National Federation of the Blind of Texas Commends Congressman Thornberry for Support of Veterans with Disabilities

ALVIN, Texas, Aug. 29, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The National Federation of the Blind of Texas commented today on the inclusion of language that would allow more veterans with disabilities to participate in the Space Available program in the House version of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) by Congressman Mac Thornberry, chairman of the House Committee on Armed Services. Currently only medically discharged veterans injured on or after September 23, 1996, can participate in the program, while those injured prior to that date while defending the United States cannot.

Norma Crosby, president of the National Federation of the Blind of Texas, said: "Blind Texans are extremely grateful to Congressman Thornberry for recognizing that the eligibility of veterans with disabilities for the Space Available program should not arbitrarily depend on when their disabilities were acquired and resulted in the end of their military service. We support the language that Congressman Thornberry has included in the House NDAA and urge that it be adopted when the House and Senate versions of the legislation are reconciled in conference this fall."

Shelly Alongi, of Burkburnett, Texas, said: "I'm very happy that my representative, Mac Thornberry, supports this long-overdue correction to the exclusion of some veterans with disabilities from this program. Benefits for those who have made sacrifices in defending our country should be available to all of them, regardless of when they made their sacrifice."

About the National Federation of the Blind

The National Federation of the Blind knows that blindness is not the characteristic that defines you or your future. Every day we raise the expectations of blind people, because low expectations create obstacles between blind people and our dreams. You can live the life you want; blindness is not what holds you back.

CONTACT:
Chris Danielsen
Director of Public Relations
National Federation of the Blind
(410) 659-9314, extension 2330
(410) 262-1281 (Cell)
[email protected]

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SOURCE National Federation of the Blind

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