We Need an Independent Commission for the Blind in California
Who We Are We are a steering committee of blind advocates working together to create an independent Commission for the Blind in California. Our coalition represents our entire community—including individuals who are blind, low-vision, and DeafBlind.
When you add your voice to our letter campaign, you show state lawmakers that California needs a dedicated agency built to deliver timely, specialized, and reliable support.
The Problem: The Current System Isn't Working In 2003, lawmakers created a specialized division inside the Department of Rehabilitation to support blind Californians. While well-intentioned, over the last 20 years that massive agency has absorbed, diluted, and deprioritized those specialized services:
Specialized staff are stretched thin: Counselors trained specifically to work with blind clients are routinely pulled off their cases to cover general agency work. On top of that, staff face endless bureaucratic hoops and red tape—leaving blind clients stuck waiting for essential support.
Upper management has lost connection to the community: In recent years, top administrative roles have increasingly been filled by upper management who lack lived experience with blindness or deep ties to our community. Instead of supporting blind Californians, upper management's focus has shifted toward bureaucratic enforcement.
Misaligned spending and rising waitlists: While the department finds resources to expand upper management positions, front-line services face delays. People wait months for adaptive technology and training, vendors face payment delays, and a proposed "Order of Selection" threatens to place new clients on indefinite waitlists just to receive basic services.
"What 20 years have taught us: A specialized program buried inside a massive bureaucracy will always get pushed to the back of the line."
The Solution: A Dedicated Agency A standalone Commission solves these problems by keeping 100% of its personnel, leadership, and funding focused on one clear mission:
Led by lived experience: A majority of the governing board will be blind individuals, ensuring policy decisions and regulation interpretations directly answer to the community being served.
Protected funding and staff: Every dollar, service provider, and services, stays dedicated strictly to blind, low-vision, and deafblind services
A Smart Investment for California Vocational rehabilitation is fundamentally about helping people secure competitive, integrated employment. Creating an independent agency is not about expanding government, it is about using existing state and federal funds effectively to achieve real employment outcomes.
Fueling successful employment: Timely services are crucial for career success. When people receive adaptive tools, mobility training, and job development without delay, they can enter the workforce, earn a living, and contribute fully to their communities.
Saving taxpayer dollars: Leaving job-seekers delayed on waitlists costs far more long-term than running a streamlined, focused agency that delivers swift support and quality employment results.
Take Action Today California’s blind, low-vision, and deafblind community deserves a service system focused on accountability, independence, and real opportunity.
Click the link below to send a letter to your local California legislature: