<html xmlns:v="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:vml" xmlns:o="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" xmlns:w="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:word" xmlns:m="http://schemas.microsoft.com/office/2004/12/omml" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/TR/REC-html40"><head><meta http-equiv=Content-Type content="text/html; charset=iso-8859-1"><meta name=Generator content="Microsoft Word 15 (filtered medium)"><style><!--
/* Font Definitions */
@font-face
{font-family:Helvetica;
panose-1:2 11 6 4 2 2 2 2 2 4;}
@font-face
{font-family:"Cambria Math";
panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4;}
@font-face
{font-family:Aptos;}
/* Style Definitions */
p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal
{margin:0in;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Aptos",sans-serif;
mso-ligatures:standardcontextual;}
span.MsoEndnoteReference
{mso-style-priority:99;
vertical-align:super;}
p.MsoEndnoteText, li.MsoEndnoteText, div.MsoEndnoteText
{mso-style-link:"Endnote Text Char";
margin:0in;
font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif;}
a:link, span.MsoHyperlink
{mso-style-priority:99;
color:#467886;
text-decoration:underline;}
span.MsoSmartlink
{mso-style-priority:99;
color:blue;
background:#F3F2F1;
text-decoration:underline;}
span.EmailStyle17
{mso-style-type:personal-compose;
font-family:"Aptos",sans-serif;
color:windowtext;}
span.EndnoteTextChar
{mso-style-name:"Endnote Text Char";
mso-style-link:"Endnote Text";
font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif;
mso-ligatures:none;}
.MsoChpDefault
{mso-style-type:export-only;}
/* Page Definitions */
@page
{mso-endnote-separator:url("cid:header.htm\@01DC94A6.1BDB6F80") es;
mso-endnote-continuation-separator:url("cid:header.htm\@01DC94A6.1BDB6F80") ecs;}
@page WordSection1
{size:8.5in 11.0in;
margin:26.0pt 41.0pt 34.0pt 39.0pt;}
div.WordSection1
{page:WordSection1;
mso-endnote-numbering-style:arabic;}
@page WordSection2
{size:8.5in 11.0in;
margin:1.0in 1.0in 1.0in 1.0in;}
div.WordSection2
{page:WordSection2;}
--></style></head><body lang=EN-US link="#467886" vlink="#96607D" style='word-wrap:break-word'><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Dear Members,<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>We had five Missourians travel to DC for our 2026 Washington Seminar despite the snow and ice and ever-changing plans. However, our Missouri Delegation was able to hold all ten of our meetings in person. We had some very good meetings, and it is now time for our DC Delegation to follow-up with those we met with and write Thank you notes.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>I wanted to share with each of you the Fact Sheets for our 2026 Washington Seminar. The Seminar is the beginning of our legislative year, and it will require the work of all of us to get our 2026 Legislative Priorities across the finish line by the end of the year. I urge you to read the attached fact sheets which I am also including below my message. Please help by talking with your members of Congress on the phone or by email, in district offices or on their campaign trail. Let them know who we are and how they can help.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>We have a good start; Let’s finish strong . <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Did you know that there are currently twelve (12) bills that we are working on? If you receive an email alert calling members to action, know something is happening, and that it is an important time for all of us to reach out. Decide now, to participate in our legislative efforts. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Thanks,<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Shelia<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>WE URGE CONGRESS TO PROTECT CRITICAL EDUCATION, EMPLOYMENT, AND INDEPENDENT LIVING PROGRAMS TO ENSURE THEIR CONTINUANCE NOW AND FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS. <o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) </span></b><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>initially became law in 1975 as the Education for All Handicapped Children Act. Congress reauthorized this act in 1990 and officially changed its name to the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, or IDEA. For fifty years, this law has ensured that all American students with a disability receive a free and appropriate public education that is tailored to our individual needs. Without appropriate funding and administration of IDEA programs, blind students will be left behind. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>The Rehabilitation Act of 1973 </span></b><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>strengthened vocational rehabilitation, prohibited discrimination in federally funded programs, and established the Rehabilitation Services Administration. Later amendments to the Act also included mandates for federal information technology accessibility. This landmark legislation served as a precursor to the Americans with Disabilities Act in 1990. Without appropriate funding and administration of Rehab Act programs, blind Americans will not receive the skills training to make us job ready. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>The Randolph-Sheppard Program </span></b><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>was signed into law in 1936 to create employment opportunities for blind entrepreneurs by establishing a priority for the operation of blind vending facilities on all federal property. For nearly ninety years, this program has served as a major boon to the employment of blind Americans, who already suffer from an unemployment and underemployment rate that is significantly higher than the national average. Without appropriate administration of the Randolph-Sheppard program, blind entrepreneurs will lose valuable employment opportunities. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><a name="_Hlk216096275"><b><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>The Older Individuals Who are Blind (OIB) Program </span></b></a><span style='mso-bookmark:_Hlk216096275'><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>is a</span></span><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'> federal program that was created by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as part of the Rehabilitation Services Administration. The goal of OIB is to focus on independent living for blind and low-vision Americans who are over the age of 55 and may need help learning how to live with their vision loss. Critical aspects of OIB include orientation and mobility training, learning Braille, cooking, and training on access technology. Without appropriate funding and administration of OIB programs, older blind Americans are at risk of living sedentary and solitary lives in their golden years.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>The American Printing House for the Blind (APH) </span></b><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>was founded in Louisville, Kentucky in 1858, and is the oldest and largest nonprofit organization making accessible materials for the blind. The APH first received federal support in 1879 to become the national producer of Braille textbooks, maps, and educational aids. Most recently, APH began distributing the Monarch, the first dynamic tactile and multi-line Braille tablet. Without appropriate funding, the APH will be unable to produce and distribute Braille textbooks and education aids for blind students. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Below are a few testimonies from real blind Americans who have greatly benefitted from each of the above programs. <o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><i><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>“I attended public school in Durant, Iowa–a very rural school district. I was incredibly blessed to begin learning Braille and how to use accessible technology tools to access a computer at a young age. As a result of my terrific elementary school education, I thrived in high school and was able to go to college, where I earned dual degrees in English and Theatre. I am now employed and can proudly share that I pay both federal and FICA taxes.”</span></i><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'> – <b>Elizabeth, from Durant, Iowa</b> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><i><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>“I was able to go to a training center in Ruston, Louisiana, where I learned independent living skills and how to be a productive citizen. Because of my training, I have been a small business owner in the tech sector for more than thirty years.”</span></i><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'> – <b>Karl, a blind business owner in Taylorsville, Utah</b><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><i><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>“For twenty-one years, I have owned and operated a successful dining food facility and housekeeping service at the US Coast Guard Aviation Training Center because of the Randolph-Sheppard program. My business employs twenty employees while providing our Coast Guard personnel with the food and accommodations they need to defend our nation.”</span></i><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'> – <b>Barbara, a blind business owner in Mobile, Alabama<o:p></o:p></b></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><i><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>“I lost my sight in my late fifties from glaucoma. The older blind specialist was by my side at the beginning, thirteen years ago. She taught me blind skills so I could keep my home and be active in my kids’ and grandkids’ lives.”</span></i><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'> – <b>Greg, from West Fargo, North Dakota</b><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><i><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>“The Monarch has been life-changing for our daughter, Kennedy. As a blind elementary student, she has always loved reading and writing, but access to Braille materials was often limited and slow to obtain. With the Monarch, she can independently read consistent, high-quality, tactile Braille content and navigate her learning with confidence. . . . Most importantly, the Monarch has opened doors that once seemed inaccessible. Through the innovation and support of the American Printing House for the Blind, she has the tools needed to thrive both in school and beyond. We are truly grateful.”</span></i><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'> – <b>Katie, a parent of a blind child in Porterdale, Georgia</b><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Ensure that these critical programs for blind Americans will be able to function by committing to support funding to keep the above programs operating effectively and efficiently. <o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal align=center style='mso-margin-top-alt:4.95pt;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:0in;margin-left:12.55pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:center'><b><span style='font-size:24.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#133258;letter-spacing:-.55pt'>ACCESS </span></b><b><span style='font-size:24.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#133258;letter-spacing:-.45pt'>TECHNOLOGY </span></b><b><span style='font-size:24.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#133258;letter-spacing:-.65pt'>AFFORDABILITY</span></b><b><span style='font-size:24.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#133258;letter-spacing:-3.9pt'> </span></b><b><span style='font-size:24.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#133258;letter-spacing:-.6pt'>ACT (H.R. 1529/S. 1918)<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal align=center style='mso-margin-top-alt:15.9pt;margin-right:60.7pt;margin-bottom:0in;margin-left:61.75pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:center;text-autospace:none'><b><i><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Issue—The cost of critically needed access technology is out of reach for most blind Americans.</span></i></b><b><i><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:.4pt;text-autospace:none'><b><i><span style='font-size:11.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></i></b></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:0in;margin-right:5.2pt;margin-bottom:0in;margin-left:5.95pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-autospace:none'><b><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#ED1C24'>Access technology enables blind Americans to participate in today’s workforce. </span></b><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Blindness is well-defined and measurable,<a style='mso-endnote-id:edn1' href="#_edn1" name="_ednref1" title=""><span class=MsoEndnoteReference><span class=MsoEndnoteReference><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;mso-fareast-language:EN-US'>[1]</span></span></span></a></span><a href="https://d.docs.live.net/83d9b2a8af0c5d24/Documents/2026%20Washington%20Seminar/2026%20Access%20Technology%20Affordability%20Act%20Fact%20Sheet.docx#_bookmark14"><span class=MsoSmartlink><span style='font-size:8.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;position:relative;top:-4.0pt;mso-text-raise:4.0pt'> </span></span></a><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>but affects each person differently and at different ages. Since individuals’ needs differ, manufacturers have designed various tools that enable each blind American to perform tasks that they were once unable to accomplish themselves due to their blindness. Braille note takers are frequently used in schools, screen reading software allows workers to check their email in the office, and screen magnification software can help seniors losing vision learn about community activities. Access technology equips blind Americans to seek employment and stay employed. For the 61.9 percent of blind Americans who are either unemployed or underemployed, it is a vehicle that facilitates the job seeking process. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:0in;margin-right:6.8pt;margin-bottom:0in;margin-left:6.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:97%;text-autospace:none'><b><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#ED1C24'><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:0in;margin-right:6.8pt;margin-bottom:0in;margin-left:6.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:97%;text-autospace:none'><b><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#ED1C24'>The<span style='letter-spacing:-.15pt'> </span>high<span style='letter-spacing:-.15pt'> </span>cost<span style='letter-spacing:-.25pt'> </span>of<span style='letter-spacing:-.2pt'> </span>access<span style='letter-spacing:-.1pt'> </span>technology<span style='letter-spacing:-.45pt'> </span>creates<span style='letter-spacing:-.15pt'> </span>a<span style='letter-spacing:-.1pt'> </span>difficult<span style='letter-spacing:-.3pt'> </span>economic<span style='letter-spacing:-.3pt'> </span>reality.<span style='letter-spacing:-.1pt'> </span></span></b><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Most<span style='letter-spacing:-.1pt'> </span>access<span style='letter-spacing:-.2pt'> </span>technology ranges in cost from $1,000 to $6,000. For example, a leading screen reader is $900, a popular Braille note taker is $5,495, one model of a refreshable Braille display is $2,795, and a moderately priced Braille embosser is $3,695. According to the United States Census Bureau, 61.9 percent of working age blind Americans are either unemployed or underemployed.<a name="_bookmark0"></a><a style='mso-endnote-id:edn2' href="#_edn2" name="_ednref2" title=""><span class=MsoEndnoteReference><span class=MsoEndnoteReference><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;mso-fareast-language:EN-US'>[2]</span></span></span></a></span><a href="https://d.docs.live.net/83d9b2a8af0c5d24/Documents/2026%20Washington%20Seminar/2026%20Access%20Technology%20Affordability%20Act%20Fact%20Sheet.docx#_bookmark7"><span class=MsoSmartlink><span style='font-size:8.0pt;line-height:97%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;position:relative;top:-4.0pt;mso-text-raise:4.0pt'> </span></span></a><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Furthermore, one in four blind Americans live below the poverty line and therefore likely do not have sufficient financial resources needed to purchase these items.<a name="_bookmark1"></a><a style='mso-endnote-id:edn3' href="#_edn3" name="_ednref3" title=""><span class=MsoEndnoteReference><span class=MsoEndnoteReference><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;mso-fareast-language:EN-US'>[3]</span></span></span></a></span><a href="https://d.docs.live.net/83d9b2a8af0c5d24/Documents/2026%20Washington%20Seminar/2026%20Access%20Technology%20Affordability%20Act%20Fact%20Sheet.docx#_bookmark8"><span class=MsoSmartlink><span style='font-size:8.0pt;line-height:97%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;position:relative;top:-4.0pt;mso-text-raise:4.0pt'> </span></span></a><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>These financial barriers can ultimately lead to a loss of employment, insufficient education, or even isolation from community<span style='letter-spacing:-1.4pt'> </span>activities.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:.45pt;text-autospace:none'><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:.05pt;margin-right:5.05pt;margin-bottom:0in;margin-left:6.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:97%;text-autospace:none'><b><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#ED1C24'>Medical insurance will not cover the cost of access technology. </span></b><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Current definitions of "medical care," "medical necessity," and "durable medical equipment" within common insurance policies do not include access technology. These definitions were adopted in the 1960s “when medical care was viewed primarily as curative <a name="_bookmark2"></a>and palliative, with little or no consideration given to increasing an individual's functional status.”<a style='mso-endnote-id:edn4' href="#_edn4" name="_ednref4" title=""><span class=MsoEndnoteReference><span class=MsoEndnoteReference><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;mso-fareast-language:EN-US'>[4]</span></span></span></a></span><a href="https://d.docs.live.net/83d9b2a8af0c5d24/Documents/2026%20Washington%20Seminar/2026%20Access%20Technology%20Affordability%20Act%20Fact%20Sheet.docx#_bookmark10"><span class=MsoSmartlink><span style='font-size:8.0pt;line-height:97%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;position:relative;top:-4.0pt;mso-text-raise:4.0pt'> </span></span></a><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Many states’ Medicaid programs and individual health insurance plans have adopted similar definitions and likewise will not cover the cost of access technology<a name="_bookmark3"></a>.<a style='mso-endnote-id:edn5' href="#_edn5" name="_ednref5" title=""><span class=MsoEndnoteReference><span class=MsoEndnoteReference><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;mso-fareast-language:EN-US'>[5]</span></span></span></a></span><span style='font-size:8.0pt;line-height:97%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:.2pt;text-autospace:none'><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;mso-fareast-language:EN-US'><br clear=all style='page-break-before:always'></span><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal align=center style='mso-margin-top-alt:3.8pt;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:0in;margin-left:4.5pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:center;text-autospace:none'><b><i><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Solution—Access Technology Affordability Act (ATAA):</span></i></b><b><i><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:12.65pt;margin-right:9.05pt;margin-bottom:0in;margin-left:5.95pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><b><span style='color:#005F95'>Makes access technology more affordable so that blind Americans can procure these items for themselves. </span></b>It establishes a refundable tax credit for blind Americans in the amount of $2,000 to be used over a three-year period to offset the cost of qualified access technology. The credit created by ATAA will sunset after five years and will be indexed for inflation.<span style='font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-autospace:none'><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:.05pt;margin-right:7.05pt;margin-bottom:0in;margin-left:5.95pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><b><span style='color:#005F95'>Provides flexibility for individuals to obtain access technology based upon their specific needs. </span></b>Accessibility requires an individualized assessment of one’s own skills and needs. Therefore, blind Americans should be given the opportunity to procure access technology on their own to ensure that they are receiving the tools that are most useful for them.<span style='font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:.45pt;text-autospace:none'><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:0in;margin-right:23.15pt;margin-bottom:0in;margin-left:5.95pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt'><b><span style='color:#005F95'>Will save the government $315 million through increased federal income and FICA tax revenue. </span></b>More blind Americans working means more people paying federal income taxes. It also means that those blind Americans who obtain gainful employment through this tax credit will no longer need to draw from federal programs such as Supplemental Security Income or Social Security Disability Insurance and will instead be paying into the Social Security Program through FICA taxes. This was demonstrated by a dynamic score calculated by Mathematica showing a $315 million cost savings over the lifetime of this legislation.<a style='mso-endnote-id:edn6' href="#_edn6" name="_ednref6" title=""><span class=MsoEndnoteReference><span class=MsoEndnoteReference><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Aptos",sans-serif;mso-fareast-language:EN-US'>[6]</span></span></span></a> <span style='font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:.35pt;text-autospace:none'><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal align=center style='mso-margin-top-alt:4.95pt;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:0in;margin-left:12.55pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:center'><b><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#133258;letter-spacing:-.6pt'>GOAL—IMPROVE AFFORDABILITY OF CRITICALLY NEEDED ACCESS TECHNOLOGY NECESSARY FOR EMPLOYMENT AND INDEPENDENT LIVING.</span></b><b><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#133258;letter-spacing:-.6pt'><o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:.3pt;text-autospace:none'><b><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal align=center style='margin-top:.3pt;text-align:center;text-autospace:none'><b>To cosponsor the Access Technology Affordability Act in the House (H.R. 1529), contact:</b> <span style='font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal align=center style='margin-top:.3pt;text-align:center;text-autospace:none'>Quinn Ritchie, Legislative Director for Representative Mike Kelly (R-PA-16) Phone: 202-225-5406 Email: <a href="mailto:Quinn.Ritchie@mail.house.gov">Quinn.Ritchie@mail.house.gov</a>. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal align=center style='margin-top:.3pt;text-align:center;text-autospace:none'><b><o:p> </o:p></b></p><p class=MsoNormal align=center style='margin-top:.3pt;text-align:center;text-autospace:none'><b>To cosponsor the Access Technology Affordability Act in the Senate (S. 1918), contact:</b> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal align=center style='margin-top:.3pt;text-align:center;text-autospace:none'>Kathleen Bochow, Legislative Assistant for Senator John Boozman (R-AR) Phone: 202-224-4843 Email: <a href="mailto:Kathleen_Bochow@boozman.senate.gov">Kathleen_Bochow@boozman.senate.gov</a>.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-top:.3pt;text-autospace:none'><b><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><b>For more information, contact:</b><b><span style='font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif'><o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'>Jesse Shirek, Government Affairs Specialist, National Federation of the Blind<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'>Phone: 410-659-9314, extension 2348, Email: <a href="mailto:jshirek@nfb.org">jshirek@nfb.org</a>, or visit <a href="http://www.nfb.org">www.nfb.org</a><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:11.0pt;mso-ligatures:none'>BLIND AMERICANS RETURN TO WORK ACT (H.R. 1175)<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><i><span style='font-size:11.0pt;mso-ligatures:none'>Issue—The Social Security Disability Insurance benefits program contains an earnings cliff that hinders blind individuals from achieving the American dream.<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:11.0pt;mso-ligatures:none'><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:11.0pt;mso-ligatures:none'>The Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) program has a built-in “earnings cliff.” <o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;mso-ligatures:none'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;mso-ligatures:none'>Title II of the Social Security Act provides that disability benefits paid to blind beneficiaries are eliminated if the beneficiary exceeds a monthly earnings limit.<a style='mso-endnote-id:edn7' href="#_edn7" name="_ednref7" title=""><sup><sup><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Aptos",sans-serif;mso-ligatures:none;mso-fareast-language:EN-US'>[7]</span></sup></sup></a> This earnings limit, often called the “earnings cliff,” is in effect a penalty imposed on blind Americans when they work or earn too much. For example, the earnings limit in 2026 for a blind person is $2,830 per month.<a style='mso-endnote-id:edn8' href="#_edn8" name="_ednref8" title=""><sup><sup><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Aptos",sans-serif;mso-ligatures:none;mso-fareast-language:EN-US'>[8]</span></sup></sup></a> If a blind individual earns more than that threshold, even by just one dollar, they are engaged in substantial gainful activity (SGA). Under the current law, any individual engaged in SGA is not entitled to any SSDI benefits. This means that if a blind person earns just one dollar over the earnings limit, all benefits are lost. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;mso-ligatures:none'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><a name="_Hlk61018851"><b><span style='font-size:11.0pt;mso-ligatures:none'>The earnings cliff incentivizes blind people to choose to remain unemployed or underemployed, despite their desire to work.</span></b></a><b><span style='font-size:11.0pt;mso-ligatures:none'><o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;mso-ligatures:none'> In a 2018 survey, National Industries for the Blind (NIB) found that 21 percent of respondents from thirty-four of their non-profit associations had turned down a raise or promotion to retain their SSDI benefits.<a style='mso-endnote-id:edn9' href="#_edn9" name="_ednref9" title=""><sup><sup><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Aptos",sans-serif;mso-ligatures:none;mso-fareast-language:EN-US'>[9]</span></sup></sup></a> The survey also found that 37 percent of respondents had turned down additional hours or even asked to reduce their hours in order to retain their SSDI benefits.<a style='mso-endnote-id:edn10' href="#_edn10" name="_ednref10" title=""><sup><sup><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Aptos",sans-serif;mso-ligatures:none;mso-fareast-language:EN-US'>[10]</span></sup></sup></a> Blind Americans who are willing and able to work are intentionally limiting themselves out of fear of losing the entirety of their SSDI benefits and falling off the earnings cliff. For example, according to the Social Security Administration, the average SSDI benefit check in 2025 was $1,582,<a style='mso-endnote-id:edn11' href="#_edn11" name="_ednref11" title=""><sup><sup><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Aptos",sans-serif;mso-ligatures:none;mso-fareast-language:EN-US'>[11]</span></sup></sup></a> which equates to $18,984 annually. Under this circumstance, a blind person would lose $18,984 just by earning an additional $12 in a calendar year. This is a trade-off no one wants to accept.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;mso-ligatures:none'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:11.0pt;mso-ligatures:none'>The current work incentive in the form of the trial work period is needlessly complicated and counterintuitive. <o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;mso-ligatures:none'>Under the current SSDI program, if a blind worker wants to try and earn more money, they will likely trigger a nine-month trial work period. These nine months do not have to be consecutive, but instead are any nine months during a rolling sixty-month period in which the worker earned more than a certain amount (for 2026 this amount is $1,210 per month). When all of those nine months are exhausted, the worker is once again subject to the earnings cliff if they cross the SGA threshold. This is supposed to act as an incentive for blind recipients to determine if they are ready to work, but the complexity of the rules and the difference between the trial work period amount and the SGA threshold result in many blind Americans not receiving the benefit the process is intended to provide. <o:p></o:p></span></p></div><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Aptos",sans-serif;mso-ligatures:none;mso-fareast-language:EN-US'><br clear=all style='page-break-before:always'></span><div class=WordSection2><p class=MsoNormal><b><i><span style='font-size:11.0pt;mso-ligatures:none'>Solution—Blind Americans Return to Work Act (H.R. 1175) will:<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><i><span style='font-size:11.0pt;mso-ligatures:none'><o:p> </o:p></span></i></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:11.0pt;mso-ligatures:none'>Eliminate the earnings cliff by instituting a ten-year demonstration program establishing a gradual two-for-one phase-out of SSDI benefits with earnings over the SGA limit. <o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:11.0pt;mso-ligatures:none'></span></b><span style='font-size:11.0pt;mso-ligatures:none'>For every two dollars a blind worker earns above the SGA threshold, their benefits amount will be reduced by one dollar. This ten-year program will start in 2027 and conclude in 2036, demonstrating that blind Americans can and will achieve their highest earning potential.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:11.0pt;mso-ligatures:none'><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:11.0pt;mso-ligatures:none'>Create a genuine work incentive for SSDI recipients. <o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;mso-ligatures:none'>With a phase-out model, blind workers will always be better off striving to earn as much as possible, which will facilitate the transition of those workers out of the SSDI system as benefits are gradually reduced. With this model, blind Americans will never lose by working. As an added benefit, fewer workers will be earning SSDI benefits and instead be paying into the Social Security Trust Fund, which means a more balanced Trust Fund in time. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;mso-ligatures:none'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:11.0pt;mso-ligatures:none'>Simplify the SSDI system by eliminating the trial work period and grace period, making the rules more consistent with the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program. <o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;mso-ligatures:none'>Under the proposed system, the SSDI program will become less complicated. With both the SSI and SSDI programs using similar rules, there will be less confusion, and the incentive for blind people to return to work and maximize their earning potential will be consistent and clear.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;mso-ligatures:none'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;mso-ligatures:none'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:11.0pt;mso-ligatures:none'>GOAL—</span></b><b><i><span style='font-size:11.0pt;mso-ligatures:none'> </span></i></b><b><span style='font-size:11.0pt;mso-ligatures:none'>ELIMINATE THE EARNINGS CLIFF BY ADOPTING A SOLUTION USED IN OTHER SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION PROGRAMS.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;mso-ligatures:none'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><i><span style='font-size:11.0pt;mso-ligatures:none'><o:p> </o:p></span></i></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:11.0pt;mso-ligatures:none'>Cosponsor the Blind Americans Return to Work Act.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:11.0pt;mso-ligatures:none'><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:11.0pt;mso-ligatures:none'>To cosponsor the Blind Americans Return to Work Act in the House (H.R. 1175), contact:<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;mso-ligatures:none'>Sloan Hamill, Legislative Correspondent for Representative Pete Sessions (R-TX-17)<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;mso-ligatures:none'>Phone: 202-225-6105 Email: </span><span style='font-size:11.0pt;mso-ligatures:none'><a href="mailto:sloan.hamill@mail.house.gov">sloan.hamill@mail.house.gov</a> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:11.0pt;mso-ligatures:none'><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:11.0pt;mso-ligatures:none'>For more information, contact:<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;mso-ligatures:none'>Jesse Shirek, Government Affairs Specialist, National Federation of the Blind<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;mso-ligatures:none'>Phone: 410-659-9314, extension 2348, Email: <a href="mailto:jshirek@nfb.org">jshirek@nfb.org</a> or visit <a href="http://www.nfb.org">www.nfb.org</a><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;mso-ligatures:none'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:11.0pt;mso-ligatures:none'><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:11.0pt;mso-ligatures:none'><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:11.0pt;mso-ligatures:none'><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;mso-ligatures:none'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;mso-ligatures:none'>Shelia Wright, President<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;mso-ligatures:none'>National Federation of the Blind of Missouri<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;mso-ligatures:none'>7928 NW Milrey Drive, Kansas City, MO 64152<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;mso-ligatures:none'>816-679-5258<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;mso-ligatures:none'><a href="mailto:Sbwright95@gmail.com">Sbwright95@gmail.com</a><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;mso-ligatures:none'><a href="mailto:President@nfbmo.org">President@nfbmo.org</a><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;mso-ligatures:none'><a href="http://www.nfbmo.org/">www.nfbmo.org</a><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;mso-ligatures:none'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;mso-ligatures:none'>The National Federation of the Blind is a community of members and friends who believe in the hopes and dreams of the nation’s blind. Every day we work together to help blind people live the lives they want.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div><div style='mso-element:endnote-list'><br clear=all><hr align=left size=1 width="33%"><div style='mso-element:endnote' id=edn1><p class=MsoEndnoteText><a style='mso-endnote-id:edn1' href="#_ednref1" name="_edn1" title=""><span class=MsoEndnoteReference><span class=MsoEndnoteReference><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif;mso-ligatures:none;mso-fareast-language:EN-US'>[1]</span></span></span></a> 26 U.S.C 63(f)(4).<o:p></o:p></p></div><div style='mso-element:endnote' id=edn2><p class=MsoEndnoteText><a style='mso-endnote-id:edn2' href="#_ednref2" name="_edn2" title=""><span class=MsoEndnoteReference><span class=MsoEndnoteReference><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif;mso-ligatures:none;mso-fareast-language:EN-US'>[2]</span></span></span></a> United States Census Bureau, American Community Survey, “Percentage of non-institutionalized persons, ages 21-64 years, with visual disability, in the United States, who were employed full-time/full-year in 2023.” www.disabilitystatistics.org.<o:p></o:p></p></div><div style='mso-element:endnote' id=edn3><p class=MsoEndnoteText><a style='mso-endnote-id:edn3' href="#_ednref3" name="_edn3" title=""><span class=MsoEndnoteReference><span class=MsoEndnoteReference><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif;mso-ligatures:none;mso-fareast-language:EN-US'>[3]</span></span></span></a> United States Census Bureau, American Community Survey, “Percentage of non-institutionalized persons, ages 21-64 years, with visual disability, in the United States, who were living below the poverty line in 2023.” www.disabilitystatistics.org.<o:p></o:p></p></div><div style='mso-element:endnote' id=edn4><p class=MsoEndnoteText><a style='mso-endnote-id:edn4' href="#_ednref4" name="_edn4" title=""><span class=MsoEndnoteReference><span class=MsoEndnoteReference><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif;mso-ligatures:none;mso-fareast-language:EN-US'>[4]</span></span></span></a> National Council on Disability, “Federal Policy Barriers to Assistive Technology,” (May 31, 2000) 8, http://www.ncd.gov/rawmedia_repository/c9e48e89_261b_4dda_bc74_203d5915519f.pdf.<o:p></o:p></p></div><div style='mso-element:endnote' id=edn5><p class=MsoEndnoteText><a style='mso-endnote-id:edn5' href="#_ednref5" name="_edn5" title=""><span class=MsoEndnoteReference><span class=MsoEndnoteReference><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif;mso-ligatures:none;mso-fareast-language:EN-US'>[5]</span></span></span></a> Assistive Technology Industry Associates, “AT Resources Funding Guide,” https://www.atia.org/at-resources/what-is-at/resources- funding-guide/ (last accessed December 10, 2018).<o:p></o:p></p></div><div style='mso-element:endnote' id=edn6><p class=MsoEndnoteText><a style='mso-endnote-id:edn6' href="#_ednref6" name="_edn6" title=""><span class=MsoEndnoteReference><span class=MsoEndnoteReference><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif;mso-ligatures:none;mso-fareast-language:EN-US'>[6]</span></span></span></a> Mathematica, “Dynamic Score of the Access Technology Affordability Act,” (November 19, 2024) 1. <o:p></o:p></p></div><div style='mso-element:endnote' id=edn7><p class=MsoEndnoteText><a style='mso-endnote-id:edn7' href="#_ednref7" name="_edn7" title=""><span class=MsoEndnoteReference><span class=MsoEndnoteReference><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif;mso-ligatures:none;mso-fareast-language:EN-US'>[7]</span></span></span></a> 42 U.S.C. Sec. 423.<o:p></o:p></p></div><div style='mso-element:endnote' id=edn8><p class=MsoEndnoteText><a style='mso-endnote-id:edn8' href="#_ednref8" name="_edn8" title=""><span class=MsoEndnoteReference><span class=MsoEndnoteReference><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif;mso-ligatures:none;mso-fareast-language:EN-US'>[8]</span></span></span></a> Social Security Administration, “Substantial Gainful Activity”, https://www.ssa.gov/oact/cola/sga.html.<o:p></o:p></p></div><div style='mso-element:endnote' id=edn9><p class=MsoEndnoteText><a style='mso-endnote-id:edn9' href="#_ednref9" name="_edn9" title=""><span class=MsoEndnoteReference><span class=MsoEndnoteReference><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif;mso-ligatures:none;mso-fareast-language:EN-US'>[9]</span></span></span></a> <i>Commitment to Serve</i>, A presentation given at the 2018 NIB/NAEPB Training Conference and Expo.<o:p></o:p></p></div><div style='mso-element:endnote' id=edn10><p class=MsoEndnoteText><a style='mso-endnote-id:edn10' href="#_ednref10" name="_edn10" title=""><span class=MsoEndnoteReference><span class=MsoEndnoteReference><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif;mso-ligatures:none;mso-fareast-language:EN-US'>[10]</span></span></span></a> Ibid.<o:p></o:p></p></div><div style='mso-element:endnote' id=edn11><p class=MsoEndnoteText><a style='mso-endnote-id:edn11' href="#_ednref11" name="_edn11" title=""><span class=MsoEndnoteReference><span class=MsoEndnoteReference><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif;mso-ligatures:none;mso-fareast-language:EN-US'>[11]</span></span></span></a> Social Security Administration, “Selected Data From Social Security’s Disability Program”, Average monthly benefit amounts from January-September 2025, https://www.ssa.gov/oact/STATS/dib-g3.html.<o:p></o:p></p></div></div></body></html>