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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link="#467886" vlink="#96607D" style='word-wrap:break-word'><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal>I would love to see blind students participate in the white cane day and a real push for school activities in October. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><div><div style='border:none;border-top:solid #E1E1E1 1.0pt;padding:3.0pt 0in 0in 0in'><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;mso-ligatures:none'>From:</span></b><span style='font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;mso-ligatures:none'> Ohio-Talk <ohio-talk-bounces@nfbnet.org> <b>On Behalf Of </b>smturner.234--- via Ohio-Talk<br><b>Sent:</b> Friday, May 17, 2024 8:13 PM<br><b>To:</b> 'NFB of Ohio Announcement List' <ohio-talk@nfbnet.org><br><b>Cc:</b> smturner.234@gmail.com; 'NFBOH-' <Cleveland@nfbnet.org><br><b>Subject:</b> [Ohio-Talk] Ohio) - Ohio Governor Mike DeWine and First Lady Fran DeWine visited with students at Oxford Elementary School in Cleveland Heights<o:p></o:p></span></p></div></div><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Source Serif Pro"'>Ohio,<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Source Serif Pro"'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Source Serif Pro"'>I have a question?<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Source Serif Pro"'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Source Serif Pro"'>Do you think that the NFB or other networks should be included for those students who may not benefit from glasses; to understand that their educational experience will be just as important?<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Source Serif Pro"'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Source Serif Pro"'>Here is the article.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Source Serif Pro"'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Source Serif Pro"'>(CLEVELAND HEIGHTS, Ohio) — Ohio Governor Mike DeWine and First Lady Fran DeWine visited with students at Oxford Elementary School in Cleveland Heights today as they received new prescription eyeglasses that will allow them to see and learn more clearly.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Source Serif Pro"'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Source Serif Pro"'>“These students are seeing a whole new world than they were just a few moments ago, it’s truly a life-changing experience,” said Governor DeWine. “By helping our children see their best, we also help them to read their best and learn their best.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Source Serif Pro"'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Source Serif Pro"'>The glasses were provided by the Vision to Learn program, a nonprofit that works with schools to provide vision screenings, eye exams, and glasses to students in high-need communities to help them thrive in the classroom. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Source Serif Pro"'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Source Serif Pro"'>The program expanded to serve schools in Cleveland and Northeast Ohio this spring. At Oxford Elementary School, 265 students were screened for vision difficulties, with 74 being prescribed glasses.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Source Serif Pro"'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Source Serif Pro"'>Today’s event marked the first wave of students to receive glasses. All prescriptions are expected to be filled in the coming weeks.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Source Serif Pro"'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Source Serif Pro"'>“Experts tell us that 80 percent of a child’s learning comes through their sense of sight,” said Governor DeWine. “Fortunately, we have leaders who are doing innovative work to help connect more students with supports like eye exams and glasses. These models are making a real difference. Now, it is time to bring these proven solutions to more schools and more communities across Ohio.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Source Serif Pro"'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Source Serif Pro"'>Vision to Learn will be teaming up with Sight for All United in the coming school year to begin assisting more students in the Cleveland area. Sight for All United shares a similar goal of eliminating barriers to sight for young students throughout Ohio, especially those in areas with limited access to eye care options.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Source Serif Pro"'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Source Serif Pro"'>CHILDREN'S VISION STRIKE FORCE<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Source Serif Pro"'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Source Serif Pro"'>In his recent State of the State Address, Governor DeWine referenced the work of Sight for All United to provide vision supports to students in the Mahoning Valley. During his address, he announced plans to form a Children’s Vision Strike Force to scale these types of models statewide and provide schools with the technical assistance they need to implement similar programs.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Source Serif Pro"'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Source Serif Pro"'>Following today’s event at Oxford Elementary School, Governor DeWine announced the members of the new strike force.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Source Serif Pro"'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Source Serif Pro"'>Ohio Department of Health (ODH) Director Bruce Vanderhoff, M.D., MBA, will serve as chair. Other members represent a cross-section of experts in the eye care and education fields, as well as vision advocacy leaders and state policymakers.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Source Serif Pro"'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:6.0pt'><span style='font-family:"Source Serif Pro"'>Members of the Children’s Vision Strike Force include:<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoListParagraph style='margin-left:.55in;text-indent:-.3in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo2'><![if !supportLists]><span style='font-family:Symbol'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>·<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> </span></span></span><![endif]><span style='font-family:"Source Serif Pro"'>Bruce Vanderhoff, M.D., MBA, Director, Ohio Department of Health (Chair)<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoListParagraph style='margin-left:.55in;text-indent:-.3in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo2'><![if !supportLists]><span style='font-family:Symbol'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>·<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> </span></span></span><![endif]><span style='font-family:"Source Serif Pro"'>Sergul Erzurum, M.D., Co-Founder & Board President, Sight for All United; Vision to Learn Ohio Advisory Board Member<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoListParagraph style='margin-left:.55in;text-indent:-.3in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo2'><![if !supportLists]><span style='font-family:Symbol'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>·<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> </span></span></span><![endif]><span style='font-family:"Source Serif Pro"'>Shane Foster, O.D., Athens Eye Care Mobile Clinic; Chair, Vision to Learn Ohio Advisory Board; and Immediate Past President, Ohio Optometric Association<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoListParagraph style='margin-left:.55in;text-indent:-.3in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo2'><![if !supportLists]><span style='font-family:Symbol'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>·<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> </span></span></span><![endif]><span style='font-family:"Source Serif Pro"'>Jeffrey J. Walline, O.D., PhD, Acting Dean, The Ohio State University College of Optometry<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoListParagraph style='margin-left:.55in;text-indent:-.3in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo2'><![if !supportLists]><span style='font-family:Symbol'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>·<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> </span></span></span><![endif]><span style='font-family:"Source Serif Pro"'>Stephen D. Dackin, Director, Ohio Department of Education and Workforce<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoListParagraph style='margin-left:.55in;text-indent:-.3in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo2'><![if !supportLists]><span style='font-family:Symbol'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>·<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> </span></span></span><![endif]><span style='font-family:"Source Serif Pro"'>Kara Wente, Director, Ohio Department of Children and Youth<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoListParagraph style='margin-left:.55in;text-indent:-.3in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo2'><![if !supportLists]><span style='font-family:Symbol'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>·<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> </span></span></span><![endif]><span style='font-family:"Source Serif Pro"'>Maureen Corcoran, M.S. Ed., Director, Ohio Department of Medicaid<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoListParagraph style='margin-left:.55in;text-indent:-.3in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo2'><![if !supportLists]><span style='font-family:Symbol'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>·<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> </span></span></span><![endif]><span style='font-family:"Source Serif Pro"'>Anne Gonzales, Executive Director, Ohio Vision Professionals Board<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoListParagraph style='margin-left:.55in;text-indent:-.3in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo2'><![if !supportLists]><span style='font-family:Symbol'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>·<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> </span></span></span><![endif]><span style='font-family:"Source Serif Pro"'>Dion Manley, Board Member, Gahanna-Jefferson City Schools; Optician<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoListParagraph style='margin-left:.55in;text-indent:-.3in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo2'><![if !supportLists]><span style='font-family:Symbol'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>·<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> </span></span></span><![endif]><span style='font-family:"Source Serif Pro"'>Paul Imhoff, Ed.D., Director of Government Relations, Buckeye Association of School Administrators<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoListParagraph style='margin-left:.55in;text-indent:-.3in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo2'><![if !supportLists]><span style='font-family:Symbol'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>·<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> </span></span></span><![endif]><span style='font-family:"Source Serif Pro"'>Elizabeth Muckley, O.D., CEO and Executive Director, Ohio Optometric Association<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoListParagraph style='margin-left:.55in;text-indent:-.3in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo2'><![if !supportLists]><span style='font-family:Symbol'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>·<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> </span></span></span><![endif]><span style='font-family:"Source Serif Pro"'>Walker Motley, M.S., M.D., Ohio Ophthalmological Society, Cincinnati Children’s Pediatric Ophthalmologist<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoListParagraph style='margin-left:.55in;text-indent:-.3in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo2'><![if !supportLists]><span style='font-family:Symbol'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>·<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> </span></span></span><![endif]><span style='font-family:"Source Serif Pro"'>Amy Pulles, CEO, Prevent Blindness Ohio<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Source Serif Pro"'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Source Serif Pro"'>According to an ODH survey, in the 2022-2023 school year, more than 93,000 Ohio students were referred for a follow-up examination after receiving vision screenings at their schools. Of those students, only about 17,000 had a follow-up exam. It is estimated that at least 35,000 students who needed glasses did not receive them.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Source Serif Pro"'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Source Serif Pro"'>The ODH survey asked caregivers what kept them from providing their children with follow-up eye care. The barriers they listed included a lack of time, lack of insurance, lack of transportation, or a lack of providers in their area.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Source Serif Pro"'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Source Serif Pro"'>The strike force is tasked with overcoming those barriers, building off the successful efforts of several local organizations involved in this work, and scaling up to ensure a statewide reach.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Source Serif Pro"'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Source Serif Pro"'>“I am looking forward to getting to work with this talented group of professionals to deliver strategies and solutions that will ensure we fulfill our mission,” Dr. Vanderhoff said. “We will work at a rapid pace to find a pathway toward our ultimate goal of ensuring that every Ohio student who needs glasses can get glasses.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Source Serif Pro"'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Source Serif Pro"'>The strike force will have its initial meeting on June 3 and plans to meet at least monthly after that, with workgroups addressing specific issues between strike force meetings.<o:p></o:p></span></p></div></body></html>