RESOLUTION REGARDING INDEPENDENT LIVING OLDER BLIND PROGRAM

Whereas: The Washington Council of the Blind is dedicated to promoting opportunity, equality and independence in the blind community through education, public awareness and advocacy,
And,
Whereas: The majority of our blind population are older people who are newly experiencing vision loss and can benefit from the opportunity to learn new ways to accomplish routine daily tasks which can enable them to live independent and productive lives, minimizing the need for more costly in-home or nursing home care.
And,
Whereas: In Washington State, The Independent Living for Older Blind Program (ILOB), which served 1100 individuals last year, is the only statewide program providing training, counseling, adaptive devices, and information to enable older people with vision loss to maintain or increase independence in their homes and community.
And,
Whereas: the Department of Services for the Blind's (DSB’s) projected budget cut for next year is an additional $250,000 state dollars which means that DSB will likely have to reduce the number of individuals served in ILOB and reduce the types of services available through the program.

Now, therefore, let it be resolved, by the Washington Council of the Blind assembled in convention on this 13th day of November, 2010, in the city of Vancouver, Washington,
That we, the members of the Washington Council of the Blind reaffirm our commitment to promote and defend the opportunities, equality and independence of the older BLIND and VISUALLY IMPAIRED,
And,
Be it further resolved that WCB communicate with DSB, Governor Christine Gregoire and the Washington Legislature regarding the importance of services for older people with vision loss and the need to preserve funding for these unique services.