FW: response from OSEP to letter from BVI field
Dear Committee,
Any thoughts?
Tony
From: Rebecca Sheffield [mailto:rsheffield@afb.net]
Sent: Wednesday, August 23, 2017 12:27 PM
To: Undisclosed-recipients:
Cc: Mark Richert
Subject: response from OSEP to letter from BVI field
Dear colleagues,
Thank you for adding your individual and/or organizational signatures to the letter to OSEP sent last month.
We are pleased to share that we received a response from OSEP Acting Director Ruth Ryder. I also had a constructive conversation with OSEP Education Program Specialists Lisa Pagano and Glinda Hill.
Please see the attached PDF (not accessible) and/or the text of the letter from OSEP, below. If you missed the announcement with the final draft of our original letter to OSEP, see our story and follow the link to the letter on the following webpage: http://www.afb.org/info/programs-and-services/public-policy-center/directconnect-newsletter/protect-and-promote-education-for-students-with-visual-impairments/1235
Feel free to share these letters and use them in your future advocacy efforts!
We look forward to supporting continued collaboration between the field and OSEP, championing the best possible educational opportunities for infants, children, and young adults who are blind or visually impaired. Please let us know if we can be of assistance or answer any questions.
Thank you again for your support.
- Rebecca
Rebecca Sheffield, Ph.D.
Senior Policy Researcher
American Foundation for the Blind (AFB)
1401 S. Clark St, Ste. 730
Arlington, VA 22202
T. 202-469-6837 www.afb.org http://www.afb.org/
http://www.facebook.com/americanfoundationfortheblind Facebook icon http://www.twitter.com/afb1921 Twitter icon http://www.pinterest.com/afb1921/ Pinterest icon https://plus.google.com/+AfbOrg/posts Google+ icon
We're creating a future of no limits.
Join us at www.afb.org/nolimits
http://www.afb.org/nolimits Title: no limits logo - Description: The words "no limits" in print and braille
Rebecca Sheffield, Ph.D.
Senior Policy Researcher
American Foundation for the Blind
rsheffield@afb.net
Dear Rebecca:
Thank you for your recent correspondence regarding the Office of Special Education Programs' (OSEP’s) May 17, 2017 Memorandum 17-05, Eligibility Determinations for Children Suspected of Having a Visual Impairment, Including Blindness under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). We appreciate that you and so many other highly regarded professionals with expertise in the field of blindness and visual impairment took the time to share your
thoughts about the Memorandum.
We are pleased to hear that that the guidance provided in the Memorandum will be helpful to support appropriate eligibility determinations for children suspected of having a visual impairment, their families, and those who work so hard to support children in having successful educational experiences. Glinda Hill and Lisa Pagano of my staff appreciated having the opportunity to meet with you by phone on August 14, 2017 and were excited to hear of your organization's plan to collaborate with other groups to help the field appropriately apply the guidance.
Kimberly Richey, Acting Assistant Secretary for the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services, and I recently had the opportunity to meet with Anthony Stephens, Director of Advocacy and Governmental Affairs at the American Council of the Blind and Mark Richert from your organization. OSEP is always interested in learning about ways we can work together to improve outcomes for children with visual impairments through improved instruction, including instruction in Braille, better technology, and increased employment opportunities for youth and adults with visual impairments.
We look forward to continued communication with you and your colleagues in the field of blindness and visual impairment and hope you will continue to share your ideas, suggestions, and any concerns with us.
Sincerely,
Ruth E. Ryder Acting Director
Office of Special Education Programs
400 Maryland Ave. S.W., Washington, DC 20202-2600
The Department of Education’s mission is to promote student achievement and preparation for global competitiveness by fostering educational excellence and ensuring equal access.
From: Pagano, Lisa [mailto:Lisa.Pagano@ed.gov]
Sent: Tuesday, August 22, 2017 2:30 PM
To: Rebecca Sheffield rsheffield@afb.net
Subject: RE: letter from the blindness/visual impairment field in response to May memo
Dear Rebecca,
Attached, please find correspondence from Ruth Ryder. I enjoyed having the opportunity to talk with you last week and hope to be able to meet you when you are on-site in DC next month.
Sincerely,
Lisa
From: Rebecca Sheffield [mailto:rsheffield@afb.net]
Sent: Friday, July 28, 2017 10:51 AM
To: Ryder, Ruth
Cc: Pagano, Lisa; Mark Richert
Subject: letter from the blindness/visual impairment field in response to May memo
Good morning, Ms. Ryder –
On behalf of the American Foundation for the Blind and the field of professionals and advocates for students who are blind and visually impaired, I am sending you a letter, responding to the May 22, 2017, memorandum on “Eligibility Determinations for Children Suspected of Having a Visual Impairment Including Blindness
under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act.” The memo provided important clarification while also sparking considerable discussion among individuals and organizations. As we explain in our letter,
“We encourage the Office to actively involve us as a resource and seek our input as stakeholders in future conversations and considerations related to students who are blind or visually impaired. We know that by working together, we can help to further shape a system of education and special education which will achieve the greatest outcomes and future quality of life for students and families.”
Thank you for your dedication to our students!
Sincerely,
Rebecca Sheffield
Rebecca Sheffield, Ph.D.
Senior Policy Researcher
American Foundation for the Blind (AFB)
1401 S. Clark St, Ste. 730
Arlington, VA 22202
T. 202-469-6837 www.afb.org http://www.afb.org/
http://www.facebook.com/americanfoundationfortheblind Facebook icon http://www.twitter.com/afb1921 Twitter icon http://www.pinterest.com/afb1921/ Pinterest icon https://plus.google.com/+AfbOrg/posts Google+ icon
We're creating a future of no limits.
Join us at www.afb.org/nolimits
http://www.afb.org/nolimits Title: no limits logo - Description: The words "no limits" in print and braille
I had meeting last week with several staffers in the Alabama delegation.
Their guidance was that the department, like most departments, is very
understaffed and in turmoil just trying to get daily activities completed
so dealing with major regulation and policy issues really is not something
they can focus on. I was told to sit tight…. I am curious to know if
others received feedback from their delegation.
From: Legiscom [mailto:legiscom-bounces@lists.aerbvi.org] *On Behalf
Of *Anthony
Candela
Sent: Wednesday, August 23, 2017 12:40 PM
To: legiscom@lists.aerbvi.org
Subject: [Legiscom] FW: response from OSEP to letter from BVI field
Dear Committee,
Any thoughts?
Tony
From: Rebecca Sheffield [mailto:rsheffield@afb.net rsheffield@afb.net]
Sent: Wednesday, August 23, 2017 12:27 PM
To: Undisclosed-recipients:
Cc: Mark Richert
Subject: response from OSEP to letter from BVI field
Dear colleagues,
Thank you for adding your individual and/or organizational signatures to
the letter to OSEP sent last month.
We are pleased to share that we received a response from OSEP Acting
Director Ruth Ryder. I also had a constructive conversation with OSEP
Education Program Specialists Lisa Pagano and Glinda Hill.
Please see the attached PDF (not accessible) and/or the text of the letter
from OSEP, below. If you missed the announcement with the final draft of
our original letter to OSEP, see our story and follow the link to the
letter on the following webpage:
http://www.afb.org/info/programs-and-services/public-policy-center/directconnect-newsletter/protect-and-promote-education-for-students-with-visual-impairments/1235
Feel free to share these letters and use them in your future advocacy
efforts!
We look forward to supporting continued collaboration between the field and
OSEP, championing the best possible educational opportunities for infants,
children, and young adults who are blind or visually impaired. Please let
us know if we can be of assistance or answer any questions.
Thank you again for your support.
- Rebecca
Rebecca Sheffield, Ph.D.
Senior Policy Researcher
American Foundation for the Blind (AFB)
1401 S. Clark St, Ste. 730
Arlington, VA 22202
T. 202-469-6837 www.afb.org
[image: Facebook icon]
http://www.facebook.com/americanfoundationfortheblind [image: Twitter
icon] http://www.twitter.com/afb1921 [image: Pinterest icon]
http://www.pinterest.com/afb1921/ [image: Google+ icon]
https://plus.google.com/+AfbOrg/posts
We're creating a future of no limits.
Join us at www.afb.org/nolimits
[image: Title: no limits logo - Description: The words "no limits" in print
and braille] http://www.afb.org/nolimits
Rebecca Sheffield, Ph.D.
Senior Policy Researcher
American Foundation for the Blind
rsheffield@afb.net rsheffield@afb.net
Dear Rebecca:
Thank you for your recent correspondence regarding the Office of Special
Education Programs' (OSEP’s) May 17, 2017 Memorandum 17-05, Eligibility
Determinations for Children Suspected of Having a Visual Impairment,
Including Blindness under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act
(IDEA). We appreciate that you and so many other highly regarded
professionals with expertise in the field of blindness and visual
impairment took the time to share your
thoughts about the Memorandum.
We are pleased to hear that that the guidance provided in the Memorandum
will be helpful to support appropriate eligibility determinations for
children suspected of having a visual impairment, their families, and those
who work so hard to support children in having successful educational
experiences. Glinda Hill and Lisa Pagano of my staff appreciated having the
opportunity to meet with you by phone on August 14, 2017 and were excited
to hear of your organization's plan to collaborate with other groups to
help the field appropriately apply the guidance.
Kimberly Richey, Acting Assistant Secretary for the Office of Special
Education and Rehabilitative Services, and I recently had the opportunity
to meet with Anthony Stephens, Director of Advocacy and Governmental
Affairs at the American Council of the Blind and Mark Richert from your
organization. OSEP is always interested in learning about ways we can work
together to improve outcomes for children with visual impairments through
improved instruction, including instruction in Braille, better technology,
and increased employment opportunities for youth and adults with visual
impairments.
We look forward to continued communication with you and your colleagues in
the field of blindness and visual impairment and hope you will continue to
share your ideas, suggestions, and any concerns with us.
Sincerely,
Ruth E. Ryder Acting Director
Office of Special Education Programs
400 Maryland Ave. S.W., Washington, DC 20202-2600
The Department of Education’s mission is to promote student achievement and
preparation for global competitiveness by fostering educational excellence
and ensuring equal access.
From: Pagano, Lisa [mailto:Lisa.Pagano@ed.gov Lisa.Pagano@ed.gov]
Sent: Tuesday, August 22, 2017 2:30 PM
To: Rebecca Sheffield rsheffield@afb.net
Subject: RE: letter from the blindness/visual impairment field in
response to May memo
Dear Rebecca,
Attached, please find correspondence from Ruth Ryder. I enjoyed having the
opportunity to talk with you last week and hope to be able to meet you when
you are on-site in DC next month.
Sincerely,
Lisa
From: Rebecca Sheffield [mailto:rsheffield@afb.net rsheffield@afb.net]
Sent: Friday, July 28, 2017 10:51 AM
To: Ryder, Ruth
Cc: Pagano, Lisa; Mark Richert
Subject: letter from the blindness/visual impairment field in response to
May memo
Good morning, Ms. Ryder –
On behalf of the American Foundation for the Blind and the field of
professionals and advocates for students who are blind and visually
impaired, I am sending you a letter, responding to the May 22, 2017,
memorandum on “Eligibility Determinations for Children Suspected of Having
a Visual Impairment Including Blindness
under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act.” The memo provided
important clarification while also sparking considerable discussion among
individuals and organizations. As we explain in our letter,
“We encourage the Office to actively involve us as a resource and seek our
input as stakeholders in future conversations and considerations related to
students who are blind or visually impaired. We know that by working
together, we can help to further shape a system of education and special
education which will achieve the greatest outcomes and future quality of
life for students and families.”
Thank you for your dedication to our students!
Sincerely,
Rebecca Sheffield
Rebecca Sheffield, Ph.D.
Senior Policy Researcher
American Foundation for the Blind (AFB)
1401 S. Clark St, Ste. 730
Arlington, VA 22202
T. 202-469-6837 www.afb.org
[image: Facebook icon]
http://www.facebook.com/americanfoundationfortheblind [image: Twitter
icon] http://www.twitter.com/afb1921 [image: Pinterest icon]
http://www.pinterest.com/afb1921/ [image: Google+ icon]
https://plus.google.com/+AfbOrg/posts
We're creating a future of no limits.
Join us at www.afb.org/nolimits
[image: Title: no limits logo - Description: The words "no limits" in print
and braille] http://www.afb.org/nolimits
I think it is good there was a response the letter. I don’t think there is
much to do right now. Things are in such a state that our issues will not
bubble to the top. I think we just keep alert to any issues that will
impact individuals who are blind/visually impaired.
Bernadette
From: Legiscom [mailto:legiscom-bounces@lists.aerbvi.org] *On Behalf
Of *Anthony
Candela
Sent: Wednesday, August 23, 2017 1:40 PM
To: legiscom@lists.aerbvi.org
Subject: [Legiscom] FW: response from OSEP to letter from BVI field
Dear Committee,
Any thoughts?
Tony
From: Rebecca Sheffield [mailto:rsheffield@afb.net rsheffield@afb.net]
Sent: Wednesday, August 23, 2017 12:27 PM
To: Undisclosed-recipients:
Cc: Mark Richert
Subject: response from OSEP to letter from BVI field
Dear colleagues,
Thank you for adding your individual and/or organizational signatures to
the letter to OSEP sent last month.
We are pleased to share that we received a response from OSEP Acting
Director Ruth Ryder. I also had a constructive conversation with OSEP
Education Program Specialists Lisa Pagano and Glinda Hill.
Please see the attached PDF (not accessible) and/or the text of the letter
from OSEP, below. If you missed the announcement with the final draft of
our original letter to OSEP, see our story and follow the link to the
letter on the following webpage:
http://www.afb.org/info/programs-and-services/public-policy-center/directconnect-newsletter/protect-and-promote-education-for-students-with-visual-impairments/1235
Feel free to share these letters and use them in your future advocacy
efforts!
We look forward to supporting continued collaboration between the field and
OSEP, championing the best possible educational opportunities for infants,
children, and young adults who are blind or visually impaired. Please let
us know if we can be of assistance or answer any questions.
Thank you again for your support.
- Rebecca
Rebecca Sheffield, Ph.D.
Senior Policy Researcher
American Foundation for the Blind (AFB)
1401 S. Clark St, Ste. 730
Arlington, VA 22202
T. 202-469-6837 www.afb.org
[image: Facebook icon]
http://www.facebook.com/americanfoundationfortheblind [image: Twitter
icon] http://www.twitter.com/afb1921 [image: Pinterest icon]
http://www.pinterest.com/afb1921/ [image: Google+ icon]
https://plus.google.com/+AfbOrg/posts
We're creating a future of no limits.
Join us at www.afb.org/nolimits
[image: Title: no limits logo - Description: The words "no limits" in print
and braille] http://www.afb.org/nolimits
Rebecca Sheffield, Ph.D.
Senior Policy Researcher
American Foundation for the Blind
rsheffield@afb.net rsheffield@afb.net
Dear Rebecca:
Thank you for your recent correspondence regarding the Office of Special
Education Programs' (OSEP’s) May 17, 2017 Memorandum 17-05, Eligibility
Determinations for Children Suspected of Having a Visual Impairment,
Including Blindness under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act
(IDEA). We appreciate that you and so many other highly regarded
professionals with expertise in the field of blindness and visual
impairment took the time to share your
thoughts about the Memorandum.
We are pleased to hear that that the guidance provided in the Memorandum
will be helpful to support appropriate eligibility determinations for
children suspected of having a visual impairment, their families, and those
who work so hard to support children in having successful educational
experiences. Glinda Hill and Lisa Pagano of my staff appreciated having the
opportunity to meet with you by phone on August 14, 2017 and were excited
to hear of your organization's plan to collaborate with other groups to
help the field appropriately apply the guidance.
Kimberly Richey, Acting Assistant Secretary for the Office of Special
Education and Rehabilitative Services, and I recently had the opportunity
to meet with Anthony Stephens, Director of Advocacy and Governmental
Affairs at the American Council of the Blind and Mark Richert from your
organization. OSEP is always interested in learning about ways we can work
together to improve outcomes for children with visual impairments through
improved instruction, including instruction in Braille, better technology,
and increased employment opportunities for youth and adults with visual
impairments.
We look forward to continued communication with you and your colleagues in
the field of blindness and visual impairment and hope you will continue to
share your ideas, suggestions, and any concerns with us.
Sincerely,
Ruth E. Ryder Acting Director
Office of Special Education Programs
400 Maryland Ave. S.W., Washington, DC 20202-2600
The Department of Education’s mission is to promote student achievement and
preparation for global competitiveness by fostering educational excellence
and ensuring equal access.
From: Pagano, Lisa [mailto:Lisa.Pagano@ed.gov Lisa.Pagano@ed.gov]
Sent: Tuesday, August 22, 2017 2:30 PM
To: Rebecca Sheffield rsheffield@afb.net
Subject: RE: letter from the blindness/visual impairment field in
response to May memo
Dear Rebecca,
Attached, please find correspondence from Ruth Ryder. I enjoyed having the
opportunity to talk with you last week and hope to be able to meet you when
you are on-site in DC next month.
Sincerely,
Lisa
From: Rebecca Sheffield [mailto:rsheffield@afb.net rsheffield@afb.net]
Sent: Friday, July 28, 2017 10:51 AM
To: Ryder, Ruth
Cc: Pagano, Lisa; Mark Richert
Subject: letter from the blindness/visual impairment field in response to
May memo
Good morning, Ms. Ryder –
On behalf of the American Foundation for the Blind and the field of
professionals and advocates for students who are blind and visually
impaired, I am sending you a letter, responding to the May 22, 2017,
memorandum on “Eligibility Determinations for Children Suspected of Having
a Visual Impairment Including Blindness
under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act.” The memo provided
important clarification while also sparking considerable discussion among
individuals and organizations. As we explain in our letter,
“We encourage the Office to actively involve us as a resource and seek our
input as stakeholders in future conversations and considerations related to
students who are blind or visually impaired. We know that by working
together, we can help to further shape a system of education and special
education which will achieve the greatest outcomes and future quality of
life for students and families.”
Thank you for your dedication to our students!
Sincerely,
Rebecca Sheffield
Rebecca Sheffield, Ph.D.
Senior Policy Researcher
American Foundation for the Blind (AFB)
1401 S. Clark St, Ste. 730
Arlington, VA 22202
T. 202-469-6837 www.afb.org
[image: Facebook icon]
http://www.facebook.com/americanfoundationfortheblind [image: Twitter
icon] http://www.twitter.com/afb1921 [image: Pinterest icon]
http://www.pinterest.com/afb1921/ [image: Google+ icon]
https://plus.google.com/+AfbOrg/posts
We're creating a future of no limits.
Join us at www.afb.org/nolimits
[image: Title: no limits logo - Description: The words "no limits" in print
and braille] http://www.afb.org/nolimits
--
Confidentiality Notice: This email, including attachments is for the sole
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sender immediately and destroy all copies of the original message.
Thanks, Bernadette, I concur, Tony!
Lou
Louis M. Tutt
Executive Director
Association for Education and Rehabilitation of the Blind and Visually Impaired (AER)
1703 North Beauregard St., Suite 440
Alexandria, VA 22311-1744
703-671-4500, ext. 205
F 703-671-6391
http://www.aerbvi.org/ www.aerbvi.org
AER Int.Conf.2018_HeaderImageSmlst
SAVE THE DATE!
AER International Conference 2018
July 25-29, 2018 * Reno, Nevada USA
From: Legiscom [mailto:legiscom-bounces@lists.aerbvi.org] On Behalf Of Bernadette Kappen
Sent: Thursday, August 24, 2017 9:42 AM
To: Anthony Candela; legiscom@lists.aerbvi.org
Subject: Re: [Legiscom] FW: response from OSEP to letter from BVI field
I think it is good there was a response the letter. I don’t think there is much to do right now. Things are in such a state that our issues will not bubble to the top. I think we just keep alert to any issues that will impact individuals who are blind/visually impaired.
Bernadette
From: Legiscom [mailto:legiscom-bounces@lists.aerbvi.org] On Behalf Of Anthony Candela
Sent: Wednesday, August 23, 2017 1:40 PM
To: legiscom@lists.aerbvi.org
Subject: [Legiscom] FW: response from OSEP to letter from BVI field
Dear Committee,
Any thoughts?
Tony
From: Rebecca Sheffield [mailto:rsheffield@afb.net]
Sent: Wednesday, August 23, 2017 12:27 PM
To: Undisclosed-recipients:
Cc: Mark Richert
Subject: response from OSEP to letter from BVI field
Dear colleagues,
Thank you for adding your individual and/or organizational signatures to the letter to OSEP sent last month.
We are pleased to share that we received a response from OSEP Acting Director Ruth Ryder. I also had a constructive conversation with OSEP Education Program Specialists Lisa Pagano and Glinda Hill.
Please see the attached PDF (not accessible) and/or the text of the letter from OSEP, below. If you missed the announcement with the final draft of our original letter to OSEP, see our story and follow the link to the letter on the following webpage: http://www.afb.org/info/programs-and-services/public-policy-center/directconnect-newsletter/protect-and-promote-education-for-students-with-visual-impairments/1235
Feel free to share these letters and use them in your future advocacy efforts!
We look forward to supporting continued collaboration between the field and OSEP, championing the best possible educational opportunities for infants, children, and young adults who are blind or visually impaired. Please let us know if we can be of assistance or answer any questions.
Thank you again for your support.
- Rebecca
Rebecca Sheffield, Ph.D.
Senior Policy Researcher
American Foundation for the Blind (AFB)
1401 S. Clark St, Ste. 730
Arlington, VA 22202
T. 202-469-6837 www.afb.org http://www.afb.org/
http://www.facebook.com/americanfoundationfortheblind Facebook icon http://www.twitter.com/afb1921 Twitter icon http://www.pinterest.com/afb1921/ Pinterest icon https://plus.google.com/+AfbOrg/posts Google+ icon
We're creating a future of no limits.
Join us at www.afb.org/nolimits
http://www.afb.org/nolimits Title: no limits logo - Description: The words "no limits" in print and braille
Rebecca Sheffield, Ph.D.
Senior Policy Researcher
American Foundation for the Blind
rsheffield@afb.net
Dear Rebecca:
Thank you for your recent correspondence regarding the Office of Special Education Programs' (OSEP’s) May 17, 2017 Memorandum 17-05, Eligibility Determinations for Children Suspected of Having a Visual Impairment, Including Blindness under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). We appreciate that you and so many other highly regarded professionals with expertise in the field of blindness and visual impairment took the time to share your
thoughts about the Memorandum.
We are pleased to hear that that the guidance provided in the Memorandum will be helpful to support appropriate eligibility determinations for children suspected of having a visual impairment, their families, and those who work so hard to support children in having successful educational experiences. Glinda Hill and Lisa Pagano of my staff appreciated having the opportunity to meet with you by phone on August 14, 2017 and were excited to hear of your organization's plan to collaborate with other groups to help the field appropriately apply the guidance.
Kimberly Richey, Acting Assistant Secretary for the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services, and I recently had the opportunity to meet with Anthony Stephens, Director of Advocacy and Governmental Affairs at the American Council of the Blind and Mark Richert from your organization. OSEP is always interested in learning about ways we can work together to improve outcomes for children with visual impairments through improved instruction, including instruction in Braille, better technology, and increased employment opportunities for youth and adults with visual impairments.
We look forward to continued communication with you and your colleagues in the field of blindness and visual impairment and hope you will continue to share your ideas, suggestions, and any concerns with us.
Sincerely,
Ruth E. Ryder Acting Director
Office of Special Education Programs
400 Maryland Ave. S.W., Washington, DC 20202-2600
The Department of Education’s mission is to promote student achievement and preparation for global competitiveness by fostering educational excellence and ensuring equal access.
From: Pagano, Lisa [mailto:Lisa.Pagano@ed.gov]
Sent: Tuesday, August 22, 2017 2:30 PM
To: Rebecca Sheffield rsheffield@afb.net
Subject: RE: letter from the blindness/visual impairment field in response to May memo
Dear Rebecca,
Attached, please find correspondence from Ruth Ryder. I enjoyed having the opportunity to talk with you last week and hope to be able to meet you when you are on-site in DC next month.
Sincerely,
Lisa
From: Rebecca Sheffield [mailto:rsheffield@afb.net]
Sent: Friday, July 28, 2017 10:51 AM
To: Ryder, Ruth
Cc: Pagano, Lisa; Mark Richert
Subject: letter from the blindness/visual impairment field in response to May memo
Good morning, Ms. Ryder –
On behalf of the American Foundation for the Blind and the field of professionals and advocates for students who are blind and visually impaired, I am sending you a letter, responding to the May 22, 2017, memorandum on “Eligibility Determinations for Children Suspected of Having a Visual Impairment Including Blindness
under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act.” The memo provided important clarification while also sparking considerable discussion among individuals and organizations. As we explain in our letter,
“We encourage the Office to actively involve us as a resource and seek our input as stakeholders in future conversations and considerations related to students who are blind or visually impaired. We know that by working together, we can help to further shape a system of education and special education which will achieve the greatest outcomes and future quality of life for students and families.”
Thank you for your dedication to our students!
Sincerely,
Rebecca Sheffield
Rebecca Sheffield, Ph.D.
Senior Policy Researcher
American Foundation for the Blind (AFB)
1401 S. Clark St, Ste. 730
Arlington, VA 22202
T. 202-469-6837 www.afb.org http://www.afb.org/
http://www.facebook.com/americanfoundationfortheblind Facebook icon http://www.twitter.com/afb1921 Twitter icon http://www.pinterest.com/afb1921/ Pinterest icon https://plus.google.com/+AfbOrg/posts Google+ icon
We're creating a future of no limits.
Join us at www.afb.org/nolimits
http://www.afb.org/nolimits Title: no limits logo - Description: The words "no limits" in print and braille
Confidentiality Notice: This email, including attachments is for the sole use of the recipient(s) and may contain confidential and privileged information. Any unauthorized review, use or disclosure or distribution is prohibited. If you are not the intended recipient, please contact the sender immediately and destroy all copies of the original message.
