[NFBWV-Talk] Fwd: [State-Affiliate-Leadership-List] National Federation of the Blind Applauds Introduction of AIM High Act

Fri Dec 6 14:18:15 UTC 2019

  Aim HIGH Is once again introduced  and I am Hopeful that in lieu of
everything going on,  we can finally see this bill pass and give blind
students a chance at succeeding in their academic pursuits.

Sheri

---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: Danielsen, Chris via State-Affiliate-Leadership-List <
state-affiliate-leadership-list at nfbnet.org>
Date: Fri, Dec 6, 2019 at 9:03 AM
Subject: [State-Affiliate-Leadership-List] National Federation of the Blind
Applauds Introduction of AIM High Act
To: NCB Staff <NCBStaff at nfb.org>, nfbnet-members-list at nfbnet.org <
nfbnet-members-list at nfbnet.org>, State Affiliate Leadership List <
state-affiliate-leadership-list at nfbnet.org>
CC: Danielsen, Chris <CDanielsen at nfb.org>

*FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE*
National Federation of the Blind Applauds Introduction of AIM High Act

Legislation Will Promote Equal Access to Higher Education for People with
Disabilities

*Baltimore, Maryland (December 6, 2019):* Today, the National Federation of
the Blind commends Congressman Phil Roe (R-TN) and Congressman Joe Courtney
(D-CT) for introducing the Accessible Instructional Materials in Higher
Education Act, also known as the AIM HIGH Act (H.R. 5312). This legislation
will promote instructional technology and content that are accessible to
the blind and other students with print disabilities.

“This legislation is critically important to all blind students and to me
personally, as the father of three children, two of whom are blind,” said
Mark Riccobono, President of the National Federation of the Blind. “This
issue has been ignored for too long. Blind Americans applaud
Representatives Roe and Courtney for their support of this market-based
approach to encouraging technology innovations to be born accessible, thus
allowing all students an equal opportunity for educational excellence.”

“All students deserve the opportunity to excel in their education, which is
why I am proud to reintroduce the Accessible Instructional Materials in
Higher Education (AIM HIGH) Act. This legislation encourages institutions
of higher education to provide equal access to all instructional materials,
which will support students with disabilities. I want to thank Rep.
Courtney for again partnering with me on this important legislation, and
all the stakeholders who have worked tirelessly to develop this commonsense
solution that can be supported on a bipartisan basis,” said Congressman Roe.

The AIM HIGH Act will authorize a purpose-based commission comprised of
persons with disabilities, developers, and manufacturers, as well as
representatives from institutions of higher education. This commission will
be tasked with developing accessibility criteria for instructional
materials and the technologies used to access those materials.
Additionally, the commission will be tasked with establishing an annotated
list of existing national and international standards so that schools and
developers can identify what makes a product usable by the blind. Colleges
and universities will be permitted to use material that does not conform to
the guidelines as long as equal access laws are still honored. While
conformity with the AIM HIGH guidelines is only one path to compliance,
schools can pursue a different avenue but will forfeit the combined
expertise of the relevant stakeholder communities involved in the
development of the AIM HIGH guidelines.

The AIM HIGH Act is a collaborative legislative initiative of the National
Federation of the Blind, the American Council on Education, the Association
of American Publishers, Educause®, and the Software and Information
Industry Association.

*###*

*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

This pres release is also available at:
https://www.nfb.org/about-us/press-room/national-federation-blind-applauds-introduction-aim-high-act-0

Christopher S. Danielsen, J.D.

Director of Public Relations

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

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

Twitter: @rlawyer

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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