[blindlaw] FW: [State-affiliate-leadership-list] Thank You Federation Leaders: National Federation of the Blind Postpones Planned Protest Tomorrow: New York City Schools Panel Cancels Vote on Amazon Deal

Tue Aug 25 22:08:33 UTC 2015

Hey folks, for those who were planning on our protest in NYC, we have
postponed it because the school district has postponed its vote on buying
the inaccessible system.  This is a temporary victory that will hopefully
turn into a permanent one.  Thanks for everyone’s support!

From: State-affiliate-leadership-list
[mailto:state-affiliate-leadership-list-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of
President, National Federation of the Blind via
State-affiliate-leadership-list
Sent: Tuesday, August 25, 2015 2:55 PM
To: State Affiliate Leadership (state-affiliate-leadership-list at nfbnet.org)
<state-affiliate-leadership-list at nfbnet.org>
Cc: President, National Federation of the Blind
<OfficeOfThePresident at nfb.org>
Subject: [State-affiliate-leadership-list] Thank You Federation Leaders:
National Federation of the Blind Postpones Planned Protest Tomorrow: New
York City Schools Panel Cancels Vote on Amazon Deal

Dear Affiliate Leaders,

This is a quick note to thank those of you who immediately jumped up to help
with our Amazon protest in New York City.  Although I did not ask for
leaders from around the country to come, some of you made your own plans to
be with us in New York. As you may know by now, we have postponed our
protest because the school district has postponed its vote on the contract
(our official statement follows my signature). This is a solid victory for
us in this particular aspect of the battle but the outcome is not yet
certain. We will be following up with the district leaders and, pending the
outcome of those discussions, additional action on the streets of New York
may be required. New York City has the largest number of blind students of
any district in the nation and our ability to vigorously assert the
importance of accessibility here will have significant implications for
districts around the country.

For now, we can celebrate our interim victory. I continue to be inspired by
the love and leadership that this group demonstrates when there is a need to
protect the rights of blind people. Your willingness to help out even on
short notice is a great expression of the spirit of the Federation and a
solid example of leadership for our movement.

Warmest regards,

Mark A. Riccobono, President

National Federation of the Blind

200 East Wells Street at Jernigan Place

Baltimore, Maryland 21230

Phone: (410) 659-9314

Fax: (410) 659-5129

Email: officeofthepresident at nfb.org <mailto:officeofthepresident at nfb.org> 

Twitter: @Riccobono and @NFB_Voice

Web:  <http://www.nfb.org/> www.nfb.org

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.

We are celebrating our 75th year and planning for the future we will build
together! 

Make your contribution
<https://nfb.org/civicrm/contribute/transact?reset=1&id=1>  to that future
now.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

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 <mailto:cdanielsen at nfb.org> 

National Federation of the Blind Postpones Planned Protest Tomorrow

New York City Schools Panel Cancels Vote on Amazon Deal

Baltimore, Maryland (August 25, 2015): The National Federation of the Blind
<https://nfb.org/>  (NFB), the nation’s leading advocate for equal education
for blind students, commented today on a proposed $30 million contract under
which Amazon, Inc. would construct an electronic storefront for New York
City schools and become the primary provider of educational materials for
students. The NFB planned to protest the deal before a meeting of the school
system’s Panel for Educational Policy tomorrow, but will not go forward with
the protest because the panel has canceled the vote on the proposal in order
to investigate NFB’s concerns.

Mark A. Riccobono, President of the National Federation of the Blind
<https://www.facebook.com/NationalFederationoftheBlind> , said: “The
National Federation of the Blind is firmly committed to the principle that
blind students must have equal access to the materials used by their sighted
peers if they are to receive an equal education and live the lives they
want. That is why we have expressed our strong opposition to the deal with
Amazon as currently proposed. While we stand ready to take any and all steps
necessary to protect the rights of New York City’s blind students, we are
now hopeful, in light of the cancellation of tomorrow’s vote on this deal,
that we can resolve the issue through an amicable and productive dialogue
with school officials. We continue to urge everyone concerned about the
rights of students who are blind or who have print disabilities to contact
Chancellor Carmen Fariña and let her know that equal access and equal
education are one and the same.” 

###

About the National Federation of the Blind

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.

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