SJ0054 95TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SJ0054 LRB095 11875 NHT 34976 r

SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The provision of a free, appropriate public education for a student with a visual impairment can occur only with the proper concentrated services, equipment, and access to education; and

WHEREAS, Children and youth who are visually impaired face unique and significant barriers related to their instruction that profoundly affect most aspects of the educational process, including the impact of ever changing technology and the world it encompasses; and

WHEREAS, Blindness and visual impairments are often considered secondary disabilities, thus the specialized educational needs of the blind and visually impaired are rarely fully addressed; and

WHEREAS, Children and youth with visual impairments are guaranteed an education in the least restrictive setting possible, meaning that they are entitled to be integrated as fully as possible into the regular classroom, unless there is clearly a reason for the child to be in a more specialized program; and

WHEREAS, Full access to education depends upon an educational environment that utilizes the appropriate materials and properly and fully trained staff and provides for direct communication between staff, students, parents, and peers; and

WHEREAS, The Illinois School for the Visually Impaired should become the go-to facility for best teaching practices regarding programs for children with visual impairments and the statewide center for teacher training and specialized curriculum development; and

WHEREAS, The Illinois School for the Visually Impaired should include on-going teacher training for itinerant, mainstream, and private school educators; and

WHEREAS, The Illinois School for the Visually Impaired should include specific programming on visual impairments for teaching and rehabilitation professionals from both the State Board of Education and the Department of Human Services; and

WHEREAS, While unemployment in the nation continues to drop, the unemployment rate for people with visual impairments is over 70%; and

WHEREAS, There should be greater access to transitional services for students who are blind or visually impaired entering vocational rehabilitation services and employment; and

WHEREAS, Successful transitional programs may result in better services and jobs, knowledgeable self-advocates, and achievement of competitive outcomes; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-FIFTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING HEREIN, that there is created the Joint Task Force on Blind and Visually Impaired Educational Options, consisting of 13 members appointed as follows:

(1) the President of the Senate, the Minority Leader of the Senate, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, and the Minority Leader of the House of Representatives shall each appoint one member; and

(2) the following entities shall each appoint one member: the State Board of Education, the Illinois Association of Regional Superintendents of Schools, the LightHouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired, the Illinois Committee of Blind Vendors, Illinois Parents of the Visually Impaired, the Blind Services Planning Council, the Illinois School for the Visually Impaired's Advisory Board, the Visual Disabilities education program at Northern Illinois University, and the Specialist in Low Vision and Blindness education program at Illinois State University; and be it further

RESOLVED, That all members of the Task Force shall serve without compensation; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the duty of the Task Force is to undertake a comprehensive and thorough review of the education of and services available to the blind and visually impaired children of this State with the intent of making recommendations that would recognize the need for delivering full educational services to a blind or visually impaired student, ensure that schools have the most updated and adequate equipment to provide services to blind and visually impaired students, and recognize the need for teachers trained in the unique needs of blind and visually impaired students; recommending uniform methods and procedures to develop curricula for blind and visually impaired students; and providing a comprehensive review of the needs and operation of the Illinois School for the Visually Impaired and making recommendations for changes; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the Task Force should look towards states that have successful, independent, and adequate educational models for students with visual impairments, such as the Washington State School for the Blind; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the Task Force may request assistance from any entity necessary or useful for the performance of the Task Force's duties; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the Task Force shall report its recommendations to the General Assembly on or before January 1, 2008; and be it further

RESOLVED, That suitable copies of this resolution be delivered to the State Board of Education, the Illinois Association of Regional Superintendents of Schools, the LightHouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired, the Illinois Committee of Blind Vendors, Illinois Parents of the Visually Impaired, the Blind Services Planning Council, the Illinois School for the Visually Impaired's Advisory Board, the Visual Disabilities education program at Northern Illinois University, and the Specialist in Low Vision and Blindness education program at Illinois State University.