Mark Your Calendar!--April 14, 2016!
National Cogswell-Macy Act Call-In Day:
Sound Off for Students with Sensory Disabilities!
Call: 1-844-232-8210
Learn How You Can Help:
http://www.afb.org/info/get- connected/take-action/call-in-day-2016/125
Calling All Advocates!
This year, on April 14th, marks the 150th anniversary of the birth of Annie Sullivan, Helen Keller's much loved teacher. While Annie came to be known as the miracle worker because of her transformative work with Helen, we know that helping kids with disabilities learn isn't miraculous, and it never happens by accident. It takes both committed families and educators and an educational system that is held accountable for results.
On Thursday, April 14, 2016, join consumers, parents, teachers and other professionals and advocates from all across America and call upon the U.S. Congress to enact the Alice Cogswell and Anne Sullivan Macy Act (Cogswell-Macy Act, H.R. 3535). Tell them that it is about time for students who are blind, visually impaired, deaf, hard of hearing, or deafblind, including those students who may have additional disabilities, to finally receive an education worthy of their tremendous potential.
Since 1975, children with disabilities have had a right to be educated in their neighborhood school, but what we have not yet achieved is making sure that students with sensory disabilities receive an appropriate education once they get in the school house door. The Cogswell-Macy Act will ensure that every student with sensory disabilities is properly identified, evaluated and served to fully meet their individual specialized needs.
On April 14th, you are invited to call each of your two U.S. Senators and your member of the U.S. House of Representatives to ask them to support H.R. 3535, the Cogswell-Macy Act. At present, the bill is pending in the U.S. House; a Senate companion bill has yet to be introduced. When you call, you will be asked to enter your zip code so that you can be directed to the members of Congress who serve you; don't worry if you are not sure who your members of Congress are. If you cannot make all three calls at once, no problem; call back during normal business hours Eastern time when it is convenient for you. Similarly, if you cannot call on April 14th, or you would like to recruit calls from others on additional days, you are invited to do so. AFB is pleased to make this streamlined telephone service connecting you with your law makers available free of charge to you. Dial:
1-844-AFB-8210 (1-844-232-8210)
The Message!
When your call is connected, identify yourself, tell them where you're from and that you are a constituent, and ask to speak with the staff member who handles education or disability issues for the office. If they are not available to speak with you immediately, feel free to leave voice mail for them or simply leave a message with the receptionist.
Your message is simple: ask them to support H.R. 3535, the Alice Cogswell and Anne Sullivan Macy Act. Tell them that this legislation will revolutionize special education for students with sensory disabilities. Especially when you can talk interactively with a staff member, remember to share any brief personal stories you may have that illustrate the need for the Cogswell-Macy Act. If they have any questions or would like additional information, you can direct them to our website:
www.AFB.org/CogswellMacyAct
Additional Resources:
In addition to making calls yourself, please do share this email invitation far and wide through your networks, and encourage individuals and groups with whom you are connected to participate in the National Cogswell-Macy Act Call-In Day on Thursday, April 14th.
Do you run or participate in a state or local nonprofit service organization, volunteer community group, or affiliate/chapter of an association of consumers or professionals in the vision loss community? Consider hosting your own Call-In Day campaign. You can find resources on our Cogswell-Macy Act website to assist you as you put your own efforts in motion. Please do not hesitate to reach out to us for help if you need it, and also please let us know about any Call-In Day activities of your own that you initiate.
You are welcome to read and download a series of English and Spanish talking points documents that should be of use to you as you prepare to make your calls, to take with you on any in-person visits on Capitol Hill you may want to make, and/or to put your own Call-In Day activities together. We are making both printable PDF and HTML documents available at:
U.S. House Talking Points (English)
HTML: http://www.afb.org/info/get- connected/take-action/house-talking-points-en/125
PDF: http://www.afb.org/media/PDFs/CMA-House- talking-points-10-2015.pdf
U.S. House Talking Points (Spanish):
HTML: http://www.afb.org/info/get- connected/take-action/house-talking-points-es/125
PDF: http://www.afb.org/media/PDFs/CMA-House-talking-points-10-2015-Spanish-new.pdf
U.S. Senate Talking Points (English):
HTML: http://www.afb.org/info/get- connected/take-action/senate-talking-points-en/125
PDF: http://www.afb.org/media/PDFs/CMA- Senate-talking-points-10-2015.pdf
U.S. Senate Talking Points (Spanish):
HTML: http://www.afb.org/info/get- connected/take-action/senate-talking-points-es/125
PDF: http://www.afb.org/media/PDFs/CMA-Senate-talking-points-10-2015-Spanish-new.pdf
Remember, if you would like additional resources, consult AFB's National Cogswell-Macy Act Call-In Day page:
http://www.afb.org/info/get- connected/take-action/call-in-day-2016/125
Thank you for your advocacy on behalf of students who are blind, visually impaired, deaf, hard of hearing, deafblind, and who may also have additional disabilities. Good luck; go get 'em!
For further information, contact:
Mark Richert, Esq.
Director, Public Policy, AFB
(202) 469-6833
MRichert@afb.net
National Cogswell-Macy Act Call-In Day:
Sound Off for Students with Sensory Disabilities!
Call: 1-844-232-8210
Learn How You Can Help:
http://www.afb.org/info/get- connected/take-action/call-in-day-2016/125
Calling All Advocates!
This year, on April 14th, marks the 150th anniversary of the birth of Annie Sullivan, Helen Keller's much loved teacher. While Annie came to be known as the miracle worker because of her transformative work with Helen, we know that helping kids with disabilities learn isn't miraculous, and it never happens by accident. It takes both committed families and educators and an educational system that is held accountable for results.
On Thursday, April 14, 2016, join consumers, parents, teachers and other professionals and advocates from all across America and call upon the U.S. Congress to enact the Alice Cogswell and Anne Sullivan Macy Act (Cogswell-Macy Act, H.R. 3535). Tell them that it is about time for students who are blind, visually impaired, deaf, hard of hearing, or deafblind, including those students who may have additional disabilities, to finally receive an education worthy of their tremendous potential.
Since 1975, children with disabilities have had a right to be educated in their neighborhood school, but what we have not yet achieved is making sure that students with sensory disabilities receive an appropriate education once they get in the school house door. The Cogswell-Macy Act will ensure that every student with sensory disabilities is properly identified, evaluated and served to fully meet their individual specialized needs.
On April 14th, you are invited to call each of your two U.S. Senators and your member of the U.S. House of Representatives to ask them to support H.R. 3535, the Cogswell-Macy Act. At present, the bill is pending in the U.S. House; a Senate companion bill has yet to be introduced. When you call, you will be asked to enter your zip code so that you can be directed to the members of Congress who serve you; don't worry if you are not sure who your members of Congress are. If you cannot make all three calls at once, no problem; call back during normal business hours Eastern time when it is convenient for you. Similarly, if you cannot call on April 14th, or you would like to recruit calls from others on additional days, you are invited to do so. AFB is pleased to make this streamlined telephone service connecting you with your law makers available free of charge to you. Dial:
1-844-AFB-8210 (1-844-232-8210)
The Message!
When your call is connected, identify yourself, tell them where you're from and that you are a constituent, and ask to speak with the staff member who handles education or disability issues for the office. If they are not available to speak with you immediately, feel free to leave voice mail for them or simply leave a message with the receptionist.
Your message is simple: ask them to support H.R. 3535, the Alice Cogswell and Anne Sullivan Macy Act. Tell them that this legislation will revolutionize special education for students with sensory disabilities. Especially when you can talk interactively with a staff member, remember to share any brief personal stories you may have that illustrate the need for the Cogswell-Macy Act. If they have any questions or would like additional information, you can direct them to our website:
www.AFB.org/CogswellMacyAct
Additional Resources:
In addition to making calls yourself, please do share this email invitation far and wide through your networks, and encourage individuals and groups with whom you are connected to participate in the National Cogswell-Macy Act Call-In Day on Thursday, April 14th.
Do you run or participate in a state or local nonprofit service organization, volunteer community group, or affiliate/chapter of an association of consumers or professionals in the vision loss community? Consider hosting your own Call-In Day campaign. You can find resources on our Cogswell-Macy Act website to assist you as you put your own efforts in motion. Please do not hesitate to reach out to us for help if you need it, and also please let us know about any Call-In Day activities of your own that you initiate.
You are welcome to read and download a series of English and Spanish talking points documents that should be of use to you as you prepare to make your calls, to take with you on any in-person visits on Capitol Hill you may want to make, and/or to put your own Call-In Day activities together. We are making both printable PDF and HTML documents available at:
U.S. House Talking Points (English)
HTML: http://www.afb.org/info/get- connected/take-action/house-talking-points-en/125
PDF: http://www.afb.org/media/PDFs/CMA-House- talking-points-10-2015.pdf
U.S. House Talking Points (Spanish):
HTML: http://www.afb.org/info/get- connected/take-action/house-talking-points-es/125
PDF: http://www.afb.org/media/PDFs/CMA-House-talking-points-10-2015-Spanish-new.pdf
U.S. Senate Talking Points (English):
HTML: http://www.afb.org/info/get- connected/take-action/senate-talking-points-en/125
PDF: http://www.afb.org/media/PDFs/CMA- Senate-talking-points-10-2015.pdf
U.S. Senate Talking Points (Spanish):
HTML: http://www.afb.org/info/get- connected/take-action/senate-talking-points-es/125
PDF: http://www.afb.org/media/PDFs/CMA-Senate-talking-points-10-2015-Spanish-new.pdf
Remember, if you would like additional resources, consult AFB's National Cogswell-Macy Act Call-In Day page:
http://www.afb.org/info/get- connected/take-action/call-in-day-2016/125
Thank you for your advocacy on behalf of students who are blind, visually impaired, deaf, hard of hearing, deafblind, and who may also have additional disabilities. Good luck; go get 'em!
For further information, contact:
Mark Richert, Esq.
Director, Public Policy, AFB
(202) 469-6833
MRichert@afb.net
