Partners Forging Legislative Change
At Florida Agencies Serving the Blind (Florida ASB), our advocacy on blindness is derived from the partnership between policy makers in Florida legislature and our member agencies across the state of Florida. If you’re a policy maker seeking a mutually advantageous network opportunity or additional resources, your search ends here.
As our legislative partner, we provide you with the critical resources you need to make an impact for change. With your updates on statewide bill tracking and other policy issues impacting visually impaired Floridians, our 18 member agencies engage as active participants forging momentum in their local communities. Together, we drive statewide progress forward, creating policies for better service to the millions of blind Floridians in desperate need.
Legislative Priorities & Achievements
Our partnership with policymakers passionate about advocacy on blindness helped pass laws such as the Blind Babies Bill of 1999 and Children’s Program funding in 2015, which provides 2 million dollars a year in additional services to children who are blind or visually impaired.
Our initiatives include:
- Focusing on funding and policies as recommended by our member agencies and legislative partners.
- Identifying other legislation affecting visually impaired Floridians and how our members can work to oppose or support it as needed.
- Providing oversight of Executive Branch agencies involved in the prevention of vision loss or provision of services to visually impaired Floridians.
Join the Legislative Initiative
Our agency members are continually sought out by Florida legislators, like you, for input on issues affecting Floridians living with visual impairments. We are in daily contact with consumers —parents and family, individuals, and organizations such as the National Federation of the Blind, Blinded Veterans, and the American Council of the Blind— and together we determine lobbying and advocacy priorities that support their success in school, becoming competitive employees (and taxpayers), and living independently in old age.
Contact us to learn more about how you can partner with Florida to deliver a better quality of life for blind people, and a stronger economy for Florida.
“Florida Agencies Serving the Blind is a state-wide network of private agencies whose specialized professionals provide the expertise and commitment that restores the lives of people who are blind or visually impaired. Florida is a recognized model of effective services for the nation.”
State Senator Kathleen Passidomo
Raising Awareness & Advocacy -- Blog
