Partnerships for Partnerships for Change: How Texans Change: How Texans Have Collaborated Have Collaborated for Legislative for Legislative SuccessesSuccesses

Cyral Miller, Rona Pogrund, Nancy Allen, Cyral Miller, Rona Pogrund, Nancy Allen, Susie Welch, Nancy ToelleSusie Welch, Nancy Toelle

AER International Conference- San Antonio – August AER International Conference- San Antonio – August 1, 20141, 2014

Why Advocacy?Why Advocacy?

Advocacy is a change agent to improve Advocacy is a change agent to improve services, communication, laws, policies, and services, communication, laws, policies, and rights.rights.

Unless there is a crisis occurring, most people Unless there is a crisis occurring, most people do not act. Better to be proactive rather than do not act. Better to be proactive rather than reactive.reactive.

There is a direct connection between state There is a direct connection between state and federal laws, policies, and funding and and federal laws, policies, and funding and what happens in education, rehabilitation, what happens in education, rehabilitation, and in social services on a daily basis.and in social services on a daily basis.

Ways to Be an Ways to Be an AdvocateAdvocate

1.1. One-on-one advocateOne-on-one advocate

2.2. Advocate for a group of individualsAdvocate for a group of individuals

3.3. Advocating as part of a membership Advocating as part of a membership organizationorganization

4.4. Working in a coalition within the field of Working in a coalition within the field of visual impairmentvisual impairment

5.5. Working in a coalition with other groups Working in a coalition with other groups outside field of visual impairmentoutside field of visual impairment

IntroductionIntroduction

There has been a long history of partnerships There has been a long history of partnerships between consumer groups, vision professional between consumer groups, vision professional organizations, the Texas School for the Blind organizations, the Texas School for the Blind and Visually Impaired, Education Service and Visually Impaired, Education Service Centers, the Division of Blind Services, and Centers, the Division of Blind Services, and family organizations in Texas. AVIT, the Alliance family organizations in Texas. AVIT, the Alliance of and for Visually Impaired Texans, a coalition of and for Visually Impaired Texans, a coalition of 28 organizations, has led these efforts. of 28 organizations, has led these efforts. 

How AVIT StartedHow AVIT Started

How AVIT got started in 1992, based How AVIT got started in 1992, based on Joint Action Committee (JAC), a on Joint Action Committee (JAC), a California Coalition that was started in California Coalition that was started in 19811981

““In a big world where an In a big world where an organization serving a low-organization serving a low-incidence disability has a incidence disability has a small voice, joint action small voice, joint action works.”works.”

Overview of Successes: Overview of Successes: What have we What have we accomplished?accomplished?

Increased visibilityIncreased visibility - we started right after - we started right after getting the Texas Braille Bill passed in 1991 getting the Texas Braille Bill passed in 1991 with lots of enthusiasmwith lots of enthusiasm

TEA's 1995 proposed rules changes TEA's 1995 proposed rules changes averted; averted; 

AVIT coordinated alert actions for Federal AVIT coordinated alert actions for Federal issues such as the Telecommunications Act of issues such as the Telecommunications Act of 1995, the Job Training Consolidation Act of 1995, the Job Training Consolidation Act of 1995 and the Workforce Preparation and 1995 and the Workforce Preparation and Development ActDevelopment Act

Overview of Successes: Overview of Successes: What have we What have we accomplished?accomplished?

AVIT presented testimony in 1996 AVIT presented testimony in 1996 on ECI proposed changes for serving on ECI proposed changes for serving infants with visual impairmentsinfants with visual impairments

1997 electronic textbook access 1997 electronic textbook access committee  committee  

Overview of Successes: Overview of Successes: What have we What have we accomplished?accomplished?

2009-2011 TVI Certification rule 2009-2011 TVI Certification rule change change

•Took two legislative sessions to passTook two legislative sessions to pass

•TVIs in Texas can no longer be certified by TVIs in Texas can no longer be certified by exam, as previously allowed. They now have exam, as previously allowed. They now have to successfully complete an approved to successfully complete an approved personnel preparation program as well as personnel preparation program as well as pass two state exams (braille and VI).pass two state exams (braille and VI).

Overview of Successes: Overview of Successes: What have we What have we accomplished?accomplished?

Deafblind Intervener Deafblind Intervener Career Ladder and adding Career Ladder and adding children to the Medicaid children to the Medicaid WaiverWaiver

Heading to the Capitol Heading to the Capitol to speak with to speak with

legislatorslegislators

  

DBMAT Legislative Agenda DBMAT Legislative Agenda 20082008

1.1. Expand the scope of age in the Deafblind Expand the scope of age in the Deafblind waiver: Rationale and Fiscal Impactwaiver: Rationale and Fiscal Impact

2.2. Changing the Definition and Qualifications of Changing the Definition and Qualifications of Intervener: Rationale and Fiscal ImpactIntervener: Rationale and Fiscal Impact

  

We carried our DBMAT Legislative Agenda in our folders with our children's stories to the legislator’s offices when we visited them.  Also, we gave each member of the committees where we testified a folder.  We asked for the Intervener Career ladder and the change in the age for the DBMD Medicaid Waiver to include children, which was passed in two bills in 2009.  

MANY trips to the MANY trips to the Capitol!Capitol!

  

DBMAT Advocates in DBMAT Advocates in AustinAustin

Jaceson’s story…..Jaceson’s story…..

  

The folder we gave to legislators The folder we gave to legislators with stories of our kids and a white with stories of our kids and a white paper justification of what we were paper justification of what we were

asking for.asking for.

  

Changes needed to SB 7…2013 Changes needed to SB 7…2013 & asking for more slots for the & asking for more slots for the

DBMD waiverDBMD waiver

The Format Used by The Format Used by DBMATDBMAT

This was a proposal of the things we asked This was a proposal of the things we asked DADS to change on our DBMD Waiver. This DADS to change on our DBMD Waiver. This is all that we finally got passed in 2009. is all that we finally got passed in 2009.  This was presented to DADS and HHSC  in  This was presented to DADS and HHSC  in Sept. 2007.Sept. 2007.

1.1.What DBMAT is requestingWhat DBMAT is requesting

2.2.Reasons given by DADS for not lowering Reasons given by DADS for not lowering age and DBMAT response.age and DBMAT response.

3.3.DBMAT questions the “Stakeholder DBMAT questions the “Stakeholder Process” now in practice at DADS.Process” now in practice at DADS.

Our kids with the Governor Our kids with the Governor on Bill Signing Dayon Bill Signing Day

August 2008August 2008

  

Overview of Successes: Overview of Successes: What have we What have we accomplished?accomplished?

• O&M Evaluation Bill O&M Evaluation Bill

O&M Evaluation bill began in 2009: O&M Evaluation bill began in 2009: it was introduced and passed in it was introduced and passed in both Education Committees and both Education Committees and then got stopped behind the then got stopped behind the voter ID bill on the House floor voter ID bill on the House floor (chubbing) and died, and then (chubbing) and died, and then finally passed in 2013finally passed in 2013..

Overview of Successes: Overview of Successes: What have we What have we accomplished?accomplished?

ECC BillECC Bill

Introduced in 2013 session and passedIntroduced in 2013 session and passed

ECC areas are now listed in Texas law ECC areas are now listed in Texas law as curriculum areas that need to be as curriculum areas that need to be evaluated, and instruction is to be evaluated, and instruction is to be provided when needs are identified provided when needs are identified for all students with visual for all students with visual impairments.impairments.

Mother and Daughter Mother and Daughter Giving Testimony Giving Testimony

..

…….for the House O&M .for the House O&M Bill Sponsored by Elliott Bill Sponsored by Elliott

NaishtatNaishtat..

Testifying for the O&M Bill Testifying for the O&M Bill sponsored by Senator Judith sponsored by Senator Judith

ZaffiriniZaffirini

..

Parents, consumers, and Parents, consumers, and professionals working professionals working

togethertogether

..

Never missing an opportunity Never missing an opportunity to drop in on legislators and to drop in on legislators and their aides.their aides.

..

More Successes: What More Successes: What have we accomplished?have we accomplished?• Money for VI services –Getting Money for VI services –Getting

state money for Teacher state money for Teacher Preparation Funds (initially ESC Preparation Funds (initially ESC 11 and now to TSBVI) 11 and now to TSBVI)

• Saved the DARS-DBS Children's Saved the DARS-DBS Children's ProgramProgram

• 2012 Blindness Summit with the 2012 Blindness Summit with the adult community adult community

Our latest advocacy Our latest advocacy opportunityopportunity

..

AVIT IS….AVIT IS….

The Alliance of and for Visually Impaired Texans is an inter-organizational coalition committed to speak on behalf of Texas’ children and adults with visual impairments.   AVIT is organized for charitable and educational purposes as provided for in the Internal Revenue Code. 

Purposes of AVITPurposes of AVIT

AVIT works to accomplish the following for individuals with visual impairments:

the advancement and protection of their human and civil rights,

the improvement of their social welfare and economic conditions,

the education of the public with respect to their special concerns, and

the promotion of inter-organizational cooperation, support, and communication on issues impacting them

AVIT: OUR MISSION AVIT: OUR MISSION

Provide a forum of discussion for individuals with diverse backgrounds who have a common interest in the quality of life for children and adults with visual impairments.

Maintain a communication “Network Alert System.”

Collect and distribute information to member organizations and individuals regarding legislative and other issues.

Provide information to public policymakers concerning important issues related to improving the quality of life of persons with visual impairments.

Promote growth and awareness among member organizations.

Prepare and distribute a Master Calendar listing meetings, conferences, hearings, seminars, and special events that are sponsored by or are of interest to AVIT members.

AVIT MEMBERS: AVIT MEMBERS: 28 Membership 28 Membership OrganizationsOrganizations

American Council of the Blind of Texas (ACBT)American Council of the Blind of Texas (ACBT)

American Foundation for the Blind (AFB)American Foundation for the Blind (AFB)

Austin Council of the Blind Austin Council of the Blind

Austin Junior Women’s FederationAustin Junior Women’s Federation

Austin Lighthouse (TAB)Austin Lighthouse (TAB)

Blind Ambitions GroupBlind Ambitions Group

Braille and Cane Club –SFASUBraille and Cane Club –SFASU

AVIT MEMBERSAVIT MEMBERS

Central Texas Professionals for the Visually Central Texas Professionals for the Visually ImpairedImpaired

C.L. ProductionsC.L. Productions

Dallas Lighthouse for the Blind, Inc.Dallas Lighthouse for the Blind, Inc.

Deaf-Blind Multihandicapped Association of Texas Deaf-Blind Multihandicapped Association of Texas (DBMAT)(DBMAT)

East Texas Lighthouse for the BlindEast Texas Lighthouse for the Blind

Helen Keller National Center (HKNC)Helen Keller National Center (HKNC)

Houston Council of the Blind( HCB)Houston Council of the Blind( HCB)

AVIT MEMBERSAVIT MEMBERS

Learning AllyLearning Ally

Lighthouse for the Blind of Ft. WorthLighthouse for the Blind of Ft. Worth

Lighthouse of HoustonLighthouse of Houston

North Texas Professionals in Visual ImpairmentNorth Texas Professionals in Visual Impairment

Reading and Radio ResourceReading and Radio Resource

Texas Association for Education and Rehabilitation Texas Association for Education and Rehabilitation of the Blind and Visually Impaired (TAER)of the Blind and Visually Impaired (TAER)

Texas Association for Education and Rehabilitation Texas Association for Education and Rehabilitation of the Blind and Visually Impaired- O&M Divisionof the Blind and Visually Impaired- O&M Division

AVIT MEMBERSAVIT MEMBERS

Texas Association for Parents of Children with Texas Association for Parents of Children with Visual Impairments (TAPVI)Visual Impairments (TAPVI)

Texas Chargers, Inc.Texas Chargers, Inc.

Texas Ophthalmological AssociationTexas Ophthalmological Association

Texas Optometric AssociationTexas Optometric Association

Texas University Professors in Visual Impairment Texas University Professors in Visual Impairment (TUPVI)(TUPVI)

San Antonio LighthouseSan Antonio Lighthouse

West Texas ProfessionalsWest Texas Professionals

Advocacy Processes Advocacy Processes Used Used

Organizing, working outside the VI Organizing, working outside the VI communitycommunityTexas Parent to ParentTexas Parent to ParentCoalition of Texans with DisabilitiesCoalition of Texans with Disabilities

Finding leaders to head up committees or Finding leaders to head up committees or take responsibility for key actions take responsibility for key actions

Find many people to go visit legislators and Find many people to go visit legislators and their aides by asking for suggestions and their aides by asking for suggestions and calling to explain the need.calling to explain the need.

Bring children and adult consumers to Bring children and adult consumers to testify – they are the magic ingredient to testify – they are the magic ingredient to getting lawmakers’ attention!getting lawmakers’ attention!

Organize your efforts to Organize your efforts to seek help from parents and seek help from parents and

individualsindividuals

Remember to say “thank Remember to say “thank you” to legislators….you” to legislators….

And to those who And to those who testify….testify….

It’s great to get a “thank you” It’s great to get a “thank you” from your sponsoring legislators from your sponsoring legislators

and othersand others

For Advocacy Efforts For Advocacy Efforts to Pay Offto Pay Off

1.1. Need to believe deeply in whatever you are Need to believe deeply in whatever you are advocating for – need passion and advocating for – need passion and commitmentcommitment

2.2. Need a focusNeed a focus

3.3. Need more coalitions with consumers, Need more coalitions with consumers, families, and professionals and with other families, and professionals and with other disability groups, when appropriatedisability groups, when appropriate

4.4. Need persistence, skills of negotiation, and Need persistence, skills of negotiation, and follow-throughfollow-through

Contact InformationContact Information

Cyral Miller- AVIT Secretary- Cyral Miller- AVIT Secretary- cyralm@gmail.com

Rona Pogrund- TUPVI representative to AVIT Rona Pogrund- TUPVI representative to AVIT rpogrund1@austin.rr.com

Susie Welch- parent- DBMAT- Susie Welch- parent- DBMAT- pwelch@usaonline.net

Nancy Allen- parent- Nancy Allen- parent- allennancy4@yahoo.com

Nancy Toelle- AVIT Chair- Nancy Toelle- AVIT Chair- nmt10@sbcglobal.net