[Ohio-talk] Ohio Legislative Alerts: SB 144 and HB 309 Hearings Scheduled for November 1, 2017

[Sheri Albers]

Hello Federationists,

There is no rest for the weary when you are a member of the National
Federation of the Blind of Ohio. Convention is over and it is time to hit
the ground running! There are two Hearings this Wednesday, November 1st that
need our voices heard loud and clear. The presentation on Friday afternoon
during General Session by Representative Scott Lipps and Representative
Brigid Kelly showed us the importance of establishing contacts and
relationships with our legislators, and how to accomplish this. Appearing
before committee hearings is a vital piece of that effort.

 

The first is for Senate Bill 144: Establish Opportunities for Ohioans with
Disabilities Council. There will be a second hearing before the House State
and Local Government Committee Chaired by Representative Marlene Anielski at
10:00 AM in State House Room 122. As I announced during convention, I had an
amendment drafted through Representative Catherine Ingram's office, and this
will be part of the testimony for Wednesday. This amendment will 1) change
the name to "Ohio State Rehabilitation Council" to reflect the council's
autonomy from OOD, and 2) to add an additional member to the council who
"has applied for or who has received services from BSVI." This will ensure
that at least one blind person will be a member of the council.

 

The second is for House Bill 309: Make blindness no impediment to caring for
minor. There will be a second hearing before the Community and Family
Advancement Committee chaired by Timothy Ginter at 3:00PM in State House
Room 114. This is our own blind parents' rights bill and we need as many
people to tell your story of being a blind parent or potential blind parent
and what your life was, or would be like without this protection.

 

Please contact me off list if you can make it to Columbus on Wednesday. You
can also submit written testimony to the committees. I can let you know how
to do that. Thank you so very much.

 

Let's Go Build The  Federation!

 

Best Regards,

Sheri Albers, Vice President

National Federation of the Blind of Ohio

513.886.8697

Sheri.albers87 at gmail.com

 

The National Federation of the Blind knows that blindness is not the
characteristic that defines you or your future. Every day we raise the
expectations of blind people, because low expectations create obstacles
between blind people and our dreams. You can live the life you want;
blindness is not what holds you back.