SUBJECT:

PURPOSE:

The New York State Commission for the Blind and Visually Handicapped provides and oversees services to blind and visually impaired individuals throughout the state. In recent months, there has been a move by some advocates and government representatives to make changes to the existing service delivery and oversight system. The Governor's 2007 budget presentation included a proposal to replace the existing CBHV, which is currently located within the New York State Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS), with a newly-created Office for the Blind. While this proposal was not included in the final budget, the establishment of a new Executive Board within CBVH was. This hearing is intended to solicit the opinions and recommendations of all of the stakeholders regarding the effectiveness of the service delivery system for blind and visually impaired individuals in New York State.

Please see the reverse side for a list of subjects to which witnesses may direct their testimony.

Persons wishing to present pertinent testimony to the Task Force and Committees at the above hearing should complete and return the enclosed reply form as soon as possible. It is important that the reply form be fully completed and returned so that persons may be notified in the event of emergency postponement or cancellation of the hearing.

Oral testimony will be limited to 10 minutes duration. In preparing the order of witnesses, the Task Force and Committees will attempt to accommodate individual requests to speak at particular times in view of special circumstances. These requests should be made on the attached reply form or communicated to Assembly staff as early as possible. In the absence of a request, witnesses will be scheduled in the order in which reply forms are postmarked.

Ten copies of any prepared testimony should be submitted at the hearing registration desk. The Task Force and Committees would appreciate advance receipt of prepared statements.

In order to further publicize these hearings, please inform interested parties and organizations of the Assembly's interest in hearing testimony from all sources.

In order to meet the needs of those who may have a disability, the Assembly, in accordance with its policy of non-discrimination on the basis of disability, as well as the 1990 Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), has made its facilities and services available to all individuals with disabilities. For individuals with disabilities, accommodations will be provided, upon reasonable request, to afford such individuals access and admission to Assembly facilities and activities.

SELECTED ISSUES TO WHICH WITNESSES MAY DIRECT THEIR TESTIMONY:

1. Is the current service delivery system adequate to provide appropriate services to people who are blind and visually impaired in New York State?

2. What reforms are necessary to improve the service delivery system?

3. Is the proposal made in the Governor's 2007 budget presentation to replace the existing Commission for the Blind and Visually Handicapped (CBVH) with a newly-created Office for the Blind an appropriate response?

4. Is the new Executive Board which was established within CBVH as a result of the 2007 State Budget a sufficient response to foster reform?

PUBLIC HEARING REPLY FORM

Persons wishing to present testimony at the public hearing regarding the recent movement to reform the current service delivery system for people who are blind or visually impaired in New York State are requested to complete this reply form as soon as possible and send it to:

Judi West
Legislative Analyst
Assembly Committee on Children & Families
Room 522, Capitol
Albany, New York 12248
E-mail: westj@assembly.state.ny.us
Phone: (518) 455-4371
Fax: (518) 455-4693

I will address my remarks to the following subjects:

I will require assistance and/or handicapped accessibility information. Please specify the type of assistance required: