[Nfbwv-talk] Fwd: [Nfb-legislative-directors] Exciting Updates Regarding the TIME Act

Wed Apr 15 17:06:13 UTC 2015

Here is an update on TIME, TEACH, and Marrakesh. Way to go Marcus!!! If you're interested in calling your  representatives, and I hope you are, please let me know and I'll send you contact information.

Sent from my iPhone

Begin forwarded message:

> From: "Sloan, Rose via Nfb-legislative-directors" <nfb-legislative-directors at nfbnet.org>
> Date: April 15, 2015 at 11:59:00 AM EDT
> To: "'Nfb-legislative-directors at nfbnet.org'" <Nfb-legislative-directors at nfbnet.org>
> Subject: [Nfb-legislative-directors] Exciting Updates Regarding the TIME Act
> Reply-To: "Sloan, Rose" <rsloan at nfb.org>, NFB Legislative Directors List <nfb-legislative-directors at nfbnet.org>
> 
> Legislative Directors:
> 
> We write to you with several exciting updates about the TIME Act! 
>  
> First, for those of you who were at the Legislative Director's Seminar in January, you will undoubtedly remember “35 Cents,” the faux-video Marcus Soulsby and his group developed and performed for us.  That monologue was the inspiration for the video released yesterday on NFB’s YouTube page called “35 Cents.”  Although this final video ultimately evolved from Marcus and team's original idea, it nonetheless illustrates how employers are currently underestimating the true vocational potential of people with disabilities. This concept was voted as the winning idea for stimulating advocacy, so we are confident you will watch the video, share it on your social media networks, and show us just how effective this advocacy tool can be.  As a starting benchmark, after just three days, each of the last two videos NFB released received over 1,000 views.  Let’s beat that record with “35 Cents” by getting well over 1,000 views in its first three days.  
>  
> Second, the New Hampshire state legislature just passed today legislation that repeals state laws that allow entities to apply for special wage certificates permitting them to pay people with disabilities less than the minimum wage!  This bill (SB 47) unanimously passed the state senate in March and was passed by the New Hampshire House of Representatives today.  For those of you working to develop a state legislative agenda, let this effort be a model. The Federation can leverage this victory in other states, working to stop the practice of subminimum wage employment at the state level in concert with our united efforts on the national level.  Vermont and New Hampshire may be the states that broke ground, but the Federation is the only group that can bring more piecemeal victories and truly cement the legacy.     
>  
> Third, the regulations for WIOA have been released.  After an initial review, it looks like there is a strong definition for competitive, integrated employment.  However, it also looks as though there are no enforcement mechanisms in place for Section 511.  Comments on the proposed regulations are due in June, and NFB has already begun regular meetings to formulate our official response. 
>  
> Fourth, Congress’ Spring Break is officially over; let’s make sure they’re truly back to work! We encourage you to activate your advocacy hierarchy and conduct a large-scale round of follow-up with your members of Congress regarding the TIME Act (HR 188).  Remember, the LD Seminar groups gave us many good ideas beyond the ”35 Cents” video, like the  idea of asking each chapter to put some time aside during or after a chapter meeting specifically for letter writing, allowing the entire affiliate to be engaged and generating a large number of letters.  If your affiliate implements an idea from the LD Seminar or comes up with a new and effective technique, let us know so we can share it with the group! The current leaderboard winner for follow-up is the New Jersey affiliate, which managed to send over sixty follow-up emails to their members of Congress since Washington Seminar. 
>  
> As a reminder, use your follow-up email as an opportunity to explain why the TIME Act is personal to you, and be sure to cc Rose (rsloan at nfb.org) so that she can follow-up as well.  Over the weekend, the Huffington Post released an article about the TIME Act.  Articles such as these can be a great attachment when following up with members of Congress.  If you’re not sure who to contact, please let us know off list, and we will provide you with the contact information for the labor staffers in your state.  Please keep in mind that we are trying to keep the cosponsor count even, and with a current breakdown of 20 Democrats and 16 Republicans, it is especially important to follow up with Republican offices.  Let’s keep the support for the TIME Act coming! 
> For those of you seeking updates on our other legislative initiatives, here are some snippets:
> Re TEACH Act, NFB is hosting our 7th negotiation meeting with the higher ed lobby regarding the TEACH Act next week.
> 
> Re the Marrakesh Treaty, NFB conducted critical follow-up last month to build on your Washington Seminar meetings. The advocacy culminated with a meeting at the State Department between Dr. Maurer, Scott LaBarre, and Lauren with Under Secretary Cathy Novelli. All other groups have been trying to meet with her, but NFB was the only one able to secure the sit-down. She says the ratification package is coming, so stand by.
> 
>  
> We hope you all are having a wonderful spring, and we look forward to seeing you at Convention. 
>  
> Best,
>  
> John, Lauren, and Rose
>  
> P.S. We are looking to reintroduce a modified version of the Blind Persons Return to Work Act of 2009. The draft bill removes the SSDI cash cliff, replacing it with a two-for-one phase out, and reduces administrative burdens for SSA by eliminating the broken trial work period and streamlining the two different types of work expenses. If you know of a Republican Senator on the Finance or a Republican Congressperson on the Ways and Means Committee that might be interested in sponsoring this bill, please let Rose know.  
>  
>  
> Rose Sloan
> Government Affairs Specialist
>  
> National Federation of the Blind
> 200 East Wells Street
> Baltimore, MD 21230
> Phone: (410) 659-9314, extension 2441
> Email: rsloan at nfb.org
>  
> “Eliminating Subminimum Wages for People with Disabilities”
> http://www.nfb.org/fair-wages
>  
> The National Federation of the Blind knows that blindness is not the characteristic that defines you or your future. Every day we raise the expectations of blind people, because low expectations create obstacles between blind people and our dreams. You can live the life you want; blindness is not what holds you back.
>  
> Make a gift to the National Federation of the Blind and help ensure all blind Americans live the lives they want.
>  
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