<html>
<body>
<br>
<b>FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE<br><br>
</b> <br><br>
<h1><b>Organization Says Senate Tax Bill Disastrous for Education,
Employment of Blind Americans</b></h1><div align="center">National
Federation of the Blind Denounces Tax Cuts and Jobs Act<br><br>
</div>
<b>Baltimore, Maryland (November 29, 2017):</b> The National Federation
of the Blind officially opposes the United States Senate’s current Tax
Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA).<br><br>
The organization cites a probable dramatic increase in unemployment among
blind Americans, which already approaches sixty percent, as the reason
for its opposition.<br><br>
According to projections by the Congressional Budget Office, the losses
in tax revenue under the TCJA will be so high, at least initially, that
they will trigger the “pay-as-you-go” rules of the Office of Management
and Budget. This will eliminate funding for vital programs and services
for the blind, such as Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) and Individuals
with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) funding. These vital services link
blind people to educational and employment opportunities by providing the
training and resources that they need.<br><br>
The 2015 American Community Survey, the most recent data available,
reported that, for working age adults reporting significant vision loss,
only 42.0% were employed.<br><br>
“The detrimental impact the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act will have on blind
Americans cannot be denied,” said Mark Riccobono, President of the
National Federation of the Blind. “This bill slams the door on education
and vocational rehabilitation, and ultimately on employment, for some
seven million blind Americans. We call upon the United States Senate
either to protect these critical programs and services, or to vote
no.”<br><br>
<div align="center"><b>###<br><br>
</div>
About the National Federation of the Blind<br><br>
</b>The National Federation of the Blind (NFB), headquartered in
Baltimore, is the oldest and largest nationwide organization of blind
Americans. Founded in 1940, the NFB consists of affiliates, chapters, and
divisions in the fifty states, Washington DC, and Puerto Rico. The NFB
defends the rights of blind people of all ages and provides information
and support to families with blind children, older Americans who are
losing vision, and more. We believe in the hopes and dreams of blind
people and work together to transform them into reality. Learn more about
our many programs and initiatives at
<a href="https://nfb.org/sites/all/modules/civicrm/extern/url.php?u=9801&qid=2062514">
www.nfb.org</a>.<br><br>
<b>CONTACT:<br><br>
</b>Chris Danielsen<br><br>
Director of Public Relations<br><br>
National Federation of the Blind<br><br>
(410) 659-9314, extension 2330<br><br>
(410) 262-1281 (Cell)<br><br>
<a href="mailto:cdanielsen@nfb.org">cdanielsen@nfb.org</a><br><br>
<table border=0>
<tr><td width=508> </td></tr>
<tr><td width=508> </td></tr>
<tr><td width=508><br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
<a href="https://nfb.org/sites/all/modules/civicrm/extern/url.php?u=9802&qid=2062514">
<img src="https://nfb.org/images/nfb/images/images/iof-facebook-ms.png" width=50 height=35 alt="Facebook Logo">
</a> <br>
<br>
<a href="https://nfb.org/sites/all/modules/civicrm/extern/url.php?u=9803&qid=2062514">
<img src="https://nfb.org/images/nfb/images/images/iof-twitter-ms.png" width=50 height=35 alt="Twitter Logo">
</a> <br>
<br>
<a href="https://nfb.org/sites/all/modules/civicrm/extern/url.php?u=9804&qid=2062514">
<img src="https://nfb.org/images/nfb/images/images/iof-instagram-ms.png" width=50 height=35 alt="Instagram Logo">
</a> <br>
<br>
<a href="https://nfb.org/sites/all/modules/civicrm/extern/url.php?u=9805&qid=2062514">
<img src="https://nfb.org/images/nfb/images/images/iof-youtube-ms.png" width=51 height=35 alt="YouTube Logo">
</a> <br>
<br>
<a href="mailto:nfb@nfb.org">
<img src="https://nfb.org/images/nfb/images/images/iof-email-ms.png" width=50 height=35 alt="Email Icon Image">
</a> <br>
<br>
<a href="https://nfb.org/sites/all/modules/civicrm/extern/url.php?u=9806&qid=2062514">
<img src="https://nfb.org/images/nfb/images/images/iof-donte-ms.png" width=50 height=35 alt="Donate to the NFB Icon.">
</a> <br>
<br>
<b>National Federation of the Blind | 200 E Wells Street | Baltimore, MD
21230 | (410) 659-9314</b><br>
<a href="https://nfb.org/civicrm/mailing/unsubscribe?reset=1&jid=7857&qid=2062514&h=f206087b568dad8a">
Unsubscribe</a> |
<a href="https://nfb.org/civicrm/mailing/optout?reset=1&jid=7857&qid=2062514&h=f206087b568dad8a">
Opt Out </a>|
<a href="https://nfb.org/sites/all/modules/civicrm/extern/url.php?u=9807&qid=2062514">
Sign up for email newsletter </a></td></tr>
<tr><td width=508><font color="#FFFFFF"><br>
200 East Wells Street<br>
Baltimore, MD 21230<br>
United States</font></td></tr>
</table>
<div align="center"><br>
</div>
</body>
</html>