[Ohio-talk] FW: My Letter to the News-Sun Editor

[J.W. Smith]

This is awesome so read on!

Jw


Dr. J. Webster Smith
President, National Federation of the Blind of Ohio
PO Box 458 Athens, OH 45701
740-592-6326

"Changing what it means to be blind"
For more information go to nfbohio.org

-----Original Message-----
From: debra baker [mailto:dbaker152 at woh.rr.com] 
Sent: Saturday, December 24, 2011 5:09 PM
To: 'J.W. Smith'
Subject: FW: My Letter to the News-Sun Editor

Dear JW and Eric,

This post was written by one of our chapter members.

Debbie

-----Original Message-----
From: Lelia Cordell [mailto:leliacordell at roadrunner.com]
Sent: Thursday, December 22, 2011 6:00 PM
To: 'Debbie Baker'
Subject: My Letter to the News-Sun Editor

Hi.

Here's that editorial I wrote. It's here in the body of the email. I've also
attached the MS Word document. Jo

My legal name is Lelia, but everyone calls me Jo. I am an intelligent,
articulate person, and was once an excellent secretary. I could make someone
an outstanding secretary, telephone operator or receptionist again. 
Since a drunk driver left me blind nearly nine years ago, the only job I've
been able to obtain is one paying "piecework" wages. The assumption is that
because I'm blind, I'm unable to compete equally with sighted workers.
My situation is not unique. That's why I'm asking you to urge your
representatives to Congress to support House bill 3086, "The Fair Wages for
Workers with Disabilities act."
This bill proposes to end the practice of paying the disabled less than the
Federal minimum wage. It was introduced by Congressmen Cliff Stearns (R-FL)
and Tim Bishop (D-NY) on October 4, 2011.
The National Federation of the Blind supports this bill, and with good
reason. Not only am I able to provide my own screen-reading program and Job
Coach, I come with the additional perks the Equal Employment Opportunity
program provides. Better still, my unique personality and skillset would be
a blessing to any company. My strengths are in the reception and secretarial
field. Wouldn't you rather have a friendly human voice answering your phones
rather than a cold, clinical computer system?
Again. please call or write your representatives in Congress. Ask them to
support and vote for the Fair Wages for Workers with Disabilities Act, House
bill 3086. Thank you.

Lelia Jo Cordell
Springfield, OH
Live simply. Find joy in small things. 

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