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Hello Everyone!</div>
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<div style="background-color:rgb(255,255,255)"><span style="color:rgb(40,40,40); font-family:'Segoe UI WPC','Segoe UI',Tahoma,'Microsoft Sans Serif',Verdana,sans-serif; font-size:15px">Today, January 15, 2014 we need to tell our Senators that it is time to
#FixWIA. Below is the email I plan to send to my Senators. I encourage you to use this letter as a template (or create your own) to inform your Senators about the problems with WIA. </span><br style="color:rgb(40,40,40); font-family:'Segoe UI WPC','Segoe UI',Tahoma,'Microsoft Sans Serif',Verdana,sans-serif; font-size:15px">
<span style="color:rgb(40,40,40); font-family:'Segoe UI WPC','Segoe UI',Tahoma,'Microsoft Sans Serif',Verdana,sans-serif; font-size:15px"> </span><br style="color:rgb(40,40,40); font-family:'Segoe UI WPC','Segoe UI',Tahoma,'Microsoft Sans Serif',Verdana,sans-serif; font-size:15px">
<span style="color:rgb(40,40,40); font-family:'Segoe UI WPC','Segoe UI',Tahoma,'Microsoft Sans Serif',Verdana,sans-serif; font-size:15px">Thanks for all of your work. Let’s get this done! </span><br style="color:rgb(40,40,40); font-family:'Segoe UI WPC','Segoe UI',Tahoma,'Microsoft Sans Serif',Verdana,sans-serif; font-size:15px">
<span style="color:rgb(40,40,40); font-family:'Segoe UI WPC','Segoe UI',Tahoma,'Microsoft Sans Serif',Verdana,sans-serif; font-size:15px"> </span><br style="color:rgb(40,40,40); font-family:'Segoe UI WPC','Segoe UI',Tahoma,'Microsoft Sans Serif',Verdana,sans-serif; font-size:15px">
<span style="color:rgb(40,40,40); font-family:'Segoe UI WPC','Segoe UI',Tahoma,'Microsoft Sans Serif',Verdana,sans-serif; font-size:15px"> </span><br style="color:rgb(40,40,40); font-family:'Segoe UI WPC','Segoe UI',Tahoma,'Microsoft Sans Serif',Verdana,sans-serif; font-size:15px">
<span style="color:rgb(40,40,40); font-family:'Segoe UI WPC','Segoe UI',Tahoma,'Microsoft Sans Serif',Verdana,sans-serif; font-size:15px">#######</span><br style="color:rgb(40,40,40); font-family:'Segoe UI WPC','Segoe UI',Tahoma,'Microsoft Sans Serif',Verdana,sans-serif; font-size:15px">
<span style="color:rgb(40,40,40); font-family:'Segoe UI WPC','Segoe UI',Tahoma,'Microsoft Sans Serif',Verdana,sans-serif; font-size:15px"> </span><br style="color:rgb(40,40,40); font-family:'Segoe UI WPC','Segoe UI',Tahoma,'Microsoft Sans Serif',Verdana,sans-serif; font-size:15px">
<span style="color:rgb(40,40,40); font-family:'Segoe UI WPC','Segoe UI',Tahoma,'Microsoft Sans Serif',Verdana,sans-serif; font-size:15px">Dear Senator X,</span><br style="color:rgb(40,40,40); font-family:'Segoe UI WPC','Segoe UI',Tahoma,'Microsoft Sans Serif',Verdana,sans-serif; font-size:15px">
<span style="color:rgb(40,40,40); font-family:'Segoe UI WPC','Segoe UI',Tahoma,'Microsoft Sans Serif',Verdana,sans-serif; font-size:15px"> </span><br style="color:rgb(40,40,40); font-family:'Segoe UI WPC','Segoe UI',Tahoma,'Microsoft Sans Serif',Verdana,sans-serif; font-size:15px">
<span style="color:rgb(40,40,40); font-family:'Segoe UI WPC','Segoe UI',Tahoma,'Microsoft Sans Serif',Verdana,sans-serif; font-size:15px">I am writing to voice my concerns about S. 1356, the reauthorization of the Workforce Investment Act (WIA). Although I
know the reauthorization of WIA is overdue, I just cannot support the current bill as it is written. </span><br style="color:rgb(40,40,40); font-family:'Segoe UI WPC','Segoe UI',Tahoma,'Microsoft Sans Serif',Verdana,sans-serif; font-size:15px">
<span style="color:rgb(40,40,40); font-family:'Segoe UI WPC','Segoe UI',Tahoma,'Microsoft Sans Serif',Verdana,sans-serif; font-size:15px"> </span><br style="color:rgb(40,40,40); font-family:'Segoe UI WPC','Segoe UI',Tahoma,'Microsoft Sans Serif',Verdana,sans-serif; font-size:15px">
<span style="color:rgb(40,40,40); font-family:'Segoe UI WPC','Segoe UI',Tahoma,'Microsoft Sans Serif',Verdana,sans-serif; font-size:15px">During the 1990s, the disability community fought really hard for language that would </span><i style="color:rgb(40,40,40); font-family:'Segoe UI WPC','Segoe UI',Tahoma,'Microsoft Sans Serif',Verdana,sans-serif; font-size:15px">not</i><span style="color:rgb(40,40,40); font-family:'Segoe UI WPC','Segoe UI',Tahoma,'Microsoft Sans Serif',Verdana,sans-serif; font-size:15px">allow
a vocational rehabilitation case to be closed by a placement in a sheltered workshop. The current bill language of Section 511, a controversial section among the disability community, will allow vocational rehabilitation counselors to successfully close cases
by placing their clients in subminimum-wage sheltered workshops. Subminimum-wage sheltered work does not come close to adequately training people with disabilities for mainstream competitive employment. In fact, research shows that people with disabilities
have to </span><i style="color:rgb(40,40,40); font-family:'Segoe UI WPC','Segoe UI',Tahoma,'Microsoft Sans Serif',Verdana,sans-serif; font-size:15px">unlearn</i><span style="color:rgb(40,40,40); font-family:'Segoe UI WPC','Segoe UI',Tahoma,'Microsoft Sans Serif',Verdana,sans-serif; font-size:15px">the
habits taught in sheltered workshops in order to get a mainstream job. Ninety-five percent of people with disabilities who enter sheltered workshops never obtain the employment they are being “trained” for. In other words, once a person with disability is
placed in a sheltered workshop, their full potential is almost never reached. They must remain on public assistance for the rest of their lives. </span><br style="color:rgb(40,40,40); font-family:'Segoe UI WPC','Segoe UI',Tahoma,'Microsoft Sans Serif',Verdana,sans-serif; font-size:15px">
<span style="color:rgb(40,40,40); font-family:'Segoe UI WPC','Segoe UI',Tahoma,'Microsoft Sans Serif',Verdana,sans-serif; font-size:15px"> </span><br style="color:rgb(40,40,40); font-family:'Segoe UI WPC','Segoe UI',Tahoma,'Microsoft Sans Serif',Verdana,sans-serif; font-size:15px">
<span style="color:rgb(40,40,40); font-family:'Segoe UI WPC','Segoe UI',Tahoma,'Microsoft Sans Serif',Verdana,sans-serif; font-size:15px">I am also concerned with the bill language moving the Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA) from the Department
of Education to the Department of Labor. There is no research that shows this move will improve the efficiency and outcomes of the RSA. It is important to keep in mind that everyone needs an education before he/she obtains a job. For many, this education
comes in the form of college and/or graduate school. For people with severe disabilities, this might mean having access to quality rehabilitation services to develop their unique skills and talents. This process is an educational processRSA should stay
in the Department of Education. </span><br style="color:rgb(40,40,40); font-family:'Segoe UI WPC','Segoe UI',Tahoma,'Microsoft Sans Serif',Verdana,sans-serif; font-size:15px">
<span style="color:rgb(40,40,40); font-family:'Segoe UI WPC','Segoe UI',Tahoma,'Microsoft Sans Serif',Verdana,sans-serif; font-size:15px"> </span><br style="color:rgb(40,40,40); font-family:'Segoe UI WPC','Segoe UI',Tahoma,'Microsoft Sans Serif',Verdana,sans-serif; font-size:15px">
<span style="color:rgb(40,40,40); font-family:'Segoe UI WPC','Segoe UI',Tahoma,'Microsoft Sans Serif',Verdana,sans-serif; font-size:15px">Senator X, I need your help. Please consider offering an amendment that will strike Section 511 of Title V of WIA, and
remove the language that transfers RSA from Education to Labor. </span><br style="color:rgb(40,40,40); font-family:'Segoe UI WPC','Segoe UI',Tahoma,'Microsoft Sans Serif',Verdana,sans-serif; font-size:15px">
<span style="color:rgb(40,40,40); font-family:'Segoe UI WPC','Segoe UI',Tahoma,'Microsoft Sans Serif',Verdana,sans-serif; font-size:15px"> </span><br style="color:rgb(40,40,40); font-family:'Segoe UI WPC','Segoe UI',Tahoma,'Microsoft Sans Serif',Verdana,sans-serif; font-size:15px">
<span style="color:rgb(40,40,40); font-family:'Segoe UI WPC','Segoe UI',Tahoma,'Microsoft Sans Serif',Verdana,sans-serif; font-size:15px">Thank you. I look forward to hearing from you soon. If you have any questions or concerns, feel free to reach me at (add
your contact info)</span><span style="color:rgb(40,40,40); font-family:'Segoe UI WPC','Segoe UI',Tahoma,'Microsoft Sans Serif',Verdana,sans-serif; font-size:15px">.</span><br style="color:rgb(40,40,40); font-family:'Segoe UI WPC','Segoe UI',Tahoma,'Microsoft Sans Serif',Verdana,sans-serif; font-size:15px">
<span style="color:rgb(40,40,40); font-family:'Segoe UI WPC','Segoe UI',Tahoma,'Microsoft Sans Serif',Verdana,sans-serif; font-size:15px"> </span><br style="color:rgb(40,40,40); font-family:'Segoe UI WPC','Segoe UI',Tahoma,'Microsoft Sans Serif',Verdana,sans-serif; font-size:15px">
<span style="color:rgb(40,40,40); font-family:'Segoe UI WPC','Segoe UI',Tahoma,'Microsoft Sans Serif',Verdana,sans-serif; font-size:15px">Sincerely,</span><br style="color:rgb(40,40,40); font-family:'Segoe UI WPC','Segoe UI',Tahoma,'Microsoft Sans Serif',Verdana,sans-serif; font-size:15px">
<span style="color:rgb(40,40,40); font-family:'Segoe UI WPC','Segoe UI',Tahoma,'Microsoft Sans Serif',Verdana,sans-serif; font-size:15px"> </span><br style="color:rgb(40,40,40); font-family:'Segoe UI WPC','Segoe UI',Tahoma,'Microsoft Sans Serif',Verdana,sans-serif; font-size:15px">
<font color="#282828" face="Segoe UI WPC, Segoe UI, Tahoma, Microsoft Sans Serif, Verdana, sans-serif"><span style="font-size:15px">(Your Name)</span></font></div>
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These are e-mail addresses for staffers of both Senator Bennet and Udall. </div>
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Senator Udall</div>
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<font face="Calibri,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif"><font face="Segoe UI WPC,Segoe UI,Tahoma,Microsoft Sans Serif,Verdana,sans-serif" size="2" color="#333333"><span style="font-size:14px; background-color:white"><font size="1" color="#0072C6"><span style="font-size:12px">Stephanie_Cross@MarkUdall.senate.gov</span></font></span></font></font></div>
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<font face="Calibri,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif"><font face="Segoe UI WPC,Segoe UI,Tahoma,Microsoft Sans Serif,Verdana,sans-serif" size="2" color="#333333"><span style="font-size:14px; background-color:white"><font size="1" color="#0072C6"><span style="font-size:12px"><br>
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Senator Bennet</div>
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Ellen_Steiner@bennet.senate.gov</div>
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<font face="Trebuchet MS,sans-serif" size="2" color="blue"><span style="font-size:15px; background-color:white"><u>Savannah_krieg@</u></span></font><font face="Trebuchet MS,sans-serif" size="2" color="blue"><span style="font-size:15px; background-color:rgb(255,238,148)"><u>bennet</u></span></font><font face="Trebuchet MS,sans-serif" size="2" color="blue"><span style="font-size:15px; background-color:white"><u>.senate.gov</u></span></font></div>
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