[NFBV-Announce] urge the US Department of Ed to reinstate critical funding for blind and deafblind students!

[jackibruce6 at gmail.com]

From: Deepa Goraya

 

 

Hello everyone,

 

We need your help with another legislative action item this week. Please
call or email the US Department of Education and urge them to reinstate
critical funding to support Braille literacy and independence! Read on to
get all the background info and sample script, as well as contact info for
the Department of Education.

 

We know that Braille literacy in our youth often leads to better performance
in school, the ability to obtain and keep employment as an adult, and the
freedom to live a life of independence. That all begins with educators who
understand and can teach Braille themselves. 

Additionally, we know that our deafblind brothers and sisters and their
families truly benefit from the opportunity to utilize training centers
across the country and that any decrease in funding will be detrimental to
living independently. 

We need to flood the US Department of Education with calls and emails and
urge them to maintain these important funding grants.

 

If you are emailing, please send your messages to IDEA at ed.gov
<https://nfb.org/civicrm/mailing/url?u=40222&qid=11644839>  and
linda.mcmahon at ed.gov.
<https://nfb.org/civicrm/mailing/url?u=40223&qid=11644839>  Please also copy
Justin Young at jyoung at nfb.org.
<https://nfb.org/civicrm/mailing/url?u=40224&qid=11644839> If you are
calling, please call 202-245-7468. 

 


Sample Script


When you call or email you might say: "My name is [YOUR NAME] and I want to
urge Secretary McMahon to reinstate the grant funding for IDEA Part D
programs as well as the RSA 235E grants. This funding is critical to support
increased Braille literacy for teachers of blind students and the blind
youth of America. 

Studies have shown that students who can read Braille go on to have better
education outcomes and better employment outcomes later in life.
Additionally, I'm also asking that you reinstate funding for the four
deafblind technical assistance centers in Oregon, Washington, Wisconsin, and
Massachusetts. Please allow today's blind and deafblind students to have an
opportunity to better themselves for a brighter future for all of us."

We suggest a subject like: "Please Reinstate Critical Funding for Blind and
Deafblind Students"

 

Background:

 

Earlier this past week, the National Federation of the Blind learned that
the US Department of Education was canceling funding for twenty-five
competitive grants that fall under Part D of the Individuals with
Disabilities Education Act, and nine grants that are distributed by the
Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA).

Critically, of the programs being cut under the RSA is funding for 235E
grants, which are specifically tailored to train educators of blind students
to be more fluent in Braille. 

The National Federation of the Blind instigated the creation of these
Braille demonstration program grants nearly thirty years ago and they have
had a tremendous positive outcome on Braille literacy in that time. As if
that wasn't bad enough, the grants that were cut also included federal
funding for four technical assistance centers for families of deafblind
children.

 

Sincerely,

 

Deepa Goraya

 

 

Peace,

 

Jacki Bruce

 

Corresponding Secretary NFBV

mailto:jackibruce6 at gmail.com

tel:(757)291-1789

 

Membership Chair

mailto:membership at nfbv.org

 

Find us on Facebook @NationalFederationoftheBlindofVirginia

Find us on Instragram @nfbofvirginia

Subscribe to our Youtube: NFB Virginia

www.nfbv.org <http://www.nfbv.org/> 

STRONGER TOGETHER!

 

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