The following resolutions will be heard and voted on during the ACB business meeting to be held Wednesday, June 21 at 7:00 PM Central Time on Zoom and ACB Media 1.
Resolution 2023-07 Amendment of Older Americans Act
Submitted by the Alliance on Aging and Vision Loss
Whereas, the American Council of the Blind (ACB) has gone on record decrying the underfunding of services for seniors, including vision rehabilitation services provided under the Independent Living Services for Older Individuals who are Blind (OIB) program, as well as other health, social, and transportation services; and
Whereas, as an example, the OIB program has not been provided with a funding increase in nearly 20 years, and current program funding is estimated to meet less than 3% of the national need; and
Whereas, this organization, both on its own and as part of the Aging and Vision Loss National Coalition, is exploring ways in which additional funding can be obtained for OIB and other services for older Americans with vision loss; and
Whereas, the primary legislative vehicle developed by the Coalition to comprehensively address federal policy and funding for the OIB and other critical national programs is Teddie-Joy’s Law, legislation which ACB has endorsed and for which ACB and the Coalition are pursuing congressional champions; and
Whereas, one of the primary funding sources for senior services is the Older Americans Act (OAA) which must be reauthorized by the U.S. Congress by September 30, 2024, in order for the many programs and services made available under the Act to continue to receive federal funding; and
Whereas, funds under the OAA are distributed to each state for allocation to local Area Agencies on Aging (AAA’s) to fund local programs for prescribed purposes specified in the Act; and
Whereas, very little funding is ultimately obtained through the OAA for services specifically targeted to older Americans who are blind or have low vision largely because the OAA does not explicitly designate vision loss as a purpose for which funds are allowed to be specifically expended; and
Whereas, in order to enable funds to be targeted for programs and services for people with vision loss, the OAA must be amended to recognize “aging with vision loss” as a distinct and sizeable population of older Americans with unique and specialized needs;
Now, therefore, be it resolved by the American Council of the Blind in convention assembled that the American Council of the Blind and its affiliate the Association on Aging and Vision Loss work with the Aging and Vision Loss National Coalition and other entities for the introduction and passage of Teddie-Joy’s Law and legislation that would amend the Older Americans Act to explicitly recognize seniors with vision loss as a group whose needs must be specifically addressed by allocations of OAA funds.
End of Resolution 2023-07
Resolution 2023-09 Large Print Books and NLS
Submitted by the Council of Citizens with Low Vision International
Whereas, ninety percent of individuals who have significant vision loss have useful vision; and
Whereas, many individuals with residual vision can and do read books that are available in large print; and
Whereas, many public libraries and a few regional libraries in the National Library Service (NLS) system make large print books available; and
Whereas, many so-called large print books available through public libraries are not of sufficient font to be readable by people with significant vision loss; and
Whereas, there is no consistent system for production and distribution of large print books specifically aimed at meeting the unique needs of people with low vision; and
Whereas, NLS currently distributes talking books and braille books and some circulars in large print; and
Whereas, we recognize that the extent to which NLS can make available large print books is impacted by copyright implications; and
Whereas, the Council of Citizens with Low Vision International (CCLVI) is a national organization dedicated to championing the needs of people with some existing vision;
Now, therefore, be it resolved by the American Council of the Blind in convention assembled that this organization, in conjunction with its affiliate CCLVI, believes that making large print materials available to people with residual vision is just as important as making recorded and braille materials available; and
Be it further resolved that ACB and CCLVI hereby request that the National Library Service undertake a study to explore the feasibility of making large print books available; and
Be it further resolved that the American Council of the Blind and CCLVI stand ready to work with NLS toward achieving this outcome; and
Be it further resolved that NLS be encouraged to report its progress to the 2024 Conference and Convention of the American Council of the Blind and annually thereafter.
End of Resolution 2023-09
Resolution 2023-10 Funding Increase for the Older Individuals who are Blind Program
Submitted by: Jeff Thom and Association on Aging and Vision Loss
Whereas, the only major program that provides specialized services to seniors with vision loss is the federal Independent Living Services for Older Individuals who are Blind (OIB) program; and
Whereas, this program provides funding to every state, territory and the District of Columbia for services that include daily living skills, assistive technology devices and services, orientation and mobility, home modifications, and self-determination; and
Whereas, less than 3% of program-eligible older Americans experiencing vision loss receive OIB services; and
Whereas, the number of older Americans with vision loss is expected to double by 2050; and
Whereas, the federal funding level of approximately $33 million has not been increased in nearly 20 years; and
Whereas, the Biden Administration, in its 2024 fiscal year budget, has proposed a $5 million increase in OIB funding; and
Whereas, Congressional action to provide for this increase would be an initial step toward ensuring that seniors who are blind or have low vision receive the specialized services they need in order to maintain or increase their independence.
Now, therefore, be it resolved by the American Council of the Blind in convention assembled that this organization along with its affiliate, the Alliance on Aging and Vision Loss (AAVL), commend the Biden Administration for including the $5 million increase in OIB funding in its proposed fiscal year 2024 budget; and
Be it further resolved that these organizations aggressively advocate with the appropriate Congressional leaders and committees to secure inclusion of this proposed increase in the final fiscal year 2024 spending legislation.
End of Resolution 2023-10
Resolution 2023-11 Vending Facility Equipment
Submitted by California Council of the Blind
Whereas, historically, Randolph-Sheppard vendors did not pay for equipment used to operate the vending location, such as appliances, cash registers, and card readers; and
Whereas, instead, states purchased equipment using federal funds, along with matching funds from various sources; and
Whereas, in some states, the required match for the purchase of equipment is obtained through funds collected from Business Enterprise Program (BEP) vendors by state licensing agencies, with these funds being known as set-aside funds; and
Whereas, the Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA), in the U.S. Department of Education, and the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) adopted a regulatory requirement which limited a state’s ability to purchase BEP equipment to the amount of $5,000 or more; and
Whereas, the result of this decision required a BEP vendor to make purchases of equipment under $5,000; and
Whereas, in light of the pandemic, RSA and OMB subsequently revised this requirement by reducing the threshold which must be met before the state may purchase equipment from $5,000 to $1,000; and
Whereas, due to such equipment expenses for the vending facility, and in light of shrinking operator income due to fewer patrons because of the pandemic, the $1,000 maximum remains a burdensome cost when a vendor must purchase such equipment as coffee makers, cash registers, card readers, and microwave ovens that are below the $1,000 threshold;
Now, therefore, be it resolved by the American Council of the Blind in convention assembled that this organization urge the Rehabilitation Services Administration and the Office of Management and Budget to eliminate the prohibition against a state using federal and matching funds for the purchase of equipment valued at less than $1,000.
End of Resolution 2023-11
Resolution 2023-12 Funding of Visual Interpreting Services
Submitted by the California Council of the Blind and Robert Acosta
Whereas, access to information, in all its forms, is very possibly the largest impediment to the independence of people who are blind or have low vision; and
Whereas, technological advancements have brought about new visual interpretation services, such as AIRA, that provide professional and confidential services for a fee; and
Whereas, such visual interpretation services are designed to provide a variety of assistance to customers with vision impairments, including, but not limited to, reading mail and other materials, helping to administer and read the results of at-home medical tests, reading computer screens, and providing environmental information that enables individuals to travel safely; and
Whereas, the cost of such visual interpreting services is generally unaffordable for low- and middle-income individuals with vision loss;
Now, therefore, be it resolved by the American Council of the Blind in convention assembled that this organization encourage its affiliates to advocate for funding of professional visual interpretation services at the state level for people who are blind or who have low vision.
End of Resolution 2023-12