[nobe-l] For the first time, Virginia will fully fund the education of its blind K-12 students

[Corbbmacc O'Connor]

NATIONAL FEDERATION OF THE BLIND OF VIRGINIA
Dr. Fredric K. Schroeder, President
9522 Lagersfield Circle • Vienna, VA 22181
(703) 319-9226 • fschroeder at sks.com
www.nfbv.org

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT: Tracy Soforenko, (202) 285-4595, tracy.soforenko at verizon.net

For the first time, Virginia will fully fund the 
education of its blind K-12 students
Delegate Bob Brink to be honored for exceptional leadership

ARLINGTON, Va. — Delegate Bob Brink (D-48), who 
led the advocacy  to increase funding for 
teachers of blind students, will be recognized 
today with the Commonwealth Award by the National 
Federation of the Blind of Virginia (NFBV)—the 
Commonwealth's largest and oldest organization of 
blind people and the leading advocate for braille literacy.

For years, the Virginia Department of Education 
has published Standards of Quality (SOQ), which 
define minimum student-teacher ratios and provide 
partial salary support to school divisions to 
fund special education teachers who work within 
Virginia's schools. Unfortunately, unlike all 
other disabilities, teachers for the blind were 
excluded from the SOQ, leading to enormous case 
loads in many school divisions. Through Delegate 
Brink’s advocacy—supported by the National 
Federation of the Blind of Virginia—Governor 
McDonnell committed to fully fund the state share 
for staffing standards for blind and low vision 
students. The amended 2012-2014 budget addresses 
this inequality and funds teachers for Virginia’s 
blind and low vision students.

"Parents of blind children are frustrated that 
their children are not learning the blindness 
skills necessary to compete with their sighted 
peers," said NFBV President Dr. Fredric 
Schroeder. "We cannot expect students to learn 
braille and independent travel when teachers for 
the blind are forced to limit instruction to 30 
minutes a week. Because reading and writing is a 
fundamental skill for all students, we are 
excited that blind students will now receive the 
quality education that they deserve."

Brink, who represents north Arlington and most of 
McLean, said, "This is a long overdue step for 
the 1,000-plus blind and low-vision students 
across Virginia who are blind or have low vision. 
The budget will provide $4.9 million funding to local school districts."

The award ceremony is open to members of the 
media, and will feature remarks from Brink, a 
member of the Arlington County School Board, and 
advocates. It will be held May 9 at Tutto Bene 
Restaurant (501 N. Randolph St; Arlington) at 7 p.m.

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