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                            THE BLIND NEWS DIGEST

                                 Issue # 1052

                           Thursday, June 30, 1994

Today's Topics:


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                              RFB -- IMPORTANT
                            RFB -- sample Letter
                             RFB -- white paper
                             RFB -- Senator list


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Subject: RFB -- IMPORTANT
From: 6500reng@UCSBUXA.UCSB.EDU (Robert Englebretson)

[This is from the National Alliance of Blind Students' Symposium
mailing list (NABS-L)]

Hi!
This and the three subsequent postings from me are as a result of contacts
between ACB and RFB (recording for the Blind).  I'm sure all of us as blind
students have a great appreciation for the high-quality services RFB offers.
I know, for me personally, I would not have been able to make it through my
undergrad years without RFB.  Unfortunately, as RFB is expanding and receiving
more and more subscribers, funding is becoming scarce.  Therefore, RFB has been
lobbying Congress for additional support and has asked ACB and NABS to help with
this.  Basically, RFB must receive this funding if services are to continue at
the level of quality that we currently expect.  Also, this funding will allow
RFB to continue expanding in the area of E-text--something that I know most of
us on this list are in favor of.

As list owner it is very rare that I will strongly take sides on an issue and
request list subsribers  to do something.  However, this issue is of such
importance that I think it is essential that all of us support RFB in their
request for funding.  It's very simple--all you have to do is write a short
letter or make a quick phone call to a Senator.

The following posting will be the "wite paper" drafted by Ritchie Geisel,
director of RFB.

The next message I'm  Posting contains a sample letter.  Just fill in the blanks
and add the appropriate information.  It is also most helpful if you would give
a short "testimonial" as to how RFB has helped you in your studies, jobs, and
personal reading.

Following this, I will send a copy of names and addresses of Senators on the
committee which is looking at this issue.  It is especially important, if you
live in any of these states, to write that particular Senator.  (If you don't
live in one of these states, write anyway!!!)  RFB has requested that if you
write or call a Senator about this issue, to please do so before July 12.  Also,
please send a copy of all written correspondence, and notes about telephone
calls to:
     Annemarie Cooke
     Recording for the Blind
     20 Roszel Rd.
     Princeton, NJ  08540

Thanks for taking the time to stand with ACB and NABS regarding this very
important issue.

                         Robert




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Subject: RFB -- sample Letter
From: 6500reng@UCSBUXA.UCSB.EDU (Robert Englebretson)

[This is from the National Alliance of Blind Students' Symposium
mailing list (NABS-L)]

                                   RETURN ADDRESS
                                   DATE


The Honorable xxxx
xxx Hart Senate Office Building
Washington, DC  20510

Dear Senator xxxx:

 I am writing to ask you to do what you can to see that Recording for the Blind
(RFB) receives the requested $4.5 million in appropriations from Congress.  This
money is vital in order to maintain the very important services provided by this
fine organization.  The educational books on tape produced by Recording for the
Blind and used by more than 34,000 individuals across the United States, are
literally a lifeline to a productive life.  Many of RFB's consumers simply don't
know where they would turn without this service.

{Please include a few sentences noting how  or why RFB plays an important role
in your life).}

Please help to keep this organization and the invaluable service it provides
alive.

Thank you.

                         Sincerely,




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Subject: RFB -- white paper
From: 6500reng@UCSBUXA.UCSB.EDU (Robert Englebretson)

[This is from the National Alliance of Blind Students' Symposium
mailing list (NABS-L)]

                  Recording for the Blind, Inc.

               EFFECT OF LEVEL FUNDING ON SERVICES


     In order to ensure the provision of vital educational services
to blind and learning disabled students, it is imperative that
Congress appropriate funds for taped textbooks supplied through
Recording for the Blind (RFB) at a level considerably higher than
the amount provided for Fiscal Year 1994.  Level funding for RFB
would mean that 20,000 new subscribers to RFB's library would not
be served.
     The FY 1994 appropriation for RFB was $3.5 million.  Although
the federal appropriation only defrayed about 25% of RFB's
operating costs, this support was crucial to RFB's ability to serve
new blind students and to progress in the development of new,
alternate format technology known as "E-Text," a computer based
information and communication system that allows people with print
disabilities to read in refreshable braille, synthetic speech, or
large print.
     The cost to Recording for the Blind of providing services has
increased steadily.  Expenses have increased year by year, despite
a workforce which is 96% volunteer.  The Americans with
Disabilities Act has generated increasing pressure to serve more
disabled students and workers in training.  Secretary of Education
Richard Riley has urged Congress to give all students "full and
free access" to the information highway.  Presumably, this
exhortation includes students with disabilities.  Unless full and
free access means meeting the needs of children and other students
who are blind for educational texts, for such children the
Secretary's urging is meaningless.
     Unless the Congress appropriates substantially more than the
FY 1994 level for textbooks on tape, 20,000 students will have
their educations delayed or limited at best; at worst, they will be
denied the education they need.




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Subject: RFB -- Senator list
From: 6500reng@UCSBUXA.UCSB.EDU (Robert Englebretson)

[This is from the National Alliance of Blind Students' Symposium
mailing list (NABS-L)]


   SENATE SUBCOMMITTEE ON LABOR, HEALTH, AND HUMAN SERVICES,
                 EDUCATION, AND RELATED AGENCIES


ALASKA:
The Honorable Ted Stevens
Subcommittee on Labor, Health, and Human Services, Education, and
Related Agencies
Committee on Appropriations
United States Senate
522 Senate Hart Office Building
Constitution Avenue and 2nd Street NE
Washington, DC 20510
Telephone:  (202) 224-3004
State Offices:  Fairbanks (907) 456-0261

ARKANSAS:
The Honorable Dale Bumpers
Subcommittee on Labor, Health, and Human Services, Education, and
Related Agencies
Committee on Appropriations
United States Senate
229 Senate Dirksen Office Building
Constitution Avenue and First Street NE
Washington, DC 20510
Telephone:  (202) 224-4843
State Offices:  Little Rock (501) 324-6286

FLORIDA:
The Honorable Connie Mack
Subcommittee on Labor, Health, and Human Services, Education, and
Related Agencies
Committee on Appropriations
United States Senate
517 Senate Hart Office Building
Constitution Avenue and 2nd Street NE
Washington, DC 20510
Telephone:  (202) 224-5274
State Offices:  Ft. Myers (813) 275-6252

HAWAII:
The Honorable Daniel K. Inouye
Subcommittee on Labor, Health, and Human Services, Education, and
Related Agencies
Committee on Appropriations
United States Senate
722 Senate Hart Office Building
Constitution Avenue and 2nd Street NE
Washington, DC 20510
Telephone:  (202) 224-3934
State Offices:  Honolulu (808) 541-2542

IOWA:
The Honorable Tom Harkin
Subcommittee on Labor, Health, and Human Services, Education, and
Related Agencies
Committee on Appropriations
United States Senate
531 Senate Hart Office Building
Constitution Avenue and 2nd Street NE
Washington, DC 20510
Telephone:  (202) 224-3254
State Offices:  Des Moines (515) 284-4574

MISSISSIPPI:
The Honorable Thad Cochran
Subcommittee on Labor, Health, and Human Services, Education, and
Related Agencies
Committee on Appropriations
United States Senate
326 Senate Russell Office Building
Constitution and Delaware Avenues NE
Washington, DC 20510
Telephone:  (202) 224-5054
State Offices:  Jackson (601) 965-4459

MISSOURI:
The Honorable Christopher S. Bond
Subcommittee on Labor, Health, and Human Services, Education, and
Related Agencies
Committee on Appropriations
United States Senate
293 Senate Russell Office Building
Constitution and Delaware Avenues NE
Washington, DC 20510
Telephone:  (202) 224-5721
State Offices:  Lee's Summit (816) 524-6141

NEVADA:
The Honorable Harry Reid
Subcommittee on Labor, Health, and Human Services, Education, and
Related Agencies
Committee on Appropriations
United States Senate
324 Senate Hart Office Building
Constitution Avenue and 2nd Street NE
Washington, DC 20510
Telephone:  (202) 224-3542
State Offices:  Reno (702) 784-5568

OREGON:
The Honorable Mark O. Hatfield
Subcommittee on Labor, Health, and Human Services, Education, and
Related Agencies
Committee on Appropriations
United States Senate
711 Senate Hart Office Building
Constitution Avenue and 2nd Street NE
Washington, DC 20510
Telephone:  (202) 224-3753
State Offices:  Salem (503) 363-1629

PENNSYLVANIA:
The Honorable Arlen Specter
Subcommittee on Labor, Health, and Human Services, Education, and
Related Agencies
Committee on Appropriations
United States Senate
530 Senate Hart Office Building
Constitution Avenue and 2nd Street NE
Washington, DC 20510
Telephone:  (202) 224-4254
State Offices:  Philadelphia (215) 597-7200

SOUTH CAROLINA:
The Honorable Ernest F. Hollings
Subcommittee on Labor, Health, and Human Services, Education, and
Related Agencies
Committee on Appropriations
United States Senate
125 Senate Russell Office Building
Constitution and Delaware Avenues NE
Washington, DC 20510
Telephone:  (202) 224-6121
State Offices:  Columbia (803) 765-5731

WASHINGTON:
The Honorable Patty Murray
Subcommittee on Labor, Health, and Human Services, Education, and
Related Agencies
Committee on Appropriations
United States Senate
302 Senate Hart Office Building
Constitution Avenue and 2nd Street NE
Washington, DC 20510
Telephone:  (202) 224-2621
State Offices:  Seattle (206) 553-5545

WASHINGTON:
The Honorable Slade Gorton
Subcommittee on Labor, Health, and Human Services, Education, and
Related Agencies
Committee on Appropriations
United States Senate
730 Senate Hart Office Building
Constitution Avenue and 2nd Street NE
Washington, DC 20510
Telephone:  (202) 224-3441
State Offices:  Seattle (206) 553-0350


WEST VIRGINIA:
The Honorable Robert C. Byrd
Subcommittee on Labor, Health, and Human Services, Education, and
Related Agencies
Committee on Appropriations
United States Senate
311 Senate Hart Office Building
Constitution Avenue and 2nd Street NE
Washington, DC 20510
Telephone:  (202) 224-3954
State Offices:  Charleston (304) 342-5855

WISCONSIN:
The Honorable Herbert Kohl
Subcommittee on Labor, Health, and Human Services, Education, and
Related Agencies
Committee on Appropriations
United States Senate
330 Senate Hart Office Building
Constitution Avenue and 2nd Street NE
Washington, DC 20510
Telephone:  (202) 224-5653
State Offices:  Milwaukee (414) 297-4451



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                 End of Issue # 1052 of the Blind News Digest

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