The National Federation of the Blind, the transformative membership and advocacy organization of blind Americans, urges the House Appropriations Committee to include critical funding for programs that benefit the blind into the upcoming appropriations package.
Those programs include the Institute of Museum and Library Services (which plays a large part in helping to fund libraries for the blind across the country), special education programs, vocational rehabilitation programs, Independent Living Services for Older Individuals who are Blind (OIB), and the American Printing House for the Blind.
These programs are funded through the Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies Appropriation Bill each fiscal year. Frequently, we will refer to this as the “Labor H Appropriations Bill.”
How Members Can Help
On July 28, President Riccobono wrote letters to the chairs and ranking members of both the House and Senate Appropriations Subcommittees on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies.
He urged them to appropriate funding for the Institute of Museum and Library Services, special education programs, and vocational rehabilitation programs at the fiscal year 2024 level plus a 5 percent cost of living adjustment over the last two fiscal years.
He also urged them to appropriate 254.7 million dollars for the OIB program, which is currently woefully underfunded, and 53.4 million dollars for the American Printing House for the Blind to help facilitate the distribution of the Monarch, an innovative multi-line Braille and tactile graphics technology that is revolutionizing access to education for blind students.
He also asked that the annual 9 million dollar grant for Bookshare be maintained. Later that week the full Senate Appropriations Committee voted in favor of a version of the Labor H Appropriations Bill that funded all of the above programs at the Fiscal Year 2024 level, which is less than what we were hoping for. In some cases, much less.
Fortunately, the House version of the bill has not yet been finalized. This is where you come in. We need everyone to contact Representative Robert Aderholt, the Chairman of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies, as well as your own representative in the House and urge them to fund these important programs for all blind Americans.
Sample Script
When you call or email you might say: “My name is [YOUR NAME] and I want to urge [REPRESENTATIVE NAME] to ensure that critical funding for crucial programs for blind Americans will be included in the Labor H Appropriations Bill. Specifically, I would like to urge a five percent increase over the Fiscal Year 2024 funding for the Institute of Museum and Library Services, special education programs, and vocational rehabilitation programs (including the client assistance program and protection and advocacy program).
I would also like to urge that the Independent Living Services for Older Individuals who are Blind program receives a significant funding increase up to 254.7 million dollars, and that the American Printing House for the Blind receives an increase in funding up to 53.4 million dollars. Finally, I would like to ask that the annual 9 million dollar grant for Bookshare is maintained.
This funding would help ensure that blind Americans are able to get proper education, maximize our employment potential, and live independent lives. Thank you.”
We suggest a subject like: “Please Ensure that Critical Funding for Blind Americans Remains in the Labor H Appropriations Bill”
For Chairman Aderholt’s office, please contact Megan Medley at [email protected], or by calling 202-225-4876.
To find the contact information for your specific representative’s office, please download the spreadsheet. It is organized alphabetically by state.
If you are having trouble finding the contact information for your member of Congress, please contact Lindsey Walsh at [email protected]. If you email, please copy Jesse Shirek at [email protected].
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.
Government Affairs Contact
Jesse Shirek
Governmental Affairs Specialist
National Federation of the Blind
410-659-9314, extension 2348
[email protected]