Senate committees advance bill to establish Braille literacy policy and resource center

Senate committees on Education and Health and Human Services voted Friday to pass Senate Bill 530, which would establish Braille literacy as state policy, require braille-inclusive literacy assessments for eligible blind and low-vision students, authorize the Department of Education to adopt administrative rules, create a Braille Literacy Resource Center and appropriate funds for implementation. The committees passed the measure with amendments and included the Attorney General’s suggested language in the committee report.

Supporters told the committees the bill aims to address gaps in services for students who are blind or have low vision. Marie Poudhos, who testified in person and said she lost her vision in young adulthood, described the consequences of not having early access to braille. “When we use braille … the tactile representation…