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Dear Fellow Federationists,<br>
<br>
I am proud to say that today after ten months of anticipation;
Congressman Tom Petri introduced the Technology, Education and
Accessibility in College and Higher Education Act (HR 3505)! The TEACH
Act creates long-overdue accessibility guidelines for electronic
instructional materials and related information technologies used by
institutions of higher education. <br>
<br>
The law currently prohibits the use of inaccessible technology in the
classroom because it is a form of discrimination that leaves blind
students behind, and yet the overwhelming majority of digital
instructional material is unusable by blind students. The guidelines
created by the TEACH Act will give direction for manufacturers of
educational technology to increase commercial availability of accessible
materials, a prescription for institutions of higher education for how to
best serve their disabled students and meet their legal obligations, and
a promise that all students, disabled or not, will have equal access to
high-quality education in the twenty-first century classroom.<br>
<br>
Blind people have been waiting for at least five years (much more, in
reality) to see something done about the needless burdens blind college
students face because of inaccessible technology. With the introduction
of the TEACH Act, we are done waiting for the process of change to start.
<br>
<br>
The creation of the TEACH Act was the result of a collaboration between
the National Federation of the Blind and the Association of American
Publishers. The introduction of the TEACH Act is the result of many
months of networking and nuanced language tangling. However, the passage
of the TEACH Act will solely be the result of the passion and power of
the NFB. I have heard from so many of you about how personal this issue
is, and I am always, always, always impressed at how willing and excited
you all are to get going. Now we can finally stop chomping at the bit and
get started! The advocacy for this bill will start with targeted meetings
with Republicans on the Education and Workforce Committee. The
legislative directors in the applicable states have already begun
planning pre-Washington Seminar conference calls. I urge the rest of you
to reach out to your members of Congress today, bringing this to their
attention while it is still a brand new bill, giving them background for
your upcoming Washington Seminar meetings, and even urging them to
co-sponsor now. Please be advised that this is a delicate political
climate – all co-sponsors are welcome, but we want this bill to be as
bi-partisan as possible. <br>
<br>
The text of the bill and an updated fact sheet are attached. If you have
any questions, give me a ring at the National Center at 410.659.9314 ext.
2207 or email me at lmclarney@nfb.org. I'm looking forward to working
with everyone to make this thing move! <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>
<br>
<br>
<br><br>
<br>
Take the stress out of this year’s holiday shopping with NFB’s Bid for
Equality national online auction: <b>Black Friday, Nov. 29, to Giving
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<a href="http://www.biddingforgood.com/auction/AuctionHome.action?vhost=bid-for-equality">
View our must-have donations and register</a> to make your Bid for
Equality. The future is in your bid! <br><br>
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