The American Council of the Blind of New York Praises CBVH for Openness and Transparency
April 4th, 2008FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:
Pratik Patel
Second Vice President & Legislative Chair
American Council of the Blind of New York, Inc.
195-05B 67th Ave 2B
Fresh Meadows, NY 11365
(718) 928-5529
(718) 249-7019
The American Council of the Blind of New York Praises CBVH for Openness and Transparency
Albany, New York – April 4, 2008 – The American Council of the Blind of New York (ACBNY) praised the Commission for the Blind and Visually Handicapped (CBVH) and the Executive Board leadership for its bold move after learning that meetings of the new Executive Board charged with investigating the state of services for people who are blind and visually impaired in New York State will be webcast.
Opposition to this idea had been strong due to claims of inordinate cost for the process. But Mike Godino, President of ACBNY applauded the decision because the funds used to provide streaming would not affect any services for blind and visually impaired people.
“We have been advocating from the beginning for a transparent process in the selection and operation of this Board. We’re very pleased with this decision, which will allow maximum participation in this important work,” said Mr. Godino.
ACBNY firmly believes that, since blind and visually impaired people live all over the state, it is important all people be able to participate in the Executive Board’s deliberative process. The Commissioner’s decision would ensure that everyone could understand how their lives would be affected by the Executive Board.
“It was crucial that this be an open and transparent process,” President Mike Godino said. “Discussions that effect people who are blind or visually impaired and their friends and families certainly need to take place in the open. This is absolutely in line with Governor Paterson’s commitment to transparent government processes, and we commend the Commission and the board for taking this action.”
The first meeting to be web cast will be on April 9. The Executive Board is mandated to report its findings to the Governor on January 1, 2009. All proceedings, with the exception of executive sessions, will be streamed live, archived on the Web site of the Commission for the Blind, and visually handicapped.
The American council of the Blind of New York, Inc.(ACBNY) is a self-help, advocacy organization. As a state affiliate of the American Council of the Blind, ACBNY represents thousands of blind and visually impaired New Yorkers. Its mission is to ensure independence, dignity, and equality for the blind residents of New York.
