:PersonName>ely we realized as a n<st1:PersonName
w:st="on">at</st1:PersonName>ion th<st1:PersonName w:st="on">at</st1:PersonName>
it was bigotry and low expect<st1:PersonName w:st="on">at</st1:PersonName>ions
th<st1:PersonName w:st="on">at</st1:PersonName> were defining the roles of
African-Americans and women r<st1:PersonName w:st="on">at</st1:PersonName>her
than their true capabilities.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>We
realized, albeit bel<st1:PersonName w:st="on">at</st1:PersonName>edly,
th<st1:PersonName w:st="on">at</st1:PersonName> America would be a better
n<st1:PersonName w:st="on">at</st1:PersonName>ion if the true capacities of
these citizens were unleashed.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes">
</SPAN>Americans with disabilities are now calling upon our fellow citizens to
realize th<st1:PersonName w:st="on">at</st1:PersonName> the soft bigotry of low
expect<st1:PersonName w:st="on">at</st1:PersonName>ions is condemning workers
with disabilities to near-slave labor, and th<st1:PersonName
w:st="on">at</st1:PersonName> the system th<st1:PersonName
w:st="on">at</st1:PersonName> arises from these low expect<st1:PersonName
w:st="on">at</st1:PersonName>ions must be abolished.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN><o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="TEXT-INDENT: 0.5in; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="TEXT-INDENT: 0.5in; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'">H.R. 3086 allows for a grace period of
three years before sheltered workshops and other nonprofit employers currently
holding special wage certific<st1:PersonName w:st="on">at</st1:PersonName>es
must begin to pay their workers <st1:PersonName w:st="on">at</st1:PersonName>
least the federal minimum wage.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes">
</SPAN>This is plenty of time for sheltered workshops to study the business
models of similar entities th<st1:PersonName w:st="on">at</st1:PersonName> are
already paying their employees competitive wages and make adjustments to their
own policies and practices.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes">
</SPAN>Meanwhile, policy makers can redirect resources to enhance programs like
supported employment, and cre<st1:PersonName w:st="on">at</st1:PersonName>e new
solutions, to help workers with disabilities transition to real work for real
wages.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN><o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="TEXT-INDENT: 0.5in; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="TEXT-INDENT: 0.5in; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'">As for freedom of choice: I am a
person with a disability.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>I have
been blind all of my life.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>I know
the pain and despair th<st1:PersonName w:st="on">at</st1:PersonName> comes with
low expect<st1:PersonName w:st="on">at</st1:PersonName>ions and prejudice.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Fortun<st1:PersonName
w:st="on">at</st1:PersonName>ely, I was given the opportunity to make real
choices about my life and career, and to experience the joy of the
accomplishments th<st1:PersonName w:st="on">at</st1:PersonName> can only come
through full and equal particip<st1:PersonName w:st="on">at</st1:PersonName>ion
in society.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>I want Sammy, Patti,
and Becky to have the choices th<st1:PersonName w:st="on">at</st1:PersonName> I
had.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>If workers with disabilities
truly want to stay in the sheltered workshop th<st1:PersonName
w:st="on">at</st1:PersonName> currently employs them, or a facility like it,
then no one will prohibit them from doing so.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>However, if H.R. 3086 is enacted,
wherever they choose to work, they will receive real wages th<st1:PersonName
w:st="on">at</st1:PersonName> allow them to live fuller lives.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>They will know the s<st1:PersonName
w:st="on">at</st1:PersonName>isfaction of receiving the equal pay for equal work
th<st1:PersonName w:st="on">at</st1:PersonName> they deserve, in addition to any
s<st1:PersonName w:st="on">at</st1:PersonName>isfaction th<st1:PersonName
w:st="on">at</st1:PersonName> they may receive from getting out of the house and
being among their friends.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>They
will no longer be dependent upon the resources of their loved ones or on public
assistance in order to buy the things they need.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>They will have disposable income to
spend in the community, thereby contributing to our society and its
economy.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>They will go from a
subsistent existence to one in which they can enjoy taking in a movie with their
friends, an occasional restaurant meal, and all of the other small pleasures of
life th<st1:PersonName w:st="on">at</st1:PersonName> other American workers take
for granted.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>They will become free
people with real choices, not virtual slaves with false ones.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN><o:p></o:p></SPAN></P><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA"><BR
style="PAGE-BREAK-BEFORE: always" clear=all></SPAN>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN class=FontStyle43><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; FONT-SIZE: 11pt">United States
Representative<o:p></o:p></SPAN></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN class=FontStyle43><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; FONT-SIZE: 11pt">February 23,
2012<o:p></o:p></SPAN></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN class=FontStyle43><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; FONT-SIZE: 11pt">Page
four<o:p></o:p></SPAN></SPAN></P>
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style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; FONT-SIZE: 11pt"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></SPAN></P>
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<P style="TEXT-INDENT: 0.5in; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'">On behalf of the National Federation
of the Blind, the over forty other organizations that support this bill, and the
millions of disabled people we represent, we urge you to join us in our effort
to change the paradigm of low expectations and kindly meant but devastating
exploitation that has too long dominated the lives of over three hundred
thousand Americans with disabilities.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes">
</SPAN>We ask you to express the courage to support H.R. 3086 and the creativity
to seek solutions that allow Americans with disabilities to become productive
citizens. <SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>I thank you for your
attention to this urgent matter.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes">
</SPAN><o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
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style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'">Sincerely,<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
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style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; FONT-SIZE: 8pt"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
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style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'"><SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN><IMG
src="cid:F108922DC683491FAD7C8857EEC15377@Kens" width=156 height=36
v:shapes="_x0000_i1025"><o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
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<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'">Marc Maurer,
President<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'">NATIONAL FEDERATION OF THE
BLIND<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
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