The Social Security Administration is working to modernize the rules and standards used to evaluate how disability benefits are determined. The Administration will no longer be using the inability to communicate in English as a factor in awarding disability benefits.
Senator Robert Casey Jr introduced the Disability Employment Incentive Act to the House of Representatives. This bill would give businesses more incentives to hire people who have disabilities by changing the Internal Revenue Code of 1985 to include people who receive Social Security or Social Security Disability Insurance benefits that are under the work opportunity credit. This bill would also raise the work opportunity credit for individuals who hire referrals from Vocational Rehabilitation and improve deductions for money spent on removing structural and transportation barriers.
Baltimore, Maryland (December 6, 2019): Today, the National Federation of the Blind commends Congressman Phil Roe (R-TN) and Congressman Joe Courtney (D-CT) for introducing the Accessible Instructional Materials in Higher Education Act, also known as the AIM HIGH Act (H.R. 5312). This legislation will promote instructional technology and content that are accessible to the blind and other students with print disabilities.
Starting on January 8, 2020, Social Security offices nationwide will be open to the public on Wednesday afternoons. Currently, a field office is generally open to the public from 9:00 a.m. to Noon on Wednesdays. Beginning on January 8, 2020, offices will remain open until 4:00 p.m. on Wednesdays, with typical field office hours from 9:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. The agency is also hiring 1,100 front line employees to provide service on the agencys National 800 Number and in its processing centers.
Washington, DC (November 19, 2019): Joe Orozco, a blind intelligence analyst with the Federal Bureau of Investigation since 2012, is suing the FBI and the United States Department of Justice for violating his civil rights under Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended. The lawsuit alleges that technology Mr. Orozco is required to use in his job, some of which is proprietary, is inaccessible to him and to other blind employees, and that the FBI has offered no alternative means for him to access the information, data, and services available through this technology.
Each year, our organization awards a broad array of scholarships to recognize achievement by blind scholars. The NFB Scholarship Program is our investment in the future of blind people who demonstrate scholastic aptitude, leadership, and service. The cash value of our thirty scholarships, generally ranging from $3,000 to $12,000, is only one aspect of this prestigious program.
As part of its mission to promote Braille reading, the American Action Fund for Blind Children and Adults is sponsoring Braille Readers Are Leaders 2019-2020. Braille readers in grades K-12 compete with others in their grade category to read the most pages during the reading period from December 1 to January 18. An adult category allows adults who want to practice their Braille skills to participate as well. Registration began on November 1, and will remain open until the final day of the reading period.
By Mark A. Riccobono
Members of the National Federation of the Blind have been receiving reports of third parties trying to sell attendee lists for our state conventions and other Federation events. The National Federation of the Blind and its affiliates never sell member, attendee, or sponsor/exhibitor data in any way. These messages are not legitimate and should not be responded to or interacted with in any way.
The 2020 election has already seen an unprecedented level of engagement of the disability community by candidates. Differing approaches—from integrating disability as a lens across issues that include, but are not limited to, housing, democracy, and children’s issues, to stand-alone platforms that address parts of the communities and cover various intersections of race, gender, immigration, and LGBTQ identities—show that the issues facing people with disabilities are becoming a greater priority on the campaign trail than ever before.
A blind man named Guillermo Robles sued Domino's after he was unable to order food on their website and mobile app despite using screen-reading software. Attorneys for Robles argued in court papers that the Americans with Disabilities Act requires businesses with physical locations to make their websites and other online platforms accessible to those with disabilities.