Oregon's Governor wants to Suspend Funding for the Oregon Commission for the Blind

Like many other states, Oregon is facing a large budget shortfall because of the recession. Unlike the Federal Government, states are required to have a balanced budget. This means that there has to either be tax increases or budget cuts. Oregon is looking at both of these options.

On Sunday I found out that one of the proposed budget cuts is to suspend funding for the Commission for the Blind. The Governor apparently feels that the services that the commission provides could be integrated into other agencies. The Oregon Commission for the Blind is the only resource that I know of in the state that people who are experiencing vision loss can turn to. As one of their clients this proposal really scares me. Over the years I have received services from the commission that have improved my independence and confidence. They have supplied me with vital assistive technology, job search training, and sunglasses that effectively block out enough light so that I don't get massive headaches.

Losing your vision can be a very frightening thing and for most people it is progressive. This means that services need to be ongoing so that as your vision decreases you can receive the best tools for you at the time. The Commission for the Blind provides these ongoing services, and I fear that without a dedicated organization, blind Oregonians will not receive the services they need.

the budget has not been finished yet, and the legislators and governor are interested in hearing from Oregonians about their concerns. If you care about blind Oregonians and believe that this vital service should be saved from the chopping block please contact your representatives.

Here is some information I received from the commission about how to contact the governor and some things you might want to bring up when making your comments.

MAIL: Governor Kulongoski
160 State Capitol
900 Court Street
Salem, Oregon 97301-4047
PHONE: Governor’s Citizens’ Representative Message Line
503.378.4582
FAX 503.378.6827
http://www.oregon.gov/Gov/contact_us.shtml - you have to write him an
> e-mail using this web link

Oregon Commission for the Blind (OCB) POINTS of INTEREST
>
• OCB has been effective in carrying out its mission for over 7 decades.
• OCB is part of the solution to the current economic crisis.
• OCB is helping get Americans back to work as part of the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act (ARRA). A suspension would mean funding would be lost, services delayed, and ARRA efforts jeopardized.
• State general funds cannot be saved without losing federal funds that are spent in Oregon on blind Oregonians - one of our most vulnerable
populations.
• Less than ½ 1% of the total state general/lottery fund budget goes
> to OCB to provide services to blind Oregonians.
Successfully employed agency clients pay back the state investment of their rehabilitation program in less than 16 months through their tax
> contributions and create savings in other programs such as the Oregon
> Health Plan and other forms of public assistance.
• Seniors experiencing vision loss can acquire skills needed to maintain
> or regain their independence. These services delay the need for
> assisted living or nursing home care by even one year can save the state
> $36,000 - $68,000 per individual.

What do you think would happen if Oregonians no longer had a commission for the blind? What services might be lost without this organization?