The National Federation of the Blind has many initiatives it focuses on both locally and nationally. We are continuously working toward securing full integration, equality, independence, acceptance, and respect for all blind Americans. Our advocacy work has centered on issues related to education, employment, transportation, voting, and civil rights, and is directed by the resolutions that are passed each year during our State Convention.
New York State Initiatives
We are currently advocating for the following:
- Blind Parent Right to Parent - The Blind Persons' Right to Parent Act is currently pending in both houses of the Legislature. We call upon the Legislature and the Governor to enact this legislation to protect blind parents from arbitrary custody and visitation decisions based on misconceptions about blindness.
- NFB-NEWSLINE Funding - This Bill provides for funding for NEWSLINE using surplus revenue from the Targeted Accessibility Fund surcharge, without increasing the existing surcharge and without imposing an additional surcharge.
- RFPs - When the State and its municipalities deploy inaccessible information and communication technologies (ICT), the result is the exclusion of disabled New Yorkers from vital information and resources. Legislation intended to address this issue is currently pending in both houses. Enactment of this legislation will afford members of the disability community greater access to government services by assuring the contracting process results in the procurement of ICT that can be fully utilized by disabled New Yorkers.
- Senior Rehab Funding - We call upon the Legislature to approve a $5 million increase in funding for the New York State Commission for the Blind to provide blindness related rehabilitation services for older New Yorkers. Such an increase is necessary to assure that older New Yorkers who are no longer of working age are still able to receive blindness rehabilitation services.
Download: NY Legislative Agenda | Blind Parents Fact Sheet | Newsline Fact Sheet | RFP Fact Sheet | Seniors Fact Sheet
