Blind Coloradans Unite for a Day at the Capitol

For Immediate Release

CONTACT:
Scott LaBarre, President                                
NFB of Colorado                                           
Work phone: (303) 504-5979
Cell phone: (303) 520-3584
slabarre@labarrelaw.com

LITTLETON, CO, March 19, 2007:  More than forty members of the National Federation of the Blind of Colorado (NFBCO) will converge on the state’s capitol this Wednesday, March 21 beginning at 8:00 a.m. to meet with their elected representatives. The group will gather in the Old Supreme Court Chambers for a briefing on this year’s NFBCO legislative agenda before dispersing to various legislative offices.

Scott LaBarre, president of the National Federation of the Blind of Colorado stated that "We have found that these face-to-face meetings between blind constituents and their state senators and representatives to discuss the issues affecting the blind is the best way to educate our elected officials about what blind Coloradans really need.”

NFBCO members will discuss the creation of a Commission for the Blind (HB07-1274), sponsored by longtime supporter of the blind of Colorado, House Representative, Joe Rice, a democrat from Littleton, Colorado.  If passed, the commission for the blind will be made up of eleven members appointed by the Governor and confirmed by the Senate.  These members will be charged with studying rehabilitation and other services to the blind and making appropriate recommendations to the Division of Rehabilitation (DVR), the Governor, and the General Assembly. 

Other NFBCO legislative issues for this year include renewed funding for NFB-NEWSLINE®, a free telephone service provided by the National Federation of the Blind which allows the blind to read daily newspapers with the same ease and convenience as the sighted.  Federationists will also address the various proposals floating around to reform the voting system in Colorado to make sure that ability of the blind to cast a secret and independent ballot, recently achieved through the HAVA act, is protected.

About the National Federation of the Blind of Colorado
The National Federation of the Blind of Colorado is an affiliate of the largest organization of the blind in America, the National Federation of the Blind.  The NFB of Colorado was chartered in 1955.  The NFB believes the real problem of blindness is not the lack of eyesight but rather the misunderstanding and lack of information which exist.  We believe that with proper training and opportunity, blindness can be reduced to the level of a physical nuisance.

For more information about the NFB of Colorado call 303-778-1130 or go to www.nfbco.org

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