James Traficant: “in 1968, there were 20,000 blind students in our secondary and elementary schools, 40 percent of those blind students…”

“in 1968, there were 20,000 blind students in our secondary and elementary schools, 40 percent of those blind students could read Braille, 45 percent could read large print, large type; 4 percent could read both. It is now 1994. There are 50,000 blind students in our elementary and secondary schools. Only 9 percent can read Braille. Only 27 percent can read large type. And 40 percent of all of our blind students cannot read at all. There are 40,000 more blind children today in school, 30 percent can read, 70 percent cannot, versus 95 percent that could read in 1968. I have an amendment today I am hoping the committee will support. It does several things. It costs no money, but it extends the program that has been established in now 21 States. The first section calls for an individual assessment of a blind student's capabilities to read and provides an individualized program. The second section established teacher competency standards and training, specialized training for those teachers. And finally, the third section facilitates the production of Braille and digital text and materials at essentially no cost for our blind students. Let me say this, this is a good bill. But it overlooks our blind students, and I am hoping that the committee finds favor with my amendment.”