Governor Kelly Declares February 2, 2022 as Blind Awareness Day in KS

WICHITA, Kan. (Jan. 25, 2022) — Governor Laura Kelly has officially proclaimed February 2nd, 2022, as Blind Awareness Day in the State of Kansas. Envision, a leading non-profit employing and furthering possibilities for those who are blind or have low vision, submitted the proclamation to advocate for the nearly 70,000 people in Kansas who are blind or visually impaired. The proclamation reads:

TO THE PEOPLE OF KANSAS, GREETINGS:

WHEREAS, across Kansas, there are nearly 70,000 people who are blind or visually impaired and more than half are unemployed due to lack of inclusive job opportunities; and

WHEREAS, with the aging population, the chance to encounter someone who is blind or visually impaired in a person's daily routine is increasing, and growing even more rapidly than age-related vision impairment, is vision loss related to diabetes; and

WHEREAS, people who are blind or visually impaired and/ or have disabilities navigate through societal misconceptions on a daily basis due to lack of general education and knowledge about the important population. It is more crucial than ever to break down stereotypes and building understanding of this important population of citizens; and

WHEREAS, Envision was first established in 1933, amid the Great Depression, as the Wichita Workshop and Training School for adults who were blind to make and sell their own products, providing a fulfilling and inspirational purpose for the blind and visually impaired community; and

WHEREAS, Envision, now in 2022, serves approximately 185 individuals per month or 2,220 people
annually, and employs more than 140 people who are blind in Kansas; and

WHEREAS, it's important for everyone to support public and private employers, schools, colleges, and universities to offer full opportunities for training to blind persons; upon employers and the public to utilize the available skills of competent blind persons and to open new opportunities for the blind in our rapidly changing society.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Laura Kelly, GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF KANSAS, do hereby proclaim February 2nd 2022 as the Blind Awareness Day in the state of Kansas and I urge all citizens to join in this observation.

Click here to read the official proclamation.

About Envision: Envision promotes advocacy and independence for those who are blind or have low vision. Founded in 1933, Envision is one of the largest employers of individuals with vision loss in the nation. Headquartered in Wichita, Kansas, Envision’s mission is to improve the quality of life and provide inspiration and opportunity for people who are blind or visually impaired through employment, outreach, rehabilitation, education, and research. For more information, visit www.envisionus.com.

Media Contact: Holly Herring, Marketing Manager
Office: 316-440-1531 | Email: media@envisionus.com

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