THE LEGISLATIVE BRANCH
Established by Article I of the Constitution, the Legislative
Branch consists of the House of Representatives and the Senate,
which together form the United States Congress. The Constitution
grants Congress the sole authority to enact legislation and declare
war, the right to confirm or reject many Presidential appointments,
and substantial investigative powers.
Getting
your voice heard is an amazing feeling and accomplishment. If you
want to write a letter to your local congressperson or government - you
want to make sure you do it correctly. Some people believe that
government and congress pay no attention to the voices out there,
but that is not true. They are more than willing to hear what you
have to say. After all they work for you!
 THE ISSUE AT HAND:
State and/or federal legislation should be implemented which require health facilities to send in a social worker (or other qualified professional) to visit competent seriously injured/disabled, hospitalized in-patients or nursing home residents, with the intent of clarifying that:
1. assistive technology input/output devices replace standard keyboards, monitors, or mice so that people with quadriplegia, blindness, or other serious conditions can effectively operate a computer
2. aid in obtaining and setting up of these computers and devices will be provided; thus cutting through the red tape
3. a bed top is sufficient space for an adaptive assembly
4. an adapted computer with access to the Internet (which could include attending online university courses and/or becoming employable) can improve life considerably
5. organizations exist to help provide computers; adaptive devices; and training.
Back Click here for more information about adaptive
computer devices
Keep
scrolling, and find why this is important to you!
Reasons why
YOU should participate
My experiences:
When the computer I’d owned for years suddenly broke down, the
Social Services department at the nursing home where I now reside
refused to help me contact several organizations that help the
disabled obtain new or refurbished computers – citing they were
too busy. They also denied me access to an outside social worker.
Because I had no family or friends in this part of the country, to
obtain a new computer I was forced to save my "personal needs
allowance" ($52 a month) for two years. (For
further clarification of my plight, see "my cold slap in the
face")
The facts:
Fifty-four million Americans – roughly 1 in 6 – personally
experience some form of disability.* Many of these individuals will
enter a heath facility with a serious, debilitating condition for at
least a short period of time in their lives. Help make sure
you, your family, friends, and descendants have the opportunity to gain employment
and/or attend online university courses through the use of an
adapted computer, instead of having to survive on Social Security
and taxpayer dollars. It takes a few minutes of your time and
costs nothin
A
personalized letter that you've written yourself will generally have
more impact than a form-letter. Follow the guidelines below or
search the Internet for how to write to congress
Letter writing instructions to congress:
Skip
all this reading so I can help out quickly
Salutations, for
Senators or representatives:
[for email, snail mail, or FAX]
The Honorable (full name)
(place Washington DC address here)
Washington, DC (zip code)
*Dear Senator: or Dear Representative:
* When writing to members of Congress, the salutations Dear Senator
(last name), or Dear Representative (last name)
should be used. [for
email, FAX, or, snail mail]
Letter body:
3 paragraphs:
1. Introduce yourself plus name address, introduce the issue. Say
why you are writing and who you are. List your "credentials –
if any" (You should always include your name and
address, even when using email.) Ask for a response
2. Provide more detail. Be factual not emotional. Provide
specific rather than general information about how the topic
affects you and others.
3. Close by requesting the action you want taken.
A simple form completion letter:
(This
is not simple enough, take me to the quick-form letter page)
The Honorable (full name)
(place Washington DC address here)
Washington, DC (zip code)
Dear Senator: or (Dear Representative:)
 First paragraph:
Introduce yourself plus name address, introduce the issue. Say
why you are writing and who you are. List your "credentials –
if any" Ask for a response.
Second paragraph:
Provide more detail. Be factual not emotional. Provide specific
rather than general information about how the topic affects you and
others.
Third paragraph:
Please draft state and/or federal legislation which require health facilities to send in a social worker (or other qualified professional) to visit competent seriously injured/disabled, hospitalized in-patients or nursing home residents, with the intent of clarifying that:
1. assistive technology input/output devices replace standard keyboards, monitors, or mice so that people with quadriplegia, blindness, or other serious conditions can effectively operate a computer
2. aid in obtaining and setting up of these computers and devices will be provided; thus, cutting through the red tape
3. a bed top is sufficient space for an adaptive assembly
4. an adapted computer with access to the Internet (which could include attending online university courses and/or becoming employable) can improve life considerably
5. organizations exist to help provide computers; adaptive devices; and training.
Thank you for taking the time to read my letter. Pease reply.
Sincerely (your name)
Writing
letters to your congresspersons can be completed online in just a few minutes. Logon to the following congressional website
www.congress.org/ ; type-in your zip code; locate your local congresspersons (two senators and a representative); click on their photo; choose the "contact" tab; then choose "email" or "web form"; next, type in "Computers for the disabled" as the subject; copy/paste your letter in the space provided and supply your personal information; finally, click "send
message." Repeat this process for each congressperson. If you have problems with this site, follow the instructions on one of these alternate sites
www.visi.com/juan/congress/
http://www.congressmerge.com/onlinedb/index.htm
(It takes a few minutes of your time and costs nothing) Back
Sample
letter to congress:
The Honorable (full name)
(place Washington DC address here)
Washington, DC (zip conator: or Dear Representative:
My name is Robert H. Clay. Now at age 53, I’ve lived my life with a
genetic, progressive disorder known as "Friedreich’s Ataxia"
(which deteriorates my balance and physical coordination). I've
benefited tremendously from the healing properties of an adapted
computer since 1993. I’m the Webmaster and founder of the website
www.equalitytechnology.org which promotes uniting the disabled with
computers using assistive technology devices. As a result of my personal
experiences, I want to help other disabled individuals live
fuller, more productive lives.
When the computer I’d owned for years suddenly broke down, the
Social Services department at the nursing home where I now reside
refused to help me contact several organizations that help the disabled
obtain new or refurbished computers – citing they were too busy. They
also denied me access to an outside social worker. Because I had no
family or friends in this part of the country, to obtain a new computer
I was forced to save my "personal needs allowance" ($52 a
month) for two years.
Health facilities’ complacency toward "Computers for the
disabled" must stop. Intelligent disabled individuals lie around
watching TV instead of developing their minds for the future. Many have
no possibility of gaining employment or starting their own business by
attending online university courses. Instead, many are left to survive
on Social Security and taxpayer dollars.
Please draft state and/or federal legislation which require health
facilities to send in a social worker (or other qualified professional)
to visit competent seriously injured/disabled, hospitalized in-patients
or nursing home residents, with the intent of clarifying that:
1. assistive technology input/output devices replace standard
keyboards, monitors, or mice so that people with quadriplegia,
blindness, or other serious conditions can effectively operate a
computer
2. aid in obtaining and setting up of these computers and devices
will be provided; thus, cutting through the red tape
3. a bed top is sufficient space for an adaptive assembly
4. an adapted computer with access to the Internet (which could
include attending online university courses and/or becoming employable)
can improve life considerably
5. organizations exist to help provide computers; adaptive devices;
and training.
Thank you for taking the time to read my letter.
Robert Harvey Clay
Valpo Care & Rehab Center 230-1
606 Wall Street Valparaiso, IN 46383 email: rhc16@sample.com
Equality
Technology is an informational site whose mission is to promote uniting
those who have a disability with adapted computers through the use of
assistive technology devices. Information consists of links to:
assistive technology and useful computer freeware, assistive technology
computer furniture, software, and input/output devices; device reviews;
computer therapy; nursing home realities; message board; news; links;
and resources.
www.equalitytechnology.org
* BARACK OBAMA AND JOE BIDEN'S PLAN TO EMPOWER AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES -
www.barackobama.com/pdf/DisabilityPlanFactSheet.pdf
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