2. Advocates
for
Blind Children
One Vision
ABC helps families of blind children receive
access to services at school and in the
community
http://www.AdvocatesForBlindChildren.com
3. Background
• Oregon School for the Blind was closed in
2009 after 136 years of service
• State law promised "enhanced" services
for students and budgeted nearly
$3,000.000.
• Students were promised improved
services in the expanded curriculum
4. Broken Promises…
• Efforts to promote services were
thwarted
• Promised services were not
implemented and the $3,000,000
was taken away
• Those working to get additional
services were reprimanded and
terminated
5. How We Came To Be
• Advocates for Blind Children was started
by retired educators in Oregon
• Determined to be advocates for blind
children and their families
• Initially funded with proceeds from
lawsuit settlement
• ABC successfully led and continues to
lead efforts to provide services for blind
children
6. Oral Hull Foundation
50 year old foundation accepts Fiscal
sponsorship: OralHull.org
Oral Hull provides recreational and
educational opportunities for blind
individuals
8. The Special Education System
Complicated, Confusing, Complex
• Students are identified
• Assessments are conducted (by various experts)
• Teams of educational professionals meet
• 6-8 professionals in attendance (many times even more)…
9. The Special Education System
… usually one very overwhelmed mom
Individualized Education Plan (IEP) Meetings
• Goals are often pre-written
• Case loads are already determined
• Service hours already budgeted
Parents of Blind Children Need Support
11. The Lions Club And The Blind
Helen Keller – 1925 Lions International Convention
“I appeal to you Lions, you who have your sight,
your hearing, you who are strong and brave
and kind. Will you not constitute yourselves
Knights of the Blind…”
12. The “Knights Of The Blind”
4 Main Areas of Lions’ Clubs Service
1. Serving the youth
2. Serving the blind
3. Fighting hunger worldwide
4. Protecting the environment
Judge Brian Stevenson
Lions’ International President
1987-1988
Advocates For Blind Children
Combines Two of Four Lions Areas Of Service
Serving the blind and serving the youth
13. ABC Proposes The Lions Advocacy Initiative
Lions In Action - The Lions Measles Initiative
• 2012 Measles challenge
• Raise $15 Million for Measles Vaccinations
• Gates Foundation Offer
• Donate $5 Million to match Lions’ $10 million
14. Lions Change Lives
The Lions Measles Initiative
• Results
• Lions raised $18 Million (Nearly Double!)
• Bill and Melinda Gates added $12 Million
• 41 million children vaccinated
• Literally Priceless
15. Lions Can Change Lives
The Lions’ Advocacy Initiative
• Goals
• Raise $15 Million to fund an endowment
• Make advocacy programs available
• Fund advocacy programs in the United States and
Canada for generations
• Who’s On Board Already
• International Directors
• Past International Directors
• Our Secret weapon…
16. The Lions’ Advocacy Initiative
Mr. Jim Stovall
• 1999-2000 Lions Club International
Humanitarian
• New York Times Bestseller
• Emmy Award Winner
• Featured in USA Today, on Fox
news, and in hundreds of
other mainstream publications…
• 13+ bestselling books translated into
multiple languages and shared
throughout the world
“…One of the most
extraordinary men
of our era...“
~ Steve Forbes
17. Mr. Jim Stovall
New York Times Bestseller
Emmy Award Winner
USA Today, Fox news, Forbes
18. The Lions’ Advocacy Initiative
Mr. Jim Stovall
• “The Ultimate Gift” released by 20th Century Fox
• Film release events
• Fundraising opportunities
• Awareness opportunities
• Results
• $27 million was raised for local charities
around the country
19. The Lions’ Advocacy Initiative
The Ultimate Life
• Movie Premiere Launch Events Goals
• Raise $10 million
• $5 Million matching grant
• Create blind advocacy programs for
generations to come
• We Need You
• District Advocacy Chair
• Zone Advocacy Chairs
• Local Club Advocates
20. The Lions’ Advocacy Initiative
Your Next Steps
• Speak with your Regional
Coordinator
• Change children’s lives for
generations to come
http://www.AdvocatesForBlindChildren.com
