[Nfbmt] More Washington Seminar Info

Tue Dec 31 03:59:52 UTC 2013

Wow, thanks Anil.  I wasn't sure about what the issues were we were going to be dealing with.  I have heard most of these discussed at times but it helps having them all on one page.  Thanks a lot for the information.
Becca 

-----Original Message-----
From: Nfbmt [mailto:nfbmt-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of James Aldrich
Sent: Monday, December 30, 2013 3:48 PM
To: nfbmt at nfbnet.org
Subject: [Nfbmt] More Washington Seminar Info

From:Lewis, AnilTo:Affiliate Presidents (state-affiliate-leadership-list at nfbnet.org)nfb-legislative-directors at nfbnet.orgSubject:[State-affiliate-leadership-list]
2014 NFB Washington Seminar Legislative Topics

All:

We have been informed that some congressional schedulers would like to know the legislative topics in order to ensure that you meet with the staff responsible for the specific issue. Although it is helpful to have a staffer that is knowledgeable and responsible for our issues present, please do your best to schedule meetings with the actual members of Congress. The three legislative agenda topics for 2014 are:
• The Fair Wages for Workers with Disabilities Act (HR 831)

Section 14(c) of the Fair Labor Standards Act allows employers to pay workers with disabilities less than the minimum wage because of the false assumption that they are less productive than non-disabled workers. This antiquated provision breeds low expectations and discourages disabled Americans from reaching their full potential. HR
831 responsibly phases out the use of the 14(c) special wage certificates, ending the era of segregated, subminimum wage work.
• The Technology, Education and Accessibility in College and Higher Education Act (TEACH) (HR 3505)

Electronic instructional materials have replaced traditional methods of learning in postsecondary education, but the overwhelming majority of e-books, courseware, web content, and other technology are inaccessible to students with print disabilities. The law mandates equal access in the classroom, but fails to provide a prescription to schools for how that applies to technology. The TEACH Act creates accessibility guidelines for electronic instructional materials that will guide the market, give clarity to schools, and protect blind students’ rights to critical course material.
• The Air Carrier Technology Accessibility Act (ACTA)

Passenger interaction with technology is a central component of air travel. The Air Carrier Access Act prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability by airlines, but it was written before the emergence of web sites, kiosks, and mobile apps. These tools are all inaccessible to blind travelers despite readily-available solutions, resulting in segregation and substandard service. ACTA calls for all technology-based air travel services to be accessible to blind passengers.

The full Legislative Agenda of Blind Americans, along with fact sheets for each issue, are being proofed and they will be published and distributed soon.

Please contact me if you have any additional questions.

Sincerely,

Anil

Mr. Anil Lewis, M.P.A.

Director of Advocacy and Policy

“Eliminating Subminimum Wages for People with Disabilities”

http://www.nfb.org/fairwages

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

Web: www.nfb.org

twitter: @anillife

The National Federation of the Blind wishes you a joyous and safe holiday season. We would appreciate you including the NFB in your end-of-year giving. Make your contribution now.

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