Join ACB for 2018 Legislative Seminar and National Action Day

We are just a month away from the 2018 ACB Legislative Seminar. As Congress and our government are faced with ongoing budget constraints, it is critical that advocates join us in Washington, D.C. to speak out on the key issues and concerns standing in the way of greater independence and inclusion in our society.

This year, ACB will be advocating for protection of funding for critical services and supports. We will also be sending a message of greater stewardship for federal spending by urging support of two key pieces of legislation:

·       The Medicare Demonstration on Coverage of Low Vision Devices Act (H.R. 2050)

·       The Alice Cogswell and Anne Sullivan Macy Act (H.R. 1120 and S. 2087)

State affiliates should begin to schedule their congressional visits to Capitol Hill. Meetings should be scheduled for February 27^th, 2018. Contact information for scheduling your visit can be found on the member’s congressional webpage at www.senate.gov and www.house.gov. Offices can also be reached via the congressional switchboard at (202) 224-3121. Let the scheduler know you wish to meet with the staffer handling disability issues, and would also very much like to meet with your member of Congress.

The day prior to our Capitol Hill visits, ACB will be holding its legislative seminar in conjunction with the 2018 midyear conference and ACB presidents’ meeting. This day-long event will provide background on the 2018 ACB legislative imperatives, additional updates on other critical legislative activity, and the opportunity to hear from leading policymakers and advocates from Washington, D.C. who will speak on additional ACB priorities.

For those wishing to attend, we encourage you to coordinate activities through your state and local ACB chapters and affiliates. This assures that our voice will be loud and clear. For those unable to attend, the Legislative Seminar will be streamed live via ACB Radio, www.acbradio.org.

We will also be holding a ACB National Action Day via social media on February 27^th using the hashtag #ACBActionDay2018. Follow ACB on Facebook and Twitter to keep up with the day’s events and to help echo our message across the country. For questions, contact Anthony Stephens, Director of Advocacy & Governmental Affairs: astephens@..., (202) 467-5081.

Warmest Regards,

Anthony Stephens

Director of Advocacy & Governmental Affairs

American Council of the Blind

1703 N. Beauregard Street, STE 420

Alexandria, VA 22311

(T) 202.467.5081

(F) 703.465.5085

(E) astephens@...

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