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Senate panel hears reappointment testimony from Idaho Commission for the Blind and Visually Impaired member
Summary
The Senate Health and Welfare Committee heard testimony from a gubernatorial appointee to the Idaho Commission for the Blind and Visually Impaired; the committee did not vote on the reappointment during this meeting.
The Senate Health and Welfare Committee took testimony on a gubernatorial reappointment to the Idaho Commission for the Blind and Visually Impaired, hearing from the appointee who described losing her sight and the services that helped her remain independent.
Bridal Raukenheimer of Sandpoint, who said she was before the committee seeking reappointment to the commission, told senators she “lost my vision about 20 years ago rather suddenly” and described how commission staff provided training and assistive technology that allowed her to continue working and travel. She said she has served on the commission for 18 years and that her experience with “managing budgets and program evaluation” would continue to be useful to the board.
The testimony gave committee members a firsthand account of how services from the Idaho Commission for the Blind and Visually Impaired support independence and employment for blind and visually impaired Idahoans. Raukenheimer described assistive tools she uses: “I now have a computer that talks to me. I have a smartphone that talks. I have audible cues on GPS to travel around new areas,” and said she was taught to use a cane and encouraged to get a guide dog.
Senator Harris asked about the medical cause of the vision loss; Raukenheimer told the committee doctors concluded her optic nerves had atrophied and that she retains only a small central spot of vision. Senators also asked brief personal questions about living in Sandpoint and skiing with a guide, which Raukenheimer addressed during her remarks.
Committee members did not vote on the reappointment at this meeting. The chair said the committee would vote on the nomination the following day.
Raukenheimer concluded by saying she hopes to continue “giving back to the commission” and that her board experience will remain a resource to the commission and to blind and visually impaired Idahoans.
The committee moved on to other agenda items after questioning.
