Governor expected to sign legislation on textbook formats
Photo 
Joe Knilans
MADISON — Gov. Scott Walker is expected to sign legislation in the next two weeks that will make it easier for blind and visually impaired students to get educational textbooks in formats they can use.
The Wisconsin Senate unanimously approved a textbook bill Wednesday. It is the companion to a bill authored by Rep. Joe Knilans, R-Janesville, that has already passed in the Assembly.
The bills would require publishers to provide and pay for converted textbooks promptly. A similar requirement has been in place for elementary, middle and high schools, and the new legislation would extend the requirement to Wisconsin colleges, universities and technical colleges.
“In the past, some blind and visually impaired students have fallen behind the rest of the class while they were waiting for their textbooks to arrive,” Knilans said in a news release.
Similar legislation was introduced in prior sessions but never made it out of committee.
“A broad bipartisan and inclusive effort between legislators, publishers, advocates, the University of Wisconsin system and the vocational system helped to win approval,” he said. “The reason I feel so strongly about this bill is because the Wisconsin School for the Blind and Visually Impaired is located in my hometown, Janesville.
“I grew up with that school in my backyard, and it is very special to me.”
Knilans said the bill would help students with dyslexia and other learning disabilities, and military veterans have been especially supportive of the legislation.
He said that 18 percent of veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan who have sustained injuries from roadside bombings are blind or visually impaired.
“They use the GI Bill to prepare themselves for new careers,” Knilans said. “We asked our veterans to defend us. When they come back, we must not throw additional roadblocks in their way.”
Mar 20, 2012 at 10:52 a.m.
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Unlike bleeding heart, ms-sassy-wi and mouse, I check with the local college and Tech College about this piece of legislation. I asked them if it was just a duplication of current laws. They told me that this was probably one of the best pieces of legislation that could have been passed for the Blind and Visually Impaired and people suffering from dyslexia. So I guess before you go on these post and voice your opinions you should be able to fact check them first. I have been neutral in these political times but I am seeing the light now and I know who I will support this summer and fall. Thank you for helping me make mind up.
Mar 18, 2012 at 11:31 a.m.
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Mouse and her sewage colored glasses failing to see the good done here. Can't even hear positive news without making it about her.
Mar 17, 2012 at 1:44 p.m.
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The WI legislature: "Too much...time on their hands!"
What's he gonna do next - propose that Intelligent Design (Or, more appropriately accurate - UNintelligent Design) be included in those textbooks to balance out evolution theory?
Mar 17, 2012 at 12:27 p.m.
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seriously, what's the need for "duplication"? Isn't that what they are saying is the problem with all the social services now (too much duplication of services....) it either is or it isn't. don't waste precious time before you go on your 9 month vacation, err...campaign frenzy...to write a law that is already in place. please.
Mar 17, 2012 at 10:54 a.m.
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Alice the Goon.
Mar 17, 2012 at 10:01 a.m.
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OMG...do you people have to turn everything into democrats vs republicans??? I swear to God some of you people would bitch if you were not hung with a new rope.
Mar 17, 2012 at 9:15 a.m.
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orange...then the Dems who voted for this must also be "blind."
Mar 17, 2012 at 8:22 a.m.
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Interesting how Walker is out helping the blind, they are the only ones not to see straight thru him.
Mar 17, 2012 at 8:21 a.m.
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No kidding Donna, I was surprised at the names of the people against.
Senate unanimously approved kind of says it all. Of course going against such a bill would look bad. He should have attached a mining bill ammendment. And maybe the wind farm siting regulations.
Mar 17, 2012 at 6:19 a.m.
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yada..and you are speaking of ALL disabled students throughout Wisconsin? You must have great eyesight.
Mar 17, 2012 at 6:12 a.m.
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Scotty and Joey - this is already in place and ALL students with special needs have been able to get the appropriate materials before this legislation.
Mar 17, 2012 at 5:43 a.m.
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Oh how the "heartless" liberals change their tune when a republican proposes a bill that is to help the disadvantaged. They supposedly have a corner on that market.
Mar 16, 2012 at 11:09 p.m.
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I used to work for a college in the learning support area. This is unnecessary legistation...Knilans just wants to look good...or look like he's doing something. Reality: colleges are required to provide the necessary tools to level the playing field for students with disabilities. Another fact: students with disabilities, like most other students, wait until the last moment to supply the college with syllabi and other necessary information to adequately provide said tools. Most students wait until the day their class starts to inform anyone of the need. It then takes a few days to coordinate with suppliers and then a few days to ship...then the student is already several lessons behind. I think only so much blame can be put on college admin. when the students are given advance information and opportunity to meet with the staff. Some of this blame needs to go right back on the student with the disability. Everyone knows the ADA exists. Even those with a disability. I'm not heartless, just expect the same from everyone with differing abilities....
Mar 16, 2012 at 9:11 p.m.
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Of the 18% coming back from the two theaters of war who are blind, or visually impaired, how many of them come to Wisconsin? Additionally, isn't there a federal act called the Americans with Disabilities Act or ADA, that currently requires employers, govt. entities, educational facilities to accommodate a disability? So, a college/university can't get the appropriate material from their regular supplier, what prohibits them from getting the material from another supplier?
Also, requiring publishers to pay for the converted textbooks? Does this legislation prohibit the publishers from increasing the price of said product in the future? I mean, why wouldn't the publisher pay for the converted textbooks initially, and then raise the price of future textbooks as part of "recouping" their initial requirement?
"In the past some have fallen behind while waiting for their textbooks to arrive." - so how long did they wait? Was this because of shipping issues/publication issues/or because a publisher couldn't meet the format requirement specified within the contract? If the later, why wasn't the contract nullified, and a new supplier found? Or did that clause not get put into the contract?
Good sounding legislation, but was it really necessary?
Mar 16, 2012 at 5:09 p.m.
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Even a stopped clock is right twice a day.
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