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Senate committee hears reappointment testimony from nominee to Idaho Commission for the Blind and Visually Impaired
Summary
The Senate Health and Welfare Committee heard from nominee Bridal Raukenheimer of Sandpoint, who described losing her sight and credited the Commission for the Blind and Visually Impaired with restoring her independence; the committee deferred a confirmation vote to the following day.
The Senate Health and Welfare Committee heard testimony from nominee Bridal Raukenheimer of Sandpoint on her reappointment to the Idaho Commission for the Blind and Visually Impaired. Committee members asked about her vision loss, her service on the commission and how her experience informs continued service; the panel did not vote and deferred the reappointment to the committee’s next meeting.
Raukenheimer told the committee she lost vision in her right eye overnight on Jan. 29, 2003, and lost most vision in her left eye over the following nine months. "Staff from the commission traveled to my home and taught me to use the technology I would need to be able to continue my work," she said. She described using a talking computer and smartphone, GPS with audible cues, a cane and a guide dog, and said the commission’s training allowed her to retain employment and independence.
Raukenheimer said she has served on the commission for about 18 years and emphasized that her experience with budgets and program evaluation would continue to be useful to the board. "I was given the confidence that I could remain independent and that I could have a successful career," she said, asking for the committee’s support for reappointment.
Senators on the committee asked about the cause of her vision loss and about her personal activities. Senator Harris asked what caused the sudden loss; Raukenheimer said doctors have concluded her optic nerves atrophied and that scans show that atrophy. "At this point, I have a central dot of vision," she said. Senator Woodward, speaking for a colleague in Raukenheimer’s area, asked about skiing; she said she skis with a guide and that this season there was heavy snowfall at her local area.
The committee chair said a confirmation vote would not be taken that day and would be scheduled for the following day. No public testimony was offered on the reappointment at the hearing.
Raukenheimer’s remarks framed her request for reappointment around continued service to help blind and visually impaired Idahoans retain or gain employment and independence. The committee will take up the reappointment in a subsequent meeting for a confirmation vote.
