NFBOK to Host Legislative Reception at State Capitol

The National Federation of the Blind Oklahoma will host a reception and legislative seminar at the State Capitol on Tuesday February 13, 2018. National Federation of the Blind of Oklahoma members, family and friends from across Oklahoma are invited to attend to advocate for legislative initiatives of interest to blind Oklahomans.

The seminar will begin with a Gathering-In on Tuesday morning at 9:00 AM In the Oklahoma State Capitol (Room 412-A) and will adjourn promptly at 10:00AM. The Gathering-In serves as our opening session to our Oklahoma Legislative Seminar. We will pump up our energy and gear up our strategy during this session. Members of NFB Oklahoma will come together to learn about and advocate for legislative initiatives that will improve the lives of blind Oklahomans.

Immediately following the gathering in, there will be a reception from 11:00 am to 2:00 pm, in room 412A for legislators to get to know the Federation and our members. This is an opportunity for our blind advocates to help cast off the perception of incapacity that is too often reinforced by bad public policies that serve to relegate blind Americans to second class citizenship.

In lieu of legislative appointments, members will team up to visit Senate and House offices at the conclusion of the reception to introduce the Federation to our legislators and answer questions.

Agenda

National Federation of the Blind Oklahoma
Legislative Seminar

Oklahoma State Capitol
2300 North Lincoln Boulevard, Room 412-A, Oklahoma City, OK 73105, 405-521-2711
DATE: Tuesday, February 13, 2018

Gathering-In– 9:00-10:00 AM
Legislative Reception– 10:00 AM-2:00 PM
Legislative Office Outreach– 11:00 AM-2:00 PM

About the Seminar

The Oklahoma Legislative Seminar is an annual event of the National Federation of the Blind of Oklahoma to introduce the agenda of blind Oklahomans requiring the State Legislature’s attention over the coming year. The issues are selected from official positions of the Federation and may address concerns in the following areas: relevant civil rights issues; educational programs and services, including Oklahoma School for the Blind; rehabilitation of the blind for competitive employment; the operation of vending facilities by blind persons on public property; specialized library services for the blind; the organization and funding of federal programs; Social Security and Supplemental Income programs; elimination of sheltered workshops; and other timely topics.

2018 Legislative Initiatives

The National Federation of the Blind Oklahoma has selected two priority initiatives for the 56th Legislature, Second Session

• Model Parental Rights and Family Preservation For The Blind Act
https://nfb.org/bill-parental-rights-blind
• Model Braille Literacy Bill – National Federation of the Blind
https://nfb.org/model-braille-literacy-bill

Resources:

• parenting Without Sight:
Parenting Without Sight PDF
• Braille and Visually Impaired Students: What does the law require?
https://nfb.org/braille-and-vi-students
• Background on Braille Literacy Legislation
https://nfb.org/braille-literacy-background
• Braille Literacy Legislation Adopted by States:
https://nfb.org/braille-literacy-states

Follow Up Meeting

A meeting for seminar participants to review our legislative progress and provide guidance on follow up action will occur on Wednesday evening, February 14, 2018, via teleconference call. Call in information will be provided to everyone who attends seminar day at the Capitol