OK, Happy end of the month Shout-out. I apologize for getting this out so late in the month.
Many of you are already aware of a Federal bill that is currently in the House, H.R. 3535, the Alice Cogswell and Anne Sullivan Macy Act.
On March 2, 2016, the Deafblind Coalition is sponsoring an advocacy day on Capital Hill to bring awareness to the bill as well as to highlight the needs of individuals with deafblindness. Family members and professionals from across the country wil be there to talk with our the representatives and senators. While we know that many people cannot travel to D.C., you can help support this bill.
Parents have great influence on our legislators and no one can better share their personal stories than you. Please take some time to review the bill and contact your local representatives and ask them to support H.R. 3535.
Here are just a few important highlights:
*Continue to support a continuum of service delivery options providing the individualized supports and services to students
*Provide professional pre-service and in-service training to staff to insure qualified staff are teaching your children
*teach the expanded core curriculum
*require all states to have certified teachers of the Deafblind and Interveners
Please use the link below for more information about the bill and what you can do. I'm also attaching an outline from information that I have shared with our parents. It focuses on the sections of the bill supporting children who are blind or visually impaired or deafblind. Please remember that there is also a significant section that addresses the needs of children who are Deaf or hard of hearing. That part is not included in my outline, but is just as important.
This bill is intended to support the needs of children with sensory impairments. It is meant to strengthen what is currently in IDEA, not to replace it. Please consider contacting your representatives. You can use the link below for more information.
http://www.afb.org/info/get-connected/take-action/12
Many of you are already aware of a Federal bill that is currently in the House, H.R. 3535, the Alice Cogswell and Anne Sullivan Macy Act.
On March 2, 2016, the Deafblind Coalition is sponsoring an advocacy day on Capital Hill to bring awareness to the bill as well as to highlight the needs of individuals with deafblindness. Family members and professionals from across the country wil be there to talk with our the representatives and senators. While we know that many people cannot travel to D.C., you can help support this bill.
Parents have great influence on our legislators and no one can better share their personal stories than you. Please take some time to review the bill and contact your local representatives and ask them to support H.R. 3535.
Here are just a few important highlights:
*Continue to support a continuum of service delivery options providing the individualized supports and services to students
*Provide professional pre-service and in-service training to staff to insure qualified staff are teaching your children
*teach the expanded core curriculum
*require all states to have certified teachers of the Deafblind and Interveners
Please use the link below for more information about the bill and what you can do. I'm also attaching an outline from information that I have shared with our parents. It focuses on the sections of the bill supporting children who are blind or visually impaired or deafblind. Please remember that there is also a significant section that addresses the needs of children who are Deaf or hard of hearing. That part is not included in my outline, but is just as important.
This bill is intended to support the needs of children with sensory impairments. It is meant to strengthen what is currently in IDEA, not to replace it. Please consider contacting your representatives. You can use the link below for more information.
http://www.afb.org/info/get-connected/take-action/12