Legislative & Advocacy
Annually the Council of Citizens with Low Vision International is among those affiliates of the American Counicl of the Blind visiting Capitol Hill. This is a very important part of what CCLVI does for our members. Keeping lawmakers informed of the needs of Americans who are visually impaired and blind and the possible affects of proposed legislations upon us.
Our Legislative and Advocacy committee closely monitors legislation that could affect the blind and visually impaired. Every effort is made to keep all members of CCLVI informed of potential issues.
2021 details will be available soon. This schedule provides an overview of annual activities and initiatives.
2020 Event
The American Council of the Blind is pleased to announce our annual Presidents’ Meeting and Legislative Seminar, which will take place from Saturday, February 22 to Tuesday, February 25, 2020 at the Holiday Inn & Suites Old Town in Alexandria, Virginia. This hotel is in close proximity to the previous venue and is also near many restaurants and shops in historic Old Town Alexandria. So mark your calendars, make your reservations, and make plans to join us for what promises to be a fantastic set of meetings!
2020 Schedule of Events:
Saturday, February 22: Board Meeting
Sunday, February 23: Affiliate Presidents’ Meeting
Monday, February 24: Legislative Seminar
Imperative 1: Autonomous Vehicles
Numerous automobile and technology projects are beginning to develop and test the use of autonomous vehicles. This may provide significant opportunities to the blind community. However, Congress must first address the questions that may arise from the new industry. The AV START Act was introduced in the former, 115th Congressional session. The law would play a role in making autonomous vehicles safer for both passengers and pedestrians. Although the former bill did not pass, similar legislation continues to be discussed. A bicameral, bipartisan committee has worked with several disability advocacy groups, including ACB, to draft language for a similar bill to the AV Start Act. ACB is optimistic that this new bill will soon be introduced to Congress in 2020.
Imperative 2: The Surface Transportation Bill
By the fall of 2020, Congress must reauthorize the Fast Act Surface Transportation bill. With this reauthorization, ACB hopes to include several key elements to improve transportation safety and access for blind and visually impaired Americans. These provisions will include measures to improve pedestrian safety and environmental access, as well as improve the timeliness, reliability and functionality of para transit service.
Imperative 3: Low Vision Aid Exclusion
In November of 2008, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) promulgated a regulation that has had a detrimental impact on the lives of countless individuals who are blind or visually impaired. To the dismay of the blind community, the Durable Medical Equipment, Prosthetics, Orthotics, and Supplies (DMEPOS) Competitive Acquisition Rule contains a provision entitled “Low Vision Aid Exclusion” which states that all devices, “irrespective of their size, form, or technological features that use one or more lens to aid vision or provide magnification of images for impaired vision” are excluded from Medicare coverage based on the statutory “eyeglass” exclusion. ACB is well aware that this extremely restrictive reading of the “eyeglass” exclusion has resulted in the denial of vital assistive devices for seniors and other Medicare beneficiaries who may have disabilities. The expansion of the eyeglass exclusion has prevented access to devices such as handheld magnifiers, video monitors, and other technologies that utilize lenses to enhance vision.
However, in the summer of 2019, a bill was introduced by a bipartisan group of Representatives. ACB is also talking with Senate members to present a companion bill in the Senate. This new introduction of the bill is exciting, but must be pushed to keep momentum.
2020 Details
Tuesday, February 25: Meeting with Legislators on Capitol Hill
Hotel Information:
Holiday Inn & Suites Alexandria – Old Town
Room rates (pretax): $109/night (king/double)
Address: 625 First Street, Alexandria, VA 22314
Phone number: (703) 548-6300
Hotel Online Reservation Link (group code: ANC): American Council of the Blind
Holiday Inn Old Town Website: https://www.ihg.com/holidayinn/hotels/us/en/alexandria/axehd/h