[Nfbnet-members-list] Organization Says Senate Tax Bill Disastrous for Education, Employment of Blind Americans

[National Federation of the Blind]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE




Organization Says Senate Tax Bill Disastrous for Education, 
Employment of Blind Americans

National Federation of the Blind Denounces Tax Cuts and Jobs Act

Baltimore, Maryland (November 29, 2017): The National Federation of 
the Blind officially opposes the United States Senate's current Tax 
Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA).

The organization cites a probable dramatic increase in unemployment 
among blind Americans, which already approaches sixty percent, as the 
reason for its opposition.

According to projections by the Congressional Budget Office, the 
losses in tax revenue under the TCJA will be so high, at least 
initially, that they will trigger the "pay-as-you-go" rules of the 
Office of Management and Budget. This will eliminate funding for 
vital programs and services for the blind, such as Vocational 
Rehabilitation (VR) and Individuals with Disabilities Education Act 
(IDEA) funding. These vital services link blind people to educational 
and employment opportunities by providing the training and resources 
that they need.

The 2015 American Community Survey, the most recent data available, 
reported that, for working age adults reporting significant vision 
loss, only 42.0% were employed.

"The detrimental impact the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act will have on blind 
Americans cannot be denied," said Mark Riccobono, President of the 
National Federation of the Blind. "This bill slams the door on 
education and vocational rehabilitation, and ultimately on 
employment, for some seven million blind Americans. We call upon the 
United States Senate either to protect these critical programs and 
services, or to vote no."

###

About the National Federation of the Blind

The National Federation of the Blind (NFB), headquartered in 
Baltimore, is the oldest and largest nationwide organization of blind 
Americans. Founded in 1940, the NFB consists of affiliates, chapters, 
and divisions in the fifty states, Washington DC, and Puerto Rico. 
The NFB defends the rights of blind people of all ages and provides 
information and support to families with blind children, older 
Americans who are losing vision, and more. We believe in the hopes 
and dreams of blind people and work together to transform them into 
reality. Learn more about our many programs and initiatives at 
<https://nfb.org/sites/all/modules/civicrm/extern/url.php?u=9801&qid=2062514>www.nfb.org.

CONTACT:

Chris Danielsen

Director of Public Relations

National Federation of the Blind

(410) 659-9314, extension 2330

(410) 262-1281 (Cell)

<mailto:cdanielsen at nfb.org>cdanielsen at nfb.org








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National Federation of the Blind | 200 E Wells Street | Baltimore, MD 
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