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B. J. Stinger seeks reappointment to Idaho Commission for the Blind and Visually Impaired
Summary
B. J. Stinger appeared before the Senate Health & Welfare Committee seeking reappointment to the Idaho Commission for the Blind and Visually Impaired, highlighting family ties to the agency and his social-work training; confirmation was scheduled for the committee's next meeting.
B. J. Stinger appeared virtually before the Idaho Senate Health & Welfare Committee seeking reappointment to the Idaho Commission for the Blind and Visually Impaired.
"My grandpa was a client of theirs," Stinger said, describing a family connection to the commission dating to the late 1960s. He said the commission "has been in my family" and that his personal experience with a genetic eye disease and his Master of Social Work (earned May 2023) motivate him to serve.
Stinger told the committee the commission meets roughly quarterly, reviews departmental reports and advises on policy and the commission’s administrator. When asked how the public should interact with people who have visual impairments, Stinger advised simple acts of assistance and said, "Don't use phrases like 'over there' with visually impaired or blind people because 'over there' doesn't tell us anything. Just kind of... have compassion and empathy."
The chair said the committee will vote on Stinger’s reappointment at its meeting the following day. No confirmation vote was recorded in this session’s transcript.
Committee members thanked Stinger for his remarks and for his family connection to the commission. The committee did not record any formal objections during the appearance.
