Public Policy & Advocacy

National Policy Collaborative

In response to the dramatic changes in employment, education, and lifestyles wrought by the COVID-19 pandemic, VisionServe Alliance has convened national organizations that provide direct services, products, or support for individuals with blindness and low vision. The National Policy Collaborative provides opportunities for organizations to share their immediate advocacy priorities, so our field can coordinate responses and requests made to Congress and other federal agencies.

Participating National Organizations include ACB, ACVREP, AER, AFB, APH, BVA, NAEPB, NFB, NIB, and Prevent Blindness.

Aging and Vision Loss National Coalition

VisionServe Alliance leads the Aging and Vision Loss National Coalition to advance major initiatives in the aging and vision loss field. The Aging and Vision Loss National Coalition (AVLNC) is a consortium of leaders comprised of national, state, local, private, and public agencies that advocate for equal access and quality of life for older Americans with blindness and vision loss. Learn more about AVLNC.

Public Policy Resources

More links will be posted periodically as resources and information become available.

Advocacy/Legislative Issues

VisionServe Alliance serves as the collective voice of the nonprofit sector, providing services to people with blindness and vision loss on policy and legislative issues. The following are the policy issues that VisionServe Alliance is currently advocating for on behalf of our members and the people they serve:

CARES Act
Alice Cogswell and Anne Sullivan Macy Act
H.R.4822
Medicare Demonstration of Coverage for Low Vision Devices Act of 2019 – H.R.4129

And here’s an excellent blog post with advocacy tips:

Eight Tips For Communicating Ideas to Busy Policymakers

To learn more or get help with legislative advocacy, email info@visionservealliance.org or call (314) 961-8235.

Public Policy & Advocacy