[nfbwatlk] Fw: Action Needed: Support Full Funding for Vocational Rehabilitation

[Mike Freeman]

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "McCarthy, Jim" <JMcCarthy at NFB.ORG>
To: <undisclosed-recipients:>
Sent: Thursday, February 15, 2007 12:47 PM
Subject: Action Needed: Support Full Funding for Vocational 
Rehabilitation


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 <mailto:jmccarthy at nfb.org>



JDM/wmb


-------------- next part --------------
A non-text attachment was scrubbed...
Name: Blank Bkgrd.gif
Type: image/gif
Size: 145 bytes
Desc: not available
Url : http://www.nfbnet.org/pipermail/nfbwatlk/attachments/20070215/f840d4a4/attachment.gif 
-------------- next part --------------
A non-text attachment was scrubbed...
Name: Legislative Alert-Support Full funding for Vocational	Rehabilitation.doc
Type: application/msword
Size: 31744 bytes
Desc: not available
Url : http://www.nfbnet.org/pipermail/nfbwatlk/attachments/20070215/f840d4a4/attachment.doc