Gill Legislation to Provide Support to Students with Color Vision Deficiency Passes House

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – State Rep. Mary Gill, D-Chicago, has advanced legislation to support students with color vision deficiency by providing schools with resources on color vision deficiency and requiring screenings before students enter kindergarten.

“Every student deserves to be in an environment where they can thrive,” said Gill. “But for many students with color vision deficiency, they aren’t given that opportunity. A lack of resources and understanding about the negative impact of undiagnosed color vision deficiency on students has led to many of them struggling in school. This legislation is focused on fixing that issue.”

House Bill 3408 will have the State Board of Education collaborate with the Illinois Department of Public Health to provide teachers with resources on how color vision deficiency can impact preschool and elementary school students’ literacy. Many educational resources rely upon colors as visual aids to help students, and when students are not able to process these cues, it can negatively impact their educational experience. The resources provided would help teachers recognize the symptoms of color vision deficiency, so they can better support their students throughout the learning process.

Gill’s legislation would also require that color vision deficiency screenings are performed during the eye exam all students must take prior to entering kindergarten. If students are diagnosed before school starts, it could help guarantee that students are receiving the most from their education from the very beginning.

“We want our students to succeed, and that means meeting them where they’re at and giving them the tools to succeed,” said Gill. “Students with color vision deficiency deserve to have the same opportunities to learn, and with this legislation we’re taking a needed step forward to help them thrive and grow.”

House Bill 3408 received bipartisan support, and it now moves to the Senate.