[Missouri-l] Fw: [Nfb-announce] Senators Dodd and McCain Introduce Blind Persons Return to Work Act

[Chip Hailey]

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Freeh, Jessica" <JFreeh at nfb.org>; <by way of David Andrews 
<dandrews at visi.com>>
To: <david.andrews at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Thursday, January 28, 2010 9:04 PM
Subject: [Nfb-announce] Senators Dodd and McCain Introduce Blind Persons 
Return to Work Act


>
> FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
>
>
>
> CONTACT:
>
> Chris Danielsen
>
> Director of Public Relations
>
> National Federation of the Blind
>
> (410) 659-9314, extension 2330
>
> (410) 262-1281 (Cell)
>
> <mailto:cdanielsen at nfb.org>cdanielsen at nfb.org
>
>
>
>
> Senators Dodd and McCain Introduce
> Blind Persons Return to Work Act
>
>
>
>
> National Federation of the Blind Applauds a Common Sense
> Work Incentive for Blind Social Security Beneficiaries
>
>
>
> Washington, D.C. (January 28, 2010): Senator Christopher Dodd (D-CT)
> and Senator John McCain (R-AZ) today introduced the Blind Persons
> Return to Work Act of 2010 (S. 2962), which will allow blind
> Americans to more easily transition from Social Security
> beneficiaries to income-earning, productive members of the workforce.
>
>
>
> Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), a program meant to
> provide disabled Americans with financial support, actually
> discourages blind people from seeking employment by placing a limit
> on how much money they can earn.  This bipartisan bill replaces the
> monthly earnings limit with a gradual phase-out, allowing blind
> beneficiaries to systematically replace benefits with earned income.
>
>
>
> Dr. Marc Maurer, President of the National Federation of the Blind,
> said: "The National Federation of the Blind applauds Senators Dodd
> and McCain, both longtime champions of the blind and other Americans
> with disabilities, for advancing this wise proposal to reform SSDI so
> it encourages blind beneficiaries to reach their full employment
> potential rather than discouraging them from becoming
> independent.  Blind people want to work, and with the right training
> and opportunity, we can hold any job to which we aspire.  Yet because
> of misconceptions about blindness and flawed work incentives in the
> SSDI program, 70 percent of working age blind people are unemployed
> or underemployed.  We are confident that the Blind Persons Return to
> Work Act will reduce the fear of termination of benefits resulting
> from an earnings limit and encourage blind people to join the workforce."
>
>
>
> "Blind Americans deserve the opportunity to enter or advance in the
> workplace without their financial security being threatened by some
> arbitrary limit," said Senator Dodd.  "We can encourage blind people
> to take advantage of their independence without punishing them for
> working.  This bipartisan legislation will protect millions of
> Americans from the risk of losing their benefits and will increase
> the productivity of our workforce."
>
>
>
> "Blind Americans who want to work should not be discouraged from
> pursuing employment," added Senator McCain.  "The current SSDI
> program creates government dependency and limits achievement among
> blind people.  The proposed reform will enable blind Americans to
> fully reach their potential in the workforce and reduce the overall
> number of federal beneficiaries, saving tax dollars for every American."
>
>
>
> This legislation joins its House companion bill, H.R. 886, introduced
> by John Lewis (D-GA) earlier this year.
>
>
>
>
>
> ###
>
>
>
>
> About the National Federation of the Blind
>
> With more than 50,000 members, the National Federation of the Blind
> is the largest and most influential membership organization of blind
> people in the <?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns =
> "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" />United States.  The
> NFB improves blind people's lives through advocacy, education,
> research, technology, and programs encouraging independence and
> self-confidence.  It is the leading force in the blindness field
> today and the voice of the nation's blind.  In January 2004 the NFB
> opened the National Federation of the Blind Jernigan Institute, the
> first research and training center in the United States for the blind
> led by the blind.
>
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> Nfb-announce mailing list
> Nfb-announce at nfbnet.org
> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nfb-announce_nfbnet.org
> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for 
> Nfb-announce:
> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nfb-announce_nfbnet.org/chiphailey%40cableone.net


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------



No virus found in this incoming message.
Checked by AVG - www.avg.com
Version: 8.5.432 / Virus Database: 271.1.1/2651 - Release Date: 01/28/10 
07:36:00