[DSM-Iowa] The National Federation of the Blind of Iowa calls on the Iowa Statewide Independent Living Council to revise its State Plan for Independent Living to retain the inclusion of the Iowa Department for the Blind and its services for blind and low vision Iowans

[Helen Mejia]

National Federation of the Blind of Iowa

For immediate release: July 8, 2024.

 

Contact: Helen Mejia

(570) 983-7867

hmejianfb at gmail.com <mailto:hmejianfb at gmail.com>
 

            The National Federation of the Blind of Iowa (NFBI) calls on the Iowa Statewide Independent Living Council (SILC) to revise its State Plan for Independent Living (SPIL) For Federal Fiscal years 2025-2027 to retain the inclusion of the Iowa Department for the Blind (IDB) and its services for blind and low vision Iowans.

            Currently, IDB receives a small amount of funding as part of this program to provide services to blind and low vision Iowans ages fifty-four and younger who are unable to participate in IDB’s Vocational Rehabilitation program. These individuals typically have multiple disabilities and barriers that hinder their ability to live independently and participate in their communities. IDB currently serves individuals in all ninety-nine Iowa counties, rather than just the thirty-five counties served by the Centers for Independent Living. IDB’s Independent Living (IL) teachers provide education and training to these individuals in a variety of areas as appropriate to each person’s unique needs, including nonvisual skills training, self-advocacy training, and referral to additional programs and services for which the person is eligible. These services increase clients’ ability to live independently and become involved in their communities. Additionally, many IL clients reach a point where they are able to enroll in IDB’s VR program and pursue employment, further enhancing their independence and contribution to the community. These services appear to still fit within the updated goals outlined as priorities as part of the proposed updated SPIL.

            Unfortunately, many individuals and organizations who provide services and support to people with disabilities do not understand blindness well enough to effectively serve these individuals. All too often a blind or low vision person and/or their family is told that many independent living tasks can not be performed safely or effectively without vision because the well-meaning providers have no idea how someone could perform that task without sight. According to Scott Van Gorp, President of the National Federation of the Blind of Iowa, 

“the Statewide Independent Living Council’s decision to remove the Iowa Department for the Blind from the statewide independent living network as part of its proposed 2025-2027 State Plan for Independent Living would force people currently served by IDB to look elsewhere for services from providers who do not have the staff or expertise in blindness to provide the training and support needed to enhance the lives of blind Iowans.” 
            The proposed SPIL does not provide any explanation for why funding for IDB is being removed, nor does it mention consulting IDB during the process of drafting the new SPIL. If the SILC has concerns about the scope, quality or some other aspect of IDBs current services, NFBI call on the SILK both to communicate with IDB to provide an opportunity to resolve these concerns, and to publicly explain the rationale for any proposed changes, before ending this valuable service for Iowans across the state.

 

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About the National Federation of the blind of Iowa

The National Federation of the Blind of Iowa defends the rights of blind people of all ages and provides information and support to families with blind children, older Americans who are losing vision, and more. Founded in 1940, the National Federation of the Blind is the transformative membership and advocacy organization of blind Americans with affiliates, chapters, and divisions in the fifty states, Washington DC, and Puerto Rico. We believe in the hopes and dreams of blind people and work together to transform them into reality. Learn more about our many programs and initiatives at nfbi.org.
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