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Bill

J 1940

Commemorating the 100th Anniversary of the Association for Vision Rehabilitation and Employment

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Lea Webb

The bill ceremonially recognizes AVRE’s 100-year mission to empower and employ people who are blind or visually impaired through its Southern Tier services and programs.

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Bill Summary · J 1940

Summary of Bill: J 1940 (2025-2026 Session) – New York

Title

Commemorating the 100th Anniversary of the Association for Vision Rehabilitation and Employment

Purpose and Intent

  • The bill is a Senate resolution recognizing and commemorating the 100th anniversary of the Association for Vision Rehabilitation and Employment (AVRE).
  • It honors AVRE’s history, mission, and impact in providing services to people who are blind or visually impaired, particularly in New York’s Southern Tier.

Key Provisions

  • Formal commemoration by the New York State Legislature of AVRE’s centennial (1926–2026) and its contributions to the community.
  • Acknowledgement of AVRE as a private, non-profit organization that:
    • Creates opportunities for success and independence for people who are blind or visually impaired.
    • Serves nine counties in the Southern Tier: Broome, Chemung, Chenango, Cortland, Delaware, Otsego, Schuyler, Tioga, and Tompkins.
    • Operates a Business Division that includes manufacturing of paper-based office products, customized contract packaging, and switchboard operations.
    • Houses administrative and clinical staff at the AVRE Downtown Binghamton facility.
    • Manages switchboards at two downstate VA Hospitals (Castle Point and Montrose) through its staff.
    • Invests revenue from its Business Division into the Vision Rehabilitation department to offset service costs.
    • Employs a high proportion of blind or visually impaired individuals (over 90%), including its President/CEO, Ken Fernald.
    • Provides Vision Rehabilitation services, including Vision Rehabilitation Therapy (VRT), Low Vision Exams, Orientation & Mobility Training, Functional Vision Assessments, Vision Impairment Connect Program, Case Management, and Support Services.

Who Is Affected

  • AVRE as the direct subject being commemorated.
  • The broader community served by AVRE in the Southern Tier and the two VA Hospitals (Castle Point and Montrose) where AVRE collects switchboard operations.
  • The general public that benefits from AVRE’s services, employment opportunities for people who are blind/visually impaired, and recognition by the state.

Procedural and Timeline Details

  • Status: Referred to the New York State Senate Finance Committee as of April 22, 2026.
  • Type of measure: Non-binding commemorative (resolution) recognizing an organization’s milestone.
  • No regulatory or funding provisions are specified in the text of the bill itself; the resolution serves to formally acknowledge the centennial.

Notable Details

  • The bill underscores AVRE’s dual role as a service provider and employer, highlighting the economic and social value of its mission.
  • Emphasizes the organization’s long-standing presence since 1926 and its geographic service footprint across nine counties.

Overall Assessment

  • The bill is primarily ceremonial, designed to publicly honor AVRE’s centennial and celebrate its contributions to individuals with visual impairments and to the regional community.
  • It does not, in its current form, enact policy changes or allocate funds, but it recognizes AVRE’s impact and may raise public awareness of its services.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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