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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link="#0563C1" vlink="#954F72"><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNoSpacing><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>Last month, at the National Federation of the Blind of Connecticut Annual State Convention, Carol Jenkins, Director of the Bureau of Education and Services for the Blind (BESB), presented information concerning a significant shortfall in the anticipated 2025-2026 Biennial Budget for Children’s Services at BESB. Beginning with the 24-25 school year, BESB has taken on two more large school districts, and the Bureau is now short seven teachers of the visually impaired. This has created a non-compliant situation as required by the Federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). Carol has been forced to divert current funds from supplies for students to hiring more staff, but this is not enough to cover the increased staffing requirements. And, now there’s no funds for student’s supplies, such as large print and Braille books. Another Orientation & Mobility Instructor and another Supervisor are also needed for servicing these additional towns. The members of the National Federation of the Blind of Connecticut who attended our State Convention have committed to requesting additional funds in the anticipated 2025-2026 Biennial Budget for BESB Children’s Services so that additional staff can be hired and our blind and visually impaired students can obtain the supplies that they need in a timely basis.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNoSpacing><span style='font-size:12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNoSpacing><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>We are currently asking members and interested parties to email the Co-Chairpersons of the Appropriations Committee of our State Legislature. Below is a sample email that can be sent (please change the signature to your own) or feel free to create a letter in your own words. Please send your letters to: State Representative Toni Walker at <a href="mailto:toni.walker@cga.ct.gov">toni.walker@cga.ct.gov</a> and to State Senator Cathy Osten at <a href="mailto:cathy.osten@cga.ct.gov">cathy.osten@cga.ct.gov</a>. Please remember to include contact information.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNoSpacing><span style='font-size:12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNoSpacing><u><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>Sample letter:<o:p></o:p></span></u></p><p class=MsoNoSpacing><span style='font-size:12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal>Dear __________,<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>I am writing to support the Bureau of Education and Services for the Blind (BESB.) They have hired and are in the process of hiring more Teachers for the Visually Impaired to instruct our blind children. Right now, BESB is below the required number of teachers and must direct all their funding for hiring to get in compliance. This has made it impossible for BESB to supply materials to schools for blind children as they have done in the past. There are 924 blind children registered in the state of Connecticut that need these materials. I would like to explain that “blind” does not necessarily mean total blackness. Most blind people have limited vision. But it is not enough to read regular sized print materials, and many times no printed matter can be read at all. These children need braille and large print books, monocular aids, sleep shades, dark pens, and other assistive technology. The schools alone cannot provide enough of these materials.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>The Bureau of Education and Services for the Blind (BESB) is perfect for training children in these services. The Appropriations Committee needs to find the funds to support our blind children; they are already behind the curve in their education for independence. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Respectfully, <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;line-height:115%'>_______________________<o:p></o:p></span></p></div></body></html>