[Southern_Oregon_Chapter] urgent action needed for the ATAA.

Tue Nov 2 16:56:47 UTC 2021

Hello fellow NFB members here is another friendly reminder to urge support
for the ATAA in the build back better act. Katie VP. Southern Oregon chapter

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you want

Blind Americans Urge Restoration of Access Technology Tax Credit to Build
Back Better Legislation

The National Federation of the Blind, the transformative membership and
advocacy organization of blind Americans, today urged House and Senate
leaders to restore a critical provision to the Build Back Better legislation
scheduled for a vote this week. Originally introduced in both houses of
Congress <https://nfb.org/civicrm/mailing/url?u=23430&qid=6262328>  as the
Access Technology Affordability Act of 2021
<https://nfb.org/civicrm/mailing/url?u=23431&qid=6262328>  (H.R. 431/S.
212), the provision would remove a barrier to educational and employment
success commonly experienced by blind Americans, who often cannot afford the
high cost of access technologies like screen readers and refreshable Braille
displays, by creating a refundable tax credit in the amount of $2,000 to be
used over a three-year period to offset the cost of these technologies.

"The Access Technology Affordability Act aligns with the priorities of the
Build Back Better legislation, which is intended to create opportunity and
relieve economic pressure on American families," said Mark Riccobono,
President of the National Federation of the Blind. "By alleviating the high
cost of technology that is critical to the educational and economic success
of blind and deafblind people, this provision will allow more of us to
support our families and participate fully in our nation's progress and
prosperity."

How Members Can Help

On October 20, President Riccobono wrote letters to both Speaker Pelosi and
Majority Leader Schumer urging them to keep this legislation, so critical to
the blind of America, in the bill. Unfortunately, we learned late last week,
on October 28, that the section of the Build Back Better Act containing the
ATAA had been removed.

The Build Back Better Act has not been finalized, so we still have a chance
to get the ATAA back into the bill before it goes for a floor vote, but we
must act quickly. We need everyone to contact Speaker Pelosi and Majority
Leader Schumer and urge them to restore this provision. When you call or
email you might say:

"My name is [YOUR NAME] and I want to urge [Speaker Pelosi OR Majority
Leader Schumer] to restore the Access Technology Affordability Act (H.R.
431/S. 212) into the Build Back Better Act (H.R. 5376). This bill will have
a tremendous impact on the lives of blind Americans by improving education,
increasing employment opportunities, and increasing overall
self-sufficiency. Thank you."

We suggest a subject like: "Please Maintain the ATAA Provision in the Build
Back Better Act"

To contact Speaker Pelosi and Majority Leader Schumer please use the
following email addresses, or call the Capitol Switchboard at 202-224-3121.

Speaker Pelosi:

Terri McCullough, Chief of Staff
terri.mccullough at mail.house.gov
<https://nfb.org/civicrm/mailing/url?u=23432&qid=6262328> 

Majority Leader Schumer:

Mike Lynch, Chief of Staff
mike_lynch at schumer.senate.gov
<https://nfb.org/civicrm/mailing/url?u=23433&qid=6262328> 

If you email, please copy Jeff Kaloc at jkaloc at nfb.org
<https://nfb.org/civicrm/mailing/url?u=23434&qid=6262328> .

Share on Twitter

After contacting Speaker Pelosi and Majority Leader Schumer, please share on
social media. You can use the following draft or share (also known as
retweeting) posts from the National Federation of the Blind account
<https://nfb.org/civicrm/mailing/url?u=23435&qid=6262328> . 

I urge @SpeakerPelosi and @LeaderHoyer to restore the provisions of the
Access Technology Affordability Act (H.R. 431/S. 212) to the Build Back
Better Act. This provision will help us improve education, obtain
employment, and increase self-sufficiency. @nfb_voice

About the National Federation of the Blind 

The National Federation of the Blind (NFB), headquartered in Baltimore,
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. Founded in 1940, the NFB is the transformative membership
and advocacy organization of blind Americans with affiliates, chapters, and
divisions in the fifty states, Washington DC, and Puerto Rico. 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 nfb.org
<https://nfb.org/civicrm/mailing/url?u=23436&qid=6262328> .

Media Contact:

Chris Danielsen
Director of Public Relations
National Federation of the Blind
(410) 659-9314, extension 2330
(410) 262-1281 (Cell)
cdanielsen at nfb.org <https://nfb.org/civicrm/mailing/url?u=23437&qid=6262328>

Government Affairs Contact:

Jeff Kaloc
Governmental Affairs Specialist
National Federation of the Blind
410-659-9314, extension 2206
jkaloc at nfb.org <https://nfb.org/civicrm/mailing/url?u=23434&qid=6262328> 

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