[NFBNJ] Important Notice tomorrow's NFB-NY BOE hearing

Mon Dec 18 15:54:31 UTC 2017

    Greetings to all!
Please read the following message pertaining to the right to vote.
The findings could effect all states.
Thanks 

We care. We share. We grow. We make a difference
Joe Ruffalo, President 
National Federation of the Blind of New Jersey 
973 743 0075
nfbnj1 at verizon.net
www.nfbnj.org
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Donate your unwanted vehicle to us by clicking 
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From: Yingling, Valerie 
Sent: Monday, December 18, 2017 10:28 AM
To: State President, New York ; State President, New Jersey ; Chancey Fleet 
Cc: Danielsen, Chris 
Subject: tomorrow's NFB-NY BOE hearing

Michael, Joe, and Chancey,

Thank you for promoting tomorrow’s hearing among New York and New Jersey members. It is important that we have a strong showing. The ACLU has suggested using the following draft email or social media messages to encourage people to attend the hearing. Please let me know if you have any questions about the text.

  DRAFT EMAIL FROM PARTNERS TO SUPPORTERS

  Dear supporter - 

  Voting is the cornerstone of democracy, but right now blind people in New York face barriers to voter registration and information because pages and forms on New York state websites are inaccessible to them. 

  We’re heading to court for an important hearing on Tuesday, December 19 to demand a long-term solution and we need your help: we’re currently at risk of the judge thinking this is a just a minor issue and that only disability rights attorneys are paying attention. 

  We need local supporters to fill the courtroom so that the judge can see that access barriers are a major concern to New Yorkers. Will you join us in court on Tuesday, December 19 to show the judge and opposing counsel that the people of New York are standing up for voters with disabilities?

  What: Critical hearing in the Eason v. NY State Board of Elections and DMV case

  When: Tuesday, January 19 at 1:30 p.m Eastern
  Where: Courthouse for the Southern District at 500 Pearl St, New York, NY 10007, Courtroom: 23B

  RSVP: Click here.

  For more than a year, a coalition of disability rights advocates has been fighting in court to push New York to implement real and lasting changes to ensure accessible voter websites for Blind people.  We have been through months and years of people with disabilities pointing out barriers, and the Board of Elections ignoring them, fixing them incorrectly, or making a quick fix that then reverts to being inaccessible.  We need the judge to know we are fed up!  We need real solutions that will last.  We need the court to ensure that online voter registration and information is always accessible to people with disabilities.

  The judge could issue a ruling shortly after the hearing on the 19th. A decision in our favor would go a long way toward increasing accessibility in New York and setting the stage for improvements across the country.  We’re close to what we hope will be an important victory for disability rights and voting rights. Now we need your help. We need to show the support for a democracy for all, not just some, and we cannot allow the state to persuade the judge that our claims do not deserve attention. 

  Thank you for spreading the word and showing up.

  Interested in more background information? View a video of about the plaintiff in the lawsuit, Eva Eason, and the challenges to voting for blind and low-vision people in New York.

  DRAFT TWEETS / SOCIAL CONTENT FOR ACLU + PARTNERS 

  It’s time @NYSBOE and @NYSDMV put in place real & lasting systems to make voter registration accessible for people with disabilities. #DisabilityRights are #VotingRights. Join us on 12/19: https://business.facebook.com/events/1902319333152070/ 

  Join us in NYC on 12/19 to show that disability rights are voting rights. @NYSBOE must make registering and voting accessible to all - not just some. https://business.facebook.com/events/1902319333152070/

  Everyone has the right to register to vote privately and independently. So why does New York’s system run by @NYSBOE and @NYSDMV make the process so hard for people with disabilities? Stand up for #DisabilityRights & #VotingRights on 12/19 in NYC. We’re close to an important victory and we need your support. https://business.facebook.com/events/1902319333152070/ 

  Should being blind make it impossible to vote? We don’t think so. If you agree, join us on 12/19 to stand up for #DisabilityRights and #VotingRights. https://business.facebook.com/events/1902319333152070/ 

  We support Eva! Make sure blind people can vote - join us in New York: https://business.facebook.com/events/1902319333152070/ 

  Thanks again,

  Valerie

  Valerie Yingling

  (410) 659-9314 x 2440

  National Federation of the Blind

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