---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: "Danielsen, Chris via NFBNet-Members-List"
<nfbnet-members-list@xxxxxxxxxx>
Date: Fri, 6 Dec 2019 14:01:00 +0000
Subject: [Nfbnet-members-list] National Federation of the Blind
Applauds Introduction of AIM High Act
To: NCB Staff <NCBStaff@xxxxxxx>, "nfbnet-members-list@xxxxxxxxxx"
<nfbnet-members-list@xxxxxxxxxx>, State Affiliate Leadership List
<state-affiliate-leadership-list@xxxxxxxxxx>
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
National Federation of the Blind Applauds Introduction of AIM High Act
Legislation Will Promote Equal Access to Higher Education for People
with Disabilities
Baltimore, Maryland (December 6, 2019): Today, the National Federation
of the Blind commends Congressman Phil Roe (R-TN) and Congressman Joe
Courtney (D-CT) for introducing the Accessible Instructional Materials
in Higher Education Act, also known as the AIM HIGH Act (H.R. 5312).
This legislation will promote instructional technology and content
that are accessible to the blind and other students with print
disabilities.
"This legislation is critically important to all blind students and to
me personally, as the father of three children, two of whom are
blind," said Mark Riccobono, President of the National Federation of
the Blind. "This issue has been ignored for too long. Blind Americans
applaud Representatives Roe and Courtney for their support of this
market-based approach to encouraging technology innovations to be born
accessible, thus allowing all students an equal opportunity for
educational excellence."
"All students deserve the opportunity to excel in their education,
which is why I am proud to reintroduce the Accessible Instructional
Materials in Higher Education (AIM HIGH) Act. This legislation
encourages institutions of higher education to provide equal access to
all instructional materials, which will support students with
disabilities. I want to thank Rep. Courtney for again partnering with
me on this important legislation, and all the stakeholders who have
worked tirelessly to develop this commonsense solution that can be
supported on a bipartisan basis," said Congressman Roe.
The AIM HIGH Act will authorize a purpose-based commission comprised
of persons with disabilities, developers, and manufacturers, as well
as representatives from institutions of higher education. This
commission will be tasked with developing accessibility criteria for
instructional materials and the technologies used to access those
materials. Additionally, the commission will be tasked with
establishing an annotated list of existing national and international
standards so that schools and developers can identify what makes a
product usable by the blind. Colleges and universities will be
permitted to use material that does not conform to the guidelines as
long as equal access laws are still honored. While conformity with the
AIM HIGH guidelines is only one path to compliance, schools can pursue
a different avenue but will forfeit the combined expertise of the
relevant stakeholder communities involved in the development of the
AIM HIGH guidelines.
The AIM HIGH Act is a collaborative legislative initiative of the
National Federation of the Blind, the American Council on Education,
the Association of American Publishers, Educause(r), and the Software
and Information Industry Association.
###
About the National Federation of the Blind
The National Federation of the Blind (NFB), headquartered in
Baltimore, is the oldest and largest nationwide organization of blind
Americans. Founded in 1940, the NFB consists of affiliates, chapters,
and divisions in the fifty states, Washington DC, and Puerto Rico. The
NFB defends the rights of blind people of all ages and provides
information and support to families with blind children, older
Americans who are losing vision, and more. We believe in the hopes and
dreams of blind people and work together to transform them into
reality. Learn more about our many programs and initiatives at
www.nfb.org<http://www.nfb.org>.
CONTACT:
Chris Danielsen
Director of Public Relations
National Federation of the Blind
(410) 659-9314, extension 2330
(410) 262-1281 (Cell)
cdanielsen@xxxxxxx<mailto:cdanielsen@xxxxxxx>
This pres release is also available at:
https://www.nfb.org/about-us/press-room/national-federation-blind-applauds-introduction-aim-high-act-0
Christopher S. Danielsen, J.D.
Director of Public Relations
200 East Wells Street, Baltimore, MD 21230
(410) 659-9314, Ext. 2330 | cdanielsen@xxxxxxx
Twitter: @rlawyer
[National Federation of the Blind]<https://nfb.org/>
[Facebook]
<http://www.facebook.com/nationalfederationoftheblind> [Twitter]
<https://twitter.com/NFB_Voice> [Youtube]
<https://www.youtube.com/NationsBlind>
The National Federation of the Blind is a community of members and
friends who believe in the hopes and dreams of the nation's blind.
Every day we work together to help blind people live the lives they
want.
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