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Committee hears proposal to add vision-rehab staff for Montanans under 55
Summary
A bill to fund an additional vision-rehabilitation staff position to serve Montanans under age 55 attracted testimony from disability advocates and agency staff who said the state currently lacks targeted services for that age group.
A bill to expand services for Montanans with new or worsening vision loss drew supporters to the House Health and Human Services Committee, where advocates and agency staff described a gap in specialized training for people younger than 55.
Proponents told the committee the proposal would fund one additional staff position within vision-rehabilitation services to provide training, orientation and practical support aimed at helping people live independently after losing vision. "I represent Ability Montana … and I'm here today to respectfully ask your support of Senate Bill 82," said Cassie Wick, who testified the organization serves 14 counties in southwest Montana and that the program fills needs the speaker's center cannot.
The bill's sponsor described scenarios that can lead to sudden vision loss—car crashes, sports injuries or surgeries—and emphasized the emotional and practical impact on people in midlife. Proponents and witnesses said the specialized services at issue go beyond basic assistance: they include orientation and mobility training, vision-rehab therapy and practical adaptations such as tactile or audible device modifications.
Agency staff described the existing service landscape. Witnesses said the Older Individuals Who Are Blind program serves people age 55 and older and that vocational rehabilitation provides employment-related services. One program representative noted current teams include nine instructional staff—orientation-and-mobility specialists and vision-rehabilitation therapists—and that the bill would add one additional staffer, with caseloads charged to the appropriate funding stream depending on the client's eligibility.
Committee members pressed for numbers. Testimony said the program currently serves about 1,000 people and that the sponsor projected the bill would grow the caseload by about 320 individuals. Lawmakers asked how the new position would operate within existing teams and funding; a program staff member said the team would apportion time according to the funding source each client qualified for.
Supporters with lived experience described how training can restore independence and make employment or daily tasks realistic again. "Losing your vision is not easy," said Jacob Krzysovich, who said he is blind and described relearning skills such as cooking, cleaning and using transit. He urged lawmakers to approve the proposal to increase services.
No formal action was taken during the hearing. Committee members did not record a vote; sponsors and witnesses said they would be available to answer further questions as the bill moved through the committee process.
