[NFBNJ] Urgent Call to Action: Protect Services for Blind New Jerseyans

[NFB of NJ President]

Greetings all,

The following message has been posted on social media by the National
Federation of the Blind of New Jersey regarding Governor-elect Mikie
Sherrill’s transition team. The transition team is reportedly demanding the
mass resignation of hundreds of employees within the New Jersey Department
of Human Services, including CBVI's highly specialized professionals who
play a critical role in helping blind New Jerseyans live the lives they
want.

For those of you who do not use social media or may not have seen this
post, please read the message carefully and take part in this urgent call
to action. The potential loss of these experienced staff members would have
serious consequences for blind individuals and families across our state.

Please also share this information widely to demonstrate our collective
concern and solidarity. Our voices matter, and timely action is essential.

Thank you for your immediate attention and support.

****
🚨 URGENT CALL TO ACTION: STOP THE ATTACK ON BLINDNESS SERVICES! 🚨
Governor-elect Mikie Sherrill’s transition team is demanding the mass
resignation of hundreds of employees within the Department of Human
Services, including the specialized experts who help blind New Jerseyans
live the lives they want.
This is a crisis in the making. The NJ Commission for the Blind and
Visually Impaired (CBVI) is already struggling with a shortage of Teachers
of Blind Students (TBS) and Orientation & Mobility (O&M) Instructors. These
aren't political positions; they are essential frontline workers who teach
our children how to read Braille and our neighbors how to navigate the
world safely with a white cane.
If Governor-elect Sherrill accepts these resignations, the results will be
devastating:
📉 Service Gridlock: Waiting lists for vital training will skyrocket.
🛑 Loss of Independence: Blind residents will lose the support they need to
work and travel.
📚 Educational Neglect: Blind students will be left without the legally
mandated instruction they need to succeed.
We cannot stay silent while the rights of the blind community become
collateral damage in a political transition. We must demand that Mikie
Sherrill PROTECT these positions and EXEMPT CBVI specialized staff from
these forced resignations.
✊ STAND WITH US. TAKE ACTION NOW!
CALL the Transition Office: (609) 292-6000(State House) or reach out via
the official portal at https://www.nj.gov/govelect.
DEMAND ACCOUNTABILITY: Tell the Governor-elect that efficiency should never
come at the cost of essential services.
SHARE THIS POST: Tag @MikieSherrill to make our voices heard!
Suggested Script: "I am calling to urge Governor-elect Mikie Sherrill to
immediately exempt Teachers of Blind Students and O&M Instructors from the
requested resignations at DHS. Our state is already short-staffed, and
losing these experts will destroy the independence of blind New Jerseyans.
Do not cut the services we rely on!"
The National Federation of the Blind of New Jersey knows that blindness is
not what holds us back—it’s the lack of services and low expectations.
Let’s make sure the new administration knows it too. Senator Cory
BookerSenator Andy Kim, NJ Advance MediaNews 12 New JerseyNBC NewsMagic
98.3Governor Phil MurphyNJ Department of Human ServicesNational Federation
of the Blind

-- 

Warmly,
*Linda Melendez, President*
National Federation of the Blind of New Jersey
Phone: 908-590-1747
Email: president at nfbnj.org

NFBNJ Events Calendar:
Events Calendar | National Federation of the Blind of New Jersey
<https://nfbnj.org/events-calendar>

NFBNJ on Facebook:
https://m.facebook.com/NFB-NJ-353099574776238



To set up a 30-minute meeting to  talk about the National Federation of the
Blind of NJ, please click on the link below

https://calendly.com/lindamelendez220/30min
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