NFB 2021 Break Out Session: Accessible Prescription Labeling Legislation Timeline and Current Events

A brief overview of the history of accessible prescription labeling standards development and legislation followed by overview of current bills in various states. This presentation was given during the National Federation of the Blind's annual 2021 Convention.

Health & Well Being Webinar

A conversation about vision loss resources, managing diabetes with vision loss, and maintaining your mental health well being.

Accessibility.com: Best Practices for Accessible Prescription Labeling

Medication safety and independence for individuals who are visually impaired should not be a privilege, according to Accessibility.com.

The blog’s author outlines several effective ways accessible prescription labeling needs can be met by pharmacists. Consider sharing this article with your pharmacist or with friends who may have a need for accessible prescription labeling.

For the full story, click here. 

Medication Safety Awareness for the Blind Campagin

In October the Medication Safety Awareness for the Blind Campaign focuses on drawing awareness to the need for accessible prescription labeling at the pharmacy counter. Accessible prescription labels come in audible, large print, Braille, and dual language formats. Promotional and educational materials as well as social media resources are available all year round here.

 

Health & Well-Being Webinars

Health and Well Being Webinars sponsored by En-Vision America will focus on a variety of health and mental wellness topics with the visually impaired in mind.  The first webinar will focus on ways to thrive during uncertain times whether that be due to recent vision loss or COVID-19 precautions. New webinars will be introduced periodically.  Access current and past webinars at: https://mailchi.mp/envisionamerica/healthandwellbeing

American Academy of Ophthamology Discovers Some Serious Gaps in Eye Health Awareness

As the number of people with potentially blinding eye diseases is expected to double in the years ahead, the American Academy of Ophthamology says its latest poll has discovered some concerning knowledge gaps in the general population.

Only around one-third of adults (37%) know you do not always experience symptoms before you lose vision to eye diseases. And less than half (47%) are aware your brain can make it difficult to know if you are losing your vision by adapting to vision loss.

For full details of the survey, conducted by The Harris Poll on behalf of the American Academy of Ophthamology, click here.

January Is Glaucoma Awareness Month

Glaucoma can sometimes be known as the silent sight stealer. The only way to diagnose glaucoma is to have a comprehensive dilated eye exam to detect the disease in its early stages. 


By catching the disease early, it allows people to get treatments that can slow or prevent vision loss. Treatments for glaucoma include prescription eye drops, laser treatment and surgery.

The LighHouse Guide offers some advice on keeping an eye out for this sneaky disease in a recent article posted here. 

November Is Diabetic Eye Disease Awareness Month

Diabetic retinopathy is one of the most common diabetes complications that affects eyes. It's caused by damage to the blood vessels of the light-sensitive tissue at the back of the eye (retina), according to the Mayo Clinic. 

November is diabetic eye disease awareness month, which is designed to help bring awareness to the eye issues that can develop with diabetes. Diabetic retinopathy usually has no early warning signs. It can be detected only through a comprehensive eye examination that looks for early signs of the disease.

At first, diabetic retinopathy may cause no symptoms or only mild vision problems. Eventually, it can cause blindness. This is why it's so important to spread awareness in your community. 

The condition can develop in anyone who has type 1 or type 2 diabetes. The longer you have diabetes and the less controlled your blood sugar is, the more likely you are to develop this eye complication.

For a full overview of diabetic retinopathy, click here. 

Medication Safety Awareness for the Blind Hall of Fame 2019

Medication Safety Awareness for the Blind (#MSAB) is an initiative that brings together advocates from throughout the U.S. and Canada to spread the word in their communities about FREE accessible prescription labels available for individuals who are visually impaired.

This program is only as successful as the time and effort MSAB advocates put into it. Without further ado, here are some top photographs recognizing 2019 Medication Safety Awareness for the Blind Advocates.

Many of these individuals are Lions who go above and beyond for their communities. Many other groups are from organizations representing individuals who are visually impaired, aging agencies and more.

Eudora  Lions Club

Lion Angie with Cedar Lake Lions Club

Oregon Pharmacists Now Required to Provide Prescription Readers for Blind, Visually Impaired Patients

Oregon's governor has signed a new law into effect which requires pharmacies in the state to provide prescription readers to blind and visually impaired individuals. This is a life saving measure for those who cannot read their medication prescription labels.

KLCC, an Oregon NPR station has produced an audio story and written story on this new law.

For the written article, click here.

For the audio MP3 file, click here.

Here is a link to the law's language.

ScripTalk Talking Prescription Labels Featured in Glaucoma Today

Accessible prescription labels help people who are blind, visually and print impaired stay safe when managing medications.

Dr. Richard A. Lehrer writes about accessible prescription labels in his article, 'Improving Patient Access To Medication' featured in the November/December 2018 Glaucoma Today magazine. Read the article here.

2018 Nevada SB131 Steps to Success

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SB131 PRESCRIPTION READER LAW
Utilizing Nevada’s Success as a Roadmap for Enacting Legislation in Your State

In May of 2017, Nevada’s State Legislature unanimously passed SB 131, a prescription reader bill, proposed by the Nevada Council of the Blind (NCB) and sponsored by Senator Mo Denis. According to Sen. Denis in a phone interview, the keys to their success included:

• having the right legislator to sponsor the bill

• working with the opposition to resolve all issues

• getting supporters to rally for the bill throughout the legislative process

Sample Letter to Pharmacy Requesting Accessible Rx Labels

[LETTERHEAD]

[DATE]

[PHARMACY]

[ADDRESS]

[CITY, STATE ZIP CODE]

Dear Sir/Madam:

I'm an advocate for the blind and writing on behalf an individual who is in need of assistance utilizing your pharmacy services. This individual is blind and regularly receives numerous prescription medications. Please direct this letter to the person in your organization responsible for ensuring compliance with the following regulations:

• 45 CFR § 92.202 (Effective Communication for Individuals with Disabilities; final rule effective July 18, 2016. Reference: 81 FR 31376 - Nondiscrimination in Health Programs and Activities), and
• 28 CFR § 36.303 (Nondiscrimination on the Basis of Disability by Public Accommodations and in Commercial Facilities; Specific Requirements; Auxiliary Aids and Services).

[NAME OF PHARMACY CUSTOMER], whose address is [ADDRESS OF PHARMACY CUSTOMER] and whose phone number is [PHONE NUMBER OF PHARMACY CUSTOMER] hereby makes a request, pursuant to the above referenced rules (copies of which are enclosed for your convenience), that your pharmacy supply his/her prescription information in an accessible format.

Please let me know if you have any questions.

Sincerely,

[NAME OF ADVOCATE]

attachments:

45 CFR § 92.202 - select provisions

45 CFR § 92.4 - definitions applicable to 45 CFR §92.202; select provisions

28 CFR § 36.303 - select provisions