[Ohio-Talk] FW: [Colorado-Talk] Fwd: Support Needed: Requesting Student Testimonies by December 23

[info at onhconsulting.com]

Hello folks. I’m forwarding this email from the Colorado NABS Division as it is a notice that the Aim High Act, (H.R. 5312), the national legislation requiring that educational materials be made accessible, was dropped from consideration from the House last week. Congress needs to hear from all of us—particularly students—concerning how vital accessible materials are for Blind secondary and post-secondary students. Though the text of this email is specific to Colorado, I encourage all Ohio students to also respond as Congress needs as much input as possible, and we have just revitalized the new NABS Division here in Ohio.

 

Very Best Regards,

 

Chris

 

From: Colorado-Talk <colorado-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org> On Behalf Of Cindy Coffin via Colorado-Talk
Sent: Sunday, December 15, 2019 1:41 PM
To: colorado-talk at nfbnet.org
Cc: Cindy Coffin <cindy.coffin80 at gmail.com>
Subject: [Colorado-Talk] Fwd: Support Needed: Requesting Student Testimonies by December 23

 

Dear NFB members of Colorado, if you know only students or a student or yourself as a student at one point in time, NABS needs your help. I am looking for three students from Colorado to fill out the google form in the email that I am forwarding to you. H.R. 5312 that supports the Aim High Act  did not pass the House of Representatives last week.  If three students can fill out their testimony by the 23 of December, this would be appreciated. Thanks Cynthia Coffin President of CABS. 

---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: <trishak.nfb at gmail.com <mailto:trishak.nfb at gmail.com> >
Date: Sat, Dec 14, 2019 at 8:45 PM
Subject: Support Needed: Requesting Student Testimonies by December 23
To: <cindy.coffin80 at gmail.com <mailto:cindy.coffin80 at gmail.com> >
Cc: <slabarre at labarrelaw.com <mailto:slabarre at labarrelaw.com> >, Kathryn Webster, National Student President <nabs.president at gmail.com <mailto:nabs.president at gmail.com> >

 

Dear Cynthia, 

 

I am writing to request for you and your student membership’s participation in a very important initiative for the National Association of Blind Students. As of Friday, AIM High, or H.R. 5312, was dropped in the House of Representatives! This bill works to create guidelines for accessibility standards in higher education, and now we need to share our stories with Congress so that they know the importance of this bill to the success of blind students everywhere! 

 

We would really appreciate your contribution by writing a short testimony about a time you faced an accessibility challenge with educational materials and what the passage of AIM High would mean to you. You can submit your statement through this Google form <https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSf68TacBetKMAHZcMhGJLmYgeWDIjjpSm9Sz1OUwYKxzsIEAg/viewform?usp=sf_link> . Our goal is to get at least 3 testimonies from every state by December 23, but I would love for Colorado to have more. We will be sharing these stories with your representatives on social media, by email, and in person. Here is an example from NABS Secretary Mausam Mehta. 

 

“Last August, I was really excited to dive into the prerequisite coursework for my perspective program at the University of Virginia. As a sophomore, pursuing a degree in business and economics, I quickly discovered significant access barriers, primarily in the form of inaccessible instructional systems in accounting that I could not use independently with my assistive technology. This forced me to rely on a sighted counterpart to input my work, frustrating me to not be able to fully take charge of my academic aspirations. Unfortunately, this issue is not unique to accounting. Inaccessible materials are a preventable reality for blind students, and right now, our representatives have the power to take an important step in reducing these barriers across the country. I strongly urge Congress to pass AIM High (HR5312) to ensure that blind students, like myself, can be competitive applicants for top programs without the lingering question of access slowing us down.” 

 

I am happy to answer any questions you may have. Scott, if you know other outlets to get the word out to the state that we are collecting student testimonies, we would really appreciate if you can pass along this information and my contact.

Thank you so much for your investment in our movement! 

 

Best Regards,

Trisha Kulkarni

Board Member | National Association of Blind Students 

A Proud Division of the National Federation of the Blind

Trishak.nfb at gmail.com <mailto:Trishak.nfb at gmail.com>  

www.nabslink.org <http://www.nabslink.org> 

 

 

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