<HTML><HEAD></HEAD>
<BODY dir=ltr>
<DIV dir=ltr>
<DIV style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri'; COLOR: #000000">
<DIV> Greetings to all!</DIV>
<DIV>Please review and share with others.</DIV>
<DIV>Joe </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>We care. We share. We grow. We make a difference<BR>Joe Ruffalo,
President
<BR>National Federation of the Blind of New Jersey <BR>973 743
0075<BR>nfbnj1@verizon.net<BR><A
href="http://www.nfbnj.org">www.nfbnj.org</A></DIV>
<DIV>Raising Expectations To Live The Life You Want!</DIV>
<DIV>Your old car keys can be keys to literacy for the blind.<BR>Donate your
unwanted vehicle to us by clicking <BR>www.carshelpingtheblind.org <BR>or
call
855 659 9314<BR></DIV>
<DIV
style='FONT-SIZE: small; TEXT-DECORATION: none; FONT-FAMILY: "Calibri";
FONT-WEIGHT: normal; COLOR: #000000; FONT-STYLE: normal; DISPLAY: inline'>
<DIV style="FONT: 10pt tahoma">
<DIV><FONT size=3 face=Calibri></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV style="BACKGROUND: #f5f5f5">
<DIV style="font-color: black"><B>From:</B> <A
title=lindamelendez220@gmail.com
href="mailto:lindamelendez220@gmail.com">Linda Melendez</A> </DIV>
<DIV><B>Sent:</B> Saturday, August 15, 2020 12:08 AM</DIV>
<DIV><B>To:</B> <A title=nfbnj1@verizon.net
href="mailto:nfbnj1@verizon.net">Joseph Ruffalo</A> </DIV>
<DIV><B>Subject:</B> Important: Two New Jersey laws recently signed by
Governor
Murphy affecting Access Link Clients</DIV></DIV></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV></DIV>
<DIV
style='FONT-SIZE: small; TEXT-DECORATION: none; FONT-FAMILY: "Calibri";
FONT-WEIGHT: normal; COLOR: #000000; FONT-STYLE: normal; DISPLAY: inline'>
<DIV dir=ltr>
<DIV dir=ltr>
<DIV dir=ltr>
<DIV dir=ltr>
<DIV class=gmail_default>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="COLOR: rgb(32,33,36); LINE-HEIGHT: 115%; background-size: initial;
background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial"><FONT
size=4 face="tahoma, sans-serif">Greetings Joe:</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="COLOR: rgb(32,33,36); LINE-HEIGHT: 115%; background-size: initial;
background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial"><FONT
size=4 face="tahoma, sans-serif"><BR></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="COLOR: rgb(32,33,36); LINE-HEIGHT: 115%; background-size: initial;
background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial"><FONT
size=4 face="tahoma, sans-serif">Can you please distribute to our NFBNJ
listserv
two important New Jersey laws affecting Access Link Clients.
<SPAN></SPAN></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="COLOR: rgb(32,33,36); LINE-HEIGHT: 115%; background-size: initial;
background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial"><FONT
size=4 face="tahoma, sans-serif"><BR></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="COLOR: rgb(32,33,36); LINE-HEIGHT: 115%; background-size: initial;
background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial"><FONT
size=4 face="tahoma, sans-serif">Item 1: Scutari-Cryan Bill Reducing
Access Link Fares Now Law<SPAN></SPAN></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="COLOR: rgb(32,33,36); LINE-HEIGHT: 115%; background-size: initial;
background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial"><FONT
size=4 face="tahoma, sans-serif"><BR></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="COLOR: rgb(32,33,36); LINE-HEIGHT: 115%; background-size: initial;
background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial"><FONT
size=4 face="tahoma, sans-serif">Items 2: Cryan Bill Maintaining
Transit
Service for Disabled During a ‘State of Emergency’ Now
Law<SPAN></SPAN></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="COLOR: rgb(32,33,36); LINE-HEIGHT: 115%; background-size: initial;
background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial"><FONT
size=4 face="tahoma, sans-serif"><BR></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="COLOR: rgb(32,33,36); LINE-HEIGHT: 115%; background-size: initial;
background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial"><FONT
size=4 face="tahoma, sans-serif">Respectively,<BR>Linda Melendez, Chair
National
Federation of the Blind Transit Committee<BR>732-421-7063<BR><A
href="mailto:lindamelendez220@gmail.com"
target=_blank>lindamelendez220@gmail.com</A></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="COLOR: rgb(32,33,36); LINE-HEIGHT: 115%; background-size: initial;
background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial"></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="COLOR: rgb(32,33,36); LINE-HEIGHT: 115%; background-size: initial;
background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial"><FONT
size=4 face="tahoma, sans-serif"></FONT></SPAN> </P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal; background-size: initial;
background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial"><FONT
size=4 face="tahoma, sans-serif"><U><SPAN
style="COLOR: rgb(64,63,66)"><BR></SPAN></U></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal; background-size: initial;
background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial"><FONT
size=4 face="tahoma, sans-serif"><SPAN
style="COLOR: rgb(64,63,66)">****<BR><U>Scutari-Cryan Bill Reducing Access
Link
Fares Now Law</U></SPAN><SPAN
style="COLOR: rgb(64,63,66)"><SPAN></SPAN></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal; background-size: initial;
background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial"><FONT
size=4 face="tahoma, sans-serif"><SPAN
style="COLOR: rgb(64,63,66)">Trenton</SPAN><SPAN style="COLOR:
rgb(64,63,66)"> –
Legislation authored by Senator Nicholas Scutari and Senator Joe Cryan that
will
reduce fares for NJ Transit Access Link riders was enacted into law by
Governor
Phil Murphy. <SPAN></SPAN></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal; background-size: initial;
background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial"><SPAN
style="COLOR: rgb(64,63,66)"><SPAN><FONT size=4
face="tahoma, sans-serif"></FONT></SPAN></SPAN> </P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal; background-size: initial;
background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial"><SPAN
style="COLOR: rgb(64,63,66)"><FONT size=4 face="tahoma, sans-serif">“Many
individuals who utilize Access Link’s services are living on fixed incomes,
said
Senator Scutari (D-Middlesex/Somerset/Union). “This law allows riders to
travel
on bus and rail at a greatly discounted rate, greatly benefiting riders with
disabilities who rely on public transportation as their main source of
mobility.”<SPAN></SPAN></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal; background-size: initial;
background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial"><SPAN
style="COLOR: rgb(64,63,66)"><SPAN><FONT size=4
face="tahoma, sans-serif"></FONT></SPAN></SPAN> </P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal; background-size: initial;
background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial"><SPAN
style="COLOR: rgb(64,63,66)"><FONT size=4 face="tahoma, sans-serif">The law,
S-1563, will automatically enroll individuals determined eligible for NJ
Transit
Access Link services into a reduced fare program applicable for all of NJ
Transit’s bus, train, and light rail services. It will require NJ Transit to
issue an identification card for reduced fare eligibility to Access Link
riders.<SPAN></SPAN></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal; background-size: initial;
background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial"><SPAN
style="COLOR: rgb(64,63,66)"><SPAN><FONT size=4
face="tahoma, sans-serif"></FONT></SPAN></SPAN> </P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal; background-size: initial;
background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial"><SPAN
style="COLOR: rgb(64,63,66)"><FONT size=4 face="tahoma, sans-serif">“Access
Link
riders depend on public transportation for their essential travel needs, and
this law will help many riders with disabilities, including disabled
veterans,
to save money every time they ride,” said Senator Cryan
(D-Union).<SPAN></SPAN></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal; background-size: initial;
background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial"><SPAN
style="COLOR: rgb(64,63,66)"><SPAN><FONT size=4
face="tahoma, sans-serif"></FONT></SPAN></SPAN> </P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal; background-size: initial;
background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial"><SPAN
style="COLOR: rgb(64,63,66)"><FONT size=4 face="tahoma, sans-serif">Access
Link
is a paratransit service established by NJ Transit to provide public
transportation to people with disabilities who are unable to use the local
bus
service according to the American with Disabilities
Act.<SPAN></SPAN></FONT></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="COLOR: rgb(32,33,36); LINE-HEIGHT: 115%; background-size: initial;
background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial"><SPAN><FONT
size=4 face="tahoma, sans-serif"></FONT></SPAN></SPAN> </P>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="COLOR: rgb(32,33,36); LINE-HEIGHT: 115%; background-size: initial;
background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial">****<SPAN><FONT
size=4 face="tahoma, sans-serif"><BR></FONT></SPAN></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal; background-size: initial;
background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial"><FONT
size=4 face="tahoma, sans-serif"><U><SPAN style="COLOR: rgb(76,76,76)">Cryan
Bill Maintaining Transit Service for Disabled During a ‘State of Emergency’
Now
Law</SPAN></U><SPAN style="COLOR:
rgb(64,63,66)"><SPAN></SPAN></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal; background-size: initial;
background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial"><SPAN
style="COLOR: rgb(76,76,76)"><SPAN><FONT size=4
face="tahoma, sans-serif"></FONT></SPAN></SPAN> </P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal; background-size: initial;
background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial"><FONT
size=4 face="tahoma, sans-serif"><SPAN
style="COLOR: rgb(76,76,76)">Trenton</SPAN><SPAN style="COLOR:
rgb(76,76,76)">–
The paratransit services for the disabled will be maintained during any
“state
of emergency” under legislation sponsored by Senator Joe Cryan that was
signed
into law by Governor Phil Murphy. </SPAN><SPAN
style="COLOR: rgb(64,63,66)"><SPAN></SPAN></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal; background-size: initial;
background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial"><SPAN
style="COLOR: rgb(76,76,76)"><SPAN><FONT size=4
face="tahoma, sans-serif"></FONT></SPAN></SPAN> </P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal; background-size: initial;
background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial"><FONT
size=4 face="tahoma, sans-serif"><SPAN style="COLOR: rgb(76,76,76)">The law,
S-362, requires New Jersey Transit to operate its Access Link service in any
area of the state under a state of emergency, as long as it doesn’t pose an
undue risk to drivers or passengers. </SPAN><SPAN
style="COLOR: rgb(64,63,66)"><SPAN></SPAN></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal; background-size: initial;
background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial"><SPAN
style="COLOR: rgb(64,63,66)"><SPAN><FONT size=4
face="tahoma, sans-serif"></FONT></SPAN></SPAN> </P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal; background-size: initial;
background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial"><FONT
size=4 face="tahoma, sans-serif"><SPAN style="COLOR: rgb(76,76,76)">“People
with
disabilities rely on Access Link for their basic transportation needs,” said
Senator Cryan. “During emergencies, their reliance on this service is even
more
important. Access Link has proven to be a real success in serving a vital
service for those who need it most. It will now be maintained in emergency
conditions so those with disabilities are not left to fend for
themselves.”</SPAN><SPAN
style="COLOR: rgb(64,63,66)"><SPAN></SPAN></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="COLOR: rgb(32,33,36); LINE-HEIGHT: 115%; background-size: initial;
background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial"><SPAN><FONT
size=4 face="tahoma, sans-serif"></FONT></SPAN></SPAN> </P></DIV>
<DIV>
<DIV
dir=ltr></DIV></DIV></DIV></DIV></DIV></DIV></DIV></DIV></DIV></BODY></HTML>