8:00 p.m. Jim Johansen settles into his easy chair and tunes in his favorite TV show. Jim can’t see the screen very well because of his macular degeneration, so he half watches, half listens as the action unfolds.

8:17 p.m. An emergency tone begins to beep on TV, and a warning scrolls across the screen. Jim is instantly alert. What does it mean? Tornado? Flash flood? Fire? School closing? Amber alert?

Jim grabs his radio and tries to find a local newscast. Nothing. Just music and national syndicated talk shows. Jim dials the phone, trying to reach his daughter who lives a few miles away. Voicemail; she’s at work anyway. Jim looks for the neighbor’s number. The phone rings; it’s a friend telling him there’s a tornado warning, and he needs to take shelter.

Officials say that the most critical factor in preventing injuries and death in emergencies is time. Jim and millions of other blind and visually impaired people cannot read emergency warnings on the television screen. Precious minutes are wasted while blind and visually impaired people face the challenge of obtaining vital emergency information.

We need your help, as we seek to ensure that blind and visually impaired persons receive emergency information from television with passage of H.R. 3101—the 21st Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act

Because television plays a critical role in our society as a vital source of news, information, local and community affairs, the nation has a compelling public interest in furthering the safety, security and well-being of people who are blind and visually impaired. The nation needs to ensure, to the fullest extent possible, equal access to television and emergency warnings.

There is a critical need for collaborative efforts to research, develop and disseminate practical solutions so that emergency information is provided in a manner that allows access for all Americans, including individuals with sensory disabilities. This is why the American Council of the Blind is asking for your support.

Can you give $35 or even $50 today to help us in this effort?

With your help we can remove obstacles that prevent blind and visually impaired Americans from having the opportunity to live safe and independent lives. Your support makes a difference. A life-saving difference.

With you on our side, the American Council of the Blind can exert pressure on Congress to pass H.R. 3101—the 21st Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act—to make life safer and more secure for visually impaired Americans.

Join us. Send us your most generous contribution today. Help us build a safe and secure future in which all blind and visually impaired Americans have access to vital emergency information.

Millions of blind and visually impaired individuals like Jim Johansen are depending on you.

Thank you for caring,

Mitch Pomerantz

President

P.S. Additional support can start with you. Please visit www.coataccess.org/node/add/petition to learn more about H.R.3101, the 21st Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act. Then sign the petition on the website to show your support for H.R.3101. Ask your friends to do the same.

Select this link, if you would like to make a donation by credit card. To make a cash gift, send check or money order payable to:

American Council of the Blind.
Attn: Dena Wilson
Web Gifts
American Council of the Blind
2200 Wilson Blvd., Suite 650
Arlington, VA 22201