[blindlaw] Fwd: National Federation of the Blind Praises Bill to

[David Andrews]

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> >>> "Pare, John" <JPare at NFB.ORG> 10/16/2007 3:31 PM >>>
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>National Federation of the Blind Praises Bill to
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>Create Work Incentives and Opportunity
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>Blind Persons Earnings Fairness Act
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>Introduced by Congressman Lewis
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>Washington, D.C. (October 16, 
>2007):  Congressman John Lewis (D-GA) has 
>introduced legislation designed to help blind 
>persons receiving Social Security Disability 
>Insurance (SSDI) to return to work.  The Blind 
>Persons Earnings Fairness Act of 2007 (H.R. 
>3834), which has already drawn bipartisan 
>support, will eliminate penalties that prevent 
>blind persons from reentering the workforce and 
>will facilitate their transition to employment.
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>
>
>Dr. Marc Maurer, President of the National 
>Federation of the Blind, which has long 
>advocated this change in policy, said: "This 
>proposal will allow thousands of blind people to 
>rejoin the workforce and become productive, 
>tax-paying citizens.  Many blind people are 
>understandably reluctant to take entry-level 
>jobs because they are penalized by an immediate 
>loss of SSDI benefits, and their work income 
>rarely compensates for that loss.  This 
>legislation will allow blind persons to make a 
>smooth transition from dependence to 
>opportunity.  We will work with Congressman 
>Lewis to ensure the swift passage of this landmark legislation."
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>Congressman Lewis said: "Americans who are blind 
>deserve the same opportunities as all other 
>Americans.  Their blindness does not prevent 
>them from making valuable contributions to our 
>society, as evidenced by the many successful 
>blind people I have personally met over the 
>years.  The gifts and opportunities of these 
>citizens should not be hindered by policies that 
>discourage them from entering the 
>workforce.  That is why I am proud to stand with 
>my blind brothers and sisters and introduce this much-needed legislation."
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>The legislation will increase the amount of 
>monthly income that a blind person can earn 
>while still receiving SSDI benefits.  The 
>earnings limit will gradually rise from its 
>current level of $1,500 per month to $2,850 per 
>month in 2011.  In 2012, the earnings limit for 
>blind people will be tied to that applicable to 
>senior citizens in the year they attain full retirement age.
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>
>
>John G. Paré Jr.
>Executive Director for Strategic Initiatives
>NATIONAL FEDERATION OF THE BLIND
>1800 Johnson Street
>Baltimore, Maryland  21230
>Telephone:  (410) 659-9314, ext. 2227
>Cell phone:  (410) 913-3912
>Fax:  (410) 685-5653
>Email:  jpare at nfb.org