[NFBF-L] question about a legislative alert from camille tate

[president at nfbflorida.org]

Hi Louise: 

 

The bills are HB 897 and SB 792. The Florida Agencies Serving the Blind
(FASB) wrote this bill and it has been introduced in the Florida Legislature
for this legislative session. FASB is a private non-profit membership
organization that contains most of the CRPs in Florida as member
organizations. There are at least two CRPs I know of in Florida that are not
members of FASB. I am not sure if the facility you are referencing is one of
those two that remain outside of FASB membership. 

 

Our objection is multi-fold, but we used two points of objection: 

1.	Temporary Waiver: The bill will allow for a CRP or its staff to work
with and train blind and low vision people without having the required state
certifications. We feel that a CRP or any staff tasked with training blind
and low vision people be prepared for such an endeavor and have the proper
and appropriate certifications the day their doors are open for clients. 
2.	As one of  the largest consumer organizations of blind people, no
one from FASB contacted or consulted with us before creating this
legislation, despite "working" with us on issues of importance on a
legislative level. We strongly believe in "nothing about us without us" and
had no idea FASB was planning such legislation, which we feel will be a step
in the wrong direction for successful training for blind and low vision
people. 

 

I hope this answers your questions. Please feel free to reach out to me
directly for further clarification. 

 

  Camille Tate, president

National Federation of the Blind of Florida 

Board of Directors 

 <http://www.nfbflorida.org/> www.nfbflorida.org

Tel: 321.372.4899

 

With love, hope and determination, we transform dreams into reality.

 

From: NFBF-L <nfbf-l-bounces at nfbnet.org> On Behalf Of Louise Peyton via
NFBF-L
Sent: Thursday, January 15, 2026 1:45 PM
To: 'nfbf-l at nfbnet.org' <nfbf-l at nfbnet.org>
Cc: Louise Peyton <lp2473 at hotmail.com>
Subject: [NFBF-L] question about a legislative alert from camille tate
Importance: High

 

Hello, all:

A few days ago, I read a notice on this list from Camille Tate about a
Florida house and senate proposed bill which wouldn't require certification
for crp community facility staff.  Would you please advise which bills and
if my interpretation is accurate?  The facility for the blind in this area
is unaware of such bills.  Thanks.

Louise Peyton

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