[Ohio-talk] Important message

[Barbara Pierce]

We should all contact our members to see if we can get them to sign this
dear colleague letter. No Ohioans are cosigners. The issue Jesse talks about
is ours, but the letter supports a broader group of issues for disabled
students. We can talk about the importance of the textbook problems that
blind students have. I would say that you should find out who the aide in
the office is who deals with higher education and direct your message to
that person. Here is Jesse Hartle's message:

Fellow Federationists:

 

It has come to my attention that Congressman Yarmuth of Kentucky has
circulated a Dear Colleague letter in support of funding the Commission that
will study ways to provide accessible textbooks to Blind students in higher
education.  This Commission was created in the Reauthorization of the Higher
Education Act and passed by Congress last year.  

 

It is urgent that we contact members of the House of Representatives and ask
them to sign on to Congressman Yarmuth's Dear Colleague letter.  If funding
is not provided in the Appropriations process, no work will be done to
correct the problems that Blind students face in obtaining accessible
textbooks.  

 

We worked very hard to get the language in the Higher Education legislation
to solve this problem, and now we need to do our best to ensure funding is
provided.  

 

Congressman Yarmuth is holding the letter open for cosigners through
Wednesday, April 1.  Currently, only 6 members of the House have signed on
to the letter and I have listed them below.  

 

If your Representative wants to be added to this letter he or she should
contact Lillian Pace in Congressman Yarmuth's office.  You can be connected
to your Representatives office by calling the Capitol Switchboard at (202)
225-3121.  

 

Please contact me with any questions.  I thank all of you for your hard work
on this important issue.

 

Sincerely,

 

 

Jesse M. Hartle

Government Programs Specialist

NATIONAL FEDERATION OF THE BLIND

(410) 659-9314, extension 2233

E-mail:  jhartle at nfb.org <mailto:jhartle at nfb.org>