RELEASE: November 28, 2005

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Human Services Commissioner Davy announces $900,000 initiative for increasing Braille instruction

Today at Signal Hill School in Voorhees, Camden County , Human Services Commissioner James M. Davy announced a $900,000 initiative for hiring Braille instructors across the state, at the site of where his youngest lobbyist - third grader Rocco Fiorentino - attends school.

“For the second time in his young life, Rocco's lobbying efforts have paid off for all New Jersey children who are blind or visually impaired,” said Davy. “Rocco, you have shown how just one person, no matter how small, can change the world!”

Davy and New Jersey Assemblyman Louis Greenwald (D-6 th , Camden) thanked Rocco for his advocacy, which inspired the New Jersey State Legislature to increase the funding for the Commission for the Blind and Visually Impaired (CBVI) to hire 12 more Braille instructors, thus increasing the classroom time during which students learn the Braille code.

“Just like you know Rocco as your friend,” said Greenwald to the classmates gathered in the school library for the press conference, “Rocco is a friend to the blind children of New Jersey for helping level the playing field for them to become literate and well-read, thanks to his lobbying efforts to promote Braille education.”

Vito DeSantis, Executive Director of CBVI, explained that with 12 new Braille instructors, CBVI will be able to provide from four to five hours per week of Braille instruction per student, up from the current two to three hours per week.

As a second grader this past spring, Rocco (and his mother Tina) attended a State Budget Forum, where he appealed to the legislators by explaining that he and other children who are blind would be illiterate without adequate Braille instruction. His lobbying resulted in the $900,000 appropriation for Braille instruction.

Rocco first testified before the Assembly Budget Committee when he was five years old, resulting in funding for six new Braille instructors across the state.

Rocco has blindness caused by Retinopathy of Prematurity. Considered a “miracle child,” he was born 4 months premature, weighing only one and a half pounds. Now a third grader, he loves to read Braille, loves the Shore, plays piano and drums, and sings. He was selected to sing the National Anthem at the kickoff ceremonies for the Constitution Center on July 4 th , 2004 .

Signal Hill School Principal Sheila Ferreri hosted today's press conference. After speaking in the Library, guests visited Rocco's classroom, where his classroom teacher Ms. Sheri Pierson demonstrated the two desks and swivel chair that Rocco needs for his large Braille books, Braille reader, and other school supplies. Rocco showed off his adjustable chair, and classmates talked of how they have learned a lot from having Rocco completely integrated into class and school activities.

Also attending were Rocco's parents, Tina and Rocco Fiorentino, who have founded The Little Rock Foundation to help other children; his Braille instructor Sharon Madden; Joan McCann, SRO, Education Supervisor for CBVI; Voorhees School Superintendent Raymond Brosell; and Voorhees Mayor Michael Mignogna.

Biographical material on Rocco is available on The Little Rock Foundation website: www.TRLF.org

FACTS ABOUT CBVI PROGRAMS FOR STUDENTS, OR “EDUCATION CLIENTS” (birth to 21 years) who need BRAILLE PROGRAMMING:

•  Total Education Clients [from birth to age 21] being served by CBVI: 2,900

•  Number of School Districts with children who are blind or visually impaired: 400

•  Contracts with local school districts: for 1,900 blind and visually impaired students

•  Current number of Braille students as of November, 2005: 183 – [not quite ten percent of the 1,900 school-age children who are blind or visually impaired]

•  Number of Braille students in 2004: 150

•  Reimbursements from contracts School FY 2004/2005: $3,102,000

•  On average, CBVI currently provides (3) Braille related lessons per week to students.

•  With the 12 new teachers being hired, this will go up to at least 4 or 5 lessons per week, which will come close to meeting the national recommendation

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