Licensing of Vision Rehabilitation Professionals
in New York State

NYS Senate Bill S5308
NYS Assembly Bill A8471

 

 
 


 

 
Title of Bill

An act to amend the education law, in relation to the licensing of licensed orientation and mobility specialists and licensed rehabilitation teachers.

Purpose

This bill would ensure the safety of persons who are blind or partially sighted by licensing the trained vision rehabilitation professionals who work with them to restore their independent functioning within the home, the school, the workplace and the wider community.

Summary

Establishes licensing and certification requirements for two categories of vision rehabilitation professionals:  licensed orientation and mobility specialists and licensed rehabilitation teachers;

Creates state committee for vision rehabilitation therapy;

Describes persons exempt from licensing requirements;

Provides for licensure without examination for persons engaged in the occupation for three years, having appropriate education, or certified by another state or national credentialing body acceptable to the department of education;

Provides for non-liability for voluntary first aid/emergency treatment rendered outside ordinary course of practice if not grossly negligent.

Bill Sponsors

NYS Senate Bill S5308 -- UPDATE!  The NYS Senate unanimously passed the bill on June 16, 2008!  It has now been sent to the Assembly for review.
Introduced by Senator Marcellino. 
Supported by:  Marcellino, Bonacic, DeFrancisco, Farley, Flanagan, Fuschillo, Golden, Larkin, Leibell, Maltese, Marchi, Morahan, Padavan, Rath, Robach, Saland, Seward, Spano, Trunzo, Winner.

NYS Assembly Bill A8471 --
Introduced by Representative Gottfried.
Supported by:  Gottfried, Clark, Englebright, Brodsky, Hoyt, Espaillat, Bing, Dinowitz, Karben.

Endorsement List
The above bills have been endorsed by the following groups:

American Council of the Blind of New York
American Foundation for the Blind
American Society of Ophthalmic Registered Nurses - Hudson Valley Chapter
Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired -- Goodwill Industries of Greater Rochester, Inc.
Association for the Visually Impaired, Inc. (Rockland and Orange counties)
Association for Vision Rehabilitation and Employment, Inc. (Binghamton)
Aurora of Central New York, Inc.
Blinded Veterans Association, New York, Inc. (New York Regional Group)
Central Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired (Utica)
Dominican College Program for Teachers of Students who are Blind or Visually Impaired
The Glaucoma Foundation
Greater New York Council of the Blind
Guiding Eyes for the Blind
Hunter College of the City University of New York
Joint Public Affairs Committee for Older Adults
League of Physicians and Surgeons
National Association of Social Workers, New York State Chapter
National Association of Parents of Children with Visual Impairments, New York City
National Vision Rehabilitation Association
New Paltz Regional Chamber of Commerce
New York Institute for Special Education
NYS Assembly Task Force on People With Disabilities
New York State Chapter, Association for Education & Rehabilitation of the Blind and Visually Impaired
New York State Coalition for the Aging
New York State Ophthalmological Society
New York State United Teachers
New York Statewide Senior Action Council, Inc.
Pennsylvania College of Optometry
Poughkeepsie Area Chamber of Commerce
Vision Services for the Blind and Visually Impaired (NYC, Westchester, Rockland, Long Island)

Home