SUMMARY:

            This bill would amend Part 3 of Article 6 of Chapter 2 of Title 20 of the O.C.G.A. to enact the “Blind Persons’ Braille Literacy Rights and Education Act.”  It would require evaluation of a blind or visually impaired child to determine a need for Braille instruction, to require Braille instruction in an IEP if needed, to require textbook publishers to furnish Braille materials, and to provide license requirements for certain teachers relating to Braille.

REQUIREMENTS:

• It would limit eligible students to those who are eligible for special education services and meet certain measurement requirements related to vision, or those who are expected to have vision deterioration;
• The definition of “textbooks” extends beyond regular materials to texts in electronic media.
• IEP’s for these children would have to be based on a licensed visual impairments program teacher’s evaluation and must include:
  • The child’s reading and writing skills;
  • His/her specific needs;
  • Appropriate reading and writing media;
  • Evaluation of the child’s future need for instruction in Braille
  • Braille is not required if other appropriate services do not include Braille.
• Braille instruction would be mandated to be sufficient to enable the child to communicate in print and in writing on the same level as his/her peers.
• The child’s IEP would have to specify:
  • Outcomes obtained from the required evaluation;
  • How Braille will be implemented (unless not deemed appropriate);
  • The date on which Braille instruction will begin (if appropriate);
  • The length of the period of instruction and the frequency and duration of each session; and
  • If Braille instruction is not deemed necessary, a statement that the absence of Braille will not impair the child’s ability to read and write effectively.
• All publishers of textbooks sold in Georgia would be required to furnish an electronic version in which the content is encoded in text suitable for conversion into Braille and synthesized speech, as well as other technical requirements;
• Beginning July 1, 2013, all instructors of the visually impaired will be required to have as a part of their training or renewal training:
  • Completion of a course in the teaching of Braille approved by the PSC;
  • Demonstrated competency in reading and writing Braille through a national recognized certificate in Braille approved by the PSC; or
  • Have passed a tests in Braille approved by the PSC.

NOTE:  This legislation is offered almost yearly and, in spite of its good intentions, becomes the focus of debate over the potential costs associated with it.