Action Alert # 5 -- Materials Center for the Visually Impared


History:

MATERIALS CENTER FOR THE VISUALLY IMPAIRED NOT FUNDED IN FY04 GOVERNOR’S PROPOSED BUDGET

Write your Senator about this Important Issue

This notice has been sent to inform all schools in the State of Illinois that have students who are blind or visually impaired that the Materials Center for the Visually Impaired was not funded in the FY 2004 Governor’s Proposed Budget released on Wednesday, April 9. The Materials Center would have to cease all operations as of June 30, 2003 if funding is not restored.

Governor Rod R. Blagojevich should be immediately contacted by telephone, mail or email with a request that full funding be restored to the Materials Center for the Visually Impaired in the Illinois State Board of Education’s FY 2004 Budget.

Actions Needed:

Contact information:

Governor Rod R. Blagojevich
Office of the Governor
207 State House
Springfield, IL 62706
Phone: 217-782-0244
Email: governor@state.il.us


Contact your Illinois Senator and Representative and request that full funding be restored to the Materials Center for the Visually Impaired in the Illinois Board of Education FY 2004 Budget. For your information a sample letter (or email) has been included. If you are not sure who represents you this information can be found on the Illinois State Board of Elections web site www.elections.state.il.us. Click on “Find Districts/Officials”. You may also contact your local public library for assistance.

Without the Materials Center 3,164 Illinois students who are blind and visually impaired will not have access to the Braille, large print and recorded textbooks, workbooks and other assistive learning devices, such as Braille note takers, optical aids, talking calculators, CCTVs, etc., they need to successful complete their education. The Materials Center in Illinois has served as a national model for thirty-eight years in meeting the needs of students who are blind and visually impaired. The children of Illinois who are blind and visually impaired must not be deprived of the tools they need to succeed.

SAMPLE LETTER/EMAIL:

DATE

Representative/Senator XXXX XXXX
State Capitol Address
Springfield, IL 62706


Dear Representative/Senator XXXX:

I am deeply concerned that the budget presented by the Governor's Office allocates no funding for the Materials Center for the Visually Impaired. For thirty-eight years, this Center has been a national model in meeting the need of students who are blind or visually impaired by providing access to the Braille, large print and recorded textbooks, workbooks and other assistive learning devices, such as, Braille note takers, optical aids, talking calculators, CCTVs, etc. These are all important aspects of the educational process for students who are blind or visually impaired. Without this funding, 3,164 Illinois students with visual impairments will not have access to these vital materials.

In these trying economic times, the Governor is correct that everyone must share the burden in helping our state return to fiscal solvency. Further, the Governor has made education one of his top priorities, which is an admirable and extremely important endeavor. In that vein, let us not leave any child without the opportunity to enjoy complete access to Illinois' educational system. I strongly urge you to fight for full funding to be restored to the Materials Center for the Visually Impaired in the Illinois Board of Education FY 2004 Budget. I thank you for your time.

Respectfully,
YOUR NAME
ADDRESS


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