Whereas, Visual impairment or blindness occurs in more than 116,000 Michigan residents 40 years or older; and,

Whereas, The leading causes of visual impairment and blindness in the U.S. are primarily age-related eye diseases; and,

Whereas, Half of all blindness can be prevented and vision rehabilitation services can help people deal with diminishing vision; and,

Whereas, 322 children in Michigan’s K-12 schools depend on Braille as their primary literacy tool; and,

Whereas, The Library of Michigan’s Services to the Blind and Physically Handicapped program and Lions International both have a long record of providing outstanding services to individuals with vision impairments; and,

Whereas, The Library of Michigan and Lions of Michigan District 11-C2 are partnering on a special Vision Disabilities Awareness Program on September 10, 2006; and now therefore be it,

Resolved, That I, Jennifer M. Granholm, Governor of the State of Michigan, do hereby proclaim September 10, 2006, as Vision Disabilities Awareness Day in Michigan and I encourage Michigan citizens to participate in programs and organizations that assist individuals with vision impairments.