Blind Coloradan
Blog
February 21,
2025
Writer, aggregator: Kevan Worley
Contributors: Dan Burke &
Erin Daley. With assistance from Lisa Bonderson.
National Federation of the Blind
of Colorado, President, Jessica Beecham
Advocacy News and
Calls to Action
The National Federation of the Blind
is busy defending the rights of blind people, working to create opportunities
for our greater participation, and calling on elected officials to stop using
stereotypes about us in political discourse. We need your help to advance these
important matters below.
Blind Americans
Return to Work Act Introduced
The National Federation of the Blind
is excited to share that the Blind Americans Return to Work Act of 2025,
sponsored by Representative Pete Sessions (R-TX-17) and co-led by Kweisi Mfume
(D-MD-7), has been introduced in the 119th Congress as H.R. 1175. Please call
or email your members in the House of Representatives and ask them to cosponsor
H.R. 1175, the Blind Americans Return to Work Act. If you send an email, please
be sure to copy Jesse Shirek at jshirek@nfb.org.
Legislative Alert
Reminder: Call State Representatives about Section 504
The National Federation of the Blind
(NFB) is deeply concerned about the Texas v. Becerra case, brought by the
attorneys general of 17 states (Alaska, Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia,
Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, South Carolina,
South Dakota, Texas, Utah, and West Virginia).
These states have sued the federal
government regarding updated rules which note that “gender dysphoria” may be
within the definition of “disability” under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation
Act and which make clear that people at risk of institutionalization have a
cause of action to prevent unnecessary institutionalization. As a result, these
states have charged that this regulations renders the entire Section 504
unconstitutional. As a reminder, Section 504 requires that entities which
receive federal funding, like schools and hospitals, cannot discriminate on the
basis of disability.
The NFB is not alone in this
opposition, with other organizations like the National Disability Rights
Network and the American Association of People with Disabilities also
expressing concern. The NFB urges individuals in the affected states to contact
their state’s attorney general or governor to oppose the lawsuit and emphasize
the importance of Section 504 in protecting all people with disabilities,
including blind individuals, from discrimination. There is early indication
that our outreach is already getting some states to reconsider their
involvement in this harmful case.
Federal Workers
Impacted by Recent Layoffs
We know that federal employees with
disabilities have been disproportionally affected by recent reductions in the
federal employment work force and we are doing all we can to help our blind
colleagues. If you are a federal worker impacted by the government layoffs and
interested in information on career opportunities through the National
Federation of the Blind Employment Initiatives, please submit the Employment
Interest Form to receive announcements regarding career opportunities.
Share Statement
on Harmful Stereotyping of Blind People
Please read and share the Statement
from the National Federation of the Blind on the Harmful Stereotyping of Blind
People in Political Discourse. Here is some background information on the
matter. Dylan Hedtler-Gaudette, the director of government affairs for the
Project on Government Oversight and member of the National Federation of the
Blind, testified at a congressional hearing regarding Delivering on Government
Efficiency. Government officials, media professionals, and social media users
used his blindness to mock and discredit his expertise.
We call on all elected leaders,
policymakers, and media outlets to engage in informed, respectful discourse
that recognizes the capabilities of blind individuals rather than exploiting
ignorance for political gain. Please share the video of President Riccobono
regarding this matter on social media. It is posted on Facebook, YouTube,
Mastodon, LinkedIn, TikTok, Instagram, and X.
Who are We? NFB
As someone who values our advocacy
efforts, please consider a contribution. Your help makes a difference. The
National Federation of the Blind advances the lives of its members and all
blind people in the United States. We know that blindness is not the characteristic
that defines you or your future. Every day we raise the expectations of blind
people, because low expectations create obstacles between blind people and our
dreams. Our collective power, determination, and diversity achieve the
aspirations of all blind people. Thank you for your commitment to the nation’s
blind.
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