Object to proposed rule by Oct. 18, 2008
On September 5, 2008, the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) posted the proposed rules for Illinois' new eye exam law. IDPH claims the State of Illinois Eye Examination Report shall be the only form accepted as proof of this required eye exam. We disagree.
The law states an eye exam shall be recorded on "uniform forms which the Department of Public Health and the State Board of Education shall prescribe for statewide use." During the public comment period of this rulemaking process, we are seeking for the Vision First form to be one of the prescribed forms for statewide use.
The Vision First form is part of the Kids Eyes Count Campaign created over five years ago. A completed Vision First report will help a parent and teacher provide an excellent educational program for a child. Prewritten letters accompany the form to make it easy for schools to use from preschool through high school, from vision screening failures to recommended and required eye exams. Vision First also pledges to help needy families meet the eye exam requirement, provided the Vision First form is used.
Opponents of required eye exams have kept state standards at the minimum. The state form is the minimum. The Vision First form exceeds state standards to ensure a complete exam by an eye doctor is performed. No child should experience school with an uncorrected vision problem.
The law intends all children starting school for the first time to have an eye examination. We urge the IDPH and State Board of Education to approve the Vision First form during the rulemaking as one of the prescribed forms for statewide use as proof of an eye examination.
For further information, please visit http://www.visionfirstfoundation.org/ or http://janetsjournalblog.com/.
On September 5, 2008, the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) posted the proposed rules for Illinois' new eye exam law. IDPH claims the State of Illinois Eye Examination Report shall be the only form accepted as proof of this required eye exam. We disagree.
The law states an eye exam shall be recorded on "uniform forms which the Department of Public Health and the State Board of Education shall prescribe for statewide use." During the public comment period of this rulemaking process, we are seeking for the Vision First form to be one of the prescribed forms for statewide use.
The Vision First form is part of the Kids Eyes Count Campaign created over five years ago. A completed Vision First report will help a parent and teacher provide an excellent educational program for a child. Prewritten letters accompany the form to make it easy for schools to use from preschool through high school, from vision screening failures to recommended and required eye exams. Vision First also pledges to help needy families meet the eye exam requirement, provided the Vision First form is used.
Opponents of required eye exams have kept state standards at the minimum. The state form is the minimum. The Vision First form exceeds state standards to ensure a complete exam by an eye doctor is performed. No child should experience school with an uncorrected vision problem.
The law intends all children starting school for the first time to have an eye examination. We urge the IDPH and State Board of Education to approve the Vision First form during the rulemaking as one of the prescribed forms for statewide use as proof of an eye examination.
For further information, please visit http://www.visionfirstfoundation.org/ or http://janetsjournalblog.com/.
We, the undersigned, object to the State of Illinois Eye Examination Report as the only form that shall be accepted as proof of a required eye exam.
The law states an eye exam shall be recorded on "uniform forms which the Department of Public Health and the State Board of Education shall prescribe for statewide use."
During the public comment period of this rulemaking process, we are seeking for the Vision First form to be one of the prescribed forms for statewide use.
The Vision First form is part of the Kids Eyes Count Campaign created over five years ago. A completed Vision First report will help a parent and teacher provide an excellent educational program for a child. Prewritten letters accompany the form to make it easy for schools to use from preschool through high school, from vision screening failures to recommended and required eye exams. Vision First also pledges to help needy families meet the eye exam requirement, provided the Vision First form is used.
The law intends all children starting school for the first time to have an eye examination. We urge the IDPH and State Board of Education to approve the Vision First form as one of the prescribed forms for statewide use as proof of an eye examination.
When my daughter Angelina entered school, she had to have a physical, which included an eye test. It was completed by her pediatrician. Several months later, I had her tested by an optometrist, and she did in fact need glasses and a pretty strong prescription! I was a young mother, and I never thought to question her doctor. But I've learned the hard way. It makes me angry to think that my daughter had to go all those years with inadequate signt because I didn't know. We need more voices. We need to put our children first. The Vision First form will ensure children don't fall through the cracks!
I strongly agree with the Vision First form because it puts children first. It will lessen the possibility that children will be misdiagnosed. The Vision First form must be completed by an optometrist or an eye specialist. A child doesn't always know what is "correct" vision because they can't articualte or aren't too sure if what they see is "correct." It only makes sense that they be tested by an optometrist. Why put them at risk? Let's see that our children come first - SUPPORT VISION FIRST!
WE MUST TAKE CARE OF OUR CHILDREN AND OUR ELDERS. A SOCIETY WHICH DOES NOT IS DOOMED TO FAILURE. WHY IS IT SO DIFFICULT TO PASS LAWS TO PROTECT AND TAKE CARE OF OUR CHILDREN AND THEIR HEALTH!!
I'm proud to work with Janet Hughes on the Vision First board, knowing everything she does is for the children of our state. This form will help endless children with undiagnosed vision problems.
This could be a model for the country.
Since Vision First was behind the new eye exam law, their strong interest in children's vision should be acknowledged. Please accept the Vision First form and approve its use as proof of an eye examination.
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I strongly support this proposed rule which would solidify the Illinois eye exam law requiring that all children starting school shall have an eye exam. I strongly urge the BoE to approve the Vision First form as one of the prescribed forms for statewide use as proof of eye examination.
As a physician, I support ensuring children get a complete eye exam. The minimum is not acceptable for our children.
I think this should be done for all children in our country. Thier eyesight is more important than the needless vaccines.
HELP THE CHILDREN BECAUSE THEY ARE HELPLESS !!!
iT IS VITAL THAT EYE CONDITIONS IN CHILDREN ARE DETECTED AND CORRECTED AS EARLY AS POSSIBLE
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I am totally for anything that contributes to the well being of children. This is an awesome cause. I personally know a child whose eyesight is impaired now, but if she had the advantage of what this cause stands for she would have good vision now.
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5:22 pm PDT, Oct 16,
Eric Wilkins, North Carolina
I love children too. My large print edition sci fi novel entitled Ancient Nemesis journey to Pluto www.trafford.com/06-1593 donates 70 percent of author proceeds to children's cancer patients www.caringbridge.org Children's eyesight should be better screened to help children learn earlier and better. God Bless this wonderful site and the good people that know that our best hope is with the children and their future. |
There are many children from low income families, now with the economy there is an even greater need.Sight is one of your most important senses,this is what will help a child grow in the classroom,in life,
As the President of the Downers Grove Noon Lions Club I come in contact with visually impaired individuals frequently. I have learned that often, for anyone of a number of reasons, a child's impaired vision often goes undiagnosed or improperly diagnosed for many years. This often leads to learning deficits in the most formative of learning years. It will lead to emotional problems that will make a child lose confidence in his or hertheir abilities. Vision problems that could have been corrected with early attention only become worse of time. I strongly support the petition I am about to sign. Thank you for your attention.
I am proud that Illinois has taken such a proactive stand for our children.
