June 15th, 2010
The NYS Senate HIgher Ed Committee voted our licensure bill out of committee and it is now in the Codes Committee in the Senate. This is the procedure for all licensure bills under the Democratic Senate leadership. Steve Malito will work with us and Senator Craig Johnson to get it out of Codes and onto the Senate floor for a vote. Please call or email and thank Senator Craig Johnson for getting the bill out of
the Senate HIgher Ed Committee. Please also ask Senator Johnson to pass S1262B and show he is a champion for blind consumers.
http://www.nysenate.gov/senator/craig-m-johnson
The NYS Assembly HIgher Ed Committee unilaterally postponed all licensure bills until the next legislative session except ours. Assemblyman Bing agreed to remove the “99″ under pressure from Chair Assemblywoman Glick on the condition that she meet with us to discuss the future of the bill. Dr. Grace Ambrose-Zaken, Nancy D. Miller and Steve Malito, NYVRA’s lobbyist, met with Assemblywoman Glick on Wednesday June 9 in her
Albany office. Glick’s position is she will not
allow any licensure bills out of the Assembly HIgher Ed committee until the corporate law problem raised by the social work licensure bill is resolved. (This has to do with supervision of all licensed professionals.) Assemblywoman Glick stated that she supports certification but would not be specific about what that means. Scope of practice protection seems to be an area of contention. Basically she appears to support a weak bill with little consumer protection.
All your phone calls, petitions and meetings with the legislators has had a profound impact and we have gained incredibly strong positive legislative support.
The lack of a state budget since April 1 and the weekly budget extenders with severe budget cuts are clearly taking the attention of the legislature away from any other issues.
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May 25th, 2010
Statement Regarding Certification and Licensure of Vision Rehabilitation and Education Professionals Garett A. Holm
First, it is important to note that I write this statement not as the President of the Academy for Certification of Vision Rehabilitation and Education Professionals (herein ACVREP), or on behalf of said organization. Second, my comments are meant to be used in their entirety. Read the rest of this entry »
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May 25th, 2010
May 24, 2010
Dear Senator Stavisky:
I write this memorandum in support of licensure for vision rehabilitation therapists (VRTs) and orientation and mobility (O&M) specialists and to thank you for your leadership on this bill to license VRT and O&M specialists (S.5581B). I want to thank you for putting the bill on the committee agenda two years ago. As you know it was passed by the entire senate 62-0. Read the rest of this entry »
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May 25th, 2010
May 24, 2010
Dear Senator Johnson:
I write this memorandum in support of licensure for vision rehabilitation therapists (VRTs) and orientation and mobility (O&M) specialists and to thank you for your leadership on this bill to license VRT and O&M specialists (S.5581B). Your work succeeded in getting the bill out of committee and passed by the entire senate just two sessions ago. I know because of you this bill will be on the Higher Education Committee agenda this session. Read the rest of this entry »
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May 25th, 2010
May 24, 2010
Dear Assembly Member Bing:
I write this memorandum in support of licensure for vision rehabilitation therapists (VRTs) and orientation and mobility (O&M) specialists and to thank you for your leadership on this bill to license VRT and O&M specialists (A.5581B). Your work has kept the bill active and I know because of you this bill will be on the Higher Education Committee agenda this session. Read the rest of this entry »
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May 25th, 2010
May 24, 2010
Dear Assembly Member Glick:
I write this memorandum in support of licensure for vision rehabilitation therapists (VRTs) and orientation and mobility (O&M) specialists and to urge you to put the bill to license VRT and O&M specialists (A.5581B) on your committee agenda this session. The lives of over a million New Yorkers with visual impairments are at stake. Read the rest of this entry »
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May 25th, 2010
Dear Senator Stavisky:
On behalf of the 184 Central Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired (CABVI) employees, 79 of whom are blind or visually impaired, we urge you to support New York State Licensure of Vision Rehabilitation Professionals and Orientation and Mobility Specialists (S.1262B/A.5581B). Read the rest of this entry »
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May 25th, 2010
Memorandum in Support of New York State Licensure of Vision Rehabilitation Professionals and Orientation and Mobility Specialists (S.1262B/A.5581B)
Licensure is a consumer protection practice. If you ask the general public, they view licensure as a protection against unqualified service providers. Licensure specifies scope of practice, educational requirements, practicum or internship requirements, and title protection. You cannot practice or use the title of licensed professional when a profession is licensed unless you have met all the qualifying criteria.
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May 25th, 2010
May 24, 2010
Assemblywoman Deborah GlickLOB 717
Albany, NY 12248
Dear Assemblywoman Glick;
I have been legally blind since birth but until recently, my vision was sufficient for me to travel independently. I have lived a very productive life, raised a family, earned an MBA, worked in some very interesting jobs and even enjoyed several sports and hobbies.
When faced with finding a new job, I was nearly run down by vehicles I never saw coming. When that happened a few times, I soon became afraid to leave my home. Knowing that I had employable skills but unable to even look for work, I became discouraged and depressed.
I never thought I would need a guide dog or cane, but fortunately, Orientation & Mobility Services were available to me and I am back on track. I’m working, traveling independently and using the skills the O & M training provided me.
Read the rest of this entry »
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May 21st, 2010
VISIONS Memorandum in Support of New York State Licensure of Vision Rehabilitation Professionals (S.1262B/A.5581B)VISIONS/Services for the Blind and Visually Impaired is a NYC based 84 year old nonprofit organization annually serving over 5000 participants of all ages who experience blindness or severe vision loss and their families and caregivers. Read the rest of this entry »
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