Important forum for the blind
To the editor:
In July 2010 the Disability Rights Center vs. Maine Department of Education lawsuit work group submitted a report for a corrective action plan concerning the education of blind children.
It is also well documented in The Resolve Report 2009 mandated by the previous legislature that visually disabled students are not being taught what they need to learn. Federal law mandates that these student must receive an appropriate and free education. There are many blind children in Aroostook County who are not getting an education here in 2012.
This study was done by a group of public and private stakeholders, including blind consumers. LD765 “An Act to Address the Documented Educational and Rehabilitation Needs of Persons Who are Visually Impaired or Blind.” Funding of this bill would address scarce state resources in teachers, therapists and mobility instructors, rather than funding to fight lawsuits by parents of blind and visually impaired children. It is of the utmost importance that these service remain intact under the Division of The Blind and Visually Impaired serving blindness from birth throughout adulthood.
This bill was held over form last session. Recognizing this bill is very important. This bill also contains funding for professionals to provide cost effective training for adults living with vision loss so they can continue to live independently in their own homes. This is a rapidly increasing need for these services as baby boomers age, diabetic retinopathy and age-related macular degeneration are on the rise.
There will be a public forum at the Career Center in Presque Isle on Wednesday, Feb. 15 at 9:30 a.m.
Nancy Matulis
Dover-Foxcroft
