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Writing letters to the president of the United States can be accomplished
online in just a few minutes. Click www.whitehouse.gov/contact/
and fill out the online form, copy-paste your letter in space
provided, then click "submit".
Keep
scrolling, and find why this is important to 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
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 nothing
The power of the Executive Branch is vested in the President of
the United States, who also acts as head of state and
Commander-in-Chief of the armed forces. The President is responsible
for implementing and enforcing the laws written by Congress and, to
that end, appoints the heads of the federal agencies, including the
Cabinet. The Vice President is also part of the Executive Branch,
ready to assume the Presidency should the need arise.
THE
POWERS AND DUTIES OF THE PRESIDENT:
The President of the
United States has many jobs. But for our purposes we are
interested In his legislative powers. Below is an outline describing
those powers -
Powers and
duties of the president:
Article I
legislative role
The first power conferred upon the
President by the U.S.
Constitution is the legislative power of the presidential veto.
The Presentment
Clause requires any bill passed by Congress
to be presented to the President before it can become law. Once the
legislation has been presented, the President has three options:
- Sign the legislation; the bill
then becomes law.
- Veto the legislation and return it
to Congress with his objections; the bill does not become law,
unless each House of Congress votes to override the veto by a
two-thirds vote.
- Take no action. In this instance,
the President neither signs nor vetoes the legislation. After 10
days, not counting Sundays, two possible outcomes emerge:
- If Congress is still convened,
the bill becomes law.
- If Congress has adjourned,
thus preventing the return of the legislation, the bill does
not become law. This latter outcome is known as the pocket
veto.
*For more information see wikipedia.org
My advocacy goals will
increase employment for those with disabilities; reduce the number
of disabled people living on taxpayer dollars; create many jobs;
stimulate demand; and possibly create new fields of study. Please
help me achieve my goals.
Sample
letter to the President:
Dear Mr. President:
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
refuse
d 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 adapted for the disabled" must stop. Intelligent disabled individuals lie around watching TV instead of developing their minds for the future. They have no possibility of gaining employment or starting their own business by attending online university courses. Instead, they're left to survive mainly on Social Security and taxpayers dollars.
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.
For more information on "Computers for the disabled", please visit my website. Thank you for taking the time to read my letter. Please reply.
Robert Harvey Clay
Valpo Care & Rehab Center 230-1
606 Wall Street
Valparaiso, IN 46383
email: rhc16@verizon.net
Equality Technology is an informational site whose mission is to promote uniting the disabled with adapted computers through the use of assistive technology devices. Disability information consists of articles, short stories, and link exchange; links to 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
Related
links:
Barak
Obama - Answers.com
How
to Pass a Federal Law - ehow.com
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also,
don't forget to write your congresspersons
