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Hello Federationists,<br>
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I wanted to follow-up with everybody about our efforts to urge the FCC to
make e-readers accessible under the Twenty-First Century Communications
and Video Accessibility Act by rejecting the Coalition of E-Reader
Manufacturer’s Petition for Waiver. I know many of you had problems
opening the attachments that I sent in my original email, which included
our official comments and a skeleton letter. When we got word of
these glitches, Valerie Yingling and our Access Technology Team acted
fast to re-circulate the message. I know the second method of
transmission was still slightly problematic, but we were pressed for time
and hopeful it would be enough for our members. Sure enough – it
was! We got a whopping 125 letters by the deadline, and we
submitted each and every one to the FCC. This is a very strong
number, and I am continually impressed by the strength of our grassroots
movement. We also got 22 additional organizations of and for people
with print disabilities to sign on to the official NFB comments.
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<br>
Our advocacy has paid off. Within 24 hours of submitting our
comments and your letters, the FCC called Dr. Maurer requesting an
in-person follow up meeting! We are coordinating with
representatives of the other groups and hope to have a meeting in two
weeks. If the FCC does reject the petition, it will be a direct
result of your letters and our collective action. Please stay tuned
to find out if the FCC makes the right decision. <br>
<br>
Lauren<br>
<br>
<b>Lauren McLarney<br>
</b>Government Affairs Specialist<br>
NATIONAL FEDERATION OF THE BLIND<br>
200 East Wells St.<br>
Baltimore, MD 21230<br>
(410) 659 9314 ext. 2207<br>
<a href="mailto:lmclarney@nfb.org">lmclarney@nfb.org</a><br>
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