[Nfbnet-members-list] FW: Update on TEACH: video and more

[McLarney, Lauren]

Hi team:

I am writing with a progress report on the TEACH Act!  This afternoon 
we released a video, <http://youtu.be/mU4MBIluhD0>"A Lesson on the 
TEACH Act," which can be found on 
<http://www.youtube.com/nationsblind>NFB's YouTube page.  It features 
a few recognizable NABS members, a school rep, an industry rep, a 
senator, even some NCB staff, you name it!  Our hope is that you will 
circulate this video to your friends, family, and networks to spread 
the message about the problem of inaccessible instructional materials 
and the amazing solution that is the TEACH Act.  This problem hits 
home for many of you, especially those of you in high school or 
higher ed, and yet so many people have no idea what it is like for 
blind college students or why this problem exists in the first 
place.  We tried to answer those questions in the video, and used a 
fun style to sell our solution and inspire others to help.  We are 
also experimenting with different forms of video description, so here 
is a short description of "A Lesson on the TEACH Act":

Beginning segment:  LM is sitting in the auditorium.  First, four 
random people from the street give their perception of technology and 
the impact it has had on students with disabilities.  Next, four 
blind students describe their reality over video conferencing 
software.  During introductions, cartoon sun rays in different colors 
swirl behind their head.

Second segment:  LM discusses the TEACH Act.  Towards the end, a 
ticker runs along the bottom length of the screen repeating 
"guidelines!...guidelines!...guidelines!" followed by a flashing 
ticker that reads "no mandates!" and another that reads "no new requirement!"

Third segment: A clip of Lucy France from the University of Montana 
addressing the 2014 NFB National Convention about the need for more 
information, and Allan Adler in the Association of American 
Publishers conference room discussing the importance of guidelines.

Fourth segment: LM narrates checking items off of a 
checklist.  Pictures of six senators spiral onto the screen.  At the 
end, LM asks: "Since when have these two ever seen eye-to-eye on 
anything?" and a giant red question mark appears on the screen.  The 
checklist is displayed and bipartisan support is checked.  A list of 
groups that endorse the bill is read, while those names fall from the 
sky into a pile at the bottom of the screen.  LM says: "That's pretty 
much everyone," and a giant red explanation point appears on the 
screen.  The checklist reappears and endorsements is checked.  The 
AIM Commission Report cover page is displayed, and then 
recommendation #1 is read aloud while the words are highlighted.  LM 
says: "Not just any recommendation, recommendation #1," and a giant 
red #1 appears on the screen. The checklist reappears and data is 
checked.  Finally, a screenshot of the Change.org petition is 
displayed and the number of signatures is circled.  LM says: "That's 
a lot of people," and a giant red WOW appears on the screen.  The 
checklist reappears for a final time and public support is checked.

Fifth segment: LM makes a call to action.  Blind students describe 
why they want Congress to pass the TEACH Act.  Senator Warren 
appears.  She is seated at a table, filmed from the side, and seems 
to be in front of an audience speaking into a microphone.

Right now is a critical time:  students just got back to school, 
Congress just got back to session, and the higher education lobby 
just came out against our initiative. This video is part of the 
momentum, so view, share, and TEACH!

Speaking of momentum, did you catch President Riccobono's blog post 
about ACE's opposition to the bill?  It summarizes ACE's position, 
NFB's reaction, and our hope for common ground.  You can find it at 
<http://bit.ly/1uAjI2X>http://bit.ly/1uAjI2X.  And did you catch Kyle 
Shachmut's op-ed that ran in the online version of the Boston 
Globe?  The NFB of MA President calls out the presidents of 
institutions of higher education in MA that serve on ACE's 
board.  You can read that at 
<http://bit.ly/1tsYVh8>http://bit.ly/1tsYVh8.  Even better, NABS has 
started a Twitter frenzy.  Join them and tweet @ACEducation about 
President Riccobono's blog post or Kyle's op-ed, or express your 
outrage with something short like, "@ACEducation, why do you oppose 
accessibility guidelines? Equal access for blind students." If you're 
super busy, simply retweet a blind student like Sarah Patnaude 
(@Sarah2346) who said: "@ACEducation @AASCU: why make it harder for 
blind students by opposing #accessibility guidelines? #TEACHAct 
<http://ow.ly/3qfxnC>http://ow.ly/3qfxnC."  We have heard through the 
grapevine that we have gotten ACE's attention - let's keep the TEACH 
Act on their radar!

Let's keep making noise,
Lauren

Lauren McLarney
Government Affairs Specialist
National Federation of the Blind
200 East Wells Street
Baltimore, MD 21230
410.659.9314 ext. 2207

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