by Jeff Thom

Sometimes I have more to report than others, but there's never a complete lull when it comes to advocacy impacting the California Council of the Blind specifically, and blind and low vision individuals in general. The big news, of course, is the passage of AB1705. Very few felt that the elimination of the Board of Guide Dogs for the Blind was a strong possibility, but it only goes to show that when a coalition comes together to unite around an issue, amazing things can happen. CCB, NFBC, Guide Dogs for the Blind (the largest guide dog school in the nation), other blindness organizations and many individuals united to convince the Legislature and the Governor not to extend the life of the Board, which is normally the type of thing that happens with hardly a whimper in Sacramento.

Along with the Board's elimination, the bill requires guide dog schools to comply with standards be certified by the International Guide Dog Federation, whose standards are virtually identical to what the Board had been enforcing. Thus, schools will still need to meet standards for their employees, but will no longer be subject to the redundant and unnecessary burdens imposed by the Board.

I am also pleased to report on the passage of AB434, which requires, prior to July 1, 2019 and every two years thereafter, every state agency to certify that its website is in compliance with Web Content Accessibility Guidelines 2.0 or subsequent revisions. Although the state is already required to meet ADA standards, state agencies often ignore this requirement. Hopefully, the mandate in AB434 will help ensure that the state meets its obligations with request to its web content.

Unfortunately, no increase in the state's share of SSI benefits was adopted, although the federal share will increase by 2% in 2018. CCB is active in the Californians for SSI Coalition and will continue to work in this area, although it is unlikely that we will have a reasonable opportunity for positive change until a new Governor takes office in 2019.

Next year, we will be re-introducing our bill to strengthen state law regarding liability by pet owners whose dogs attack service animals. In 2016, the bill was vetoed by the Governor, but we intend to eliminate some provisions to which he was opposed in hopes of ensuring that, if passed, he will sign it. Fortunately the provisions that the Governor found objectionable are not central to the goals of the bill which would, among other things, apply the law to instances when the service dog was not actually in discharge of its duties and would specify loss of wages and other costs for which reimbursement must be made by the pet owner.

I am pleased to report that with respect to a resolution we passed at our spring Conference and Convention regarding limitations on the imposition by school districts of requirements pertaining to when and how orientation and mobility instruction and other special education teaching can be done, Disability Rights California is willing, when we can find the right case, to work on this issue. When an orientation and mobility instructor can only take a child three blocks from campus or must meet other stringent requirements, the ability for a blind child to receive the skills he/she needs is significantly limited.

Turning to Washington, D.C., it is certainly true that there is never a dull moment. CCB sent a letter to every member of the California congressional delegation opposing HR620. This bill would, in a manner similar, but even more harmful, to what has been done in California, impose restrictions on when suits can be filed against businesses for violations of the ADA. Although the bill doesn't apply to suits alleging inaccessibility of websites, some are proposing extending these proposals into that area as well.

The health care debate continues to fester, with proposals to dramatically cut Medicaid funding through block grants or other means and proposals to cut Medicare funding still floating around. Whether the Republican House and Senate will be able to agree on such proposals is anyone's guess. Similarly, although many of our programs, including funding for our Older Individuals who are Blind program, are safe for this calendar year, there is no telling what might occur next year.

ACB is working for the passage of two pieces of Medicare legislation which are unlikely to pass by themselves, but might, if Medicare reform is taken up, have a chance to become part of more comprehensive legislation. HR3457 would require the Government Accountability Office to investigate the failure of government to provide Medicare and Medicaid recipients with information in accessible formats. ACB is also working for passage of HR2050, which would establish a pilot project for coverage of low vision devices under Medicare, when prescribed, in order to determine the cost and benefits of permanently covering such devices under the program.

ACB is also working on a number of regulatory fronts, and I will attempt to discuss many of these topics during the next few columns in this magazine. Issues range from accessibility of in-flight entertainment, regulation of service animals on airlines, audio-description requirements for television networks, and more.

Finally, as part of the 2018 CCB Conference and Convention, we will be holding Capitol Day from 9 AM to 1 PM on Thursday, March 22. Early next year, we will begin to identify the issues to be covered by CCB members participating in Capitol Day. However, it is the goal of the Governmental Affairs Committee that those of you who intend to be part of those advocacy efforts let us know well in advance so that we can make plans for that day, including making appointments ahead of time with members of the California Assembly and Senate. We are hoping for a large turn-out to storm the halls of the State Capitol.

I have said it before, and I'll keep repeating it, success in our advocacy efforts is in your hands. Your passion and commitment can make a real difference in the lives of people who are blind or have low vision.