Funding Support for Massachusetts Commission for the Blind

*ACTION ALERT*
Your help is needed! Please Ask Your state Representative and Senator to Support the Senate Version of the MCB Budget (line item 4110-1000) to preserve Services for the Massachusetts Commission for the Blind at an already significantly reduced level.
I ask you to support our highest priority — to properly fund the Massachusetts Commission for the Blind.
As background, six members were appointed from the House and the Senate to a “Conference Committee” to reconcile the differences between the House and Senate versions of the budget. The Conference Committee will report a final compromise bill to the full House and Senate for a vote of acceptance in each branch.
We need you to contact the six conferees listed below as soon as possible this week and ask them for their support of the MCB 4110-1000 Community Services account. The $1.85 million increase in this line item in the Senate version of the budget is important to preserve MCB’s specialized training services and support for independent living for residents of all ages who are legally blind. Among those served would be teens transitioning from school to work, college students, newly blind adults and seniors with age-related vision loss.
Because certain federal funding is no longer available to support these programs, additional funding from the Commonwealth is necessary to maintain these services at their current levels.
Here is a list of the conferees along with their email addresses and phone numbers:
Co-Chairs:
- Senator Karen Spilka of Ashland, Spilka@masenate.gov, 617-722-1640
- Representative Jeffery Sanchez of Boston, sanchez@mahouse.gov, 617-722-2990
Members:
- Senator Joan Lovely of Beverly, Lovely@masenate.gov, 617-722-1410
- Senator Vinny deMacedo of Plymouth, deMacedo@masenate.gov, 617-722-1330
- Representative Stephen Kulik of Worthington, Stephen.Kulik@mahouse.gov, 617-722-2380
- Representative Todd Smola of Warren Smola@mahouse.gov 617-722-2100
Please contact your legislators by email, telephone, or in-person asking them to encourage the six conferees to support the Senate version of the budget ($6,071,917) for Line Item 4110-1000, MCB’s Community Services account.
You can find the contact information for your legislators at www.wheredoivotema.com
It is vital that you make these outreach efforts as soon as possible this week so that your voice can be heard in time for the legislature to make these important budget decisions.
Scott V. Krug, President
New England Low Vision and Blindness
===================
Blind Young Adult Success Story
Like most kids, Precious Perez aspired to become a firewoman, veterinarian, or doctor. She vividly recalls clinging to her teacher during a kindergarten field trip to the fire station and wearing her plastic fire helmet with pride. Declared blind at the age of one, Precious registered with MCB in 1999, having suffered a detached retina.
In 2012, at the age of fourteen, Precious started receiving rehabilitation services including vocational and personal adjustment to blindness counseling, work readiness skills, internship placement, assistive technology training, rehabilitation teaching, and orientation and mobility. Currently a sophomore at the Berklee College of Music, MCB’s present assistance includes tuition, books and technology devices, so that Precious can access course material.
Precious credits MCB’s critical services for allowing her to find her true passion: music. She envisions a successful career as a singer/songwriter/music educator. Specialized blindness services for Precious are in her plan to continue until she completes college and is competitively employed.
Without funding for these services, Precious will be left to ponder whether her blindness will prevent her from eventually being able to pursue the things she has always dreamed of. She stated, “I can’t imagine what my opportunities would be without MCB’s on-going support and am concerned that the younger blind students will be disadvantaged if the legislature doesn’t provide needed funding now.”
Like most kids, Precious Perez aspired to become a firewoman, veterinarian, or doctor. She vividly recalls clinging to her teacher during a kindergarten field trip to the fire station and wearing her plastic fire helmet with pride. Declared blind at the age of one, Precious registered with MCB in 1999, having suffered a detached retina.
In 2012, at the age of fourteen, Precious started receiving rehabilitation services including vocational and personal adjustment to blindness counseling, work readiness skills, internship placement, assistive technology training, rehabilitation teaching, and orientation and mobility. Currently a sophomore at the Berklee College of Music, MCB’s present assistance includes tuition, books and technology devices, so that Precious can access
course material.
Precious credits MCB’s critical services for allowing her to find her true passion: music. She envisions a successful career as a singer/songwriter/music educator. Specialized blindness services for Precious are in her plan to continue until she completes college and is competitively employed.
Without funding for these services, Precious will be left to ponder whether her blindness will prevent her from eventually being able to pursue the things she has always dreamed of. She stated, “I can’t imagine what my opportunities would be without MCB’s on-going support and am concerned that the younger blind students will be disadvantaged if the legislature doesn’t provide needed funding now.”
How Can We Help You Or A Loved One
Mr. Magnifier: If you or a loved one have been diagnosed with Macular Degeneration, our Mr. Magnifier handheld magnifiers are the perfect 1st Step for anyone with Macular Degeneration! Here’s a link to very helpful information, including a free Magnification Guide – https://nelowvision.com/mr-magnifier-lp/
Free Low Vision Guide: If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with low vision, we have created this complimentary Low Vision Guide a free resource to help you or loved one who has been diagnosed with Macular Degeneration or other low vision conditions. Click here to download a PDF of the entire report.
Corporate Brochure: Our comprehensive brochure outlines all of the helpful assistive technology and assistive training services we provide. Click here to download our Corporate Brochure.
Technology: We offer the latest and most advanced low vision and blindness technology supported by world-class personal service. We have nearly 100% of all major electronic low vision, blindness, and software products. Our complimentary, no-obligation demonstration on any of our products will make sure our clients are getting the right product for their specific eye condition. Click here to learn more.
Training: Assistive rehabilitation training services for people with low vision and blindness. We go to our clients - home, school, or business - training where they need it - from caring assistive technology professionals. Click here to learn more.
To learn more about how we can help you or a loved one, contact a Technology Specialist at New England Low Vision and Blindness today. You can call our toll-free number 888-211-6933 or email us at info@nelowvision.com and we will be happy to help.