As a citizen diagnosed with visual impairment, my life has been significantly impacted by the services provided by the Division of Blind Services in Florida. These necessary resources have enabled me to secure gainful employment and have brought independence to my everyday life. They have also ensured that our children and young adults receive equal educational opportunities, develop vital social skills, and successfully transition to either the workforce or higher education.

However, these services, crucial to so many people like me, are facing potential reductions in funding. At this critical juncture, we call on the Department of Education (DOE) to uphold the current funding for these essential services as of February 1, 2025. According to the National Federation of the Blind, an estimated 1.3 million people are legally blind in the United States. Visual disability services are not merely an option – they are a necessity that highly contributes to our ability to incorporate fully into society.

We urge the lawmakers, authorities, and individuals in charge of these decisions to comprehend the gravity of such actions – to truly view the faces and futures they would be directly impacting. It is our human right to gain equal opportunities and it lies in the hands of the DOE to preserve the funding needed for us to have the ability to achieve and thrive. We humbly request the Department of Education to continue funding all Division of Blind Services in the state of Florida. Sign this petition to support our fight for equal opportunities.