<html>
<body>
<br>
Hi team:<br>
<br>
I am writing with a progress report on the TEACH Act! This
afternoon we released a video, <a href="http://youtu.be/mU4MBIluhD0">“A
Lesson on the TEACH Act,”</a> which can be found on
<a href="http://www.youtube.com/nationsblind">NFB’s YouTube
page</a>. It features a few recognizable NABS members, a school
rep, an industry rep, a senator, even some NCB staff, you name it!
Our hope is that you will circulate this video to your friends, family,
and networks to spread the message about the problem of inaccessible
instructional materials and the amazing solution that is the TEACH
Act. This problem hits home for many of you, especially those of
you in high school or higher ed, and yet so many people have no idea what
it is like for blind college students or why this problem exists in the
first place. We tried to answer those questions in the video, and
used a fun style to sell our solution and inspire others to help.
We are also experimenting with different forms of video description, so
here is a short description of “A Lesson on the TEACH Act”:<br>
<br>
Beginning segment: LM is sitting in the auditorium. First,
four random people from the street give their perception of technology
and the impact it has had on students with disabilities. Next, four
blind students describe their reality over video conferencing
software. During introductions, cartoon sun rays in different
colors swirl behind their head. <br>
<br>
Second segment: LM discusses the TEACH Act. Towards the end,
a ticker runs along the bottom length of the screen repeating
“guidelines!...guidelines!...guidelines!” followed by a flashing ticker
that reads “no mandates!” and another that reads “no new requirement!”
<br>
<br>
Third segment: A clip of Lucy France from the University of Montana
addressing the 2014 NFB National Convention about the need for more
information, and Allan Adler in the Association of American Publishers
conference room discussing the importance of guidelines.<br>
<br>
Fourth segment: LM narrates checking items off of a checklist.
Pictures of six senators spiral onto the screen. At the end, LM
asks: “Since when have these two ever seen eye-to-eye on anything?” and a
giant red question mark appears on the screen. The checklist is
displayed and bipartisan support is checked. A list of groups that
endorse the bill is read, while those names fall from the sky into a pile
at the bottom of the screen. LM says: “That’s pretty much
everyone,” and a giant red explanation point appears on the screen.
The checklist reappears and endorsements is checked. The AIM
Commission Report cover page is displayed, and then recommendation #1 is
read aloud while the words are highlighted. LM says: “Not just any
recommendation, recommendation #1,” and a giant red #1 appears on the
screen. The checklist reappears and data is checked. Finally, a
screenshot of the Change.org petition is displayed and the number of
signatures is circled. LM says: “That’s a lot of people,” and a
giant red WOW appears on the screen. The checklist reappears for a
final time and public support is checked.<br>
<br>
Fifth segment: LM makes a call to action. Blind students describe
why they want Congress to pass the TEACH Act. Senator Warren
appears. She is seated at a table, filmed from the side, and seems
to be in front of an audience speaking into a microphone.
<br>
<br>
Right now is a critical time: students just got back to school,
Congress just got back to session, and the higher education lobby just
came out against our initiative. This video is part of the momentum, so
view, share, and TEACH! <br>
<br>
Speaking of momentum, did you catch President Riccobono’s blog post about
ACE’s opposition to the bill? It summarizes ACE’s position, NFB’s
reaction, and our hope for common ground. You can find it at
<a href="http://bit.ly/1uAjI2X">http://bit.ly/1uAjI2X</a>. And did
you catch Kyle Shachmut’s op-ed that ran in the online version of the
<i>Boston Globe</i>? The NFB of MA President calls out the
presidents of institutions of higher education in MA that serve on ACE’s
board. You can read that at
<a href="http://bit.ly/1tsYVh8">http://bit.ly/1tsYVh8</a>. Even
better, NABS has started a Twitter frenzy. Join them and tweet
@ACEducation about President Riccobono’s blog post or Kyle’s op-ed, or
express your outrage with something short like, “@ACEducation, why do you
oppose accessibility guidelines? Equal access for blind students.” If
you’re super busy, simply retweet a blind student like Sarah Patnaude
(@Sarah2346) who said: “@ACEducation @AASCU: why make it harder for blind
students by opposing #accessibility guidelines? #TEACHAct
<a href="http://ow.ly/3qfxnC">http://ow.ly/3qfxnC</a>.” We have
heard through the grapevine that we have gotten ACE’s attention - let’s
keep the TEACH Act on their radar! <br>
<br>
Let’s keep making noise,<br>
Lauren<br>
<br>
<b>Lauren McLarney<br>
</b>Government Affairs Specialist<br>
National Federation of the Blind<br>
200 East Wells Street<br>
Baltimore, MD 21230<br>
410.659.9314 ext. 2207<br>
<br>
</body>
</html>