The MS Rule.The U.S. Postal Service The U.S. Postal Service (USPS) processes and delivers mail to individuals and businesses within the United States. The service seeks to improve its performance through the development of efficient mail-handling systems and operates its own planning and engineering programs. has agreed to new rules for free mailing of educational materials to people with disabilities. The new MS Rule will eliminate the confusion and stigmatization stigmatization /stig·ma·ti·za·tion/ (stig?mah-ti-za´shun) 1. the developing of or being identified as possessing one or more stigmata. 2. the act or process of negatively labelling or characterizing another. that has dogged this type of mailing for some 30 years---and free an estimated $100,000 annually for Society programs! A little history In 1966 Congress passed a law allowing educational materials "for the blind and physically handicapped" to be mailed postage free. But the "free matter" regulations written by the Postal Service postal service, arrangements made by a government for the transmission of letters, packages, and periodicals, and for related services. Early courier systems for government use were organized in the Persian Empire under Cyrus, in the Roman Empire, and in medieval made the receiving post office responsible for preventing abuse and failed to explain how to do this. Each of the nation's postmasters interpreted the law differently. Some required each addressee (communications) addressee - One to whom something is addressed. E.g. "The To, CC, and BCC headers list the addressees of the e-mail message". Normally an addressee will eventually be a recipient, unless there is a failure at some point (an e-mail "bounces") or the message is to come in person to the local post office with medical proof of disability. For years groups with the word "blind" or "visually handicapped" in their names have had little trouble mailing free. But even though people with MS were specifically cited in Congress as citizens who would benefit from this provision, they and others with disabilities have often been excluded from this service. Mail has been refused by postmasters. Mail accepted at one post office has not been delivered on the other end. And 18 months ago, the Michigan Chapter was sued for $27,340 claimed due for inappropriate free matter mailing. Two astute volunteer lawyers--Ina Cohen cohen or kohen (Hebrew: “priest”) Jewish priest descended from Zadok (a descendant of Aaron), priest at the First Temple of Jerusalem. The biblical priesthood was hereditary and male. , who represented the chapter, and Laura Cooper, our national counsel--sued the Postal Service. After 7 months of negotiations the Postal Service accepted "The MS Rule", a more workable system proposed by the 2 lawyers. The demand for payment was dropped and funds Michigan had spent on mailing educational matter in the meantime Adv. 1. in the meantime - during the intervening time; "meanwhile I will not think about the problem"; "meantime he was attentive to his other interests"; "in the meantime the police were notified" meantime, meanwhile were refunded. A total of $44,468 was freed for other uses. The new MS Rule requires your action 1) The green form opposite is proof of eligibility. Please read it carefully. If you are eligible, follow the instructions, sign, and return it. No further proof is necessary. 2) Each National MS Society chapter president will certify that free matter is going only to people who are eligible. Each chapter will keep a confidential file of these signed forms. Only authorized au·thor·ize tr.v. au·thor·ized, au·thor·iz·ing, au·thor·iz·es 1. To grant authority or power to. 2. To give permission for; sanction: Postal Service inspectors carrying out a formal audit can see this file. 3) All material mailed free will be in large print or other alternative format in an unsealed envelope. No advertising can be included. |
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