[Iabs-talk] FW: Action Needed: Support Full Funding for Vocational Rehabilitation

Mon Feb 19 09:07:21 CST 2007

This just cameinto my inbox.  Please act on it by contacting your representative and our senators.  

--
Patti S. Gregory-Chang 
President, National Federation of the Blind of Illinois 
pattisgregory at comcast.net

-------------- Forwarded Message: -------------- 
From: "McCarthy, Jim" <JMcCarthy at NFB.ORG> 
To: undisclosed-recipients:; 
Subject: Action Needed: Support Full Funding for Vocational Rehabilitation 
Date: Thu, 15 Feb 2007 20:51:15 +0000 

Fellow Federationists:

     On February 5, 2007, the Bush Administration released its proposed budget for fiscal year 2008.  To summarize, defense-related programs received substantial increases, while domestic social programs largely did not.  It is not my purpose here to debate the merits of these choices.

     For Federationists, however, an important concern in this proposed budget is the treatment of vocational rehabilitation state grant funding which is chiefly responsible for providing training and employment opportunities for the blind.  Though the Rehabilitation Act requires a cost-of-living increase for this program based on the consumer price index, the president’s budget proposes to keep 2008 funding the same as that for 2007.  If blind people are to achieve the self-sufficiency we deserve, the services provided by vocational rehabilitation are critical, and with no additional funding, reduced service will result.  Blind Americans need more rehabilitation, not less.

     So what can we do?  We must contact the offices of our federal representatives and senators with a very simple message.  Blind Americans rely on services provided through vocational rehabilitation to prepare for and obtain employment.  Therefore, it is critical that Congress does not accept the president’s proposal to provide no increase of vocational rehabilitation funds.  Please support the guarantee made by the Rehabilitation Act and provide the cost of living increase for this essential program.

     With the efforts of all of us, we can assure the necessary funding for rehabilitation.  The president’s budget is a proposal to shape policy discussions, but Congress can and often does change several of its provisions.  We must make our views known and urge Congress to fund at least the services that have been available to us in the past.  We are not seeking more, but only what we have.

     On another point, the first congressional recess to celebrate Presidents’ Day occurs the week of February 19.  Now is a great time to learn where your members will be in their districts and meet them there.  You can share our concerns about rehabilitation, seek support for our efforts to raise the amount of earnings a blind Social Security Disability Insurance beneficiary can make before termination of benefits, and advocate for support of legislation to provide access to textbooks used by blind students in college.  I have drafted legislation for the last two issues mentioned here and I am currently seeking congressional sponsorship.  As bills are introduced, I will certainly share that update with you.

     As a refresher, because there has not been a legislative alert for awhile, you can reach the capitol switchboard by calling (202) 224-3121 or (202) 225-3121.  Please contact your representatives and senators to acquire their support for full funding of vocational rehabilitation.  Thank you all for your work in support of the NFB.

Most cordially,

James McCarthy
Director of Governmental Affairs
National Federation of the Blind
1800 Johnston Street
Baltimore, Maryland 21230
Phone:  (410) 659-9314, extension 2240
Email:  jmccarthy at nfb.org

JDM/wmb
-------------- next part --------------
This just cameinto my inbox.  Please act on it by contacting your representative and our senators. 

--
Patti S. Gregory-Chang
President, National Federation of the Blind of Illinois
pattisgregory at comcast.net

-------------- Forwarded Message: --------------
From: "McCarthy, Jim" <JMcCarthy at NFB.ORG>
To: undisclosed-recipients:;
Subject: Action Needed: Support Full Funding for Vocational Rehabilitation
Date: Thu, 15 Feb 2007 20:51:15 +0000
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Fellow Federationists:

On February 5, 2007, the Bush Administration released its proposed budget for fiscal year 2008.

To summarize, defense-related programs received substantial increases, while domestic social programs largely did not.

It is not my purpose here to debate the merits of these choices.

For Federationists, however, an important concern in this proposed budget is the treatment of vocational rehabilitation state grant funding which is chiefly responsible for providing training and employment opportunities for the blind.

Though the Rehabilitation Act requires a cost-of-living increase for this program based on the consumer price index, the president’s budget proposes to keep 2008 funding the same as that for 2007.

If blind people are to achieve the self-sufficiency we deserve, the services provided by vocational rehabilitation are critical, and with no additional funding, reduced service will result.

Blind Americans need more rehabilitation, not less. < /FONT>

So what can we do?

We must contact the offices of our federal representatives and senators with a very simple message.

Blind Americans rely on services provided through vocational rehabilitation to prepare for and obtain employment.

Therefore, it is critical that Congress does not accept the president’s proposal to provide no increase of vocational rehabilitation funds.

Please support the guarantee made by the Rehabilitation Act and provide the cost of living increase for this essential program.

With the efforts of all of us, we can assure the necessary funding for rehabilitation.

The president’s budget is a proposal to shape policy discussions, but Congress can and often does change several of its provisions.

We must make our views known and urge Congress to fund at least the services that have been available to us in the past.

We are not seeking more, but only what we have.

On another point, the first congressional recess to celebrate Presidents’ Day occurs the week of February 19.

Now is a great time to learn where your members will be in their districts and meet them there.

You can share our concerns about rehabilitation, seek support for our efforts to raise the amount of earnings a blind Social Security Disability Insurance beneficiary can make before termination of benefits, and advocate for support of legislation to provide access to textbooks used by blind students in college.

I have drafted legislation for the last two issues mentioned here and I am currently seeking congressional sponsorship.

As bills are int roduced, I will certainly share that update with you.

As a refresher, because there has not been a legislative alert for awhile, you can reach the capitol switchboard by calling (202) 224-3121 or (202) 225-3121.

Please contact your representatives and senators to acquire their support for full funding of vocational rehabilitation.

Thank you all for your work in support of the NFB.

Most cordially,

James McCarthy
Director of Governmental Affairs
National Federation of the Blind
1800
Johnston Street
Baltimore, Maryland 21230
Phone:

(410) 659-9314, extension 2240
Email:

mailto:jmccarthy at nfb.org
jmccarthy at nfb.org

JDM/wmb

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From: "McCarthy, Jim" <JMcCarthy at NFB.ORG>
Subject: Action Needed:  Support Full Funding for Vocational Rehabilitation
Date: Thu, 15 Feb 2007 20:51:15 +0000
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