[NFBNJ] NFB: Reminder And Updates: Important! Urgent! Washington Seminar: The Next Steps, You Can Make A Difference

Sat Jun 10 19:06:22 UTC 2017

>From the desk of NFBNJ President Joe Ruffalo.

Greetings to all!

We have an opportunity to make a difference! An email was forwarded to all
on our distribution list on Wednesday evening, May 10.  We have reforwarded
to all as a reminder to contact your Congressional representative and both
United States Senators, Menendez and Booker. Remember, the sample letters
are provided for review.  Please make changes where needed.  When you write
to your Congressional Representative make sure that in the opening sentence
that you provide information that you reside in their district.

The ball is in your court and we need you to consider a few minutes that
will make a difference!

Upon receipt of this email, please email and call. We prefer an email first
and a follow up phone call a few days later.

Congress is in session, probably until late June and then the annual early
July recess.

Please email Ryan Stevens at rysteve at comcast.net
<mailto:rysteve at comcast.net>  and Brian Mackey at Mackey88 at gmail.com
<mailto:Mackey88 at gmail.com>  with your findings.

Thanks for your continued support to raise expectations to live the life we
want!

Don't wait for someone else, get involved and make a difference!

Joe Ruffalo, President

NFBNJ

973 743 0075

nfbnj1 at verizon.net <mailto:nfbnj1 at verizon.net> 

Below the *** you will find the following:

1. Ryan Steven's edited article regarding Washington Seminar from the Spring
2017 issue of The Sounding Board, which includes short descriptions of the
issues, a link to view the full fact sheets, and instructions on how to look
up your US Congressional representative

2. Contact listing for all Congressional representatives for New Jersey

3. Sample letter - Congressman/Congresswoman (also attached)

4. Sample letter - Senator Menendez (also attached)

5. Sample letter - Senator Booker (also attached)

We are requesting that everyone call and write to their US Congressional
representative and both Senators (Menendez and Booker). When you write the
letters, rearrange the order of the issues depending on what committee the
representative serves on. For example, if your representative is on the
committee that is overseeing the Access Technology Affordability Act, that
should be the first issue in your letter. The information follows.

***

THE 2017 WASHINGTON SEMINAR ISSUES

By Ryan Stevens, Legislative Coordinator

Hello yet again, my fellow New Jersey Federationists. During the last week
of January, NFB held another successful Washington Seminar in our nation's
capital. Members from around the country, including 13 from our own
affiliate, went to Capitol Hill to talk about the most pressing issues
concerning the blind with our Congressional representatives. This time, we
addressed four issues, two of which were carried over from last year. Of
those four issues, we dropped the Appropriation to the National Library
Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped (NLS) for the Purchase of
Refreshable Braille Devices until a future date. Here is a brief rundown of
each topic.

The first issue from last year concerns Accessible Instructional Material in
Higher Education, or AIM-HE, legislation. Much of the material used by
university and college faculty to teach their courses is available to
students only electronically or online, and a good portion of these tools is
not accessible to blind and print disabled students.  While the Americans
with Disabilities Act and other laws mandate full accessibility in the
classroom, there are no guidelines for institutions of higher education and
manufacturers of these materials to follow to ensure compliance.  AIM-HE
would establish these guidelines for users and creators of such software.
It would also give legal protections to those who follow the guidelines. The
current bill in the House of Representatives is HR 1772, sponsored by
Congressman Phil Roe of Tennessee. There is no companion bill in the Senate
at this time.

The other topic from 2016 which we again presented on the Hill is the
Marrakesh Treaty. This treaty, if ratified by a two-thirds vote in the
Senate, would greatly expand access to books and other printed material to
blind and print disabled people throughout the world.  It would allow a
person from one country to get a book in non-visual format from another
country rather than waiting for his or her home country to create its own
non-visual version.  It also makes it easier to acquire material in multiple
languages.  With this treaty pending in a new Congressional term, we are
making an even stronger push to get ratification.

One of the new legislative issues we are pursuing is the Access Technology
Affordability Act. Access technology enables blind people to participate in
today's connected world and to perform tasks that they were once unable to
accomplish themselves. Today, the blind most often acquire this technology
through their state blindness agency or through their employer as a
reasonable accommodation. The problem with going through the state agency is
the long time it takes to receive the equipment. The drawback of receiving
it from an employer is that such requests can make the company wary of
hiring blind people because of the expense. Unfortunately, the cost of
access technology also prevents most blind people from purchasing it
themselves. The Access Technology Affordability Act would help to alleviate
this burden by providing a tax credit to the blind person when he or she
purchases equipment. There is already a similar tax credit for businesses as
an incentive to hire blind people. The individual tax credit would take some
of the burden from the state agencies and employers and allow blind people
to acquire equipment more quickly and to be more active at work, in school
and in the community. The current House bill is HR 1734 and is sponsored by
David Young of Iowa. The companion Senate bill is S 732, sponsored by John
Boozman of Arkansas.

Our final issue, that wasn't presented during Washington Seminar, but still
a NFB priority is the Transition to Integrated and Meaningful Employment
(TIME) Act. Currently under Section 14C of the Fair Labors Standards Act,
entities are allowed to apply for special wage certificates that legally
allows them to pay their disabled workers subminimum wages. The TIME Act
would phase out the 14C provision over a three year period and prevent
future certificates from being issued so that disabled workers can earn
wages at or above minimum wage. The TIME Act was reintroduced by Congressman
Greg Harper on March 7 as HR 1377.

For more details and the full fact sheets for each of these issues, go to
https://nfb.org/washington-seminar.

As I have pointed out in the past, while going to DC and addressing these
important issues directly with our elected officials is certainly important,
it is only the beginning of our legislative agenda.  Also, there will be
other concerns that will arise during the year. We cannot ignore any of
these until next January.  All of us need to make an effort to help all
blind Americans live the lives we want.

To contact your member in the House of Representatives or the US Senators
from New Jersey, call the Capitol Switchboard at 202-224-3121.  To find your
House member, you can either contact your local public library or go to
www.house.gov <http://www.house.gov>  and enter your zip code. Some towns
have more than one Congressman or Congresswoman as a representative. In that
case, you will need to enter your full mailing address.

***

2017 Washington Seminar Contacts

Congressman Rodney Frelinghuysen

11th District

2306 Rayburn Building

Washington, DC 20515

Phone: 202 225 5034

Steve Silvestri, Legislative Correspondent

Email: steve.silvestri at mail.house.gov
<mailto:steve.silvestri at mail.house.gov> 

Committee: Appropriations

Congressman Josh Gottheimer

5th District

213 Cannon Building

2232 Rayburn Building

Washington, DC 20515

Phone: 202-225-4465

Daniel Marrow, Staff Assistant

Email: Daniel.marrow at mail.house.gov <mailto:Daniel.marrow at mail.house.gov> 

Committee:  Financial services

Congressman Leonard Lance

7th District

2352 Rayburn Building

Washington, DC 20515

Phone: 202 225 5361

Michael Taggart, , Education & Work Force Legislative Assistant

Email: Michael.taggart at mail.house.gov
<mailto:Michael.taggart at mail.house.gov> 

Committee: Energy and commerce,ethics

Congressman Frank LoBiondo

2nd District

2427 Rayburn Building

Washington, DC 20515

Phone: 202 225 6572

Matt Moran, Legislative Assistant

Email: Matt.Moran at mail.house.gov <mailto:Matt.Moran at mail.house.gov> 

Committee: Armed services, intelligence(permanent ), transportation

Congressman Tom MacArthur

3rd District

506 Cannon Building

Washington, DC 20515

Phone: 202 225 4765

Chris Griswold, Deputy Chief of Staff

Email: chris.griswold at mail.house.gov <mailto:chris.griswold at mail.house.gov> 

Committee:  Financial services

Congresssman Donald Norcross

1st District

1531 Longworth Building

Washington, DC 20515 

Phone: 202 225 6501

Vincent P. Sarubbi, Jr., Legislative Assistant

Email: Vincent.Sarubbi at mail.house.giv
<mailto:Vincent.Sarubbi at mail.house.giv> 

Committee: Arms services, education and the work force

Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr.

6th District

237 Cannon Building

Washington, DC 20515

Phone: 202 225 4671

Roberto Sada, Legislative Aid - Education

Email: Roberto.sada at mail.house.gov <mailto:Roberto.sada at mail.house.gov> 

Committee: Energy and commerce

Congressman Bill Pascrell

9th District

2370 Rayburn Building

Washington, DC 20515

Phone: 202 225 5751

Alyssa Penna, Legislative Director

Email: alyssa.penna at mail.house.gov <mailto:alyssa.penna at mail.house.gov> 

Committee: Ways and Means

Congressman Donald M. Payne, Jr.

10th District

103 Cannon Building

Washington, DC 20515

Phone: 202 225 3436

Jamiyl Peters, Legislative Assistant

Email: jamiyl.peters at mail.house.gov <mailto:jamiyl.peters at mail.house.gov> 

Committee: Homeland security and transportation

Congressman Albio Sires

8th District

2342 Rayburn Building

Washington, DC 20515

Phone: 202 225 7919

Kaylan Koszela, Legislative Director

Email: Kaylan.koszela at mail.house.gov <mailto:Kaylan.koszela at mail.house.gov> 

Committee: ForeignAffairs, transportation

Congressman Chris Smith

4th District

2373 Rayburn Building

Washington, DC 20515

Phone: 202 225 3765

Cate Benedetti, Legislative Director

Email: cate.benedetti at mail.house.gov <mailto:cate.benedetti at mail.house.gov> 

Committee: Foreign affairs

Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman

12th District

1535 Longworth Building

Washington, DC 20515

Phone: 202 225 5801

Brad Korten, Legislative Coordinator

Email: Brad.Korten at mail.house.gov <mailto:Brad.Korten at mail.house.gov> 

Committee: Homeland security, oversight and government

Senator Cory Booker

US Senator, New Jersey

359 Dirksen Building

Washington, DC 20510

Phone: 202 224 3224

Kimberly Miller-Tolbert, legislative staffer

Email: Kimberly_Miller-Tolbert at booker.senate.gov
<mailto:Kimberly_Miller-Tolbert at booker.senate.gov> 

Committee: Commerce, Science and Transportation, Environment and Public
Works, Foreign Relations, Small Business and Entrepreneurship

Senator Robert Menendez

US Senate, New Jersey

528 Hart Building

Washington, DC 20510

Phone: 202 224 4744

Steve Lieberman, Legislative Correspondent

Email: Stephen_Lieberman at Menendez.Senate.Gov
<mailto:Stephen_Lieberman at Menendez.Senate.Gov> 

Committee: Housing Urban Affairs, Finance, Foreign Affairs

***

Congressman Donald Payne, Jr.

103 Cannon Building

Washington, DC 20515

c/o Jamiyl Peters, Legislative Assistant

May 4, 2017

Dear Jamiyl,

My name is Brian Mackey, and I am treasurer of the National Federation of
the Blind of New Jersey (NFBNJ), secretary/treasurer of the NFBNJ At Large
Chapter, secretary of the Garden State Chapter, and general board member in
the Technology and Braille Divisions.  On January 31, several members from
the NFBNJ and I provided informational materials to you pertaining to issues
that are important to blind and disabled Americans. We hope we can count on
the Congressman's support for our legislative initiatives:

1. The Accessible Instructional Materials in Higher Education (AIM HE) Act
(HR 1772)

Electronic instructional materials have replaced traditional methods of
learning in postsecondary education, but the overwhelming majority of
ebooks, courseware, web content, and other technologies are inaccessible to
students with print disabilities. The law requires equal access in the
classroom but fails to provide direction to schools for the way it applies
to technology. AIM HE creates voluntary accessibility guidelines for
educational technology to improve blind students' access to course material,
stimulate the market, and reduce litigation for schools. HR 1772 will
promote instructional technology and content that are accessible to the
blind and other students with print disabilities. To cosponsor, contact Otto
Katt, Legislative Fellow for Congressman Phil Roe, at 202-225-6356 or
otto.katt at mail.house.gov <mailto:otto.katt at mail.house.gov> . Questions can
be directed to Gabe Cazares, NFB Government Affairs Specialist, at
410-659-9314 x2206 or gcazares at nfb.org <mailto:gcazares at nfb.org> .

2. The Access Technology Affordability Act (HR 1734)

Currently, blind Americans rely on scarce sources of funding to acquire
access technology. By providing a refundable tax credit for qualifying
access technology purchases, Congress can stimulate individual procurement
of access technology and promote affordability of these tools for blind
Americans. This legislation will establish a per-person individual
refundable tax credit to be used over a multi-year period to offset the cost
of access technology for blind people. To cosponsor, contact Jacob Olson,
Legislative Director for Congressman David Young, at 202-225-5476 or
Jacob.olson at mail.house.gov <mailto:Jacob.olson at mail.house.gov> . Questions
can be directed to Kimie Beverly, NFB Government Affairs Specialist, at
410-659-9314 x2441 or kbeverly at nfb.org <mailto:kbeverly at nfb.org> .

3. Transitioning to Integrated and Meaningful Employment (TIME) Act (HR
1377)

Passed in 1938, Section 14(c) of the Fair Labor Standards Act allows
employers to pay workers with disabilities subminimum wages. This antiquated
provision breeds low expectations and discourages disabled Americans from
reaching their full potential. The TIME Act responsibly phases out the use
of Section 14(c) Special Wage Certificates over a three year period, ending
the era of segregated, subminimum wage work. To cosponsor, contact Scot
Malvaney, Policy Director for Congressman Gregg Harper, at 202-225-5031 or
scot.malvaney at mail.house.gov <mailto:scot.malvaney at mail.house.gov> .
Questions can be directed to Kimie Beverly, NFB Government Affairs
Specialist, at 410-659-9314 x2441 or KBeverly at nfb.org
<mailto:KBeverly at nfb.org> .

The members of the NFBNJ appreciated the time, professionalism and attention
that you paid to the issues we brought before you. We look forward to
working with Congressman Payne, Jr. to bring our goals to fruition. If I can
be of any assistance, please contact me at (609) 953-6988 or
bmackey88 at gmail.com <mailto:bmackey88 at gmail.com> .  

Respectfully,

Brian Mackey, Treasurer

National Federation of the Blind of New Jersey 

14 Andover Drive

Medford, New Jersey  08055

***

Senator Robert Menendez

528 Hart Building

Washington, DC 20510

C/O Stephen M. Lieberman, Legislative Correspondant

May 4, 2017

Dear Stephen,

My name is Brian Mackey, and I am treasurer of the National Federation of
the Blind of New Jersey (NFBNJ), secretary/treasurer of the NFBNJ At Large
Chapter, secretary of the Garden State Chapter, and general board member in
the Technology and Braille Divisions.  On January 31, several members from
the NFBNJ and I provided informational materials to you pertaining to issues
that are important to blind and disabled Americans. We hope we can count on
the Senator's support for our legislative initiatives:

1. The Marrakesh Treaty to Facilitate Access to Published Works for Persons
Who Are Blind, Visually Impaired, or Otherwise Print Disabled

Despite the ability to convert print books into accessible formats like
Braille, large print, audio, and digital copies, millions of blind and
otherwise print-disabled Americans are excluded from accessing 95 percent of
published works. The Marrakesh Treaty calls for contracting parties to
provide in their national copyright laws for a limitation or exception that
allows for the reproduction, distribution, and cross-border exchange of
accessible works. Questions can be directed to Gabe Cazares, NFB Government
Affairs Specialist, at 410-659-9314 x2206 or gcazares at nfb.org
<mailto:gcazares at nfb.org> .

2. The Accessible Instructional Materials in Higher Education (AIM HE) Act

Electronic instructional materials have replaced traditional methods of
learning in postsecondary education, but the overwhelming majority of
ebooks, courseware, web content, and other technologies are inaccessible to
students with print disabilities. The law requires equal access in the
classroom but fails to provide direction to schools for the way it applies
to technology. AIM HE creates voluntary accessibility guidelines for
educational technology to improve blind students' access to course material,
stimulate the market, and reduce litigation for schools. AIM-HE will promote
instructional technology and content that are accessible to the blind and
other students with print disabilities. Questions can be directed to Gabe
Cazares, NFB Government Affairs Specialist, at 410-659-9314 x2206 or
gcazares at nfb.org <mailto:gcazares at nfb.org> .

3. The Access Technology Affordability Act (S 732)

Currently, blind Americans rely on scarce sources of funding to acquire
access technology. By providing a refundable tax credit for qualifying
access technology purchases, Congress can stimulate individual procurement
of access technology and promote affordability of these tools for blind
Americans. This legislation will establish a per-person individual
refundable tax credit to be used over a multi-year period to offset the cost
of access technology for blind people. To cosponsor, contact Ryan Losak,
Legislative Correspondent for Senator John Boozman, at 202-224-4843 or
Ryan_Losak at boozman.senate.gov <mailto:Ryan_Losak at boozman.senate.gov> .
Questions can be directed to Kimie Beverly, NFB Government Affairs
Specialist, at 410-659-9314 x2441 or kbeverly at nfb.org
<mailto:kbeverly at nfb.org> .

4. Transitioning to Integrated and Meaningful Employment (TIME) Act

Passed in 1938, Section 14(c) of the Fair Labor Standards Act allows
employers to pay workers with disabilities subminimum wages. This antiquated
provision breeds low expectations and discourages disabled Americans from
reaching their full potential. The TIME Act responsibly phases out the use
of Section 14(c) Special Wage Certificates over a three year period, ending
the era of segregated, subminimum wage work. Questions can be directed to
Kimie Beverly, NFB Government Affairs Specialist, at 410-659-9314 x2441 or
KBeverly at nfb.org <mailto:KBeverly at nfb.org> .

The members of the NFBNJ appreciated the time, professionalism and attention
that you paid to the issues we brought before you. We look forward to
working with Senator Menendez to bring our goals to fruition. If I can be of
any assistance, please contact me at (609) 953-6988 or bmackey88 at gmail.com
<mailto:bmackey88 at gmail.com> .  

Respectfully,

Brian Mackey, Treasurer

National Federation of the Blind of New Jersey 

14 Andover Drive

Medford, New Jersey  08055

***

Senator Cory Booker

359 Dirksen Building

Washington, DC 20510

C/O Kimberly Miller-Tolbert, legislative staffer

May 4, 2017

Dear Kimberly,

My name is Brian Mackey, and I am treasurer of the National Federation of
the Blind of New Jersey (NFBNJ), secretary/treasurer of the NFBNJ At Large
Chapter, secretary of the Garden State Chapter, and general board member in
the Technology and Braille Divisions.  On January 31, several members from
the NFBNJ and I provided informational materials to you pertaining to issues
that are important to blind and disabled Americans. We hope we can count on
the Senator's support for our legislative initiatives:

1. The Marrakesh Treaty to Facilitate Access to Published Works for Persons
Who Are Blind, Visually Impaired, or Otherwise Print Disabled

Despite the ability to convert print books into accessible formats like
Braille, large print, audio, and digital copies, millions of blind and
otherwise print-disabled Americans are excluded from accessing 95 percent of
published works. The Marrakesh Treaty calls for contracting parties to
provide in their national copyright laws for a limitation or exception that
allows for the reproduction, distribution, and cross-border exchange of
accessible works. Questions can be directed to Gabe Cazares, NFB Government
Affairs Specialist, at 410-659-9314 x2206 or gcazares at nfb.org
<mailto:gcazares at nfb.org> .

2. The Accessible Instructional Materials in Higher Education (AIM HE) Act

Electronic instructional materials have replaced traditional methods of
learning in postsecondary education, but the overwhelming majority of
ebooks, courseware, web content, and other technologies are inaccessible to
students with print disabilities. The law requires equal access in the
classroom but fails to provide direction to schools for the way it applies
to technology. AIM HE creates voluntary accessibility guidelines for
educational technology to improve blind students' access to course material,
stimulate the market, and reduce litigation for schools. AIM-HE will promote
instructional technology and content that are accessible to the blind and
other students with print disabilities. Questions can be directed to Gabe
Cazares, NFB Government Affairs Specialist, at 410-659-9314 x2206 or
gcazares at nfb.org <mailto:gcazares at nfb.org> .

3. The Access Technology Affordability Act (S 732)

Currently, blind Americans rely on scarce sources of funding to acquire
access technology. By providing a refundable tax credit for qualifying
access technology purchases, Congress can stimulate individual procurement
of access technology and promote affordability of these tools for blind
Americans. This legislation will establish a per-person individual
refundable tax credit to be used over a multi-year period to offset the cost
of access technology for blind people. To cosponsor, contact Ryan Losak,
Legislative Correspondent for Senator John Boozman, at 202-224-4843 or
Ryan_Losak at boozman.senate.gov <mailto:Ryan_Losak at boozman.senate.gov> .
Questions can be directed to Kimie Beverly, NFB Government Affairs
Specialist, at 410-659-9314 x2441 or kbeverly at nfb.org
<mailto:kbeverly at nfb.org> .

4. Transitioning to Integrated and Meaningful Employment (TIME) Act

Passed in 1938, Section 14(c) of the Fair Labor Standards Act allows
employers to pay workers with disabilities subminimum wages. This antiquated
provision breeds low expectations and discourages disabled Americans from
reaching their full potential. The TIME Act responsibly phases out the use
of Section 14(c) Special Wage Certificates over a three year period, ending
the era of segregated, subminimum wage work. Questions can be directed to
Kimie Beverly, NFB Government Affairs Specialist, at 410-659-9314 x2441 or
KBeverly at nfb.org <mailto:KBeverly at nfb.org> .

The members of the NFBNJ appreciated the time, professionalism and attention
that you paid to the issues we brought before you. We look forward to
working with Senator Booker to bring our goals to fruition. If I can be of
any assistance, please contact me at (609) 953-6988 or bmackey88 at gmail.com
<mailto:bmackey88 at gmail.com> .  

Respectfully,

Brian Mackey, Treasurer

National Federation of the Blind of New Jersey 

14 Andover Drive

Medford, New Jersey  08055

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