[Nfbn-announce] National Federation of the Blind and National Restaurant Association Urge Congress to Reject Commercializing Rest Stops

[Amy Buresh]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 

CONTACT:

Chris Danielsen

Director of Public Relations

National Federation of the Blind

(410) 659-9314, extension 2330

(410) 262-1281 (Cell)

Cdanielsen at nfb.org <mailto:Cdanielsen at nfb.org> 

 


National Federation of the Blind and National Restaurant Association
Urge Congress to Reject Commercializing Rest Stops


 

Washington, D.C. (March 5, 2012): The National Federation of the Blind
<http://www.nfb.org/> , the oldest and largest nationwide organization of
blind Americans, and the National Restaurant Association, the largest
organization of restaurant owners, today urged the United States Congress to
reject legislation that would allow the commercialization of highway rest
stops.  Currently, the only commercial activity permitted at such rest stops
is the operation of vending machines by blind entrepreneurs under the
Randolph-Sheppard Act.  Commercializing rest stops would also jeopardize the
business of restaurants and convenience stores that operate at highway
exits.

 

Dr. Marc Maurer, President of the National Federation of the Blind, said:
"This legislation would threaten the livelihoods of hundreds of blind
entrepreneurs in the United States who depend on revenue from rest-stop
vending machines.  With an unemployment rate among blind Americans that
exceeds 70 percent, such a move is deeply irresponsible, since these
entrepreneurs will lose their businesses and be forced to rely on public
assistance.  We urge Congress to reject this ill-considered and reckless
proposal."

 

Brendan Flanagan, a spokesperson for the National Restaurant Association,
said: "This legislation threatens private businesses of all sizes and their
employees who rely on drivers exiting the highway in order to purchase food
and conveniences.  It is an attempt to take money away from these businesses
to fill state coffers.  It is anti-competitive and will kill jobs."

 

Annette Lutz, who operates a vending facility at an interstate rest area on
I-75 in Auglaize County, Ohio, said: "I do not know how I will contribute to
supporting my family if this legislation passes, since I rely on the income
from the vending machines that I'm permitted to operate to pay our bills and
raise my child.  My vending machines can't compete with state-financed
full-service food operations, so my business will disappear. My blind
daughter is also interested in becoming an entrepreneur but if this
legislation passes that opportunity will not be there for her.  I hope
Congress will remember people like us and shut down this effort to take
money away from entrepreneurs and give it to the state government."

 

The legislation, which is part of a transportation bill being considered in
both houses of Congress, has been put forward by Senator Rob Portman (R-OH)
and Congressman Steve LaTourette (R-OH).  The legislation is also opposed by
the National Council of State Agencies for the Blind, the National
Association of Convenience Stores (NACS), and the National Association of
Truck Stop Operators (NATSO), among others.

 

 

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About the National Federation of the Blind 

With more than 50,000 members, the National Federation of the Blind is the
largest and most influential membership organization of blind people in the
United States.  The NFB improves blind people's lives through advocacy,
education, research, technology, and programs encouraging independence and
self-confidence.  It is the leading force in the blindness field today and
the voice of the nation's blind.  In January 2004 the NFB opened the
National Federation of the Blind Jernigan Institute, the first research and
training center in the United States for the blind led by the blind.