State of Vision

1302 Dunmire Street Contact: Lindsay Pieler

Pensacola, Fl. 32504 Phone: 850-477-2663

July 25, 2006 For immediate release

A STATE OF VISION SPECIALTY LICENSE PLATE

Something truly exciting has happened at the State Capital. The Florida Association of Agencies Serving the Blind (FAASB) has created a new State of Florida specialty license plate entitled, “A STATE OF VISION.”

Governor Bush signed House Bill 281 on June 23, 2006, creating a new specialty license plate to benefit blind and visually impaired Floridians. The plate features a lighthouse, which is the symbol for many of the agencies in our association, and a crystal blue shoreline. The prime sponsor is State Representative Dennis Baxley (R-Ocala) with support from State Senator Carey Baker (R-Eustis). Representative Baxley attributes his interest in the plate to his son, Jeffery, who is visually impaired and Independence for the Blind’s (IB West) interest is accredited with the fact that it will be the only plate in Florida benefiting the blind and visually impaired.

There are 21.7 million opportunities this year for a vehicle owner to purchase one of Florida’s 100 specialty license plates. Whenever one of these opportunities results in the purchase of the “A STATE OF VISION” plate, FAASB will receive the $25 voluntary User Fee. A recent financial analysis conservatively projects five years sales to surpass $770,000 in revenue that will go directly in supporting the blind and visually impaired of Florida.

IB West is eager to begin promoting the plate, and would appreciate community partners who would be willing to help us spread the word about this wonderful opportunity! We are hoping to begin selling the plates by December of this year.

For more information please contact Lindsay Pieler at 477-2663, lindsay@ibwest.org or visit IB West’s website at www.ibwest.org.

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