[nfbmi-talk] National Federation of the Blind Minutes, December 6, 2012

[Matt Sievert]

I have three (3) questions regarding the section about "Newsline"

1. So if someone signs up for Newsline, it might be discontinued soon and
not function?
2. If newsline is fully funded, then only clients of the bureau will have
access to the service, specifically for looking for a job?
2a. I thought the service was available for anyone who was in the state and
legally blind.
3. It costs $80,000 a year to run Newsline for a state, and is that an
additionally $30,000 to promote the service? What do you mean by "promote"?
is that for brochures and other outreach material?

Thank you for your time.
Matt Sievert

On Sat, Dec 15, 2012 at 8:50 PM, trising <trising at sbcglobal.net> wrote:

> President's Report, Larry Posont. Newsline will soon be shut off since it
> is not being fully funded. With the Bureau of Services for Blind Persons
> forwarding 8.5 million last year and 6.5 million this year, there is plenty
> of money to fund Newsline, and precedent from other states where State
> agencies  fund Newsline. However, since Newsline is not being fully funded,
> it will be shut off soon. When Newsline is fully funded, it can be used by
> clients of the Bureau who are searching for jobs. Newsline should be used
> for Rehabilitation. If you divide the cost of Newsline by the number of
> potential subscribers, it divides out like a typical newspaper subscription
> for each subscriber. We are seeking money from the Legislature for
> Newsline. It costs $80,000 at a minimum to run Newsline for a state.$30,000
> is needed per year to promote Newsline. The Federal Government has already
> agreed that Newsline can be funded from Rehabilitation dollars.
>
>