RESOLUTION 2025-01
Requesting Cosponsorship of H.R. 1529, Access Technology Affordability Act

WHEREAS, 70 percent of blind people are unemployed; and
WHEREAS, often blind people need specialized adaptive technology (i.e., braille displays, screen reading software, desktop magnification devices, etc.) in order to perform job tasks; and
WHEREAS, employers are often hesitant to consider a blind person for employment because of possible costs to the business to provide accommodations; and
WHEREAS, the blind person often would not have resources to cover these technology costs; and
WHEREAS, Mathematica has provided a dynamic score for this bill which will save the government $315 million over the next 5 years;
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the National Federation of the Blind of Idaho in convention assembled this 29th day of March, 2025, in Burley, Idaho, that this organization call upon congressmen Mike Simpson and Representative Russ Fulcher to co-sponsor H.R. 1529, the Access Technology Affordability Act, which creates a $2,000 refundable tax credit for the purchase of qualified technology for the blind.

RESOLUTION 2025-02
Co-sponsoring H.R. 1175: Blind Americans Return to Work Act

WHEREAS, Title II of the Social Security Act mandates that disability benefits paid to blind beneficiaries are eliminated if the beneficiary exceeds the monthly earnings limit of $2,700 per month in 2025; and
WHEREAS, a blind person will lose their SSDI benefit even if they earn a dollar more than the earnings limit; and
WHEREAS, many blind people deny themselves raises or additional work hours to avoid making more than the earnings limit; and
WHEREAS, because of the high cost of living, blind people, like other Americans, must use all available income in order to cover current inflationary expenses;
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the National Federation of the Blind of Idaho, in convention March 29, 2025, that we call upon congressmen  Mike Simpson and Russ Fulcher to co-sponsor H.R. 1175, introduced by congressman Pete Sessions, which will amend Title II of the Social Security Act allowing the Commissioner of Social Security to carry out a demonstration project changing the earnings limit to a 2-for-1 plan, where for every two dollars earned, the blind person would lose one dollar of SSDI benefits. This would allow blind individuals to continue to increase earnings, thus paying more into Social Security and into the tax base.

RESOLUTION 2025.03

Idaho Legislature to Safeguard Talking Book Service and Support Library Funding Flexibility
WHEREAS, the Idaho Commission for Libraries Talking Book Service is a critical program serving blind and print-disabled residents, funded primarily (95%) by the federal Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS); and
WHEREAS, the Joint Finance and Appropriations Committee (JFAC) recently adopted intent language that prohibits the transfer or use of state funds to support programs formerly funded by the federal government without specific legislative approval; and
WHEREAS, the Idaho Commission for Libraries (ICfL) employs at least ten staff members to carry out vital programs, including six staff members directly supporting the Talking Book Service, all ten of whom face possible layoffs if federal funding is disrupted; and
WHEREAS, any delay in funding authority could force the shutdown of the Talking Book Service and halt essential services for Idahoans with disabilities until the Legislature reconvenes; and
WHEREAS, the Talking Book Service is not merely a library program, but a lifeline to independence, information access, and civic participation for blind and print-disabled Idahoans;
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED in convention March 29, 2025, in Burley, Idaho, that the National Federation of the Blind of Idaho urges the Idaho Legislature to take immediate steps to safeguard the Idaho Talking Book Service and ensure the continuity of service to blind and print-disabled residents in the event of federal funding disruption. The Federation specifically calls on all members of the Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee (JFAC) to support legislative flexibility and funding mechanisms that will allow the Idaho Commission for Libraries to continue operations and retain essential staff without interruption.

RESOLUTION 2025.04
Support for Funding the Institute of Museum and Library Services and the Idaho Talking Book Service

WHEREAS, the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) provides approximately 95% of the funding for the Idaho Talking Book Service, which serves 2700 blind and print-disabled Idahoans; and
WHEREAS, the Talking Book Service enables Idahoans with disabilities to access books, periodicals, and other reading materials in accessible formats that are not otherwise available through traditional library services; and
WHEREAS, on March 14, 2025, President Trump issued an Executive Order targeting IMLS and several other federal agencies for reduction or elimination; and
WHEREAS, the IMLS-administered Grants to States program provides $1.7 million annually to support libraries in Idaho, including the Idaho Commission for Libraries and its staff, and may be vulnerable under the Executive Order; and
WHEREAS, the elimination of IMLS would devastate library services for individuals with disabilities in Idaho and across the country, including the near-total loss of the Idaho Talking Book Service;
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED in convention March 29, 2025, in Burley, Idaho, that the National Federation of the Blind of Idaho strongly supports the continued existence and full funding of the Institute of Museum and Library Services, including the Grants to States program. The Federation further urges Idaho congressmen and senators to oppose any executive or legislative efforts to reduce or eliminate IMLS and to publicly affirm their support for programs that serve blind and print-disabled constituents.

Resolution 2025-06
Preservation of Institute of Museums and National Library Services

WHEREAS, on January 28, 2019, President Trump signed the Marrakesh Treaty; and
WHEREAS, this treaty enables the sharing of materials produced for the blind with the National Library Service and the other signatories of the treaty; and
WHEREAS, blind people have benefited from the increased materials provided from the 80 countries who have ratified this treaty; and
WHEREAS, Senator Jim Risch was instrumental in getting the Marrakesh Treaty ratified for the benefit of those blind and print disabled persons in the United States who need such materials; and
WHEREAS, on March 14, 2025, President Trump issued an Executive Order targeting IMLS for elimination; and
WHEREAS, Elimination of IMLS would remove access to all reading materials for the blind, including materials provided by the Marrakesh Treaty;
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the National Federation of the Blind in convention assembled this 29th day of March, 2025, in Burley, Idaho, that we call upon Senator Risch to work with President Trump to preserve library services for the blind, so that the blind of the United States can continue to receive accessible reading materials, including those which are made available through the Marrake

 

RESOLUTION 2025-07 Maintain Idaho Commission for the Blind Location in the Governor’s Office and Continue Federal and State Funds
WHEREAS, the Idaho Commission for the Blind and Visually Impaired (ICBVI) provides training for the adult blind, business enterprise program, job search and placement assistance, summer programs for blind and visually impaired teenagers, and other essential services; and
WHEREAS, these services are not available from any other agency, public or private, in this State; and
WHEREAS, blind people who receive these services are far better prepared to become self-supporting and independent than those who do not; and
WHEREAS, federal funds are appropriated through the US Department of Education for a large part of the budget of the ICBVI, while state funds are also used; and
WHEREAS, funding sources could be changed, it is essential that funding not be reduced, since the ICBVI has less funding than it really needs now; and
WHEREAS, the ICBVI is located in the office of the Governor and functions very well there;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the National Federation of the Blind of Idaho:
That we call upon Governor Brad Little and the Idaho Legislature to maintain the location of the Idaho Commission for the Blind and Visually Impaired in the Governor's office; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that we call upon Idaho's Congressmen and Senators, as well as the State Legislature, to see that adequate federal and state funds are authorized for the Idaho Commission for the Blind and Visually Impaired to continue its valuable services to the blind of the State.