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<DIV style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri'; COLOR: #000000">
<DIV>Greetings to all!</DIV>
<DIV>Received fromRyan Stevens, NFBNJ Legislative Director.</DIV>
<DIV>From the NFBNJ, Baltimore, Maryland</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>While we are home, please read and share with others.</DIV>
<DIV>Make your voices heard!</DIV>
<DIV>Joe </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>--</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri'; COLOR: #000000">
<DIV
style='FONT-SIZE: small; TEXT-DECORATION: none; FONT-FAMILY: "Calibri";
FONT-WEIGHT: normal; COLOR: #000000; FONT-STYLE: normal; DISPLAY:
inline'>Joe,<o:p></o:p></DIV>
<DIV class=WordSection1>
<P class=MsoNormal><o:p><FONT size=3></FONT></o:p> </P>
<P class=MsoNormal>Can you please forward this to the NFBNJ distribution
list?
This is imperative for blind and disabled children.<o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><o:p><FONT size=3></FONT></o:p> </P>
<P class=MsoNormal>Thanks and take care,<o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal> Ryan<o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><o:p><FONT size=3></FONT></o:p> </P>
<P class=MsoNormal>Ryan Stevens, Legislative Director<o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal>National Federation of the Blind of New
Jersey<o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><o:p><FONT size=3></FONT></o:p> </P>
<P class=MsoNormal><o:p><FONT size=3></FONT></o:p> </P>
<P class=MsoNormal><o:p><FONT size=3></FONT></o:p> </P>
<DIV>
<DIV
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<P class=MsoNormal><B>From:</B> NFBNet-Members-List
<nfbnet-members-list-bounces@nfbnet.org> <B>On Behalf Of </B>Flynt,
Stephanie via NFBNet-Members-List<BR><B>Sent:</B> Thursday, March 19, 2020
4:21
PM<BR><B>To:</B> nfbnet-members-list@nfbnet.org<BR><B>Subject:</B>
[Nfbnet-members-list] Legislative Alert 3/19/2020<o:p></o:p></P></DIV></DIV>
<P class=MsoNormal><o:p><FONT size=3></FONT></o:p> </P>
<DIV>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt">My Federation Brothers and
Sisters:<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P></DIV>
<DIV>
<DIV>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt"><o:p></o:p></SPAN> </P></DIV>
<DIV>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt">It has come to our
attention
that IDEA Rights May Be Waived by Congress! As part of the Senate’s response
to
the COVID-19 outbreak, Chairman Lamar Alexander (R-TN) has proposed to
include a
provision in the pending stimulus bill that would give the Secretary of
Education authority to approve state waiver requests for any statutory
and/or
regulatory requirement of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act
(IDEA)
for one year and extensions may also apply. The stimulus package is expected
to
drop as early as this weekend. This provision would be detrimental for
children
with disabilities. Covered entities such as Child Find, a free appropriate
public education (FAPE), Individualized Education Program (IEP), all
procedural
safeguards, re-evaluations, related services and accommodations and more are
at
great risk.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P></DIV>
<DIV>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt">We cannot allow this
provision
to pass. <o:p></o:p></SPAN></P></DIV>
<DIV>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt"><o:p></o:p></SPAN> </P></DIV>
<DIV>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt">Take Action
NOW!<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P></DIV>
<DIV>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt"><o:p></o:p></SPAN> </P></DIV>
<DIV>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt">Currently offices are
swamped
with phone calls, so it may be better to email your two senators and urge
them
to oppose the Alexander IDEA Waiver provision.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P></DIV>
<DIV>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt"><o:p></o:p></SPAN> </P></DIV>
<DIV>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt">When you call or email, you
might say something like the following:<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P></DIV>
<DIV>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt"><o:p></o:p></SPAN> </P></DIV>
<DIV>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt">"Hello, my name is [your
name]
and I am a constituent of [your senator]. I live in [city, state]. I am
calling
to urge [your senator] to oppose Senator Lamar Alexander’s provision to
waive
all IDEA requirements. While the COVID-19 outbreak has placed a tremendous
and
unprecedented strain on schools and districts, it is imperative that we work
together to find solutions that allow children to receive equal access to an
education and the services that support them without undoing all of their
civil
and educational rights. I am writing as a concerned (parent, teacher, blind
person, etc.) to urge you to reject any provision that would provide waiver
authority to the Secretary of Education regarding the Individuals with
Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). Over seven million children rely on IDEA
to
receive special education supports and services. I hope you will help
schools by
providing states with additional funding that can be used to provide
teachers,
school leaders, and families with the tools they need to connect to teach
and
support students. Please support the students with disabilities and their
families that rely upon the IDEA to have equal access to
education.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P></DIV>
<DIV>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt"> <o:p></o:p></SPAN></P></DIV>
<DIV>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt">Sincerely,<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P></DIV>
<DIV>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt">(Your
Name)”<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P></DIV>
<DIV>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt"><o:p></o:p></SPAN> </P></DIV>
<DIV>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt">Please note that due to the
rapidly evolving legislation concerning the response to the COVID-19
pandemic,
we find ourselves needing to focus on multiple issues simultaneously.
Therefore,
this legislative alert is in addition to yesterday’s alert on the ATAA.
Please
be sure to speak with or write to your senators and representative on both
of
these critical priorities. <o:p></o:p></SPAN></P></DIV>
<DIV>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt"> <o:p></o:p></SPAN></P></DIV>
<DIV>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt">You can contact your
senators
by calling the Capitol Switchboard and asking for the office in question.
The
number is 202-224-3121. If you email your senators, please copy Stephanie
Flynt
at <A href="mailto:sflynt@nfb.org">sflynt@nfb.org</A>. Your calls and emails
do
make a difference.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P></DIV>
<DIV>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt"><o:p></o:p></SPAN> </P></DIV>
<DIV>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt">It is best to call or email
the
relevant education staffer in your member of Congress's office. If you need
the
name and email of the appropriate staff person for any Senate office,
please email Jesa Medders at <A
href="mailto:jmedders@nfb.org">jmedders@nfb.org</A>.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P></DIV>
<DIV>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt"><o:p></o:p></SPAN> </P></DIV>
<DIV>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt"><o:p></o:p></SPAN> </P></DIV>
<DIV>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt">Federationally
Yours,<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P></DIV>
<DIV>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt">Stephanie<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P></DIV></DIV>
<DIV>
<P class=MsoNormal><o:p></o:p> </P></DIV>
<DIV>
<P class=MsoNormal><o:p></o:p> </P></DIV>
<DIV>
<DIV>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style='FONT-SIZE: 9pt; FONT-FAMILY: "Helvetica",sans-serif; COLOR:
black'>Stephanie
Flynt<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P></DIV>
<DIV>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style='FONT-SIZE: 9pt; FONT-FAMILY: "Helvetica",sans-serif; COLOR:
black'>Government
Affairs Specialist<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P></DIV>
<DIV>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style='FONT-SIZE: 9pt; FONT-FAMILY: "Helvetica",sans-serif; COLOR:
black'>National
Federation of the Blind<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P></DIV>
<DIV>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style='FONT-SIZE: 9pt; FONT-FAMILY: "Helvetica",sans-serif; COLOR:
black'><o:p></o:p></SPAN> </P></DIV>
<DIV>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style='FONT-SIZE: 9pt; FONT-FAMILY: "Helvetica",sans-serif; COLOR: black'>P
(410) 659-9314, Extension 2210<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P></DIV>
<DIV>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style='FONT-SIZE: 9pt; FONT-FAMILY: "Helvetica",sans-serif; COLOR: black'>E:
<A
href="mailto:sflynt@nfb.org">sflynt@nfb.org</A><o:p></o:p></SPAN></P></DIV>
<DIV>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style='FONT-SIZE: 9pt; FONT-FAMILY: "Helvetica",sans-serif; COLOR:
black'><o:p></o:p></SPAN> </P></DIV>
<DIV>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style='FONT-SIZE: 9pt; FONT-FAMILY: "Helvetica",sans-serif; COLOR: black'><A
href="http://www.nfb.org/advocacy">www.nfb.org/advocacy</A> <o:p></o:p></SPAN></P></DIV>
<DIV>
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style='FONT-SIZE: 9pt; FONT-FAMILY: "Helvetica",sans-serif; COLOR:
black'><o:p></o:p></SPAN> </P></DIV>
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