[Nfbwv-talk] Fwd: [State-affiliate-leadership-list] National Federation of the Blind Applauds the Introduction of the Access Technology Affordability Act in the House

Fri Apr 5 15:59:10 UTC 2019

---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: Danielsen, Chris via State-Affiliate-Leadership-List <
state-affiliate-leadership-list at nfbnet.org>
Date: Fri, Apr 5, 2019 at 11:17 AM
Subject: [State-affiliate-leadership-list] National Federation of the Blind
Applauds the Introduction of the Access Technology Affordability Act in the
House
To: Danielsen, Chris <CDanielsen at nfb.org>
CC: Danielsen, Chris <CDanielsen at nfb.org>

*FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE*
National Federation of the Blind Applauds the Introduction of the Access
Technology Affordability Act in the House

*Baltimore, Maryland (April 4, 2019): *The National Federation of the
Blind, the oldest and largest organization of blind Americans, applauds the
introduction of the Access Technology Affordability Act (ATAA) of 2019
(H.R. 2086) by Select Revenue Measures Subcommittee Chairman Mike Thompson
(D-CA-5) and Representative Mike Kelly (R-PA-16). This bipartisan
legislation removes an employment barrier commonly experienced by blind
Americans who cannot afford the high cost of access technology by creating
a refundable tax credit in the amount of $2,000 to offset the cost of these
technologies. Bipartisan companion legislation (S. 815) was previously
introduced in the Senate on March 15.

Chairman Thompson said: “Blind people in America deserve to have the same
economic opportunity through workforce participation as everyone else. Far
too often, access technologies that blind individuals need to be
competitive employees, like screen readers or Braille note takers, are so
expensive that blind individuals can’t purchase them and are underemployed
or unemployed as a result. That’s why I’m proud to introduce the Access
Technology Affordability Act, which creates a refundable credit to help
purchase technology needed to compete in the workforce. This credit will
help unlock critical economic opportunities for blind individuals across
our nation.”

“Ensuring that blind Americans have access to important technology will
help more Americans have the same educational and employment opportunities
to thrive,” said Representative Mike Kelly. “I am proud to cosponsor this
bipartisan legislation, which will ease the financial burden on blind
students to acquire the access technology they need to succeed in their
academic pursuits.”

Mark A. Riccobono, President of the National Federation of the Blind, said:
“My wife, my two daughters, and I are all blind, and the children’s
technology needs are going to increase as they continue their education and
start their careers. My family is not unique; blind people across the
nation face this challenge, and this legislation will provide critical
assistance. We thank and commend our outstanding House champions for
putting forward this legislation, which will help give blind people the
technology they need to live the lives they want.”

*###*

*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.

*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

Christopher S. Danielsen, J.D.

Director of Public Relations

200 East Wells Street, Baltimore, MD 21230
<https://maps.google.com/?q=200+East+Wells+Street,+Baltimore,+MD+21230&entry=gmail&source=g>

(410) 659-9314, Ext. 2330 | cdanielsen at nfb.org

Twitter: @rlawyer

[image: National Federation of the Blind] <https://nfb.org/>

                         [image: Facebook]
<http://www.facebook.com/nationalfederationoftheblind>    [image: Twitter]
<https://twitter.com/NFB_Voice>    [image: Youtube]
<https://www.youtube.com/NationsBlind>

The National Federation of the Blind is a community of members and friends
who believe in the hopes and dreams of the nation’s blind. Every day we
work together to help blind people live the lives they want.

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-- 
Sheri Koch, President
National Federation of the Blind of West Virginia
304-993-5103