Provides for the licensing of licensed orientation and mobility specialists and vision rehabilitation therapists

Summary of provisions

Creates a new article 168.

§ 8901 Sets out the definition used in the article.

§ 8902 Outlines the use of the titles "licensed orientation and mobility specialists" and "vision rehabilitation therapists".

§ 8903 Outlines the State Board for vision rehabilitation services.

§ 8904 Spells out the requirements for a license.

§ 8905 Establishes limited permits.

§ 8906 Explains the exempt persons.

§ 8907 Outlines special provisions.

§ 8908 Separability provisions.

Justification

Vision does not have to be devastating. Full independence can be achieved when there is access to highly qualified vision rehabilitation professionals (VRPs). A significant number of the more than one million individuals with vision loss are empowered, self-sufficient and able to navigate through their lives independently due in part to the specialized services they received when they needed them.

However, too many New Yorkers who acquire a visual impairment due to aging or an accident do not receive the training and services that would enable them to make the transition from newly visually impaired or blind to an active and productive life with a disability. This is due in large part because vision rehabilitation professionals are not yet licensed by the state of New York and thus, access to VRPs is severely restricted and doctors do not refer patients to unlicensed professions.

Vision Rehabilitation Professionals were marginalized in the first half of the 20 century due in part because the numbers of people with a visual impairment were small, the workers for the blind were largely

blind themselves and there was widespread discrimination of all people with disabilities. Licensure is the final step to correct the wrongs of the past by making every effort to ensure that those who become blind have access to the highest quality of specially trained rehabilitation professional.

To be a Vision Rehabilitation Professional (VRP), professionals who are either blind of sighted themselves complete a degree from an accredited university, undergo a rigorous internship and pass an exam given by a nationally accredited certifying body.

The number of New Yorkers with vision loss has gown due to many factors. The aging of the baby boomers and longer life expectancies lead to age-related vision loss from macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma, and other eye diseases. Low birth weight babies are surviving but often with vision loss and other disabilities. Sports, workplace incidents, traumatic brain injuries and other accidents cause vision loss in youth and adult populations. The need for vision rehabilitation services has burgeoned proportionately.

With pressure on government and private resources for expensive home health care and other supportive services, money can be saved and quality of life can be improved by granting these highly qualified professionals licensure. VRPs work with persons of all ages with vision loss. The goal is to teach each individual with vision loss to return to being self-reliant in almost every activity of daily life using adaptive techniques and equipment. This could include teaching the consumer to read and write Braille, to use a long cane for independent mobility, to use a talking bill identifier or "talking" speech software to access technology.

By licensing vision rehabilitation professionals, the general public and people of all ages with vision loss will be more likely to learn about the services available; access the training that leads to independence and employment; be referred by the general social service and medical community; receive high quality and comprehensive vision rehabilitation services and encourage a sufficient number of professionals to enter the field of vision rehabilitation.

Licensure ensures that professionals who provide these services will possess the highest level of specialized skills, expertise and experience. Through establishing standards of practice that licensure brings, both sighted and blind individuals who become licensed VRPs, can help to empower consumers to live successful and independent lives.

Legislative history

2013 - S. 3558 passed Senate/A. 3597 - Higher Education Committee.

Fiscal implications

None.

Effective date

This act shall take effect July 1, 2015, however, that the commissioner of education and the board of regents are authorized to promulgate such rules and regulations and take any other measures as may be necessary for the timely implementation of this act on or before its effective date, including but not limited to the appointment of the state board for vision rehabilitation services, the acceptance and processing of applications for licensure, and the issuance of licenses.