[Nfbnet-members-list] Legislative Alert - June 1, 2023 - The Access Technology Affordability Act & the Medical Device Nonvisual Accessibility Act

[Pare, John]

Dear Federation Family:

Last week, the Access Technology Affordability Act was introduced in the House by Rep. Mike Kelly (R-PA) and Rep. Mike Thompson (D-CA). Original cosponsors include Rep.  Rutherford (R-FL), Rep. Dunn (R-FL), Rep. Bilirakis (R-FL), Rep. Bost (R-IL), Rep. Cartwright (D-PA), Rep. Guest (R-MS), Rep. Case (D-HI), Rep. Neguse (D-CO), Rep. Posey (R-FL), Rep. Fitzpatrick (R-PA), Rep. Carter (R-GA) and Rep. Sarbanes (D-MD).  The bill numbers for the Access Technology Affordability Act are H.R. 3702 and S. 1467. Last Congress the Access Technology Affordability Act had 165 cosponsors in the House and 40 cosponsors in the Senate. Since it is a new Congress, we will have to work hard to get back to that level of cosponsors.

On March 1, 2023 the Medical Device Nonvisual Accessibility Act, H.R. 1328 was introduced by Representative Jan Schakowsky (D-IL) along with 32 initial cosponsors. Over the past three months, we have gained 16 more making a total of 48 cosponsors for this important legislation. The fight isn't over so we need your help to keep up the momentum in this Congress.

Both the House and Senate are in session starting Tuesday, June 6 and throughout the remainder of next week. Please contact your Representative and Senators as soon as possible and urge them to cosponsor the Access Technology Affordability Act, H.R.3702/S. 1467 and the Medical Device Nonvisual Accessibility Act, H.R.1328. If you are contacting a Senate office, you should not mention the Medical Device Nonvisual Accessibility Act since it has not yet been introduced in the Senate.

When you call or email, you might say the following:

"Hello, my name is [YOUR NAME], and I am a constituent of [SENATOR or REPRESENTATIVE NAME]. I live in [CITY, STATE]. I would like to urge [SENATOR or REPRESENTATIVE NAME] to cosponsor the Access Technology Affordability Act [H.R. 3702/ S. 1467] and the Medical Device Nonvisual Accessibility Act [H.R. 1328]. The Access Technology Affordability Act would increase employment opportunities for blind Americans who cannot afford the high cost of access technology by creating a refundable tax credit in the amount of $2,000 to offset the cost of this technology. The Medical Device Nonvisual Accessibility Act authorizes the FDA to establish a minimum nonvisual access standard for Class II and Class III medical devices with digital displays so that blind people can operate them safely and independently.

Thanks."

You can contact your Representatives and Senators by calling the Capitol Switchboard and asking for the office in question. The number is 202-224-3121. If you email your Representatives and senators, please copy Jeff Kaloc at jkaloc at nfb.org<mailto:jkaloc at nfb.org> and Justin Young at jyoung at nfb.org<mailto:jyoung at nfb.org>. Your calls and emails do make a difference.

It is best to call or email the relevant staff person in your member of Congress's office. For your convenience, we have attached a list of relevant staffers in the House and Senate. If you do not see your Representative or Senator, please email Jesa Medders at jmedders at nfb.org<mailto:jmedders at nfb.org>, or call 410-659-9314, extension 2207 and she will do further research.

Thank you for all that you do,
Government Affairs Group

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