[Nfbwv-talk] Contact your Representatives

[Smyth, Charlene R]

Good morning, Everyone.  I just finished sending all my E-mails to our representatives in Washington.  It is easy and painless.  Much thanks goes out to Sheri and Keryl for all their hard work and for taking the time out of their busy lives to do work on behalf of the blind in our state.

While sending my E-mails, I just want to make mention of one E-mail address correction which I am sure was just a typo.  The E-mail address for Senator Capito's office should be:

Dana_richter at capito.senate.gov

Charlene


-----Original Message-----
From: NFBWV-talk [mailto:nfbwv-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Sheri Koch via NFBWV-talk
Sent: Monday, February 20, 2017 1:16 PM
To: NFB of West Virginia Discussion List <nfbwv-talk at nfbnet.org>
Cc: Sheri Koch <slk8332015 at gmail.com>
Subject: [Nfbwv-talk] Contact your Representatives

Well, it has been almost three weeks since we attended Washington Seminar.
For those of you who may not know, this is an event where we visit our senators, congressmen, and staffers to discuss legislative priorities of importance to blind Americans.

Keryl Rustin and I had the great pleasure of meeting with: Senator Capito, Congressman Jenkins, Congressman McKinley, and aides from each office.  We discussed the following legislative initiatives:

*Accessible Instructional Materials in Higher Education*.  This bill sponsored by Congressman Phil Roe allows for the creation of a purpose-based commission to establish voluntary guidelines for accessible instructional materials in higher education.  Requires that the commission identify national and international standards for what makes something accessible.  Gives safe harbor to institutions of higher learning against litigation if they follow these voluntary guidelines.  Would ultimately create market-driven technology which is accessible to everyone.

*Access Technology Affordability Act:*  Gives a per-person a tax credit refund over a given period of time if the individuals spends his own money to purchase access technology.

*One-time appropriation to the National Library Service to purchase refreshable braille machines*:  Provides for a one-time appropriation to NLS of five million dollars to purchase ten thousand refreshable braille machines.

*Marrakesh Treaty*:  Calls for the ratification of the treaty.  Allows for international copyright exceptions so books can be put into accessible format for blind and print disabled.  Allows for distribution, import, and export of such accessible books.

Momentarily, I will be forwarding an e-mail to you containing the fact sheets which give greater detail about each initiative in hopes that you’ll find them helpful.

While we feel our visit to Capitol Hill was productive, we need your help to keep the momentum going.  Please e-mail the designated representative’s aide to ask them to encourage their senator or congressman to vote yes for each legislative issue discussed above.  Your contacts are as follows:

Senator Joe Manchin
Contact:  Thomas J. Lucas
E-Mail:  Thomas_lucas at manchin.senate.gov



Senator Shelley Moore Capito
Contact:  Dana Righter
E-mail:  Dana_Righter at capito.senate.gov



Congressman David McKinley
Contact:  Margie Almanza
E-mail:  Margie.almanza at mail.house.gov



Congressman Alex Mooney
Contact:  Lindsay Schneider
E-mail: lindsay.schneider at mail.house.gov



Congressman Evan Jenkins
Contact:  Josh Sutherland
E-mail:  Josh.sutherland at mail.house.gov

In advance, thank you for your efforts.  Let’s shoot for a positive outcome on the hill.  If you have any concerns or questions, don’t hesitate to c all me at 304-993-5103.



Sheri
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