[Iabs-talk] Contacting My State Legislators

[Deborah Kent Stein]

Hi, I'm writing to report on my experience contacting my state legislators
about the proposed merger of blind and deaf services. I had some trouble
using the search function at www.ilga.org <http://www.ilga.org> , so I
called the reference department at Harold Washington Library (312-747-4300)
and got the information straight away. Reference librarians are a great
resource!

 

I called both my state senator and state rep and got right through to
staffers. In both instances the staffers listened carefully, and one even
seemed to be taking notes. They both asked me to put the information into an
email. I'm pasting my email below in case you would like to use it as a
template for your own messages.

 

 

 

 

I am writing as a member of the National Federation of the Blind of Illinois
(NFBI) regarding a matter of serious concern to the blind community. We
recently learned that the Bureau of Blind Services (BBS) is about to launch
two pilot programs that will explore the feasibility of merging
rehabilitation services for the blind with rehabilitation services for the
deaf and hard of hearing or with general rehabilitation services. According
to the Illinois Bureau for the Blind Act, the Blind Services Planning
Council (BSPC) is to be consulted regarding any changes to existing programs
and services. However, in this instance the BSPC was informed of the
intended pilot project, but was never consulted.

 

As blind people we have some unique rehabilitation needs which must be
addressed before we enter the job market. We must learn to travel
independently with a guide dog or long white cane and must master technology
that allows us to use a computer. We must also learn a variety of nonvisual
strategies that enable us to function smoothly in a world designed for
people with sight. As a separate agency within the Department of Human
Services, the Bureau of Blind Services operates blindness-specific programs
and employs professionals with the training and experience to help blind
people in Illinois move forward into the mainstream. 

 

We strongly oppose any merger of the Bureau of Blind Services with other
rehabilitation programs, and we ask that you do everything you can to ensure
that BBS remains a separate entity. Thank you very much for your attention
to this matter.



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