[NFBOH-Cleveland] [Nfbnet-members-list] Organization Says Senate Tax Bill Disastrous for Education, Employment of Blind Americans

[Suzanne Turner]

From: NFBNet-Members-List [mailto:nfbnet-members-list-bounces at nfbnet.org] On
Behalf Of National Federation of the Blind via NFBNet-Members-List
Sent: Wednesday, November 29, 2017 9:32 PM
To: nfbnet-members-list at nfbnet.org
Subject: [Nfbnet-members-list] Organization Says Senate Tax Bill Disastrous
for Education, Employment of Blind Americans

 


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 


Organization Says Senate Tax Bill Disastrous for Education, Employment of
Blind Americans


National Federation of the Blind Denounces Tax Cuts and Jobs Act

Baltimore, Maryland (November 29, 2017): The National Federation of the
Blind officially opposes the United States Senate's current Tax Cuts and
Jobs Act (TCJA).

The organization cites a probable dramatic increase in unemployment among
blind Americans, which already approaches sixty percent, as the reason for
its opposition.

According to projections by the Congressional Budget Office, the losses in
tax revenue under the TCJA will be so high, at least initially, that they
will trigger the "pay-as-you-go" rules of the Office of Management and
Budget. This will eliminate funding for vital programs and services for the
blind, such as Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) and Individuals with
Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) funding. These vital services link blind
people to educational and employment opportunities by providing the training
and resources that they need.

The 2015 American Community Survey, the most recent data available, reported
that, for working age adults reporting significant vision loss, only 42.0%
were employed.

"The detrimental impact the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act will have on blind
Americans cannot be denied," said Mark Riccobono, President of the National
Federation of the Blind. "This bill slams the door on education and
vocational rehabilitation, and ultimately on employment, for some seven
million blind Americans. We call upon the United States Senate either to
protect these critical programs and services, or to vote no."

###

About the National Federation of the Blind

The National Federation of the Blind (NFB), headquartered in Baltimore, is
the oldest and largest nationwide organization of blind Americans. Founded
in 1940, the NFB consists of affiliates, chapters, and divisions in the
fifty states, Washington DC, and Puerto Rico. The NFB defends the rights of
blind people of all ages and provides information and support to families
with blind children, older Americans who are losing vision, and more. We
believe in the hopes and dreams of blind people and work together to
transform them into reality. Learn more about our many programs and
initiatives at www.nfb.org
<https://nfb.org/sites/all/modules/civicrm/extern/url.php?u=9801&qid=2062514
> .

CONTACT:

Chris Danielsen

Director of Public Relations

National Federation of the Blind

(410) 659-9314, extension 2330

(410) 262-1281 (Cell)

cdanielsen at nfb.org <mailto:cdanielsen at nfb.org> 


 


 





  

 
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National Federation of the Blind | 200 E Wells Street | Baltimore, MD 21230
| (410) 659-9314
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