Letter of Support
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.
What a shame it would have been if I had not been able to receive these specialized services. And that is what an estimated one million New Yorkers with situations very much like mine are facing if the number of Specialists in the field of Orientation & Mobility continues to decline.
Licensure plays an essential role in attracting more people to the fields of O & M and Vision Rehabilitation Therapy. I am urging you personally to do whatever is needed to bring Bills (S.1262B/A.5581B) Licensure of Vision Rehabilitation Therapists and Orientation and Mobility Specialists into Law this year.
The information below and attached file will give you ample reason to support these Bills. Over one million New Yorkers who are blind or visually impaired deserve the freedom and independence that New Yorkers who are sighted take for granted.
I thank you in advance for your support. If you would like to speak to me about this, I can be reached through the numbers below, or you can call me at my home (315) 792-0193 or on my cell (315) 243-8803 any time.
Most sincerely,
Bob Porter
Bob Porter,
Public Policy Coordinator
Central Assn. f/t Blind
and Visually Impaired
507 Kent St., Utica, NY 13501
Ph: (315) 797-2233 Fax: (315) 797-2250