Calling All Low Vision Advocates!
Sign and Share the AFB Change.org Online Petition and Tell Congress it's Time for Medicare to Cover Low Vision Devices Now!
Recently, the American Foundation for the Blind (AFB) called upon organizations from throughout the vision loss community to formally endorse a petition to Congress urging law makers to extend Medicare coverage to low vision devices. The response has been overwhelming, and groups continue to voice their support. We also heard from many individuals from around the country asking for the opportunity to participate. Now you can!
Sign the AFB Change.org petition and tell Congress that it's time to end the failure of America's national Medicare system to cover low vision devices!
Once you've added your name to the petition, please share this invitation widely with your networks.
For decades, the vision loss community has been advocating for Medicare coverage of access technologies, particularly low vision devices. Currently, Medicare will not pay for any device that happens to use a lens, regardless of whether such device incorporates any other features. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), the federal agency responsible for the management of Medicare, has ruled that devices, such as low vision devices, that use a lens are excluded from coverage just as are eyeglasses or contact lenses (except in very narrow circumstances).
By joining and promoting this petition, you are playing a direct and meaningful part in our community's fight to overturn this unacceptable national policy and to secure coverage for vitally needed low vision devices under Medicare. CMS will not provide coverage for these devices unless Congress tells them to. Repeated attempts to work through both the Bush and Obama administrations to overturn the far-too-restrictive CMS position on low vision devices have been rejected, and official correspondence from the Congressional Vision Caucus and other leading law makers has not convinced CMS to act. Now is the time to urge Congress to take decisive meaningful action and direct CMS to extend appropriate coverage for low vision devices.
Sign and share the petition today!
For further information, contact:
Mark Richert, Esq.
Director, Public Policy, American Foundation for the Blind
(202) 469-6833
MRichert@afb.net
American Foundation for the Blind Launches CareerConnect App!
The American Foundation for the Blind (AFB) CareerConnect Web Program now provides vision professionals, job seekers, family members, and youth who are blind or visually impaired with a resource that fits in their pocket. AFB has designed the CareerConnect App around some of the key features of the AFB CareerConnect Program. This could be your quick lesson idea, the tips toward finding your next job, or the inspiration and advice toward your first career.
If you're a teacher, transition specialist, rehabilitation counselor, or a related professional, you may be interested in the following:
- Lesson Plans: over 80 focused transition lessons for use with students who are blind or visually impaired.
- Our Stories: employment success stories, organized by career cluster, to inspire and inform youth about the successful professional paths of people who are blind or visually impaired
- CareerConnect Blog: read and share transition and employment related advice for youth and job seekers who are blind or visually impaired and stay p-to-date with the latest changes and announcements
If you are a job seeker, transitioning youth, or want to maintain employment, you may be interested in the following:
- Tips and advice from the CareerConnect Blog.
- Our Stories pieces to find out how successful people who are blind or visually impaired do their job and have found their road o success.
If you are a parent or family member of a youth who is blind or visually impaired, you may be interested in the following:
- Lesson Plans for creative and easy lessons that build toward independence and success in employment
- Our Stories to explore over 100 stories about people who are blind or visually impaired making great strides toward success
- The CareerConnect Blog for resources, changes in the program, and useful advice
Don't be left behind! Download the CareerConnect App from the Apple App Store today for your iPhone or iPod touch. AFB will be adding new features and functionality through the coming year. The price is just right: FREE!
AccessNote App Is Now FREE!
AccessNote, the popular note-taking app from AFB, is now being offered free of charge through the Apple App Store, and it will be coming to Android in the very near future. AccessNote, designed specifically for people who are blind or visually impaired, offers great searchability and syncing to DropBox. AFB is bringing its success to everyone by now offering this productivity tool for free. Check it out today!
