[NFB-Idaho] Here is the factsheet on maintaining the independent living program

[president at nfbidaho.org]

National Federation of the Blind of Idaho

Dana Ard, President

1320 E. Washington

Boise, ID 83712

(208) 345-3906

president at nfbidaho.org


NFBID Logo RGB Rect


 

 

Legislative Fact Sheet

 

Maintaining Quality Independent Living Services for the Blind of Idaho

 

Imagine waking up one morning with your vision so limited that you couldn't
see your clock or watch, read information on your phone or make a phone
call, read the dials on your stove, and of course, not be able to drive. You
get a ride to your eye doctor and find out you are legally blind from an eye
condition that is permanent and probably progressive. What would you do? How
would this change your life? 

 

Since the 1980's, the Idaho Commission for the Blind and Visually Impaired,
(ICBVI), has provided an independent living program that teaches those who
are new to sight loss, or those who have never learned blindness skills, the
skills they need to live independently, avoiding institutionalization or
over-reliance on family members and others. The ICBVI's independent living
services are unique and different from those provided by programs such as
independent living centers or the State Independent Living Council. The
ICBVI program is individualized to the needs of the blind person and the
training is specific to skills and techniques that blind and visually
impaired people require to live in the community and be productive citizens.
Examples of these services include orientation and mobility to allow a blind
person to navigate the environment, braille which is necessary for record
keeping and labeling household items, learning to use voice-over on a smart
phone, using  special software to operate a computer, purchasing devices
such as magnifiers and other low vision aids, computer software, white canes
and other  appliances for those who cannot afford to purchase them,
learning to use transportation systems such as the bus and paratransit to
compensate for the inability to drive, referral to other agencies or
blindness organizations such as the Idaho Talking Book Program and the
National Federation of the Blind. 

 

The State Independent Living Council (SILC) has decided to cut a significant
amount of independent living funds to the ICBVI, in order to use them for
other independent living services around the state. As of FY2020, the ICBVI
could lose up to $130,000.  The loss of these funds will result in blind
people being placed on waiting lists for services, a decrease in the amount
of teaching for independent living clients, and an inability for the agency
to purchase blindness specific devices for those who cannot afford to
purchase such equipment on their own. The ICBVI will be seeking grants and
other options to offset this funding loss, but, most likely, will need to
request additional funds from the Idaho legislature next year. 

The need for Independent Living services in Idaho is increasing, not
decreasing. Idaho is one of the fastest growing states in the union. The
increase in population will bring more people who are blind or visually
impaired who require agency services. As people live longer, vision loss due
to macular degeneration is on the rise.  Diabetic retinopathy, the leading
cause of blindness in people age 25-54, is also increasing with the rise in
diabetes.  The ICBVI is the only source of blindness specific independent
living services in the state.  Without independent living services, blind
people become dependent on others and can become vulnerable to
victimization.  Some people may be placed in assisted living facilities or
nursing homes, at the expense of the taxpayers.  Many blind people will
return to work after receiving independent living services, thus becoming
tax payers, not tax takers.  Adequate funding for ICBVI's Independent Living
Services will help to keep blind people contributing members of their
communities and out of institutions.   The National Federation of the Blind
of Idaho requests your support of ICBVI's Independent Living Program to
assist the blind of Idaho.

 

 

Dana Ard, President

National Federation of the Blind of Idaho

Main: 208-345-3906

Cell: 208-859-2828 (call only)

Email: president at NFBIdaho.org

Website: www.nfbidaho.org

"The National Federation of the Blind knows that blindness is not the
characteristic that defines you or your future. Every day we raise the
expectations of blind people, because low expectations create obstacles
between blind people and our dreams. You can live the life you want;
Blindness is not what holds you back."  

 

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