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Sandpoint resident seeks reappointment to Idaho Commission for the Blind and Visually Impaired
Summary
The Senate Health and Welfare Committee heard from a Sandpoint resident seeking reappointment to the Idaho Commission for the Blind and Visually Impaired; the committee did not vote and will consider the reappointment the following day.
A Sandpoint resident identified for the record as Bridal Raukenheimer asked the Idaho Senate Health and Welfare Committee on an informational hearing to support her gubernatorial reappointment to the Idaho Commission for the Blind and Visually Impaired.
Raukenheimer told the committee she lost vision in her right eye suddenly on Jan. 29, 2003, and lost most vision in her left eye over the following nine months. She said staff from the commission provided in-home training and technology — including screen-reading software, an accessible smartphone, GPS audio cues and orientation and mobility training — that allowed her to continue working, regain independence and obtain a guide dog.
Raukenheimer said she has served on the commission for 18 years and that her professional experience in budget management and program evaluation informs her board service.
Committee members asked questions about the medical cause of her vision loss and about aspects of her personal life that illustrate how commission services supported her. Senator Harris asked medical questions; Raukenheimer described optic nerve atrophy and doctors’ assessment that capillary clotting likely caused the sudden loss. Senator Woodward, speaking through the chair, asked about local conditions at Schweitzer Mountain; Raukenheimer said she skis with a guide and reported about 70–80 inches of snow on the ground this season.
The committee did not vote on the reappointment during the meeting; the chair said votes on gubernatorial reappointments would occur the following day.
