February 2nd, 2022 by WCBC Radio

The National Federation of the Blind of Maryland is wrapping up it's virtually week in Annapolis. Despite COVID restrictions members have been meeting with delegates across the state to get support for the Accountability Act for Accessibility K-12 Education for Students with Disabilities. The proposed bill has four components they primarily focus is to establish procurement practices and transparency with local school systems and Maryland State Department of Education. Directing local school systems to hold the vendors responsible for accessibility of virtual learning programs and if necessary civil penalties for vendors that fail to resolve them within a specific time frame. Allegany County Public schools educate 1,215 students with disabilities and Garrett County Public schools educate 293 students. NFBMD strongly believes that parents as well as grandparents with disabilities will also benefit from this legislation allowing them to assist their child with their virtual education and homework. Runza Othman, President of the National Federation of Blind of Maryland.

Maryland Senate President Bill Ferguson, Democrat district 41 addressed other issues that affect blind Marylanders including voting machine access, accessible information on unemployment claims and COVID testing and vaccination.