Idaho Commission for the Blind and Visually Impaired outlines services, warns of federal funding dependence

The Idaho Commission for the Blind and Visually Impaired told the Senate Health & Welfare Committee about vocational rehabilitation, independent living services, summer programs for students, the Assessment and Training Center in Boise, and the Randolph‑Sheppard Business Enterprise program.

Beth Cunningham, administrator of the Commission, said the commission has served Idahoans who are blind or visually impaired since 1967 and that its mission is “to empower people with disabilities who are blind or visually impaired by providing vocational rehabilitation, skills training, and educational opportunities to achieve self fulfillment through quality employment and independent living.” Cunningham and Steve Ochabal, the commission’s independent living program coordinator, described services statewide, including offices in Boise, Coeur d’Alene, Idaho Falls, Lewiston, Pocatello and Twin Falls.

Programs and services highlighted: • Vocational rehabilitation and school‑to‑work transition services for students ages 14–21, including College Days and weeklong work‑readiness programming. Student participants and staff described the programs in a video shown to the committee. • VIEW, a program that combines one week of job readiness with four weeks of paid work experience and independent‑living training. • An Assessment and Training Center in Boise offering 10–12 week sessions with instruction in orientation and mobility, activities of daily living, braille, assistive technology and job readiness. • A low‑vision clinic with visiting ophthalmic specialists and regional clinics, and statewide equipment stores that sell magnifiers, canes and other aids. • A business enterprise program (Randolph‑Sheppard) that allows blind vendors to operate food and vending services in government buildings.

Funding and scale: Cunningham told the committee “it’s approximately 80% of our money is federal. We get 1.8 million in the general fund and 6.27 total,” and said the commission served roughly 2,000 people last year across programs. Steve Ochabal described a site restoration program funded by state general funds that provides up to $5,000 lifetime per individual for procedures such as cataract surgery or glaucoma‑related interventions for clients who lack other financial means.

Committee members asked about how the commission’s federal grants relate to other state vocational‑rehabilitation funding streams. Cunningham said the commission receives a separate federal vocational rehabilitation grant directly (about 14% of a larger grant from the Rehabilitation Services Administration) and that an older‑blind grant and independent‑living grants provide additional federal funds.

Why it matters: Committee members expressed concern about the commission’s reliance on federal funding and the potential consequences if federal support were reduced. Cunningham said losing federal funds would have a “huge impact,” noting the commission serves people across age groups and that some state funds are used for preventive procedures to avoid blindness.

Questions and follow‑ups: Senators asked for clarification on budget breakdowns and the potential state role if federal funding declines. Cunningham and Ochabal provided program counts, grant sources, and examples of client services during the Q&A.

Next steps: No committee action was taken on the presentation; the commission’s staff concluded by standing for questions.