NAACP Passes Resolution on Vision, Learning, and High-Risk Populations at its 100th Anniversary National Convention, New York, NY 2009
PR Newswire, September 29, 2009
Charles Brittingham, President of the Wilmington, DE Branch of the NAACP (National Association for the Advancement of Colored People) was amazed to discover how vision problems can impact academic performance, contribute to high school dropout rates, juvenile delinquency and prison recidivism.
Once he learned how these vision problems can be successfully treated with Optometric Vision Therapy, he knew he had to do something.
Brittingham wrote a resolution that was passed unanimously by the NAACP Delaware branch. The resolution acknowledged the role that vision therapy can play in reducing the high rate of recidivism and encouraged members to “take aggressive action to have Vision Therapy included in all re-entry programs for formerly incarcerated persons.” But that wasn’t enough for Brittingham, he wanted to make sure that this issue received national attention. So, it was brought to the National Convention for a vote.
The NAACP national resolution calls for its members and units to educate the community, elected officials and correctional facilities about the merits of optometric vision therapy in helping to reduce the recidivism rate in some prisoners thereby increasing opportunities for persons reentering society.
Christine Waters, Education Committee Chairperson, NAACP Freeport Roosevelt, Long Island, NY, spoke in support of the resolution, “…current research indicates that 1 in 4 children has vision disorders that interfere with their ability to learn. The problems can exist and yet teachers and parents are not aware of them. The symptoms mimic attention deficit disorder, and so I move that… we adopt this resolution.”
If your child is not achieving to their potential at school: contact an eye doctor near you that provide comprehensive eye exams and vision therapy for children.
SEE RELATED: Eye Conditions That Can Affect Academic Success
Waters, a teacher at Barnum Woods in East Meadow, NY with 30 years of experience in elementary education, knows firsthand the impact that vision problems can have on a child’s education.
Nine years ago vision therapy changed her son’s life. He used to complain about headaches, and struggle with completing classwork and homework. She had no idea that he was seeing double images when he tried to read.
Once his vision problem was corrected through vision therapy he became more confident and was able to complete required tests, classwork and homework. This past May he graduated from the University of Hartford with a Bachelor’s Degree in Fine Arts and Music Education. She feels that this would not have been possible for him without the help of vision therapy.
Reactions to the NAACP Resolution:
- Over 60% of children who have difficulty with learning have undiagnosed vision problems which are not detectable by routine vision screenings.
- Dr. Carol Scott, a developmental optometrist from Springfield Missouri and President of the College of Optometrists in Vision Development (COVD), shares, “Considering that 85 percent of all juvenile delinquents nationwide have reading difficulties, it is vital that everyone support the NAACP and ensure that not only are juvenile delinquents and prisoners screened for learning related vision problems, but all children who have any difficulty with learning; even the bright underachievers.”
- “I applaud the NAACP for acknowledging vision therapy as a valid treatment for the outcomes it is able to achieve,” said ophthalmologist and NAACP member from Delaware, Dr. Bruce Sumlin, “Optometric vision therapy makes sense. It is very similar to other kinds of treatment and therapies we provide in the medical disciplines which help to develop neural connections in the brain.”
- John B. Ferguson III, MD, a Delaware ophthalmologist who has been in practice for over 34 years, was not always a strong believer in vision therapy. When asked what made him change his mind, Dr. Ferguson shared, “Among ophthalmologists, vision therapy has been thought to be reserved for certain eye muscle disorders. I was unaware, and I believe many other ophthalmologists are also unaware, of the significant effects that these eye muscle disorders have on the attitude and behavior of some children.
“I was very impressed by the dramatic and positive academic and behavioral changes they experienced after a course of vision therapy.”
LEARN MORE: Vision for School
If your child has a learning difficulty: contact an eye doctor near you that provide comprehensive eye exams and vision therapy for children.
