Of course, the blind will be negatively affected. But so will everyone else
except the very wealthy. It seems to me that while all organizations that
represent specific constituencies should explain how these groups will be
affected, all these advocacy organizations should include in their official
statements, the point that this budget is bad for everyone except very wealthy
people and that it should be opposed for that reason.
Miriam
From: blind-democracy-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
[mailto:blind-democracy-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Charles Krugman ;
(Redacted sender "ckrugman" for DMARC)
Sent: Wednesday, November 29, 2017 7:34 PM
To: Blind Democracy <blind-democracy@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Subject: [blind-democracy] FW: Organization Says Senate Tax Bill Disastrous for
Education, Employment of Blind Americans
From: National Federation of the Blind [mailto:webmaster@xxxxxxx] ;
Sent: Wednesday, November 29, 2017 1:00 PM
To: CHUCK KRUGMAN <ckrugman@xxxxxxxxxxxxx <mailto:ckrugman@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> >
Subject: Organization Says Senate Tax Bill Disastrous for Education, Employment
of Blind Americans
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 www.nfb.org
<https://nfb.org/sites/all/modules/civicrm/extern/url.php?u=9801&qid=2062733> .
CONTACT:
Chris Danielsen
Director of Public Relations
National Federation of the Blind
(410) 659-9314, extension 2330
(410) 262-1281 (Cell)
cdanielsen@xxxxxxx <mailto:cdanielsen@xxxxxxx>
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