[NFBC-Info] Act Now: DOR Has Closed All Three Priority Categories

[Chela Robles]

I sent the letter and added my story to it.
Sincerely,
Chela Robles — Certified Literary Braille Transcriber
Sent from my iPhone

On Aug 29, 2026, at 8:24 PM, Laura Millar via NFBC-Info <nfbc-info at nfbnet.org> wrote:

Dear Blind, low vision, and DeafBlind Californians, families, chapters,
blindness organizations, service providers, educators, and allies,

Please submit a letter today through the Hearing Request Letter Campaign:

https://actionnetwork.org/letters/hearing-request?source=direct_link

The campaign sends your letter to Governor Newsom, your State Senator, and
your Assemblymember. It calls for emergency resources and an urgent joint
legislative oversight hearing into the breakdown at the California
Department of Rehabilitation.

What is happening?

California DOR is operating under an Order of Selection because it says it
lacks the resources to serve everyone who is eligible. All three priority
categories are currently closed to newly eligible applicants:

1. People with the most significant disabilities
2. People with significant disabilities
3. All other eligible people with disabilities

Newly eligible applicants are being placed on waiting lists with no
published reopening date. DOR must serve the categories in order. Within
each category, people are served according to their application dates.

People with Individualized Plans for Employment signed before
implementation should continue receiving services.

People should still apply. Application dates determine a person’s place
within a priority category, so delaying an application could mean waiting
even longer.

Why does this matter?

Vocational rehabilitation connects people to assistive technology, Braille,
orientation and mobility, education, transportation, employment support,
and other services needed to prepare for, obtain, and retain employment.

Delays can cost people jobs, income, independence, skills, connection, and
momentum. This is not only a budget or administrative issue. It affects
physical health, mental health, family stability, and Disabled belonging.

Why this campaign?

Individual complaints can be dismissed as isolated cases. A coordinated
campaign shows elected officials that the problem is widespread and
requires a systemic response.

What you can do

- If you live in California, submit the campaign letter and briefly
personalize it if you have a DOR experience.
- If you represent a chapter, agency, school, provider, or organization,
distribute the campaign through your networks.
- Please forward this message and campaign link directly to Blind and low
vision community members throughout California.
- If you live outside California, share it with Blind Californians and
California organizations.
- Encourage others to submit their letters now.

Submit or share the campaign:

https://actionnetwork.org/letters/hearing-request?source=direct_link

Read more

My blog post explains the public health consequences, the ableism embedded
in these policies, my position, and the complete letter I wrote to Governor
Newsom:

When Ableism Becomes Policy: The Public Health Cost of Delayed
Rehabilitation

https://lauramillar.com/2026/08/30/when-ableism-becomes-policy-the-public-health-cost-of-delayed-rehabilitation/

In solidarity,

Laura Millar, MPH, MA
Public Health Sexologist, Sexuality Educator, and Disability Justice
Consultant
Millar Consulting Services LLC

Board Member, National Federation of the Blind of California
Second Vice President, San Francisco Chapter, National Federation of the
Blind of California

Phone: 925-321-8804
Email: laura at lauramillar.com
Website: www.lauramillar.com
Pronouns: she/they
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