A concerted effort to enact Public Policy change is essential to advance our industry and significantly enhance access to vital services for people with blindness and low vision.
Open access requires that funding be available for all individuals to access life-changing Vision Rehabilitation services. AVLNC’s Policy and Funding Committee is dedicated to accomplishing this crucial achievement.
Aging and Vision Loss National Coalition (AVLNC) Policy and Funding Committee Focus Areas
Proposed Teddie-Joy’s Law
As a top priority for AVLNC, we are building bipartisan support for the introduction of Teddie-Joy’s Law to increase funding and services for older people across the US facing blindness and low vision. Support for this bill includes multiple federal agencies
Medicare Reimbursement
The Medicare Working Group subcommittee will address Medicare’s reimbursement exclusion for services provided by non-medical vision rehabilitation professionals. The group will explore regulatory changes versus legislative changes in the Medicare program.
Advocacy
While the core focus of this committee is Teddie-Joy’s Law and Medicare revision, its members also advocate issues supported and advanced by our partner organizations. Calls to action are forwarded to committee members to maximize engagement. Let your voice be heard by opting in for our advocacy texts below.
To receive communications and updates on committee activities, please email Helen Chapman. Let your voice be heard by opting in for our advocacy texts below.
Aging and Vision Loss National Coalition (AVLNC) Policy and Funding Committee 3-Year Goals
The Policy and Funding Co-Chairs, in partnership with VSA leadership and national organizational partners, will work to form strategic alliances/partnerships to advance aging and vision loss inclusion in federal legislation and other policy documents
Older adults with vision loss are included as a targeted population in aging policy, public health initiatives (i.e., Healthy People 2030), and health coverage
AVLNC will support the efforts of national consumer groups to increase the annual federal appropriation for OIB funds
AVLNC will be a forum for discussion of support to organizational members of the Coalition pursuing funding for services for older people with vision loss at the state and local level
Through Teddie-Joy’s Law, AVLNC will pursue pilot projects and other innovative initiatives for new community-based vision rehabilitation programs in severely underserved parts of the nation and will be a forum for the promotion of promising practices and programs at the state level
AVLNC will pursue enactment of Teddie-Joy’s Law with the goal to have it introduced in 2023
VSA staff and Committee Chairs will collaborate to pursue federal regulatory, sub-regulatory, and related federal agency avenues (including potentially tapping private insurers) to address Medicare funding of services
Consumer Advocacy – A cadre of older adults with vision loss are trained and mobilized to advocate for policy change, including adopting and implementing newly approved TJL elements
Consumer Advocate Project curriculum is being offered nationally by VSA member agencies, virtually and in person
Quarterly virtual meetings are offered to all Consumer Advocate Project graduates to refresh skills, share lessons learned, and inform of new legislative priorities
2022 Committee Accomplishments
Teddie-Joy’s Law (TJL) was established as the intersection of various policy issues related to aging and vision loss, including the Older Americans Act and the Office of Aging and Vision Loss
Removed transportation and Medicare from TJL for separate pursuit
Consumer Advocacy curriculum completed
Aging and Vision Loss National Coalition (AVLNC) 2023 plan
VisionServe Alliance Members and the Aging and Vision Loss National Coalition (AVLNC) leaders are vital advocates to increase support for Vision Rehabilitation and other services benefiting individuals with blindness and low vision.
As a valued leader in our community, your opinion matters to policymakers, including local officials, legislators, and members of Congress. Whether your mission focuses on advocacy or providing services, you can play a vital role in helping us impact public policy to maximize budget allocations.
You are uniquely positioned and empowered to amplify the voice of those you serve, ensuring they are heard on the issues that most dramatically affect their lives at local, state, and national levels. Join the alliance and let your voice be heard!
Text: VSAADVOCACY to 833.751.0553 to join our list
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Join Us!
We need you. The Aging and Vision Loss National Coalition (AVLNC) needs more talented leaders and volunteers to advance our vital work. It’s an ideal opportunity to volunteer personally or nominate someone from your team as an essential professional development and visibility opportunity.
“When consumers, professionals, administrators and other advocates band together with policymakers and public program implementers, we can truly change the world. That is why I am so committed to the work of the Aging and Vision Loss National Coalition. Together, we all will achieve the imperatives embodied in Teddie-Joy’s Law, and we will end the monstrous inequity that America’s failure to honor our fathers and mothers represents. We can do this, if we have your help.
Mark Richert Co-Chair, AVLNC Policy & Funding Committee
“My passion is for the provision of equitable, accessible, and excellent services for older people with vision loss. I don’t think our field and our nation have done nearly enough. The good news is that we have an Aging and Vision Loss National Coalition that is working hard on this right now. Get involved. It will sustain you and without it, nothing else really matters.”
“With the population of seniors with vision loss growing exponentially, and current estimates indicating that only 3% of this population are receiving the services they need to remain living independently, the term “Crisis” is an understatement. In order to address this quality of service and inadequate funding crisis, it is imperative that the proposed Teddie-Joy’s Law be acted upon by Congress.”
