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Hi Team<br>
<br>
I have more news on the TEACH Act and our efforts to engage the higher ed
lobby. Kyle Shachmut has rocked it again with another op-ed, but
this time in the Chronicle of Higher Education. The Chronicle is
"<b>the</b>" publication in the higher education space, so this
piece will get us invaluable exposure. You can see the article
here:
<a href="http://chronicle.com/article/A-New-Obstacle-for-Students/148795?cid=megamenu">
http://chronicle.com/article/A-New-Obstacle-for-Students/148795?cid=megamenu</a>
. <br>
<br>
Also, “A Lesson on the TEACH Act” has gotten unprecedented viewership.
Within only 5 days, we are just a few days shy of reaching 1,000
views. As a reminder, you can hear Jamie, Sean, Deja, Gabe and
every other blind student’s story here:
<a href="http://youtu.be/mU4MBIluhD0">http://youtu.be/mU4MBIluhD0</a>
<br>
<br>
Kyle’s op-ed and the popularity of the TEACH Act video are just part of
the amazing momentum we started last week. The students blasted ACE
on Twitter, President Riccobono’s blog was passed around, the listservs
(NFB and non-NFB alike) were buzzing about the Boston Globe op-ed, and
the video has averaged over 150 views a day! We heard through our
networks that ACE had taken notice, so President Riccobono and the
President of AAP reached out to ACE. And yet, despite this
good-faith effort to start a conversation and all of our momentum, we
still have been unable to secure a meeting! I firmly believed that
ACE was just confused, but their empty statement and dismissive nature
are making them look more arrogant than anything. <br>
<br>
Let’s use the op-ed and video as a springboard for a second round of
advocacy. Help us spread awareness about the TEACH Act by emailing
your Member of Congress. This is the last week they are available
before they leave yet again for more campaign stumping! And take 2
minutes to put pressure on ACE by sending another Tweet. Below are some
samples, and don’t forget to use the hashtag #TEACHAct. <br>
<br>
@ACEducation, when will we hear from you about #accessibility guidelines?
#TEACHAct goo.gl/zAzx6w<br>
@NFB_Voice is working on equal access for blind students. @Kyleshak asks,
when will @ACEducation offer a solution? #TEACHAct goo.gl/zAzx6w <br>
@Highered lobby rejects solution for blind students! @Kyleshak’s
@chronicle op-ed asks @ACEducation hard questions #TEACHAct goo.gl/zAzx6w
<br>
@ACEducation rejects #accessibility guidelines. They need a Lesson on the
#TEACHAct
<a href="http://youtu.be/mU4MBIluhD0">http://youtu.be/mU4MBIluhD0</a>
<br>
<br>
Thanks for all that you do,<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>
<i> <br>
The National Federation of the Blind knows that blindness is not the
characteristic that defines you or your future. Every day we raise the
expectations of blind people, because low expectations create obstacles
between blind people and our dreams. You can <b>live the life you
want</b>; blindness is not what holds you back. <br>
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