[NFBOK-Talk] Catastrophic Impact on Vocational Rehabilitation

[Jeannie Massay]

Colleagues: 

 

The following blog was just posted to nfb.org: 

 

Much attention has been given to Congress’s planned tax reform efforts and
the varied effects those changes will have on Americans. However, one aspect
of the Senate Tax Cuts and Jobs Act
<https://www.congress.gov/bill/115th-congress/house-bill/1>  that no one
seems to be talking about is the drastic effect it will have on people with
disabilities.

 

Though not explicitly mentioned in the legislation, the Tax Cuts and Jobs
Act may inadvertently eliminate federal funding for public vocational
rehabilitation (VR) programs. As this letter from the National Council on
State Agencies for the Blind
<https://nfb.org/images/nfb/ltr_impact_tax_cuts.pdf>  explains, VR programs
provide critical training for people with disabilities to secure and
maintain employment. Defunding of this program will not only curtail gainful
employment opportunities for people with disabilities, but also negatively
impact other programs such as the Social Security trust fund and Medicare.

 

We must strive to maintain our financial freedom and independence. Please
call your two senators and urge them to guarantee that the Tax Cuts and Jobs
Act does not trigger mandatory spending cuts that will eliminate or reduce
vocational rehabilitation funding. You can reach your senators by calling
(202) 224-3121 and asking for the appropriate office.

 

https://nfb.org/blog/article/3408 

 

John Paré

(410) 659-9314 x 2218

National Federation of the Blind

 

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