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B.L.I.N.D. Blind Legislative Informational Networking Day 2015

The Massachusetts Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired will be in attendence at the seventh annual Blind Legislative Informational Networking Day (B.L.I.N.D.) on Tuesday, March 10, 2015, from 11:30 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. in The Great Hall, at The Massachusetts State House in Boston.

Critical Programs & Needs

We are hopeful that the Governor’s proposed budget for FY2016 will recommend level funding based upon FY15 spending levels prior to the recent 9C cuts for the Massachusetts Commission for the Blind (MCB) and the Perkins and Worcester Library programs. Funding support is also needed for special education for students with disabilities. Some examples of critical programs to be funded are:

  • The 7000-9406 and 7000-9402 line item accounts for continued operations of the Perkins Library and the Worcester Talking Book Library for the delivery of audio, braille and large print accessible library services. This funding level will make it possible to continue to reach out to the 100,000 potentially eligible borrowers in the Commonwealth who are not aware of the program.
  • MCB’s Independent Living Community Supports line item 4110-1000 which funds the population of children and elders ineligible under the Federal vocational rehabilitation authority, but with critical social rehabilitation services. This line item is vital toward allowing many consumers to remain in their homes rather than in an institutional setting.
  • MCB’s Turning 22/Deaf-Blind Extended Supports line item (4110-2000) which serves the most severely disabled older youth who are blind or visually impaired transitioning out of the education system.
  • Special education circuit-breaker funding support for Chapter 766 school tuition rates to ensure that our most vulnerable students have the opportunity to receive service appropriate to their needs.

At this important time, the blind community is working to both provide information and network with legislators on the importance of appropriate funding for the blindness community’s vital service needs. Your participation is critical!

Program Schedule

11:30 am – 12:00 pm: Light buffet lunch with legislators / access product demonstrations
12:00 pm – 1:15 pm: Awards / Consumer Presentations
1:15 pm – 2:00 pm and beyond: Networking, walk around the State House to visit representative and senators’ offices

For other questions, or to register by phone contact Debby King, B.L.I.N.D. 2015 Registration Coordinator, at 617-972-7376or debby.king@perkins.org. For any State House accommodations requests, please contact Carl Richardson by March 3, 2015 at 617-727-1100 x35502 or via email at carl.richardson@state.ma.us.

B.L.I.N.D. Sponsors

  • Bay State Council of the Blind
  • Carroll Center for the Blind
  • Lowell Association for the Blind
  • Massachusetts Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired
  • National Braille Press
  • National Federation of the Blind of Massachusetts
  • Perkins, on behalf of the Friends of the Perkins Library and the Worcester Talking Book Library
  • Talking Information Center

Thank you for supporting and being a part of the seventh annual “B.L.I.N.D.” State House event.