DISABILITY GROUPS PROTEST CUTBACKS AT FEDERAL REHAB AGENCY
Proposed changes threaten delivery of vocational rehabilitation services.
Baltimore (May 19, 2005): - Over a thousand blind and disabled people will gather in Washington on Thursday, May 26, 2005, to protest cutbacks and other changes at the Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA). Spearheaded by the National Federation of the Blind (NFB) and supported by numerous other disability organizations, the protest will challenge Department of Education plans to close ten regional RSA offices, eliminate about half the agency's personnel, downgrade the position of commissioner of the RSA, and block grant vocational rehabilitation funds.
"These proposals significantly weaken our nation's commitment to help the blind become productive taxpayers rather than recipients of public benefits," said Marc Maurer, president of the NFB. "The blind and disabled face a disheartening unemployment rate of over 70 percent, yet the Department of Education wants to dismantle the single most effective program for preparing the blind to enter the workforce."
Proposed changes threaten delivery of vocational rehabilitation services.
Baltimore (May 19, 2005): - Over a thousand blind and disabled people will gather in Washington on Thursday, May 26, 2005, to protest cutbacks and other changes at the Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA). Spearheaded by the National Federation of the Blind (NFB) and supported by numerous other disability organizations, the protest will challenge Department of Education plans to close ten regional RSA offices, eliminate about half the agency's personnel, downgrade the position of commissioner of the RSA, and block grant vocational rehabilitation funds.
"These proposals significantly weaken our nation's commitment to help the blind become productive taxpayers rather than recipients of public benefits," said Marc Maurer, president of the NFB. "The blind and disabled face a disheartening unemployment rate of over 70 percent, yet the Department of Education wants to dismantle the single most effective program for preparing the blind to enter the workforce."
Below you can watch streaming video (taken by one of our members) of some highlights or listen to specific speeches.
Copyright 2004-2005 ThruOurEyes.org / Net. All Rights Reserved
Bottom of page
NOT AVAILABLE
Home
Donate
Feedback
Subscribe
Thru Our Eyes is produced by the The Northeast New Jersey Chapter of the
National Federation Of The Blind
