I learned earlier today that the Oregon commission for the blind could be closing as of July 1, 2009. This will have a huge impact on blind people in Oregon. They will not be able to receive the vocational rehabilitation services that they need.
Please contact the Ways and Means Committee and/or your local state representative. Call the Governor Kulongoski at 503-378-4582. Let them know how the commission for the blind has impacted you directly or indirectly. Additionally let them know how this decision will affect the blind population here in Oregon.
As a client and vendor, the OCB has had a huge impact on my life. They have provided equipment that has enabled me to continue to run my business successfully. Additionally, the Oregon Commission for the blind has helped me serve lots of blind people while placing them in jobs. The blind clients that I have worked with for the Oregon Blind Commission include:
Medical transcriptionists, Receptionists, techical support engineers, customer service representatives, Engineers, and the list goes on. Some of these people have been working for atleast 5 years in the company that they were placed with.
The OCB does more than just vocational rehabilitation with a great older blind program, and independent skills training center. Imagine becoming newly blinded for a minute. Now think of all the skills that you would have to relearn. Try pouring a glass of hot coffee, or walking down the street. These are the skills that the OCB teaches. It would be a great disservice to the blind people of oregon, and to the state of oregon to close the Oregon commission for the blind and/or the Oregon State School for the Blind.
HERE ARE SOME TALKING POINTS ABOUT THE OREGON COMMISSION FOR THE BLIND WHEN YOU WRITE YOUR LETTERS OR LEAVE MESSAGES OR TALK TO YOUR LEGISLATORS:
Oregon Commission for the Blind (OCB)
POINTS of INTEREST
OCB has been effective in carrying out its mission for over 7 decades
OCB is part of the solution to the current economic crisis. OCB is helping get Americans back to work as part of the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act (ARRA). A suspension would mean funding would be lost, services delayed, and ARRA efforts jeopardized.
State general funds cannot be saved without losing federal funds that are spent in Oregon on blind Oregonians – one of our most vulnerable populations.
Less than ½ of 1% of the total state general/lottery fund budget goes to OCB to provide services to blind Oregonians.
Successfully employed agency clients pay back the state investment of their rehabilitation program in less than 16 months through their tax contributions and create savings in other programs such as the Oregon Health Plan and other forms of public assistance.
Seniors experiencing vision loss can acquire skills needed to maintain or regain their independence. These services delay the need for assisted living or nursing home care by even one year can save the state $36,000 – $68,000 per individual.