Visually impaired students; instruction in Braille, etc. (HB1325)
Introduced By
Del. Mark Cole (R-Fredericksburg) with support from co-patrons Del. David Bulova (D-Fairfax), and Del. Ken Plum (D-Reston)
Progress
✓ |
Introduced |
✗ |
Passed Committee |
☐ |
Passed House |
☐ |
Passed Senate |
☐ |
Signed by Governor |
☐ |
Became Law |
Description
Visually impaired students; Braille. Requires each visually impaired student to be evaluated by a certified Teacher of the Visually Impaired and requires the student to receive instruction in Braille or the use of Braille unless the team responsible for developing the student's IEP (IEP team) or the team responsible for developing the student's plan pursuant to 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (504 team) determines that instruction in Braille or the use of Braille is not appropriate to the student's educational needs. Current law requires a determination of the appropriateness of Braille but does not require the evaluation. The bill allows IEP teams and 504 teams to provide other specialized educational services and assistive technology devices in addition to Braille. The bill permits IEP teams and 504 teams to determine that visually impaired students are eligible for instruction in the use of the appropriate Braille mathematics code in addition to Braille and the use of Braille. The bill disallows the presence of some residual vision from precluding instruction in Braille and the use of Braille. Read the Bill »
Outcome
History
Date | Action |
---|---|
11/20/2014 | Committee |
11/20/2014 | Prefiled and ordered printed; offered 01/14/15 15100637D |
11/20/2014 | Referred to Committee on Education |
01/19/2015 | Reported from Education (19-Y 3-N) (see vote tally) |
01/19/2015 | Referred to Committee on Appropriations |
01/21/2015 | Assigned App. sub: Elementary & Secondary Education |
01/26/2015 | Impact statement from DPB (HB1325) |
01/27/2015 | Subcommittee recommends no action |
01/30/2015 | Impact statement from DHCD (HB1325) |
02/02/2015 | Impact statement from DPB (HB1325) |
02/03/2015 | Subcommittee recommends laying on the table |
02/10/2015 | Left in Appropriations |
Comments
Currently, there is a 70% unemployment rate among the working aged blind. Conversely, the majority of blind people who do work are Braille literate. To put it another way, what are the employment prospects for sighted people who are functually illiterate?
The ramifications of this bill are long term and far reaching. Please pass this bill and ensure that blind individuals are literate and able to compete in the job market.