[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 121 (Friday, September 12, 1997)]
[Senate]
[Page S9301]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                            BRAILLE LITERACY

 Mr. BINGAMAN. Mr. President, Helen Keller, the moving spirit 
for the American Foundation for the Blind and many in the visually 
handicapped community, once said, ``. . . when I hold a beloved 
[braille] book in my hand my limitations fall from me, my spirit is 
free.''
  During the recent reauthorization of the Individuals With 
Disabilities Education Act it was my pleasure to work with the American 
Foundation for the Blind, the National Federation of the Blind, the 
American Council of the Blind, and other groups to include a provision 
for the teaching of braille for all blind or visually impaired students 
for whom it is appropriate as part of the IEP process. Because of this 
change which is now in law, every blind or visually impaired child will 
soon have the chance to experience the same freedom enjoyed by Helen 
Keller.
  Most children who are blind or visually impaired benefit from 
specialized instruction in braille to enable them to participate 
equally with their sighted peers in school and ultimately to compete in 
the workplace. Additionally, for those who cannot use print, braille 
provides an excellent means for reading confidential information, 
making notes at meetings and giving presentations, recordkeeping, 
labeling information files, performing household management functions, 
and ease of studying and reviewing critical information.
  Over 57,000 students, as of 1996, were registered with the American 
Printing House for the Blind and over 500 students from New Mexico are 
registered. Mr. President, I am pleased to report that in my State, 
2,500 braille books were circulated by the New Mexico State Library for 
the Blind and Physically Handicapped, the Regional Library for the 
Blind in Santa Fe, in fiscal year 1996.
  The mission of the American Foundation for the Blind is to enable 
persons who are blind or visually impaired to achieve equality of 
access and opportunity that will ensure freedom of choice in their 
lives. I am delighted that the braille provisions of the recently 
reauthorized Individuals With Disabilities Education Act will help all 
children who are blind or visually impaired to achieve this 
goal.
  Mr. DASCHLE. Mr. President, I suggest the absence of a quorum.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll.
  The bill clerk proceeded to call the roll.
  Mr. SESSIONS. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order 
for the quorum call be rescinded.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.

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