[Nfbf-l] {Disarmed} Fw: Action Alert: Your action is needed to save accessible textbook program

[Sherri]

This message is from what used to be called Recording for the Blind and 
Dyslexic. Why they changed their name, I'll never know, but anyway, 
apparently, the secretary of education is thinking about moving crucial 
funds set aside for the development of accessible text books for the blind 
into general funds to use for other purposes. Please email him and encourage 
him not to do this. The information is below along with wording you can use. 
This is very important. I depended on Recording for the Blind (now Learning 
Ally) for text books all through high school and in college. I hope you will 
support this effort. Thank you.

Sherri Brun
--- Original Message ----- 
From: Learning Ally, formerly RFB&D
To: flmom2006 at gmail.com
Sent: Tuesday, May 17, 2011 1:53 PM
Subject: Action Alert: Your action is needed to save accessible textbook 
program


      Having trouble viewing this email? Click here to view this email as a 
webpage.

You're receiving this email because of your relationship with Learning Ally. 
Please confirm your continued interest in receiving email from us. You only 
have to do this once.

You may unsubscribe if you no longer wish to receive our emails.







                        Advocates' Action Alert




                              May 17, 2011





                              Your immediate action is needed to help 
hundreds of thousands of students with print disabilities.

                              Secretary of Education Arne Duncan is wavering 
on his commitment to hold a competition to fund accessible educational 
materials and textbooks for the hundreds of thousands of students who cannot 
use a standard textbook.

                              You need to e-mail Secretary Duncan's office 
today to urge him to hold the competition and preserve the program.

                              Under the FY 2011 budget passed by the 
Congress, Secretary Duncan has the discretion to hold a competition for the 
development, production and distribution of educational materials in 
accessible formats to students with visual impairments and other print 
disabilities. The US Department of Education has supported this project for 
more than 30 years, and President Obama included it in his FY 2011 budget 
plan. Now the Secretary might use these funds for other projects!

                              The Secretary needs to hear from you today to 
prevent the shifting of funds away from this vital program.

                              The Secretary might make his decision as soon 
as the end of the week so we need you to e-mail him today. Your voice and 
that of hundreds of other supporters urged the Congress to preserve the 
funding in the budget, and Congress heard you and took action. Now we need 
your voice to urge Secretary Duncan to preserve the funding for accessible 
materials and to hold the competition.

                              Hundreds of thousands of students benefit from 
this program each year and if the Secretary does not fund it this year its 
future is unknown. We need your voice to be heard again!

                              Please e-mail Secretary Duncan's office today. 
We have included the sample language below to help you in making your 
e-mail. Please add your personal story, name and hometown to your message!





                              Secretary Duncan's e-mail is 
arne.duncan at ed.gov



                              RE: Urgent Support Needed for Students with 
Print Disabilities



                              Dear Secretary Duncan:



                              I am writing to share with you my support for 
the accessible educational materials project and Learning Ally.



                              Learning Ally has a long-established 
relationship with the Department of Education and has had broad support in 
Congress, state departments of education and 10,000 schools from coast to 
coast. I urge you to continue that support by holding a competition for the 
development, production and distribution of educational materials in 
accessible formats to students with visual impairments and other print 
disabilities.



                              Learning Ally is a critical partner in the 
success of hundreds of thousands of students, and federal support of their 
efforts, leveraged with private philanthropy, has made much of their work 
possible. Continue USDE's 30-year commitment to students with disabilities 
and hold the competition.






                              Sincerely,








                              As we keep the pressure up on the Department 
with our allies in Congress, we will update our Policy Advocates' Center 
with developments as they occur. We will also share critical Advocates' 
Action Alerts with you when key decisions are to be made.

                              Your support has helped to preserve this 
program so far, and will be a key to its future!













                        ©2011 Learning Ally, Inc. All rights reserved. 
LearningAllyT, Making reading accessible for allT, the "Access" icon, 
Recording for the Blind & Dyslexic®, RFB&D® and all trademarks and service 
marks are owned by Learning Ally, Inc.






      Forward this email


            This email was sent to flmom2006 at gmail.com by 
advocacy at learningally.org |
            Update Profile/Email Address | Instant removal with 
SafeUnsubscribeT | Privacy Policy.

      Learning Ally | 20 Roszel Road | Princeton | NJ | 08540