The National Federation of the Blind of Massachusetts is supporting four bills that are presently before the Massachusetts Legislature.  The bills are as follows:  (1) S775 An Act Relative to Telephonic Reading; (2) S343 An Act to Require Voting Systems to be Accessible to People with Disabilities; (3) S1112 An Act Seeking Damages for Harmed Assistance Animals; and (4) House 2829 Petition of Rep. Robert A. DeLeo and others relative to claims for damages against persons harming animals used to assist physically impaired individuals.

 The Telephonic Reading Act will make NFB NEWSLINE® available to many citizens of Massachusetts.  NFB NEWSLINE® is a nationwide service provided by the National Federation of the Blind.  Through this service, blind, visually impaired, and print impaired people can read daily newspapers through the use of a touch-tone telephone.  This legislation will provide funds for this necessary service to continue in Massachusetts. 

 The Accessible Voting System Act arises out of federal legislation.  This bill will ensure that blind and visually impaired citizens of Massachusetts will be able to exercise the right to vote, privately and independently, as is guaranteed for all citizens.  To accomplish this goal, the bill requires that each voting place be equipped with at least one direct recording electronic voting system.  This legislation will provide the funds necessary to purchase the electronically based voting systems in Massachusetts.

 Many blind and visually impaired citizens of Massachusetts elect to use dog guides as their means of mobility.  The purpose of the Assistance Animal Act is to strengthen the existing legislation to protect assistance animals, including dog guides, and their owners.  It will provide a means by which the owner of an assistance animal may bring an action for economic and non-economic damages should the assistance animal be harmed or stolen. 

 The passage of this legislation will provide blind and visually impaired people with the opportunity to read the daily newspaper, vote privately and independently, and travel safely.  To be sure, these are essential activities that all active and productive citizens of the Commonwealth have a right to enjoy.  Accordingly, the members of the National Federation of the Blind of Massachusetts request your support of the above-mentioned legislation.