Sandpoint resident seeks reappointment to Idaho Commission for the Blind and Visually Impaired

The Senate Health and Welfare Committee held a confirmation hearing for a gubernatorial reappointment to the Idaho Commission for the Blind and Visually Impaired on Jan. 30, 2025. The nominee, who identified herself in the hearing as Bridal Raukenheimer of Sandpoint, described losing her vision about 20 years ago and credited the commission with training that allowed her to remain employed and independent.

Raukenheimer told the committee she lost vision in her right eye “overnight on 01/29/2003,” and then lost most vision in her left eye over the following nine months. “I was pretty scared at that time for my work,” she said. She described commission staff traveling to her home to teach her adaptive technology: “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. I was taught to use a cane … and encouraged to get a guide dog who travels with me now everywhere.”

The nominee said the training allowed her to continue a career and retain independence, and that she has served on the commission for the past 18 years. “I think my experience with managing budgets and program evaluation will continue to be useful to the board and to the commission to help blind and visually impaired Idahoans retain employment if they are already employed or gain employment if they aren't,” Raukenheimer said.

Committee members asked questions about the cause of her vision loss and about personal details. Senator Harris asked what happened; Raukenheimer replied doctors conclude her optic nerves atrophied after capillaries feeding the nerves clotted, and that scans now show atrophy. When asked by Senator Woodward about skiing at Schweitzer, Raukenheimer said she skis with a guide and that the season had “about 70, 80 inches on the ground.”

The committee did not take a vote on the reappointment during the hearing. The chair told Raukenheimer the committee would vote the following day.

Raukenheimer closed by saying she hoped to continue giving back to the commission and answering committee questions.

The committee also noted informational presentations on the agenda for future meetings, including a presentation from Your Health Idaho at the next session.