[Riverside-San-Bernardino] Fwd: Urgent Legislative Alert: Access Technology Affordability Act

[Carmen Weatherly]

Begin forwarded message:

> From: National Federation of the Blind <webmaster at nfb.org>
> Date: November 2, 2021 at 7:24:42 AM PDT
> To: Carmen Weatherly <cweatherly101 at gmail.com>
> Subject: Urgent Legislative Alert: Access Technology Affordability Act
> Reply-To: National Federation of the Blind <webmaster at nfb.org>
> 
> 
>  
> 
> 
> Blind Americans Urge Restoration of Access Technology Tax Credit to Build Back Better Legislation
> 
> The National Federation of the Blind, the transformative membership and advocacy organization of blind Americans, today urged House and Senate leaders to restore a critical provision to the Build Back Better legislation scheduled for a vote this week. Originally introduced in both houses of Congress as the Access Technology Affordability Act of 2021 (H.R. 431/S. 212), the provision would remove a barrier to educational and employment success commonly experienced by blind Americans, who often cannot afford the high cost of access technologies like screen readers and refreshable Braille displays, by creating a refundable tax credit in the amount of $2,000 to be used over a three-year period to offset the cost of these technologies.
> 
> “The Access Technology Affordability Act aligns with the priorities of the Build Back Better legislation, which is intended to create opportunity and relieve economic pressure on American families,” said Mark Riccobono, President of the National Federation of the Blind. “By alleviating the high cost of technology that is critical to the educational and economic success of blind and deafblind people, this provision will allow more of us to support our families and participate fully in our nation’s progress and prosperity.”
> 
> How Members Can Help
> 
> On October 20, President Riccobono wrote letters to both Speaker Pelosi and Majority Leader Schumer urging them to keep this legislation, so critical to the blind of America, in the bill. Unfortunately, we learned late last week, on October 28, that the section of the Build Back Better Act containing the ATAA had been removed.
> 
> The Build Back Better Act has not been finalized, so we still have a chance to get the ATAA back into the bill before it goes for a floor vote, but we must act quickly. We need everyone to contact Speaker Pelosi and Majority Leader Schumer and urge them to restore this provision. When you call or email you might say:
> 
> “My name is [YOUR NAME] and I want to urge [Speaker Pelosi OR Majority Leader Schumer] to restore the Access Technology Affordability Act (H.R. 431/S. 212) into the Build Back Better Act (H.R. 5376). This bill will have a tremendous impact on the lives of blind Americans by improving education, increasing employment opportunities, and increasing overall self-sufficiency. Thank you.”
> 
> We suggest a subject like: “Please Maintain the ATAA Provision in the Build Back Better Act”
> 
> To contact Speaker Pelosi and Majority Leader Schumer please use the following email addresses, or call the Capitol Switchboard at 202-224-3121.
> 
> Speaker Pelosi:
> 
> Terri McCullough, Chief of Staff
> terri.mccullough at mail.house.gov
> 
> Majority Leader Schumer:
> 
> Mike Lynch, Chief of Staff
> mike_lynch at schumer.senate.gov
> 
> If you email, please copy Jeff Kaloc at jkaloc at nfb.org.
> 
> Share on Twitter
> 
> After contacting Speaker Pelosi and Majority Leader Schumer, please share on social media. You can use the following draft or share (also known as retweeting) posts from the National Federation of the Blind account.
> 
> I urge @SpeakerPelosi and @LeaderHoyer to restore the provisions of the Access Technology Affordability Act (H.R. 431/S. 212) to the Build Back Better Act. This provision will help us improve education, obtain employment, and increase self-sufficiency. @nfb_voice
> 
> About the National Federation of the Blind
> 
> The National Federation of the Blind (NFB), headquartered in Baltimore, defends the rights of blind people of all ages and provides information and support to families with blind children, older Americans who are losing vision, and more. Founded in 1940, the NFB is the transformative membership and advocacy organization of blind Americans with affiliates, chapters, and divisions in the fifty states, Washington DC, and Puerto Rico. We believe in the hopes and dreams of blind people and work together to transform them into reality. Learn more about our many programs and initiatives at nfb.org.
> 
> Media Contact:
> 
> Chris Danielsen
> Director of Public Relations
> National Federation of the Blind
> (410) 659-9314, extension 2330
> (410) 262-1281 (Cell)
> cdanielsen at nfb.org
> 
> Government Affairs Contact:
> 
> Jeff Kaloc
> Governmental Affairs Specialist
> National Federation of the Blind
> 410-659-9314, extension 2206
> jkaloc at nfb.org
> 
>  
>  	 	 	 	 	 	
> National Federation of the Blind | 200 E Wells Street | Baltimore, MD 21230 | 410-659-9314
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