06-R 114
2006 -- H 7859
Enacted 03/08/06
H O U S E R E S O L U T I O N
PROCLAIMING
THE MONTH OF MARCH, 2006 TO BE "SAVE YOUR VISION MONTH" IN THE STATE
OF RHODE ISLAND
Introduced
By: Representatives Naughton, Williams, Ajello, San Bento, and Church
Date
Introduced: March 08, 2006
WHEREAS, The
future of Rhode Island’s culture and economy depend upon the
contributions of its children and upon their
ability to learn the skills that will enable them to
become productive citizens; and
WHEREAS, The
potential for most children to learn depends on their ability to read
and see with clarity and precision; and
WHEREAS, The
combined efforts of Saving Sight, the Rhode Island Lions Sight
Foundation, INSIGHT, TechACCESS of Rhode Island,
Rhode Island Braille Transcription
Center, the Office of Early Intervention within
the Rhode Island Department of Health, the
Office of Rehabilitation Services for the Blind
and Visually Impaired within the Rhode
Island Department of Human Services, the Office
of Special Education within the Rhode
Island Department of Education, the Paul V.
Sherlock Center for Disabilities within Rhode
Island College, the Rhode Island Medical
Society, the Rhode Island Optometric Society, the
Governor’s Advisory Council for the Blind, and
the Rhode Island Parents of Blind and
Visually Impaired Children have focused
awareness on the importance of developing a
comprehensive educational and services program
for Rhode Island’s blind and visually
impaired; and
WHEREAS, The
shared goal of these organizations is to increase awareness of the
importance of protecting and preserving vision
in young people and children age twenty-one
and under; and
WHEREAS, The
aim of this partnership’s efforts is to have a positive impact on the
diagnosis of a variety of serious vision
problems including nearsightedness, farsightedness,
lazy eye, astigmatism, misaligned eyes, and
unequal refraction in infants, toddlers,
preschoolers and students; and
WHEREAS, The most
powerful tool in the battle against vision loss is early
detection. Many vision problems begin well
before a child reaches school age; and
WHEREAS,
Every effort must be made to ensure that children, before the age of
five, receive an eye-screening exam from their
health care provider. Comprehensive eye
exams for children, particularly for
neurodevelopmental delayed children, should be
encouraged and need to be made available to all
children regardless of their economic
background; and
WHEREAS, The
collaboration between the Rhode Island Medical Society, Rhode
Island Optometric Association, Rhode Island
School Nurses, Rhode Island Department of
Health, and the Rhode Island Department of
Elementary and Secondary Education makes the
state a national leader in vision screening
exams and reports for children ages birth to twenty-
one; and
WHEREAS,
Millions of people with diabetes are at risk of developing diabetic
retinopathy, a leading cause of blindness. A
dilated eye exam can indicate this complication,
and reveal the signs of many other eye diseases
and disorders, long before a person
experiences pain or any other noticeable
symptom; and
WHEREAS, Through
early intervention and treatment, the vision loss accompanying
many eye diseases can be reduced, postponed, or
even prevented. Early detection, timely
treatment, and follow-up care can reduce the
risk of vision loss by up to ninety-five percent.
Protective eyewear can also play a vital role in
saving vision, particularly for individuals who
work with chemicals or operate machinery; and
WHEREAS, Sight is
a precious gift that enables us to experience the wonder of the
world in which we live, but few of us think
about what we would do if we were to lose our
vision. Unfortunately, millions of Americans do
face this challenge due to complications
from low birth weight and conditions such as
cataracts, glaucoma, diabetic eye disease, or
age-related macular degeneration; and
WHEREAS,
Oftentimes vision loss cannot be restored. However, vision
rehabilitation techniques and products can make
daily life more trouble-free for people who
have low or reduced vision. From improved
lighting in stairways and closets, and talking
clocks and computers, to large print labels on
appliances, there are numerous products and
services that can help people with low vision to
maintain their confidence and independence,
as well as improve their overall quality of
life; and
WHEREAS,
Everyday, physicians and researchers make progress in the search for
better detection and treatment --- and
ultimately a cure --- for vision loss. In this new
century, emerging technologies will improve upon
existing visual devices and techniques,
and new medications will ensure more effective
treatment of eye diseases and disorders. By
investing in research and technology, and
committing to regular comprehensive eye
examinations, we can ensure a brighter,
healthier future for ourselves and our children; now,
therefore be it
RESOLVED, That
this House of Representatives of the State of Rhode Island and
Providence Plantations hereby proclaims the
month of March, 2006 to be “Save Your Vision
Month” in the State of Rhode Island; and be it
further
RESOLVED,
That this House implores all the citizens of the State of Rhode Island to
recognize the importance of safeguarding their
eyesight; and be it further
RESOLVED,
That this House urges professionals, the media, and all public and private
organizations, dedicated to preserving eyesight,
to join in activities aimed at raising public
awareness for the various measures that can be
taken to protect and sustain our vision; and be it
further
RESOLVED,
That the Secretary of State be and he hereby is authorized and directed to
transmit duly certified copies of this
resolution to the Saving Sight, the Rhode Island Lions Sight
Foundation, INSIGHT, TechACCESS of Rhode Island,
the Rhode Island Braille Transcription
Center, the Office of Early Intervention within
the Rhode Island Department of Health, the Office
of Rehabilitation Services for the Blind and Visually
Impaired within the Rhode Island
Department of Human Services, the Office of
Special Education within the Rhode Island
Department of Education, the Paul V. Sherlock
Center for Disabilities within Rhode Island
College, the Rhode Island Medical Society, the
Rhode Island Optometric Society, the Governor’s
Advisory Council for the Blind, and the Rhode
Island Parents of Blind and Visually Impaired
Children.
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LC02704
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