[nfbmi-talk] Fw: [Nfbnet-members-list] Call to Action on Reauthorization of the Workforce Investment Act

Mon Jul 29 00:23:26 UTC 2013

Michigan has no Senator serving on the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and 
Pensions (HELP) Committee, but I'm forwarding this message because many of 
us know people in other States who can help with this critical project.

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "David Andrews" <dandrews at visi.com>
To: <nfbnet-members-list at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Sunday, July 28, 2013 18:28
Subject: [Nfbnet-members-list] Call to Action on Reauthorization of the 
Workforce Investment Act

> From: "Lewis, Anil" <ALewis at nfb.org
> Date: July 27, 2013, 5:22:31 PM EDT
> Federation:
>
> This is a call to action for you to make phone calls, send e-mails, and 
> post to social media to save rehabilitation services for people with 
> disabilities on Monday, July 29 and Tuesday, July 30.  Senate Bill S. 1356 
> has been introduced to reauthorize the Workforce Investment Act (WIA). 
> This bill includes two major policy changes in the language of the 
> Rehabilitation Act that threaten to send us backwards in our struggle to 
> acquire the proper education, training, and opportunity to obtain 
> competitive, integrated employment.
>
> (1) The bill has proposed language in Section 511 of the Rehabilitation 
> Act that requires vocational rehabilitation (VR) agencies to include 
> training and employment at wages below the federal minimum wage as a VR 
> service.
>
> (1) The bill proposes to transfer the Rehabilitation Services 
> Administration (RSA) from the Department of Education to the Department of 
> Labor, severing the essential link between the provision of quality 
> education and rehabilitation services for people with disabilities.
>
> The Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee is 
> scheduled to discuss and vote on this bill on Wednesday, July 31, and we 
> need to act to ensure that these two tremendously flawed proposals are 
> removed.  Our initial action is simple, but it will require all of us to 
> take action.  We need all of our members, family members, friends, 
> colleagues, and acquaintances that reside in states where their Senator 
> serves on the HELP committee to make calls, send e-mails, post tweets, and 
> Facebook messages to communicate the following two straightforward 
> requests to their Senator:
>
> I am a voting constituent in the state and I am respectfully requesting 
> that the WIA reauthorization be amended to:
>
> (1) Remove Section 511 of the Rehabilitation Act.
> (2) Remove the language transferring RSA to the Department of Labor.
>
> We are encouraging that only the actual residents make these requests of 
> their respective Senators.  Start recruiting as many individuals as 
> possible now to begin this action on Monday, July 29 and continue it 
> through Tuesday, July 30.  Use the information below to make calls to your 
> particular Senator's office and send e-mails to each of the e-mail 
> addresses listed for your Senator.
>
> Please contact me with any questions, and keep me posted on your progress. 
> The only way we will be able to prevent a dismantling of the essential 
> training and employment services for all people with disabilities is to 
> act now.
>
> Remember, once you have made your calls, sent your e-mails, posted your 
> tweets and Facebook messages, get others to do the same.
>
> Sincerely,
>
> Mr. Anil Lewis, M.P.A.
> Director of Advocacy and Policy
>
>  "Eliminating Subminimum Wages For People With Disabilities"
>
> NATIONAL FEDERATION OF THE BLIND
> 200 East Wells Street at Jernigan Place
> Baltimore, Maryland   21230
>
> (410) 659-9314 ext. 2374 (Voice)
> (410) 685-5653 (FAX)
> Email: alewis at nfb.org<mailto:alewis at nfb.org
> Web: www.nfb.org<http://www.nfb.org
>
>
>
>
>
> Sen. Tom Harkin (D-IA)
> (202) 224-3254
> Chief of Staff: Brian Ahlberg brian_ahlberg at harkin.senate.gov
> HELP Contact: Andy Imparato andrew_imparato at harkin.senate.gov
> Additional Contact: Lee Perselay lee.perselay at help.senate.gov
>
> Sen. Barbara A Mikulski (D-MD)
> (202) 224-4654
> Chief of Staff: Julia Frifield julia_frifield at mikulski.senate.gov
> HELP Contact: Jessica McNiece jessica_mcniece at mikulski.senate.gov
>
> Sen. Patty Murray (D-WA)
> (202) 224-2621
> Chief of Staff: Mike Spahn michael_spahn at murray.senate.gov
> HELP Contact: Megan Foster  megan_foster at murray.senate.gov
> Additional Contact: Ariel Eevans ariel_evans at murray.senate.gov
>
> Sen. Bernard Sanders (I-VT)
> (202) 224-5141
> Chief of Staff: Michaeleen Crowell michaeleen_crowell at sanders.senate.gov
> HELP Contact: Lori Kearns lori_kearns at sanders.senate.gov
>
> Sen. Robert P Casey, Jr. (D-PA)
> (202) 224-6324
> Chief of Staff: James Brown james_brown at casey.senate.gov
> HELP Contact: Larry Smar larry_smar at casey.senate.gov
> Additional Contact: Michael Waskey michael_waskey at casey.senate.gov
>
> Sen. Kay R Hagan (D-NC)
> (202) 224-6342
> Chief of Staff: Mike Harney mike_harney at hagan.senate.gov
> HELP Contact: Ashley Eden & Josh Teitelbaum ashley_eden at hagan.senate.gov 
> josh_teitelbaum at hagan.senate.gov
>
> Sen. Al Franken (D-MN)
> (202) 224-5641
> Chief of Staff: Casey Aden-Wansbury casey_aden-wansbury at franken.senate.gov
> HELP Contact: Momoko "Peach" Soltis peach_soltis at franken.senate.gov
> Additional Contact: Beth Meloy beth_meloy at franken.senate.gov
>
> Sen. Michael F. Bennet (D-CO)
> (202) 224-5852
> Chief of Staff: Jonathan Davidson jonathan_davidson at bennet.senate.gov
> HELP Contact: Rohini Kosoglu rohini_kosoglu at bennet.senate.gov
>
> Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI)
> (202) 224-2921
> Chief of Staff: Sam Goodstein sam_goodstein at whitehouse.senate.gov
> HELP Contact: Jen DeAngelis jen_deangelis at whitehouse.senate.gov
>
> Sen. Tammy Baldwin (D-WI)
> (202) 224-5653
> Chief of Staff: Bill Murat bill_murat at baldwin.senate.gov
> HELP Contact: Nick Dicarlo nick_dicarlo at baldwin.senate.gov
> Additional Contact: Amber Shipley amber_shipley at baldwin.senate.gov
>
> Sen. Christopher S. Murphy (D-CT)
> (202) 224-4041
> Chief of Staff: Francis Creighton francis_creighton at murphy.senate.gov
> HELP Contact: Joe Dunn, Mark Ritacco, & Hayne Yoon 
> joe_dunn at murphy.senate.gov   mark_ritacco at murphy.senate.gov Additional 
> Contact: Hayne Yoon hayne_yoon at murphy.senate.gov
>
> Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA)
> (202) 224-4543
> Chief of Staff: Mindy Myers mindy_myers at warren.senate.gov
> HELP Contact: Jeff Cruz jeff_cruz at warren.senate.gov
>
> Sen. Lamar Alexander (R-TN)
> (202) 224-4944
> Chief of Staff: Ryan Loskarn ryan_loskarn at alexander.senate.gov
> HELP Contact: Kai Hirabayashi  &  Kyle Forton 
> kai_hirabayashi at alexander.senate.gov   kyle_forton at alexander.senate.gov
> Additional Contact: Bill Knudsen bill_knudsen at alexander.senate.gov
>
> Sen. Michael B. Enzi (R-WY)
> (202) 224-3424
> Chief of Staff: Flip McConnaughey flip_mcconnaughey at enzi.senate.gov
> HELP Contact: Riley Swinehart & Kristin Chapman 
> riley_swinehart at enzi.senate.gov; kristin_chapman at enzi.senate.gov
>
> Sen. Richard Burr (R-NC)
> (202) 224-3154
> Chief of Staff: Chris Joyner chris_joyner at burr.senate.gov
> HELP Contact: Steve Perrotta steve_perrotta at burr.senate.gov
> Additional Contact: Anna Abram anna_abram at help.senate.gov
>
> Sen. Johnny Isakson (R-GA)
> (202) 224-3643
> Chief of Staff: Chris Carr chris_carr at isakson.senate.gov
> HELP Contact: Tommy Nguyen tommy_nguyen at isakson.senate.gov
>
> Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY)
> (202) 224-4343
> Chief of Staff: William Henderson william_henderson at paul.senate.gov
> HELP Contact: Natalie Burkhalter natalie_burkhalter at paul.senate.gov
>
> Sen. Orrin G Hatch (R-UT)
> (202) 224-5251
> Chief of Staff: Michael Kennedy michael_kennedy at hatch.senate.gov
> HELP Contact: Hayden Rhudy hayden_rhudy at hatch.senate.gov
>
> Sen. Pat Roberts (R-KS)
> (202) 224-4774
> Chief of Staff: Jackie Cottrell jackie_cottrell at roberts.senate.gov
> HELP Contact: Jennifer Boyer jennifer_boyer at roberts.senate.gov
> Additional Contact: Lauren Stockwell lauren_stockwell at roberts.senate.gov
>
> Sen Lisa Murkowski (R-AK)
> (202) 224-6665
> Chief of Staff: Edward Hild edward_hild at murkowski.senate.gov
> HELP Contact: Tara Shaw tara_shaw at murkowski.senate.gov
> Additional Contact: Leila Kimbrell leila_kimbrell at murkowski.senate.gov
>
> Sen Mark Kirk (R-IL)
> (202) 224-2854
> Chief of Staff: Kate Dickens kate_dickens at kirk.senate.gov
> HELP Contact: Patrick Magnuson patrick_magnuson at kirk.senate.gov
> Additional Contact: Jeannette Windon jeannette_windon at kirk.senate.gov
>
> Sen Tim Scott (R-SC)
> (202) 224-6121
> Chief of Staff: Richard Dunn richard_dunn at scott.senate.gov
> HELP Contact: Kimberly Wallner kimberly_wallner at scott.senate.gov
> Additional Contact: Elizabeth Simmons elizabeth_simmons at scott.senate.gov
>
>
>
> and here is some more information for any who would like further details 
> or can help send emails to contacts in Senator Franken's office (listed 
> below). Please encourage your family, friends and acquaintances to help 
> make contact, and share it on your social media as well.
>
> Sent from my iPhone
>
> Begin forwarded message:
>
> From: "Lewis, Anil" <ALewis at nfb.org
> Date: July 27, 2013, 5:22:31 PM EDT
> To: "State President, Iowa" <michael.nfbi at gmail.com, "State President, 
> Maryland" <melissa at riccobono.us, "State President, Washington" 
> <k7uij at panix.com, "State President, Vermont" <deannaljones at comcast.net, 
> "State President, Pennsylvania" <president at nfbp.org, "State President, 
> North Carolina" <ghraynfbofnc at charter.net, "State President, Minnesota" 
> <jennifer.dunnam1829 at gmail.com, "State President, Colorado" 
> <slabarre at labarrelaw.com, "State President, Rhode Island" 
> <silvara at cox.net, "State President, Wisconsin" <johnfritz66 at gmail.com, 
> "crival at comcast.net"
> Federation:
>
> This is a call to action for you to make phone calls, send e-mails, and 
> post to social media to save rehabilitation services for people with 
> disabilities on Monday, July 29 and Tuesday, July 30.  Senate Bill S. 1356 
> has been introduced to reauthorize the Workforce Investment Act (WIA). 
> This bill includes two major policy changes in the language of the 
> Rehabilitation Act that threaten to send us backwards in our struggle to 
> acquire the proper education, training, and opportunity to obtain 
> competitive, integrated employment.
>
> (1) The bill has proposed language in Section 511 of the Rehabilitation 
> Act that requires vocational rehabilitation (VR) agencies to include 
> training and employment at wages below the federal minimum wage as a VR 
> service.
>
> (1) The bill proposes to transfer the Rehabilitation Services 
> Administration (RSA) from the Department of Education to the Department of 
> Labor, severing the essential link between the provision of quality 
> education and rehabilitation services for people with disabilities.
>
> The Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee is 
> scheduled to discuss and vote on this bill on Wednesday, July 31, and we 
> need to act to ensure that these two tremendously flawed proposals are 
> removed.  Our initial action is simple, but it will require all of us to 
> take action.  We need all of our members, family members, friends, 
> colleagues, and acquaintances that reside in states where their Senator 
> serves on the HELP committee to make calls, send e-mails, post tweets, and 
> Facebook messages to communicate the following two straightforward 
> requests to their Senator:
>
> I am a voting constituent in the state and I am respectfully requesting 
> that the WIA reauthorization be amended to:
>
> (1) Remove Section 511 of the Rehabilitation Act.
> (2) Remove the language transferring RSA to the Department of Labor.
>
> We are encouraging that only the actual residents make these requests of 
> their respective Senators.  Start recruiting as many individuals as 
> possible now to begin this action on Monday, July 29 and continue it 
> through Tuesday, July 30.  Use the information below to make calls to your 
> particular Senator's office and send e-mails to each of the e-mail 
> addresses listed for your Senator.
>
> Please contact me with any questions, and keep me posted on your progress. 
> The only way we will be able to prevent a dismantling of the essential 
> training and employment services for all people with disabilities is to 
> act now.
>
> Remember, once you have made your calls, sent your e-mails, posted your 
> tweets and Facebook messages, get others to do the same.
>
> Sincerely,
>
> Mr. Anil Lewis, M.P.A.
> Director of Advocacy and Policy
>
> "Eliminating Subminimum Wages For People With Disabilities"
>
> NATIONAL FEDERATION OF THE BLIND
> 200 East Wells Street at Jernigan Place
> Baltimore, Maryland   21230
>
> (410) 659-9314 ext. 2374 (Voice)
> (410) 685-5653 (FAX)
> Email: alewis at nfb.org<mailto:alewis at nfb.org
> Web: www.nfb.org<http://www.nfb.org
>
>
>
>
>
> Sen. Tom Harkin (D-IA)
> (202) 224-3254
> Chief of Staff: Brian Ahlberg brian_ahlberg at harkin.senate.gov
> HELP Contact: Andy Imparato andrew_imparato at harkin.senate.gov
> Additional Contact: Lee Perselay lee.perselay at help.senate.gov
>
> Sen. Barbara A Mikulski (D-MD)
> (202) 224-4654
> Chief of Staff: Julia Frifield julia_frifield at mikulski.senate.gov
> HELP Contact: Jessica McNiece jessica_mcniece at mikulski.senate.gov
>
> Sen. Patty Murray (D-WA)
> (202) 224-2621
> Chief of Staff: Mike Spahn michael_spahn at murray.senate.gov
> HELP Contact: Megan Foster  megan_foster at murray.senate.gov
> Additional Contact: Ariel Eevans ariel_evans at murray.senate.gov
>
> Sen. Bernard Sanders (I-VT)
> (202) 224-5141
> Chief of Staff: Michaeleen Crowell michaeleen_crowell at sanders.senate.gov
> HELP Contact: Lori Kearns lori_kearns at sanders.senate.gov
>
> Sen. Robert P Casey, Jr. (D-PA)
> (202) 224-6324
> Chief of Staff: James Brown james_brown at casey.senate.gov
> HELP Contact: Larry Smar larry_smar at casey.senate.gov
> Additional Contact: Michael Waskey michael_waskey at casey.senate.gov
>
> Sen. Kay R Hagan (D-NC)
> (202) 224-6342
> Chief of Staff: Mike Harney mike_harney at hagan.senate.gov
> HELP Contact: Ashley Eden & Josh Teitelbaum ashley_eden at hagan.senate.gov 
> josh_teitelbaum at hagan.senate.gov
>
> Sen. Al Franken (D-MN)
> (202) 224-5641
> Chief of Staff: Casey Aden-Wansbury casey_aden-wansbury at franken.senate.gov
> HELP Contact: Momoko "Peach" Soltis peach_soltis at franken.senate.gov
> Additional Contact: Beth Meloy beth_meloy at franken.senate.gov
>
> Sen. Michael F. Bennet (D-CO)
> (202) 224-5852
> Chief of Staff: Jonathan Davidson jonathan_davidson at bennet.senate.gov
> HELP Contact: Rohini Kosoglu rohini_kosoglu at bennet.senate.gov
>
> Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI)
> (202) 224-2921
> Chief of Staff: Sam Goodstein sam_goodstein at whitehouse.senate.gov
> HELP Contact: Jen DeAngelis jen_deangelis at whitehouse.senate.gov
>
> Sen. Tammy Baldwin (D-WI)
> (202) 224-5653
> Chief of Staff: Bill Murat bill_murat at baldwin.senate.gov
> HELP Contact: Nick Dicarlo nick_dicarlo at baldwin.senate.gov
> Additional Contact: Amber Shipley amber_shipley at baldwin.senate.gov
>
> Sen. Christopher S. Murphy (D-CT)
> (202) 224-4041
> Chief of Staff: Francis Creighton francis_creighton at murphy.senate.gov
> HELP Contact: Joe Dunn, Mark Ritacco, & Hayne Yoon 
> joe_dunn at murphy.senate.gov   mark_ritacco at murphy.senate.gov Additional 
> Contact: Hayne Yoon hayne_yoon at murphy.senate.gov
>
> Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA)
> (202) 224-4543
> Chief of Staff: Mindy Myers mindy_myers at warren.senate.gov
> HELP Contact: Jeff Cruz jeff_cruz at warren.senate.gov
>
> Sen. Lamar Alexander (R-TN)
> (202) 224-4944
> Chief of Staff: Ryan Loskarn ryan_loskarn at alexander.senate.gov
> HELP Contact: Kai Hirabayashi  &  Kyle Forton 
> kai_hirabayashi at alexander.senate.gov   kyle_forton at alexander.senate.gov
> Additional Contact: Bill Knudsen bill_knudsen at alexander.senate.gov
>
> Sen. Michael B. Enzi (R-WY)
> (202) 224-3424
> Chief of Staff: Flip McConnaughey flip_mcconnaughey at enzi.senate.gov
> HELP Contact: Riley Swinehart & Kristin Chapman 
> riley_swinehart at enzi.senate.gov; kristin_chapman at enzi.senate.gov
>
> Sen. Richard Burr (R-NC)
> (202) 224-3154
> Chief of Staff: Chris Joyner chris_joyner at burr.senate.gov
> HELP Contact: Steve Perrotta steve_perrotta at burr.senate.gov
> Additional Contact: Anna Abram anna_abram at help.senate.gov
>
> Sen. Johnny Isakson (R-GA)
> (202) 224-3643
> Chief of Staff: Chris Carr chris_carr at isakson.senate.gov
> HELP Contact: Tommy Nguyen tommy_nguyen at isakson.senate.gov
>
> Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY)
> (202) 224-4343
> Chief of Staff: William Henderson william_henderson at paul.senate.gov
> HELP Contact: Natalie Burkhalter natalie_burkhalter at paul.senate.gov
>
> Sen. Orrin G Hatch (R-UT)
> (202) 224-5251
> Chief of Staff: Michael Kennedy michael_kennedy at hatch.senate.gov
> HELP Contact: Hayden Rhudy hayden_rhudy at hatch.senate.gov
>
> Sen. Pat Roberts (R-KS)
> (202) 224-4774
> Chief of Staff: Jackie Cottrell jackie_cottrell at roberts.senate.gov
> HELP Contact: Jennifer Boyer jennifer_boyer at roberts.senate.gov
> Additional Contact: Lauren Stockwell lauren_stockwell at roberts.senate.gov
>
> Sen Lisa Murkowski (R-AK)
> (202) 224-6665
> Chief of Staff: Edward Hild edward_hild at murkowski.senate.gov
> HELP Contact: Tara Shaw tara_shaw at murkowski.senate.gov
> Additional Contact: Leila Kimbrell leila_kimbrell at murkowski.senate.gov
>
> Sen Mark Kirk (R-IL)
> (202) 224-2854
> Chief of Staff: Kate Dickens kate_dickens at kirk.senate.gov
> HELP Contact: Patrick Magnuson patrick_magnuson at kirk.senate.gov
> Additional Contact: Jeannette Windon jeannette_windon at kirk.senate.gov
>
> Sen Tim Scott (R-SC)
> (202) 224-6121
> Chief of Staff: Richard Dunn richard_dunn at scott.senate.gov
> HELP Contact: Kimberly Wallner kimberly_wallner at scott.senate.gov
> Additional Contact: Elizabeth Simmons elizabeth_simmons at scott.senate.gov
>
>
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