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<DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial>FYI, The following letter was just sent out to the
New York Legislature with respect to the proposed bill for O&M licensure.
</FONT></DIV>
<DIV>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 63pt" class=MsoBodyTextIndent><SPAN
style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt"><?xml:namespace
prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office"
/><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 63pt" class=MsoBodyTextIndent><SPAN
style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 63pt" class=MsoBodyTextIndent><SPAN
style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt">April 27,
2011<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 63pt" class=MsoBodyTextIndent><SPAN
style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 63pt" class=MsoBodyTextIndent><SPAN
style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt">To the Members
of the <?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns =
"urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" /><st1:place
w:st="on"><st1:PlaceName w:st="on">New York</st1:PlaceName> <st1:PlaceType
w:st="on">State</st1:PlaceType></st1:place> Legislature: <o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 63pt" class=MsoBodyTextIndent><SPAN
style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 63pt" class=MsoBodyTextIndent><SPAN
style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt">The National
Blindness Professional Certification Board (NBPCB) is an organization that
provides professional credentialing to individuals who teach Orientation and
Mobility (O&M) to children and adults who are blind or visually impaired. We
have several concerns with respect to proposed legislation that would limit
access to O&M instruction through the implementation of licensure
requirements in the state. <o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 63pt" class=MsoBodyTextIndent><SPAN
style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 63pt" class=MsoBodyTextIndent><SPAN
style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt">The NBPCB is one
of two nationally recognized bodies that offer certification to individuals who
teach O&M. In order to seek certification, an individual must first provide
proof of professional training in the area of orientation and mobility. Before
an individual can apply for certification, verification of that individual’s
competence in teaching must be obtained by a qualified person. Only once all of
these requirements are met can an individual apply for NBPCB certification. The
certification process itself then takes the applicant through adherence to a
code of professional ethics and a rigorous written and performance evaluation
that is graded by a minim of three (3) National Orientation and Mobility
Certified Trainers. <o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 63pt" class=MsoBodyTextIndent><SPAN
style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 81pt" class=MsoBodyTextIndent><SPAN
style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt">No level of
certification or licensure can guarantee continued competence or ethical
conduct, but we work continuously to insure that the highest standards are met
and upheld. The proposed licensure cannot come close to this level of scrutiny,
and has several additional problems that go against its adoption, not the least
of which is the fact that licensure will reduce the number of qualified O&M
instructors in New York. With that said w</SPAN>e will confine our comments to
what we regard as the three most significant problems with the proposed
licensure bill:</P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="LINE-HEIGHT: 115%; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P
style="TEXT-INDENT: -0.25in; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2"
class=ListParagraphCxSpFirst><SPAN
style="LINE-HEIGHT: 115%; FONT-FAMILY: 'Courier New'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Courier New'; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt"><SPAN
style="mso-list: Ignore">o<SPAN
style="FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'">
</SPAN></SPAN></SPAN><SPAN
style="LINE-HEIGHT: 115%; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt">A
fixed academic requirement not recognized in the
profession;<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P
style="TEXT-INDENT: -0.25in; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2"
class=ListParagraphCxSpMiddle><SPAN
style="LINE-HEIGHT: 115%; FONT-FAMILY: 'Courier New'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Courier New'; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt"><SPAN
style="mso-list: Ignore">o<SPAN
style="FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'">
</SPAN></SPAN></SPAN><SPAN
style="LINE-HEIGHT: 115%; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt">An
unspecified process for approving a university’s O&M curriculum;
and<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P
style="TEXT-INDENT: -0.25in; MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2"
class=ListParagraphCxSpLast><SPAN
style="LINE-HEIGHT: 115%; FONT-FAMILY: 'Courier New'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Courier New'; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt"><SPAN
style="mso-list: Ignore">o<SPAN
style="FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'">
</SPAN></SPAN></SPAN><SPAN
style="LINE-HEIGHT: 115%; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt">The
reference to an examination (also unspecified) with a vague link to other
examinations used in the certification of O&M
professionals.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="LINE-HEIGHT: 115%; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P
style="TEXT-INDENT: -0.25in; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1"
class=ListParagraphCxSpFirst><SPAN
style="LINE-HEIGHT: 115%; FONT-FAMILY: 'Courier New'; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Courier New'; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt"><SPAN
style="mso-list: Ignore">1.<SPAN
style="FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'">
</SPAN></SPAN></SPAN><SPAN
style="LINE-HEIGHT: 115%; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Courier New'; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt">Section
8804</SPAN><SPAN
style="LINE-HEIGHT: 115%; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt">
establishes a minimum academic requirement necessary for licensure.
Specifically, subsection (B)(I) reads as follows: <o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in" class=ListParagraphCxSpMiddle><SPAN
style="LINE-HEIGHT: 115%; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in" class=ListParagraphCxSpMiddle><SPAN
style="LINE-HEIGHT: 115%; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Courier New'; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt"><SPAN
style="mso-tab-count: 1">
</SPAN>(B)<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes">
</SPAN>EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE:<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes">
</SPAN>(I)<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>HAVE<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>SATISFACTORILY<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>COMPLETED<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>AN APPROVED<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>ORIENTATION<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>AND<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>MOBILITY<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>CURRICULUM<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>IN<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes">
</SPAN>A BACCALAUREATE OR MASTERS PROGRAM, OR A CERTIFICATE PROGRAM SATISFACTORY
TO THE DEPARTMENT WHICH IS SUBSTANTIALLY EQUIVALENT TO A BACCALAUREATE DEGREE
PROGRAM,<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE
COMMISSIONER'S REGULATIONS;<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in" class=ListParagraphCxSpMiddle><SPAN
style="LINE-HEIGHT: 115%; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Courier New'; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in" class=ListParagraphCxSpMiddle><SPAN
style="LINE-HEIGHT: 115%; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Courier New'; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt">We
are concerned by the requirement in Section 8804(B)(I) that, as a condition of
licensure, the individual must hold at least a baccalaureate degree (or an
academic certificate equivalent to a baccalaureate degree). While most O&M
professionals hold a baccalaureate or master’s degree, neither national O&M
certifying body requires that an individual hold a baccalaureate degree as a
condition of certification. To do so would limit the number of trained and
experienced individuals who will be able to provide O&M instruction in New
York.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in" class=ListParagraphCxSpMiddle><SPAN
style="LINE-HEIGHT: 115%; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt 0.5in" class=ListParagraphCxSpLast><SPAN
style="LINE-HEIGHT: 115%; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt"><SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>The NBPCB offers two paths to
certification: (Category A) the Successful completion of a master’s degree in
O&M; or (Category B) the successful completion of a supervised
apprenticeship program. Individuals certified under the approved apprenticeship
program may or may not hold a </SPAN><SPAN
style="LINE-HEIGHT: 115%; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Courier New'; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt">baccalaureate
</SPAN><SPAN
style="LINE-HEIGHT: 115%; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt">degree;
however they have undergone rigorous training and have completed 800 hours of
supervised instruction. Both tracks (Category A and Category B) require the
individual to have successfully completed 480 hours of prerequisite immersion
training (instruction while blindfolded). In all respects the ability of NOMC
certified individuals to provide O&M instruction meets the highest standards
in the profession.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="LINE-HEIGHT: 115%; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P
style="TEXT-INDENT: -0.25in; MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt 0.75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1"
class=ListParagraph><SPAN
style="LINE-HEIGHT: 115%; FONT-FAMILY: 'Courier New'; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Courier New'"><SPAN
style="mso-list: Ignore">2.<SPAN
style="FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'">
</SPAN></SPAN></SPAN><SPAN
style="LINE-HEIGHT: 115%; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Courier New'; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt">In
addition Section 8804(B)(I) explicitly links the academic requirement to the
satisfactory completion of an “approved orientation and mobility
curriculum.”<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN><o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="LINE-HEIGHT: 115%; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="LINE-HEIGHT: 115%; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt">We
are concerned that </SPAN><SPAN
style="LINE-HEIGHT: 115%; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Courier New'; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt">Section
8804(B)(I) </SPAN><SPAN
style="LINE-HEIGHT: 115%; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt">gives
no indication of the criteria or standard the Board will use to base its
approval or disapproval of a university’s O&M curriculum. At best the
approval process will be burdensome on the state and will do nothing to insure
that New York licensed O&M instructors are any more qualified to practice
their profession than are individuals who presently hold national certification.
The curriculum of a university program may change from time to time. That means
that an individual university may be approved one year but not approved in
subsequent years and yet approved again in later years. For this reason, in
deciding whether an individual is eligible for New York licensure, the Board
will need to determine not only whether the applicant graduated from an approved
program but whether the specific years when the individual matriculated were
years during which the university program was approved.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="LINE-HEIGHT: 115%; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="LINE-HEIGHT: 115%; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt">An
advantage of national certification is that individuals are deemed qualified to
teach O&M according to the accepted standard within the profession without
regard to state boundaries. Under the proposed licensure bill, nationally
certified individuals may find themselves able to teach in any state except for
New York. At the same time<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>licensed
individuals in New York may find themselves unable to teach O&M anywhere
outside the state. Presumably, the imposition of state licensure must serve an
important purpose if it is to be undertaken. The benefit of licensure should be
greater than the administrative and other burdens imposed by the licensure
process. Yet we see no compelling justification for state licensure given the
availability of national certification.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt" class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="LINE-HEIGHT: 115%; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P
style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; tab-stops: 45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt"
class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Courier New'; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt">Our
third area of major concern relates to the examination requirement found in
Section 8804 subsection( C): <o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P
style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.75in; mso-add-space: auto; tab-stops: 45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt"
class=ListParagraphCxSpFirst><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Courier New'; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P
style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.75in; mso-add-space: auto; tab-stops: 45.8pt 91.6pt 137.4pt 183.2pt 229.0pt 274.8pt 320.6pt 366.4pt 412.2pt 458.0pt 503.8pt 549.6pt 595.4pt 641.2pt 687.0pt 732.8pt"
class=ListParagraphCxSpMiddle><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Courier New'; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt"><SPAN
style="mso-tab-count: 1">
</SPAN>(C)<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>EXAMINATION: PASS AN
EXAMINATION SATISFACTORY TO THE BOARD AND IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE COMMISSIONER'S
REGULATIONS THAT MAY BE BASED<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes">
</SPAN>ON<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>AN EXAM<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>UTILIZED BY ANY NATIONALLY RECOGNIZED
ACCREDITING OR CERTIFICATION BODY SUCH AS THE ACADEMY FOR CERTIFICATION OF
VISION REHABILITATION<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>AND
EDUCATION<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>PROFESSIONALS<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>(ACVREP),<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>NATIONAL<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>ORIENTATION<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>AND MOBILITY CERTIFICATE (NOMC)
ADMINISTERED BY THE NATIONAL<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes">
</SPAN>BLINDNESS<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>PROFESSIONAL
CERTIFICATION BOARD (NBPCB) OR AN EQUIVALENT EXAM.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.75in; mso-add-space: auto"
class=ListParagraphCxSpMiddle><SPAN
style="LINE-HEIGHT: 115%; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.75in; mso-add-space: auto"
class=ListParagraphCxSpMiddle><SPAN
style="LINE-HEIGHT: 115%; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt">The
examination requirement is unclear. It appears that the Board is charged with
developing and administering an examination to determine the ability of the
applicant to teach O&M. Developing and validating such an examination is an
expensive and complex process and should not be taken lightly. In addition
subsection (C)states that the examination<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes">
</SPAN>“…may be based on an exam utilized by any nationally recognized
accrediting or certification body </SPAN><SPAN
style="LINE-HEIGHT: 115%; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Courier New'; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt">…”
The examinations used by the NBPCB and the ACVREP are proprietary and may not be
used in whole or in part without the express permission of the entity holding
the examination copyright. <o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.75in; mso-add-space: auto"
class=ListParagraphCxSpMiddle><SPAN
style="LINE-HEIGHT: 115%; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Courier New'; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.75in; mso-add-space: auto"
class=ListParagraphCxSpMiddle><SPAN
style="LINE-HEIGHT: 115%; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Courier New'; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt">In
short the Board will need to develop its own examination or alternatively accept
evidence of an individual’s successful completion of one of the national
certification examinations as satisfying the Board’s examination requirement. In
any event this further speaks to the lack of justification for state licensure.
Why would the state spend time and money developing an examination when two
nationally recognized examinations already exist. Yet, if the State decides to
accept national certification examinations as satisfying the state examination
requirement, why is licensure needed at all? It appears that New York will
either engage in a lengthy, expensive, duplicative process for determining the
ability of an individual to teach O&M or it will adopt a process that does
nothing more than mirror the certification examinations that already
exist.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt 0.75in; mso-add-space: auto"
class=ListParagraphCxSpLast><SPAN
style="LINE-HEIGHT: 115%; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Courier New'; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 63pt" class=MsoBodyTextIndent><SPAN
style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt">We of the
National Blindness Professional Certification Board have a single mission—to
increase the supply of highly trained professionals to teach independence skills
to individuals who are blind or visually impaired. We have achieved this through
rigorous certification standards. Licensure in one state is fraught with
logistical and political problems and will not adequately replace the rigor of
national certification. We need to work to increase recruitment, training, and
credentialing of caring professionals, not increase the road blocks and barriers
to access. We want O&M professionals to make a good living at their job, but
raising the stature of the credential from certification to licensure is not the
appropriate way to seek pay raises. <o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 63pt" class=MsoBodyTextIndent><SPAN
style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 63pt" class=MsoBodyTextIndent><SPAN
style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt">I hope that you
take these concerns seriously. We would be glad to provide further materials,
testimonials, and/or other documentation to further expand and explain these
complicated issues. I trust that you will make the wise decision, and we look
forward to serving the professionals of New York who have a duty of honesty,
fidelity, integrity, and justice to the consumers they serve.
<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 63pt" class=MsoBodyTextIndent><SPAN
style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 63pt" class=MsoBodyTextIndent><SPAN
style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 63pt" class=MsoBodyTextIndent><SPAN
style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt">Cordially,
<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 63pt" class=MsoBodyTextIndent><SPAN
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<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 63pt" class=MsoBodyTextIndent><SPAN
style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt">Allen C. Harris,
President <o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 63pt" class=MsoBodyTextIndent><SPAN
style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt">National
Blindness Professional Certification Board<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
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class=ListParagraph><SPAN
style="LINE-HEIGHT: 115%; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial>Edward C. Bell, Ph.D., CRC, NOMC</FONT></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial>REGISTER TO TAKE THE NATIONAL CERTIFICATION IN
LITERARY BRAILLE (NCLB) Exam <BR><A
href="http://www.nbpcb.org/pages/announcements.php">http://www.nbpcb.org/pages/announcements.php</A></FONT></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial>Get your T-Shirt to promote Independence for the
Blind<BR><A
href="http://www.gemini-rt.com/?page_id=37">http://www.gemini-rt.com/?page_id=37</A></FONT></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial>Director, Professional Development and
Research<BR>Institute on Blindness<BR>Louisiana Tech University<BR>210 Woodard
Hall<BR>PO Box 3158<BR>Ruston LA 71272<BR>Office: 318.257.4554 <BR>Fax:
318.257.2259 (Fax)<BR>Skype: edwardbell2010<BR><A
href="mailto:ebell@latech.edu">ebell@latech.edu</A><BR><A
href="http://www.latech.edu/instituteonblindness">www.latech.edu/instituteonblindness</A><BR>********************<BR>"I
am somehow less interested in the weight and convolutions of Einstein's brain
than in the near certainty that people of equal talent have lived and died in
cotton fields and sweatshops." <BR>-- Stephen Jay Gould
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