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New York Vision Rehabilitation Association

Updated

ANNUAL REPORT 2007

In 2007, NYVRA was active in working on its organizational goals, in accomplishments on state issues regarding services for people with vision loss in the legislative arena, on the licensure efforts, and through efforts regarding a state wide area of concern: increasing government reimbursements for vision rehabilitation services.

NYVRA submitted the application for exemption of the NYS CHAR, which was approved, as well as submitting timely reports on lobbying and IRS filings. Three new members joined NYVRA this year: two individuals and the NYC Chapter of the National Association of Parents of Children with Visually Impairment.

NYVRA Board positions continue to include agency and consumer representation. Over the course of the year, meetings of the executive board and the board were held by conference call, as well as five in person membership meetings:

January 12, 2007
April 24, 2007
July 24, 2007
October 4, 2007
December 5, 2007

NYVRA continued to engage the services of a government representation firm, and, along with NYVRA members, has been actively educating members of the state legislature about vision rehabilitation needs, rate increases, the Senior Vision Services program and the licensure bill.

With regard to Licensure, efforts were successful in securing a new Assembly sponsor for the bill- Assemblyman Jonathan Bing. NYVRA has also been active in securing a “Champion” in the Senate for the licensure bill. NYVRA board members held meetings with several leaders including Assemblyman Glick as well as a key staff person of the NYS Lieutenant Governor’s office. NYVRA also worked closely with NYSAER in planning and supporting a successful licensure advocacy workshop at the annual AER conference.

In addition to the licensure effort, NYVRA has supported numerous issues at legislative meetings, testimonials, budget hearings and in letters of support:

-Fund Senior Vision Services (A897/S522), new legislation passed by the legislature and signed by the Governor, at the level of $5 million. In addition to a letter of support, NYVRA was invited to a preliminary meeting with NYSOFA, NYSOTA in November with the NYS Medical Society and the NYS Ophthalmological Society regarding the new law, to discuss possible collaborations and strategy for funding to include vision rehabilitation services.

-Increase state funding to the NYS Commission for the Blind and Visually Handicapped for non-vocational services for legally blind children and legally blind elders from just over $1 million to $3 million.

-Increase SSI (Supplemental Security Income) to raise recipients above the poverty level. Pass through all future federal increases to SSI without reducing the state share.

-Pass New York State licensure of vision rehabilitation professionals.

NYVRA also provided memorandum in support for the following two bills:

A.7952 (Benedetto)/S.4236 (Winner) Relates to unlawful discriminatory practices against persons with a disability on the basis of the use of a guide dog, hearing dog or service dog

A.7976 (Sweeney)/S.929 (Johnson, O.) Directs New York state energy research and development authority to study the best technologies to enable blind and visually impaired persons to read utility meters

From the first of the year through December 2007, 6695 visits to the website have been tracked. The new NYVRA Website has had informational updates and action items added to the site, including testimony, and letters of support. It is an easily accessible portal for anyone in New York State or in the nation interested in learning more about NYVRA. We encourage all to visit our new website: www.nyvra.org

NYVRA members continue to participate with staff of OCFS, to educate OCFS staff regarding the needs of the burgeoning number of residents who are visually impaired and the need for increased funding. NYVRA Board members also met directly with the OCFS Commissioner Gladys Carrion regarding NYVRA’s mission and concerns.

NYVRA has met with other consumer and government organizations in the state, including meetings with the NYSOFA director, Michael Burgess, the Chairperson of the State Rehabilitation Council, as well as the CBVH Associate Commissioner Brian Daniels and his staff. NYVRA has also been interested in the development of the newly created Executive Board to the NYS Commission for the Blind and Visually Handicapped, and its future role in the state. NYVRA members met with representatives of the Rehabilitation Services Administration during their annual review of the New York State Commission for the Blind and Visually Handicapped and participated in conference calls with RSA representatives as part of RSA’s information gathering.

NYVRA, Nancy D. Miller, President, nmiller@visionsvcb.org
c/o CCSNYS, Legal Assistance Center, 272 Broadway, Albany, New York, 12204
Phone 212-625-1616, ext. 117, Fax: 212-219-4078

NYVRA is a non-profit coalition comprised of members, organizations and agencies located across New York State, addressing issues that impact services for people who are blind or partially sighted.

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