ACBNY Urges Governor Spitzer to Withdraw his Office for the Blind Budget Proposal and Hold Public Hearings

Albany, NY, February 16, 2007 --(PR.com)-- The American Council of the Blind of New York (ACBNY) called on Governor Spitzer and the Legislature today to withdraw their support for Part J of the education, labor, and family assistance budget for fiscal year 2007-2008. Part J of S. 2107 and A. 4307 proposes to create a new Office for the Blind that would move the Commission for the Blind and Visually Handicapped from the Office of Children and Family Services to a stand-alone state unit.

“We were really surprised to see this bill in the Governor’s budget this year,” said Michael Godino, the President of ACBNY. “We know that the idea of creating an Office for the Blind has been around for many years. But, this is a big change. We simply cannot accept a law that hasn’t been openly discussed.”

The proposed legislation attempts to consolidate many programs and services provided to blind and visually impaired New Yorkers by giving the authority to run these services to an Executive Director.

“If run properly by qualified people, the new office might be a success. Right now, this proposed legislation provides no guarantees that this office would be run by qualified people though,” said Mr. Godino. “We’re talking about a lot of programs and services. We trust Governor Spitzer,” he continued, “to appoint the right person for the job. Who knows what might happen in different political times.”

The legislation also creates an advisory board comprised of a majority of blind people.

“Again, we need to have some criteria,” said President Godino, “for the people who would serve on this Advisory Board. Besides, the Advisory board isn’t particularly empowered to do much in this legislation.”

The proposed omnibus bill highlights some specific areas for which the Office for the Blind will be responsible. They include: the aged, the needy, and the homeless; those people participating in the Blind Enterprise Program; individuals needing equipment loans; and individuals who need rehabilitation training.

Mr. Godino said, “We’re really glad to see the legislation try to address many needs that exist throughout the state. But there are so many more people and so many more needs that haven’t been mentioned. Where are the needs of blind children, for example? What about individuals who aren’t completely blind?

“There are just too many questions that need to be answered and addressed before this proposal can serve the needs of all New Yorkers who are blind and visually impaired,” Mr. Godino continued. “There just isn’t enough time to do that when the Governor and the legislature expects to have the budget ready by April 1.”

Mr. Godino and ACBNY emphasized the need for a broad, transparent, rational dialog that can allow representative organizations to provide feedback and discuss many questions raised by the proposed legislation. ACBNY asked the Governor and the legislature to withdraw support for Part J of S. 2107 and A. 4307 until there has been a chance to look at all services, programs, and people it will affect.

###