[Nfbsatx] Fwd: [TPOBC] AVIT update September 2010

[Jose Martinez]

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Michele Chauvin <michelechauvin at yahoo.com>
Date: Fri, 17 Sep 2010 06:40:40 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: [TPOBC] AVIT update September 2010
To: TX VIfamily <txvifamily at topica.com>, TPOBC Group <tpobc at googlegroups.com>

Last night I attended a local town hall with Luke and my parents.  There was a
panel with some state legislators from the Houston and surrounding communities.

Here are some key things they mentioned.
*Texas is facing an $18 billion shortfall in the current proposed budget.
*Texas has an $8 billion "Rainy Day" fund, which is more than all the other
states combined have set aside.
*Many legislators likely will recommend 10% across the board budget
cuts for all
government agencies and programs.
*These cuts affect TSBVI and DARS-DBS, too.

Key committees:
*Appropriations determines how much and how the budget is spent
*Ways and Means determines when and which bills will be heard
*Education affects TSBVI and LEAs (local education agencies)
*Health & Human Services affects DARS-DBS and DADS (Medicaid Waivers)

The golden ticket is this: How do we get our legislators to understand that
TSBVI and DBS have had budget cuts of 5-10% over the couple past decades, with
little or no increases in their budgets?  Is that any way to better serve a
growing population of blind and VI children and adults?  I think the
key will be
pulling together statistics and data to support any requested funding
increases,
along with putting a face with any proposed legislation.

When you get a chance, please visit your legislators locally this fall, before
they head to Austin for the January to June 2011 legislative session.  Bring
your kids with you, when possible.  Share your family's experiences and your
needs regarding DBS and education for VI students in Texas.  If you need
organized paperwork to support you, let me know.  AVIT has some stuff already
pulled together.

 Michele




________________________________
From: Michele Chauvin <michelechauvin at yahoo.com>
To: TX VIfamily <txvifamily at topica.com>; TPOBC Group <tpobc at googlegroups.com>
Sent: Thu, September 16, 2010 12:10:17 PM
Subject: AVIT update September 2010


On September 1, 2010, the Alliance of/for Visually Impaired Texans (AVIT) held
its quarterly meeting.  AVIT currently has 25 member organizations
across Texas,
including statewide VI professional organizations, adult blindness
organizations, Lighthouses, vision specific medical professional groups, state
blindness agencies and non-profits, and blindness/VI related parent groups.

Highlights from the AVIT meeting:
AVIT elected a new Chair, Phil Hatlen.  Congratulations!
All state agencies will face budget cuts.  AVIT's voice may be needed
to support
funding for existing programs.
AVIT will continue to support legislation that requires O&M evals for all VI
students.
AVIT is discussing and  pursuing other means to disallow certification by exam
for teachers of students with VI.
 AVIT is researching the topic of low vision evals, which are not required in
Texas.
AVIT is researching and  pursuing an AVIT website.
AVIT will change it's address to reflect the new Chair on it's letterhead,
brochures and business cards.

Member agencies and organization updates:

TSBVI
http://www.tsbvi.edu/
Ongoing construction, Rep Mike McCaul visited and FOX news story
http://www.myfoxaustin.com/dpp/top_stories/Remodeled-School-for-the-Blind-Opens-20100823-ktbcw


DBS
Legislative Appropriations Request (LAR), hiring freeze with some exceptions
LARis at http://www.dars.state.tx.us/index.shtml
Stakeholders page is http://www.dars.state.tx.us/stakeholders/index.shtml

TEA
website to track proposals to Texas Administration Code
http://www.tea.state.tx.us/RulesReview/

TUPVI
http://www.depts.ttu.edu/distancelearning/cert-prep/visual-impairment/
Texas Tech  has 75-80 in TVI program and over 30 in O&M
http://www.sfasu.edu/education/departments/humanservices/programs/visual.asp
Stephen F. Austin has 49  students
October 14 hosting Dr. van Dijk in Lubbock
November 13 Sowell Center Lecture co-hosting Millie Smith on conducting FVE and
LMA for VIMI students

TXAER - O&M Division 9
http://txaer.org/
Focusing on O&M evals statewide and reviewing COMS internship training

TX Chargers
http://www.texaschargers.org/
5th annual retreat at Camp Allen November 5-7
Funding for the retreat is a concern, given the economy

DBMAT
http://www.dbmat-tx.org/
Steve Schoen leaving as Executive Director
Annual Conference this fall will have Dr. Jan van Dijk

TAPVI
http://www.spedex.com/napvi/chapters.html#5
Held 2nd parent pre-conference during TX Focus in June in Plano
New board - Isela Wilson is President, Amy Hayes is President Elect
Isela sent an online survey to all current members
TAPVI group is growing on Facebook - parents, family, friends, adults with VI,
professionals are all welcome to join
NAPVI is working to provide state affiliate web pages

ACB-TX
http://acbtexas.org/
State Conference in Houston, September 23-26
Drafting a proposal regarding statewide TVI availability and Braille
instruction
for students

The next AVIT meetings will be held on November 3, February 9, and May 4.

 Michele Chauvin
Mom to Lauren, 9 yrs  blind due to ROP
AVIT Vice Chair
TAPVI Member At Large (Houston)
Affiliate of NAPVI
http://www.spedex.com/napvi/chapters.html#5
800.562.6265