View this email in your browser<http://mailchi.mp/afb/cogswell-macy-act-milestone-and-call-in-day-nov-15?e=869e02ed6b> [American Foundation for the Blind logo: Expanding possibilities for people with vision loss. AFB DirectConnect - 1401 South Clark Stree, Suite 730, Arlington, VA 22202, Tel 202.469.6831 www.afb.org] To read this edition of the DirectConnect Newsletter online: http://www.afb.org/info/programs-and-services/public-policy-center/directconnect-newsletter/cogswell-macy-act-achieves-historic-milestone/1235<https://afb.us11.list-manage.com/track/click?u=bd3c8fefc9f905f5ccf41c577&id=4d3a031629&e=869e02ed6b> EXCITING NEWS! Cogswell-Macy Act Achieves Historic Milestone! Tell Congress to Keep Moving for Kids with Sensory Disabilities! On Wednesday, November 15, 2017, call: 1-855-754-MACY (1-855-754-6229) To learn more, visit: www.afb.org/CallInDay<https://afb.us11.list-manage.com/track/click?u=bd3c8fefc9f905f5ccf41c577&id=806bb0b95b&e=869e02ed6b> Be sure to spread the word; encourage your friends, family, and fellow advocates to call, too! Follow and share the new Cogswell-Macy Act Facebook page: www.facebook.com/CogswellMacyAct For further information, contact: Mark Richert, Esq. Director, Public Policy, AFB (202) 469-6833 MRichert@AFB.net<mailto:MRichert@AFB.net> Progress Achieved The Alice Cogswell and Anne Sullivan Macy Act (Cogswell-Macy Act) has achieved another major legislative milestone. Senators Ed Markey (D-MA) and Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV) have introduced S. 2087, a Senate companion to H.R. 1120, the version of the Cogswell-Macy Act already introduced in the House. With this historic next step along the lengthy road toward transformation of America's special education system for students with sensory disabilities, the Cogswell-Macy Act is now in play on both sides of the aisle and on both sides of Capitol Hill. Time for Action On Wednesday, November 15, join consumers, parents, teachers, and other professionals and advocates from all across America, and call upon the U.S. Congress to take action on the Cogswell-Macy Act. Tell them that it is long past time for students who are blind, visually impaired, deaf, hard of hearing, or deafblind, including those students who may have additional disabilities, to finally receive an education worthy of their tremendous potential. The Cogswell-Macy Act will ensure that every student with sensory disabilities is properly identified, evaluated and served to fully meet their individual specialized needs. How to Make It Happen When you call 1-855-754-MACY (1-855-754-6229), you will be asked to enter your zip code so that you can be connected to one of your two U.S. Senators and to the U.S. House member answerable to you, so don't worry if you are not sure who your members of Congress are. If you cannot make all three calls back-to-back, no problem; call back during normal business hours Eastern time when it is convenient for you. Similarly, if you cannot call on November 15th, or you would like to recruit calls from other advocates on additional days, you are invited to do so. AFB is pleased to make this streamlined telephone service connecting you with your law makers available free of charge to you. Dial: 1-855-754-MACY (1-855-754-6229) The Message Your message is simple: Ask your members of Congress to cosponsor the Alice Cogswell and Anne Sullivan Macy Act. When speaking to your U.S. Senators or their staff, ask them to cosponsor S. 2087. When speaking to your Representative or their staff in the U.S. House, ask them to cosponsor H.R. 1120. Tell them that this legislation will revolutionize special education for students with sensory disabilities. If you find your member of Congress has already cosponsored the Cogswell-Macy Act, please thank them for their support! Additional Resources When you make your calls, you are welcome to direct any questions you may get about the Cogswell-Macy Act to our website: www.afb.org/CogswellMacyAct<https://afb.us11.list-manage.com/track/click?u=bd3c8fefc9f905f5ccf41c577&id=88265265a8&e=869e02ed6b> In addition, we have made a variety of resources available to you to assist you with your calls and any additional advocacy you may wish to undertake, including brief scripts for your calls to Congress, talking points in both accessible and printable formats, and social media content for sharing. To find these and other resources, consult AFB's National Cogswell-Macy Act Call-In Day page: www.afb.org/callinday<https://afb.us11.list-manage.com/track/click?u=bd3c8fefc9f905f5ccf41c577&id=76f6de23a5&e=869e02ed6b> Also, please do share this email invitation far and wide through your networks, and encourage individuals and groups with whom you are connected to participate in the National Cogswell-Macy Act Call-In Day on Wednesday, November 15th. Thank you for your advocacy on behalf of students who are blind, visually impaired, deaf, hard of hearing, deafblind, and who may also have additional disabilities. Good luck; go get 'em! [https://cdn-images.mailchimp.com/icons/social-block-v2/color-facebook-48.png]<https://afb.us11.list-manage.com/track/click?u=bd3c8fefc9f905f5ccf41c577&id=e1a76bcfdc&e=869e02ed6b> [https://cdn-images.mailchimp.com/icons/social-block-v2/color-link-48.png]<https://afb.us11.list-manage.com/track/click?u=bd3c8fefc9f905f5ccf41c577&id=8277050de9&e=869e02ed6b>