Last year the vision of Iowa’s children was put at risk when funding for quality vision screenings in schools was cut from the budget. Leaving kids without the preventative eye care they need to learn to their potential.

But through a combination of the actions from everyday working Iowans, and the support of Prevent Blindness Iowa, we just won the fight to get this funding back! Governor Reynolds signed the latest budget bill restoring the funding for these vision screenings.

Our campaign helped tell real stories like that of Trey’s here – who had his vision and learning issues solved thanks to school vision screenings. It was stories like his that drove this campaign to success and ensured Iowa’s kids will see clearly into the future.

A turning point for the campaign came when a group of incredible APEX high school students delivered our petition with thousands of signatures to the Iowa State House. They spent an hour talking with different lawmakers about the importance of these vision screenings and urged them to reinstate the funding. In total the campaign reached more than 170,000 Iowans online, and tens of thousands more with roadside billboards.

One in four American school-age children have a vision problem significant enough to impact their learning, and we know that a child with uncorrected vision issues is three times more likely to fail a grade in school.

That’s why this funding is so important.

This victory shows that thousands of Americans are willing to stand up for our children’s vision – and that by working together we can have real impact and make change. Together we can end avoidable blindness.

Share this video on facebook to help celebrate and to thank the lawmakers who listened to the people of Iowa to prioritize better vision for our children.