You Know We Got SOALL!
Beginning on October 19, 2011, members of the Pennsylvania Council of the Blind met for the Seminar on Advocacy Legislation & Leadership (SOALL- pronounced soul).
The objective of this seminar is to help members of PCB become more effective advocates. In order to help meet this objective PCB planned a full day of training on the 19th. This included presentations on topics such as understanding the very complicated governmental structure of Pennsylvania, effective methods of advocacy and how to best communicate issues to legislators.
Helping PCB explore these topics are representatives of the League of Women Voters, the Disability Advocacy Support Hub (DASH). And Representative Scott Boyd of Lancaster.
Following the workshops on Wednesday, PCB statewide members will meet with our State Representatives and Senators to discuss the organization’s position on three specific issues.
These include:
House Bill H.B. 165- This bill looks to strengthen the penalties for attacks on service animals. Over the past decade many users of guide dogs have reported an increase in attacks to their dogs from other out of control dogs.
What many do not understand is the expense both in time and money that goes into training a dog to act as a guide. In many cases after a guide dog is attacked even if not injured, the dog is no longer able to perform their duties.
Additionally this can greatly impact the guide dog user’s fear level and reduce his or her independence.
Support for maintaining the Bureau of Blindness and Visual Services – In times of budget cuts, several states have allowed blindness service agencies to be absorbed into agencies providing services for other disabilities.
Services provided by blindness agencies are very specific.
Therefore PCB would like to assure that any future consolidation efforts do not include BBVS.
Public transportation is a very important service for people who are blind or visually impaired. It is often the key providing access to employment, community involvement and in general independence.
Increased and dedicated funding to improve public transportation will greatly impact the blind and visually impaired community.
Whether in urban or rural environments, PCB supports the increase of funds to improve and further expand mass transit.
All in attendance had the opportunity to absorb both general information that will help produce better advocates as well as specific details to help disseminate our issues on the Hill.
Congratulations to former MCCB member Mary Ann Alexander for leading a very successful seminar!