Fellow Federationists:

I am pleased to inform you that Senators Kerry and Specter introduced the Pedestrian Safety Enhancement Act of 2009, S. 841. This bill is a companion bill to our legislation in the House, the Pedestrian Safety Enhancement Act of 2009, H.R. 734.

We must now contact our senators and urge them to join with Senators Kerry and Specter as cosponsors of this important legislation. Your senator may be added to S. 841 by contacting either Doug Frost in Senator Kerry’s office or Matt Kelly in Senator Specter’s office. You may be connected with your senator’s office by calling the Capitol switchboard at (202) 225-3121.

I thank you all in advance for your efforts on this important issue. Please feel free to contact me with any questions.

Sincerely,

Jesse M. Hartle
Government Programs Specialist
NATIONAL FEDERATION OF THE BLIND
Telephone: (410) 659-9314, extension 2233
E-mail: jhartle@nfb.org

JMH/wmb

Fellow Federationists:

Our activities at the 2009 Washington Seminar kicked off our legislative efforts. Aggressive follow-up with the staff that we met, and with representatives at home, strengthens our opportunities for success.

Congress has begun its spring district work period which lasts two weeks. Members left Washington at the end of last week and they will not return for legislative business until Monday, April 20. This offers us an opportunity to meet senators and representatives in their districts over these two weeks. Therefore, I encourage you to learn their schedules and attend any town hall or other public meetings that you can.

As you know, there are two bills we advocated for at the 2009 Washington Seminar that are presently introduced in the House of Representatives. These two bills are H.R. 734, the Pedestrian Safety Enhancement Act of 2009, and H.R. 886, the Blind Persons Return to Work Act of 2009.

At Washington Seminar, attendees reported on representatives who were rated as likely cosponsors of H.R. 886. Representatives were rated as 4 or 5 on our scale, with 5 being the most likely to cosponsor.

At the present time H.R. 886 has five cosponsors that include the lead sponsor, John Lewis, which means that H.R. 886 is not advancing right now as quickly as is necessary, so we must increase our efforts to move this legislation. Key points are:

-- This bill would establish a benefit reduction instead of totally ending the benefit for blind people who earn more than the allowable earnings amount, which would be a yearly rather than monthly amount, as is now the case.
-- This amount would continue to be indexed as it is under present law.
-- Earnings over the annual amount would result in a one dollar loss of Social Security benefits for each three dollars of excess earnings.
-- There would be an Impairment Related Work Expense deduction for anyone with excess earnings.
-- The amount of this deduction would be 16.3% of excess earnings, or the amount determined by the Commissioner of the Social Security Administration, whichever amount is greater.

I know that you will, as you always do, work hard over the upcoming two-week spring district period to increase commitments from your representatives on this important legislation.

Presently, we have 105 cosponsors on H.R. 734, the Pedestrian Safety Enhancement Act. This is outstanding, but we need more. A legislative alert was sent last week identifying the cosponsors. Over the spring district work period, you should reach out to those representatives who have not yet cosponsored this legislation. Attending question and answer sessions for representatives that are already cosponsors and publicly thanking them for their support of H.R. 734, will allow you to focus the attention on the silent car issue in your local communities.

This attention should help us achieve our goal of getting this legislation enacted as soon as possible, so that we can continue to travel with confidence and have the information we need to make appropriate travel judgments.

Let us build support for H.R. 886 and continue the march toward passage of H.R. 734.

Below you will find the list of the cosponsors of H.R. 886 and a list of those who were rated 4 or 5 who should be cosponsors of H.R. 886.

Thank you for your continuing efforts on behalf of our National Federation of the Blind.

Most cordially,

James D. McCarthy
Government Programs Specialist
NATIONAL FEDERATION OF THE BLIND
Telephone: (410) 659-9314, extension 2240
E-mail: jmccarthy@nfb.org

Jesse Hartle
Government Programs Specialist
NATIONAL FEDERATION OF THE BLIND
Telephone: (410) 659-9314, extension 2233
E-mail: jhartle@nfb.org

Cosponsors of H.R. 886
John Lewis, GA - Sponsor
James Oberstar MN
Pedro Pierluisi, PR
Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, FL
Tim Ryan, OH

Representatives Rated Five
Rep. Abercrombie, Neil (D-HI) - Cosponsored in 110th
Rep. Davis, Danny (D-IL) - Cosponsored in 110th
Rep. Driehaus, Steve (D-OH)
Rep. Lance, Leonard (R-NJ)
Rep. Langevin, James (D-RI)

Representatives Rated Four
Rep. Ackerman, Gary (D-NY)
Rep. Bachus, Spencer (R-AL)
Rep. Berkley, Shelley (D-NV) - Cosponsored in 110th
Rep. Berry, Marion (D-AR)
Rep. Biggert, Judy (R-IL)
Rep. Bilbray, Brian (R-CA)
Rep. Blumenauer, Earl (D-OR) - Cosponsored in 110th
Rep. Braley, Bruce (D-IA) - Cosponsored in 110th
Rep. Castor, Kathy (D-FL)
Rep. Clarke, Yvette (D-NY)
Rep. Clyburn, James (D-SC)
Rep. Crenshaw, Ander (R-FL)
Rep. DeGette, Diana (D-CO)
Rep. Delahunt, Bill (D-MA)
Rep. DeLauro, Rosa (D-CT)
Rep. Doyle, Mike (D-PA)
Rep. Ellison, Keith (D-MN) - Cosponsored in 110th
Rep. Etheridge, Bob (D-NC
Rep. Frank, Barney (D-MA)
Rep. Garrett, Scott (R-NJ)
Rep. Green, Al (D-TX)
Rep. Hall, Ralph (R-TX)
Rep. Hare, Phil (D-IL) - Cosponsored in 110th
Rep. Heinrich, Martin (D-NM)
Rep. Heller, Dean (R-NV)
Rep. Himes, Jim (D-CT)
Rep. Hodes, Paul (D-NH)
Rep. Hunter, Duncan (R-CA)
Rep. Jackson-Lee, Sheila (D-TX)
Rep. Johnson, Hank (D-GA)
Rep. Johnson, Sam (R-TX)
Rep. Kennedy, Patrick (D-RI)
Rep. King, Peter (R-NY)
Rep. Latta, Bob (R-OH)
Rep. Lee, Barbara (D-CA)
Rep. Lungren, Dan (R-CA)
Rep. Maffei, Dan (D-NY)
Rep. Markey, Ed (D-MA)
Rep. Matheson, Jim (D-UT)
Rep. McDermott, Jim (D-WA) - Cosponsored in 110th
Rep. McGovern, Jim (D-MA)
Rep. McIntyre, Mike (D-NC)
Rep. Meek, Kendrick (D-FL)
Rep. Meeks, Gregory (D-NY)
Rep. Mollohan, Alan (D-WV)
Rep. Moran, Jim (D-VA)
Rep. Nadler, Jerrold (D-NY)
Rep. Norton, Eleanor (D-DC)
Rep. Oberstar, James (D-MN) - Cosponsored in 110th
Rep. Ortiz, Solomon (D-TX)
Rep. Paul, Ron (R-TX) - Cosponsored in 110th
Rep. Peterson, Collin (D-MN) - Cosponsored in 110th
Rep. Petri, Tom (R-WI)
Rep. Platts, Todd (R-PA) - Cosponsored in 110th
Rep. Polis, Jared (D-CO)
Rep. Rothman, Steven (D-NJ) - Cosponsored in 110th
Rep. Rush, Bobby (D-IL) - Cosponsored in 110th
Rep. Sanchez, Linda (D-CA) - Cosponsored in 110th
Rep. Schiff, Adam (D-CA)
Rep. Sessions, Pete (R-TX)
Rep. Stark, Pete (D-CA) - Cosponsored in 110th
Rep. Sutton, Betty (D-OH) - Cosponsored in 110th
Rep. Terry, Lee (R-NE)
Rep. Thompson, Glenn (R-PA)
Rep. Tiberi, Patrick (R-OH)
Rep. Towns, Edolphus (D-NY) - Cosponsored in 110th
Rep. Visclosky, Peter (D-IN) - Cosponsored in 110th
Rep. Watson, Diane (D-CA)
Rep. Wolf, Frank (R-VA) - Cosponsored in 110th
Rep. Woolsey, Lynn (D-CA)

Fellow Federationists:

It has come to my attention that Congressman Yarmuth of Kentucky has circulated a Dear Colleague letter in support of funding the Commission that will study ways to provide accessible textbooks to Blind students in higher education. This Commission was created in the Reauthorization of the Higher Education Act and passed by Congress last year.

It is urgent that we contact members of the House of Representatives and ask them to sign on to Congressman Yarmuth’s Dear Colleague letter. If funding is not provided in the Appropriations process, no work will be done to correct the problems that Blind students face in obtaining accessible textbooks.

We worked very hard to get the language in the Higher Education legislation to solve this problem, and now we need to do our best to ensure funding is provided.

Congressman Yarmuth is holding the letter open for cosigners through Wednesday, April 1. Currently, only 6 members of the House have signed on to the letter and I have listed them below.

If your Representative wants to be added to this letter he or she should contact Lillian Pace in Congressman Yarmuth’s office. You can be connected to your Representatives office by calling the Capitol Switchboard at (202) 225-3121.

Please contact me with any questions. I thank all of you for your hard work on this important issue.

Sincerely,

Jesse M. Hartle
Government Programs Specialist
NATIONAL FEDERATION OF THE BLIND
(410) 659-9314, extension 2233
E-mail: jhartle@nfb.org

Cosigners of Dear Colleague Letter
Congressman Yarmuth
Congressman McDermott
Congressman Conyers
Congressman Hinojosa
Congressman Bobby Scott
Congressman Petri

Urges Senate to Retain Rehabilitation Funding

Baltimore, Maryland (February 6, 2009): Dr. Marc Maurer, President of the National Federation of the Blind, the oldest and largest organization of blind people in the United States, said: "The purpose of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 currently being debated in the United States Senate is to reduce unemployment and to restore economic security for all Americans. In order to accomplish this goal for Americans who are blind or have other disabilities, state vocational rehabilitation programs must be adequately funded. The National Federation of the Blind urges all members of the United States Senate to reject the Nelson-Collins Amendment and retain the $500 million currently allocated for vocational rehabilitation. By doing so, the Senate will ensure that all Americans have the training needed to work and contribute to this nation's economic prosperity."

Urgent request! Save VR dollars in stimulus package. Here is the latest alert. The Collins-Nelson amendment of late last night would strip the stimulus package of the $500 million which was to be included to support Voc Rehab programs. Please call your United States senators! Call their local office if you can't get through to the local office. The economic stimulus package should morally include the building of job opportunities and full inclusion of the blind and persons with disabilities. Please tell your senators to oppose the Collins-Nelson amendment.

Last night, moderate Senators (Democratic and Republican) negotiated an amendment to the economic recovery legislation that may be considered today. The amendment eliminates the $500 million in funds for State Vocational Rehabilitation Grants.

Anyone who cares about the availability of this funding to prevent use of Randolph-Sheppard set-aside funds to close budget gaps should call their Senators' offices TODAY.

The Senate Operator's line has been very busy and difficult to get through. If you want to try, the number is 202-224-3121.

You can look up direct phone numbers for the Washington DC or local offices at www.Senate.gov

You may have more luck getting through to the district office than to the DC office, though the staff who will advise Senators how to vote on the amendment are located in DC. As a constituent, you can also send emails from the Senators' websites.

Please call both Senate offices TODAY. If you have already called, call again. Leave the following message with the receptionist who answer the phone:
- your name
- the town where you live
- "I am calling to urge my Senator to vote no on the Nelson-Collins amendment that eliminates the $500 million for vocational rehabilitation state grants."

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT:
Christopher S. Danielsen
Director of Public Relations
National Federation of the Blind
(410) 659-9314, extension 2330
(410) 262-1281 (Cell)
cdanielsen@nfb.org

U.S. Representatives Edolphus Towns and Cliff Stearns Introduce Pedestrian Safety Enhancement Act

National Federation of the Blind Applauds Measure to Protect Lives and Preserve Independence of Blind Americans

Washington, DC (January 28, 2009): Representatives Edolphus "Ed" Towns (D-NY) and Cliff Stearns (R-FL) today introduced H.R. 734, a bill intended to protect the blind and other pedestrians from injury or death as a result of silent vehicle echnology. The Pedestrian Safety Enhancement Act of 2009 requires the Secretary of Transportation to conduct a study on how to protect the blind and others from being injured or killed by vehicles using hybrid, electric, and other silent engine technologies. Thirty-two original co-sponsors have already signed on to the bill.

Because blind pedestrians cannot locate and evaluate traffic using their vision, they must listen to traffic to discern its speed, direction, and other attributes in order to travel safely and independently. Other people, including pedestrians who are not blind, bicyclists, runners, and small children, also benefit from hearing the sound of vehicle engines. New vehicles that employ hybrid or electric engine technology can be silent, rendering them extremely dangerous in situations where vehicles and pedestrians come into proximity with each other.

"The National Federation of the Blind appreciates the wise and decisive action taken today by Congressmen Towns and Stearns to preserve the right to safe and independent travel for the blind," said Dr. Marc Maurer, President of the National Federation of the Blind. "The blind, like all pedestrians, must be able to travel to work, to school, to church, and to other places in our communities without being injured or killed. This bill will benefit all pedestrians for generations to come as new vehicle technologies become more prevalent. The blind of America will do everything in our power to ensure its swift passage."

"The beneficial trend toward more environmentally friendly vehicles has had the unintended effect of placing the blind and other pedestrians in danger," said Representative Towns. "As someone who taught travel with a white cane to the blind for many years, I understand that the sound of traffic is critically important in order for them to travel safely and independently. This bill will prevent many injuries and fatalities while still allowing more clean vehicles on our nation's roads."

"I understand the safety concerns of blind pedestrians with these quiet automobiles; I have heard the same concerns from senior citizens in my district, and I appreciate the threat to children, bicyclists, and runners," said Representative Stearns. "I deeply appreciate the support of all parties in supporting this important safety legislation."

The bill requires the Secretary of Transportation, within ninety days of its enactment, to commence a two-year study to determine the best means to provide the blind and other pedestrians with information about the location, motion, speed, and direction of vehicles. Upon completion of the study, the Secretary will report the findings of the study to Congress and, within ninety days, establish a minimum vehicle safety standard for all new vehicles sold in the United States. Automobile manufacturers will have two years to comply with the vehicle safety standard.

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About the National Federation of the Blind

With more than 50,000 members, the National Federation of the Blind is the largest and most influential membership organization of blind people in the United States. The NFB improves blind people's lives through advocacy, education, research, technology, and programs encouraging independence and self-confidence. It is the leading force in the blindness field today and the voice of the nation's blind. In January 2004 the NFB opened the National Federation of the Blind Jernigan Institute, the first research and training center in the United States for the blind led by the blind.

The National Federation of the Blind (NFB) is the oldest and largest organization of blind people in the United States. As the Voice of the Nation’s Blind, we present the collective views of blind people throughout society. All of our leaders and the vast majority of our members are blind, but anyone can participate in our movement. There are an estimated 1.3 million blind people in the United States, and every year approximately 75,000 Americans become blind. The social and economic consequences of blindness affect not only blind people, but also our families, our friends, and our coworkers.

Three legislative initiatives demand the immediate attention of the 111th Congress in its first session:

1. We urge Congress to ensure the safety of blind and other pedestrians by passing the Pedestrian Safety Enhancement Act. This legislation would require the U.S. Secretary of Transportation to:

• Begin a study within ninety days of its enactment to determine the most practical means of assuring that blind and other pedestrians receive essentially similar information to what they now receive from sound emitted by internal combustion engines;

• Determine the minimum amount of sound necessary to offer sufficient information for blind pedestrians to make safe travel judgments based on appropriate scientific research and consultation with blind Americans and other affected groups;

• Within two years of beginning the study, promulgate a motor vehicle safety standard to address the needs of blind and other pedestrians by requiring either a minimum level of sound or an equally effective means of providing the same information as is available from hearing internal combustion engines; and

• Apply the standard to all motor vehicles manufactured or sold in the United States beginning no later than two years after the date it is promulgated.

2. We urge Congress to work with blind Americans to create a Technology Bill of Rights for the Blind that mandates consumer electronics, home appliances, and office equipment to provide user interfaces that are accessible through nonvisual means. This legislation should:

• Mandate that all consumer electronics, home appliances, and office equipment be designed so that blind people can access the same functions as sighted people through nonvisual means and with substantially equivalent ease of use;

• Create a commission comprised of essential stakeholders to establish standards for nonvisual accessibility of electronic devices intended for use in the home or office;

• Endow the commission with enforcement powers or locate it within a government agency having such powers; and

• Authorize it to reexamine and rewrite standards to keep pace with the evolution of consumer electronic technology.

3. We urge Congress to promote and facilitate the transition by blind Americans from recipients of Social Security Disability Insurance benefits to income-earning, taxpaying, productive members of the American workforce by enacting legislation to:

• Replace the monthly earnings penalty with a graduated 3-for-1 phase-out (i.e., a $1 reduction in benefits for each $3 earned above the limit);

• Replace the monthly earnings test with an annualized earnings test with an amount equal to twelve times. Substantial Gainful Activity amount; and

• Establish an impairment-related work expense deduction for blind Social Security Disability Insurance beneficiaries equal to the amount applicable for this deduction when determining an appropriate income subsidy under Medicare Part D or 16.3 percent of earnings, whichever is greater.


For more information about these priorities, please consult the fact sheets below.


2009-Washington-Seminar-Legislative-Agenda-and-FactSheets1.doc