[nfbmi-talk] Washington Seminar 2016Report: Truly Memorable

Fri Jan 29 13:13:49 UTC 2016

Thanks for all the details, JJ.  

Lydia Schuck, PhD
Eden Transition Alliance
1981 Eden Road
Mason, MI  48854

----- Original Message -----
From: Fred Wurtzel via nfbmi-talk <nfbmi-talk at nfbnet.org>
To: nfbmi-talk at nfbnet.org
Cc: Fred Wurtzel <f.wurtzel at att.net>
Sent: Thu, 28 Jan 2016 23:47:11 -0500 (EST)
Subject: [nfbmi-talk] Fwd: [Mi-abs] Washington Seminar 2016Report: Truly	Memorable

Fred Wurtzel
Sent from my iPod

Begin forwarded message:

> From: "J.J. Meddaugh via Mi-abs" <mi-abs at nfbnet.org>
> Date: January 28, 2016 at 10:29:05 PM EST
> To: NFB of Michigan Internet Mailing List <nfbmi-talk at nfbnet.org>, Michigan Association of Blind Students <mi-abs at nfbnet.org>
> Cc: "J.J. Meddaugh" <jj at bestmidi.com>
> Subject: [Mi-abs] Washington Seminar 2016Report: Truly Memorable
> Reply-To: Michigan Association of Blind Students <mi-abs at nfbnet.org>
> 
> Wow. This is definitely the most memorable Washington Seminar I've ever attended. Thanks to the blizzard and cleanup, there wasn't a lot of normal this year. The Great Gathering In was rescheduled, government was closed through Tuesday, and just about everyone changed their flights or train at least once.
> 
> We were able to bring in 4 of the 6 people who were planning to come. I was joined by Jeff Crouch, Hayley Balogh, and Amanda Markham who attended for the first time. I flew in ahead of the blizzard. Jeff and Amanda ended up taking 3 trains and coming in via New York late Monday night. Hayley kept having flights canceled but Arrived Monday as well. And I know Ozzy and Alexander tried hard to make it as well. One couple from Wyoming flew into Pittsburgh and took a Greyhound bus overnight so they could come. Overall, about 200 people were able to attend this year.
> 
> On Tuesday, government buildings were closed but Congressman Kildee still met with us, which we hugely appreciate. We also met with a staff member from Senator Stabenow's office. Everything else was rescheduled for the next day, so we powered through 14 appointments with our two groups on Wednesday. It was a bit eerie walking through Longworth on Tuesday, as the halls were completely empty, except for several dozen federationists. Many states reported extended meetings with Senators on Tuesday since no one else was around to visit.
> 
> While most representatives did not come in this week because of the storm, we did meet again with Congressman Benishek, who told us he would sign on to the Space Available bill. Several other meetings gave us a lot of encouragement, and we feel we have a lot of opportunities moving forward.
> 
> This year, we focused on 4 issues. The Transitioning to Integrated and Meaningful Employment Act (H.R. 188) would outlaw the practice of paying people with disabilities less than the minimum wage. From the Legislative Director's Seminar I attended over the weekend, we were armed with a lot of new information we could use, and it seemed to help move the needle with a few of the offices. There are now two states, Vermont and New Hampshire, which do not have any Special Wage 14C certificates. Also, National Industries for the Blind now supports our bill in the Senate (S. 2001). The leadership of Congressman Upton has helped us gain additional cosponsors (Congressman Trott and Congresswoman Miller) and I anticipate that more may follow.
> 
> The Accessible Instructional Materials in Higher Education Act is our new approach to the former TEACH Act. It still would create voluntary guidelines that universities could follow to obtain accessible materials. One of the big changes in the new bill is the creation of a purpose-based commission to set the guidelines, which would include members of the disability community, universities, and technology manufacturers. The former TEACH Act was relying on the Access Board to write the guidelines. Title II and III of the ADA along with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act already say that materials need to be accessible. This would help universities comply with the existing law and give them a safe harbor from litigation if they follow the guidelines. One tool we're using is letters from students around the country describing their experiences in college and accessibility challenges. These letters can still be written, and I'd be happy to get you that information if you'd li
 ke.
> 
> Third, we are still working to add 100 percent service-disabled veterans to the Space Available program, which allows qualified personnel to fly on military aircraft if there is extra space on a flight. Currently, active military and their families, retirees, and some Red Cross volunteers can fly. But those who became disabled while on duty and were forced to leave without retiring, through no fault of their own, are not able to take advantage of the program. I met two gentlemen at the legislative seminar who are service-disabled and excluded from this program, and hearing them tell their stories was a great asset that we could use in our meetings. H.R. 2264 would fix this inequity and add 100 percent service disabled veterans to the list. It's a widely-supported bill, and passed in the house previously. Some technicalities blocked its passage in the Senate, so we are trying again this year.
> 
> Finally in the Senate, we discussed the Marrakesh Treaty, which would allow for the import and export of books in alternative formats. Currently, it is illegal to import books from other countries, such as Spanish titles which could help students studying a foreign language. Ratifying the treaty would eliminate this restriction. It would also eliminate the need to create multiple copies of the same book. There were dozens of versions of Harry Potter created by many of the over 60 English speaking countries. Currently, only 5 percent of books in existence are available in an alternative format, so anything that can help increase access to books is a win for everyone. The treaty does not include any sanctions and would make only sleek and narrow changes to current copyright law. We expect the ratification package to come to the Senate shortly.
> 
> The way that affiliates helped each other this year was truly awesome. States who had extra time pitched in and helped those like California that were short. A gentleman from Hawaii joined me for three of the Michigan meetings. I ended up in a Texas meeting. The flexibility of our members, and the resolve to make sure we could still meet with all of our reps reinforced in me the resolve and determination this of organization.
> 
> Of course, follow-up is key, and I'm happy to help anyone schedule a meeting in your district. We may also think about inviting representatives to local chapter meetings. If this interests you, let me know and I can put you in contact with the appropriate scheduler. Sometimes, these meetings need to be scheduled months in advanced, especially if you'd like to meet during a specific time at a chapter meeting.
> 
> Thanks again to our wonderful Michigan delegation, and everyone who helps us make our legislative priorities a reality. Together, we are ensuring that all of us can live the lives we want and that blindness will not hold you back.
> 
> -- 
> Best regards,
> J.J.
> 
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