Resolution 2025-01, Upholding Blind Services and Competitive
Employment at the California Department of Rehabilitation
Whereas, SB105 was implemented in 2003 to establish a Specialized Services division at the Department of Rehabilitation (DOR), with this division to include programs that serve people who are blind or have low vision; and
Whereas, the intent underlying SB105 was to improve upon competitive employment outcomes for people who are Blind or have low vision; and
Whereas, SB105 states: "The department needs to implement policy and procedural changes in order to improve its ability to increase the
numbers of blind and low vision consumers placed in competitive employment"; and
Whereas, on November 14, 2024 it was stated at a meeting of the Blind Advisory Committee (BAC) that the data for annual competitive employment outcomes for DOR consumers on the blind caseload has essentially remained the same over time, 300 to 400 per year; and
Whereas, competitive employment outcomes at the DOR are negatively affected by a myriad of related challenges, including but not limited to:
* The database is not readily accessible and is tedious for Blind, deaf-blind, and low vision users;
* The current procurement process is inefficient and cumbersome, which prevents consumers from receiving their technology to go to school and work in a timely manner;
* DOR is currently inadequately staffed to directly serve consumers who are Blind, low vision, or Deaf-blind since it takes at least twice as long to serve such consumers as verified by vocational counsellors who have served both caseloads; and
Whereas, at that November 14th 2024 meeting, it was announced that generalist cases are being merged with the Blind caseload, a decision that will further adversely impact the department's ability to improve competitive employment outcomes for DOR consumers who are Blind, deaf-blind, or have low vision, now, therefore, be it
Resolved, by the California Council of the Blind, in convention assembled virtually, this 4th day of May, 2025, that this organization calls upon the DOR to uphold the letter and spirit of the law, by addressing and resolving the issues that hinder increasing competitive employment outcomes for people who are blind, deaf-blind, or have low vision, including removing generalist cases from the caseloads of vocational counsellors for the blind, and be it further
Resolved, that DOR develop, in an expeditious manner, a plan to address the concerns set forth in this resolution, and provide a copy of this plan to this organization, and be it further
Resolved, that this resolution be sent to the Director of the Department of Rehabilitation, as well as to the Blind Advisory Committee for purposes of oversight.
Submitted by Patricia Leetz and Frank Welte
Resolution 2025-2, Reasonable Accommodations for State Employees
Whereas, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, The Americans with Disability Act of 1990 (ADA), as well as California state civil rights laws, require all state agencies to provide reasonable accommodation to employees with disabilities; and
Whereas, an employer shall respond expeditiously to a request for reasonable accommodation and provide the entire interactive process to determine the appropriate accommodation; and
Whereas, unnecessary delays can result in a violation of federal and state law, and can adversely impact the ability of the person with a disability to perform their job; and
Whereas, Governor Pete Wilson designated the Department of Rehabilitation (DOR) to serve as the lead agency for implementation of the ADA; and
Whereas, the DOR has established an ADA Implementation Unit that is available for technical assistance, consultation, training and education for other state agencies and individuals requesting reasonable accommodation; and
Whereas, DOR has created guidelines through its Office of Civil Rights (February 1997), The Supervisors Role (June 1998), and a Memorandum (Reasonable Accommodation Policy and Procedure, February 1997); and
Whereas, the state personnel board adopted guidelines through its Affirmative Action and Merit Oversight Division (May 1992); and
Whereas, despite these actions, over the years state agencies, including DOR, have frequently not completed action on reasonable accommodations requests in a timely manner, causing undue hardship to the person with a disability that can include failure to satisfactorily perform their job, now, therefore, be it
Resolved, by the California Council of the Blind, in convention assembled virtually, this 4th day of May, 2025, that this organization calls upon DOR, as the lead agency for implementation of the ADA, to establish an updated process and timeline for completion of action on reasonable accommodation requests by state employees with disabilities and those offered state employment; and be it further
Resolved, that this process shall require that the person requesting reasonable accommodation be notified in an accessible format of their choice regarding the timeline for action on their accommodation request.
Submitted by Ed Crespin
Resolution 2025-3 Transportation for Department of Rehabilitation Consumers
Whereas, The Department of Rehabilitation (DOR) offers funds for transportation related to a consumer's vocation goal under California Code of Regulations, (California Code Regulations Title 9, § 7161 - Transportation Services - General); and
Whereas, reimbursement for monthly transportation costs may include funds for attending a job club, job search, job interviews, job vocational training, career college training, and other related vocational needs; and
Whereas, the mode of transportation provided shall be the least costly mode which meets the needs of the individual; and
Whereas, allowable modes of transportation include, but are not limited to: public and private transit entities, transportation available through family and community resources, and client-owned vehicles; and
Whereas, most DOR consumers are on fixed income or have no income, and the cost of living for rent, housing expenses and transportation is difficult to meet; and
Whereas, in order to receive funding for transportation, DOR consumers must provide receipts through a stringent documentation system; and
Whereas, when a consumer is seeking transportation reimbursements not exceeding $150 per month, they often use single-rides for which receipts meeting DOR requirements are difficult if not impossible to obtain; and
Whereas, it is frequently difficult or even impossible to obtain a receipt for a one-time ride, due to the manner in which a transit provider operates, or by virtue of the fact that it is not feasible to obtain receipts from family members, friends, or job clubs, now, therefore, be it
Resolved, by the California Council of the Blind, in convention assembled virtually this 4th day of May, 2025, that this organization calls upon DOR to repeal the receipt requirement for transportation reimbursement not to exceed $150 per month subject to an annual cost of living adjustment.
Submitted by Ed Crespin
Resolution 2025-4, Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Accessibility
Whereas, The California Council of the Blind (CCB) has embraced the values underlying diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility (DEIA); and
Whereas, DEIA not only impacts issues of specific concern to people who are blind or have low vision, but also affects concerns that intersect with other underserved populations; and
Whereas, the doctrine of DEIA often enables CCB to forge coalitions that enhance our ability to achieve results on issues about which we advocate; and
Whereas, an outstanding example of such coalition building came with the passage of AB1902, enacted 2024, establishing drug labeling accessibility requirements for those with print disabilities, during which we received support from a large number of health care, disability advocacy, and civil rights organizations; and
Whereas, the current Presidential Administration has attacked the doctrine of DEIA, taking such measures as the following: *Terminating federal employees working in areas that are in any fashion connected to DEIA,
* Cancelling compliance contracts with Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act,
* Demanding that federal contractors and grantees remove and terminate DEIA policies,
* Repealing guidance on the obligations of businesses under the Americans with Disabilities Act, and
* Proposing dramatic reductions in programs essential to the ability of blind and low vision Californians to live independent and productive lives, now, therefore, be it
Resolved, by the California Council of the Blind, in convention assembled virtually this 4th day of May, 2025, that this organization continue to uphold its support for the doctrine of DEIA, and to advocate for programs of importance to Californians with vision loss.
Submitted by Jeff Thom and IDC
Resolution 2025-5 Volunteers
Whereas, the efforts of the volunteers at the 2025 California Council of the Blind virtual Conference and Convention have helped to make this gathering a truly outstanding event, now, therefore, be it
Resolved, by the California Council of the Blind, in convention assembled virtually this 4th day of May, 2025, that this organization thanks and commends each and every volunteer who participating in the 2025 CCB Conference and Convention, and be it further
Resolved, that a copy of this resolution be presented to every such volunteer.
Resolution 2025-6 CCB Support for unionization of Blindness Service Agencies
Whereas, freedom of assembly and the other civil liberties enshrined in the U.S. Constitution are foundational principles of modern, democratic nations; and
Whereas, the right of workers to organize is derived from our constitutional right to assemble and guaranteed by federal and state laws; and
Whereas, for more than a century and a half, organized labor has played a critical role in improving wages and working conditions for millions of Americans, building a prosperous middle class; and
Whereas, in the absence of organized labor, workplaces in all sectors of the economy; businesses, government institutions, and nonprofit organizations often tend to exploit their employees; and
Whereas, agencies serving people who are blind, deaf-blind, and low vision, are just as prone to labor exploitation as other organizations; and
Whereas, employees at many blindness service agencies lack the legal protections and economic benefits afforded to unionized workers; and
Whereas, on November 15, 2023, the employees of the San Francisco LightHouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired, held a successful election to organize themselves into a union, LightHouse United, affiliated with OPEIU Local 29, AFL-CIO, now therefore, be it
Resolved, by the California Council of the Blind, in convention assembled virtually, this 4th day of May 2025, that this organization congratulates the employees of the LightHouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired for their history-making unionization campaign; and be it further
Resolved, that this organization stands in solidarity with the unionization efforts of employees of all blindness service agencies.
Submitted by Frank Welte
Resolution 2025-7 Administration of the Lighthouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired
Whereas: Since 1902 The LightHouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired (LightHouse), based in San Francisco, California, has provided critical services for people who are blind, deaf/blind or who have low vision ; and
Whereas: in spite of its long track record as a highly respected provider of services to the blind, deaf/blind and low vision communities, the receipt, approximately a decade ago a bequest of more than $125 million, and the acquisition of additional assets through the sale of the former LightHouse building at 214 Van Ness Ave. in San Francisco, the LightHouse has fallen into a pattern of large budget deficits which, if not reversed, could lead to the depletion of its financial reserves and its closure in a few short years; and
Whereas: even though the LightHouse Interim Chief Executive Officer stated during a town hall meeting held on April 24th 2025 that the root cause of the organization’s current precarious financial position is insufficient revenues: in response to this crisis the LightHouse Board of Directors and senior management team has instituted a series of deeply concerning cost cutting measures, including program reductions and mass layoffs: and
Whereas, these layoffs involve plans to replace certified rehabilitation professionals trained in the blindness field with Occupational therapist who lack the specific skills for the teaching of individuals who are blind, deaf/blind or low vision; and
Whereas, the rationale for replacing these certified professionals with occupational therapists is to obtain reimbursement through insurance providers, in complete disregard of the negative impact on the quality of services for the consumers being served; and
Whereas: in the past decade Lighthouse employees have indicated the work environment is characterized by low morale, high staff turnover, numerous credible reports of management engaging in vindictive disciplinary actions and abusive behavior, resulting in successful and expensive legal claims against the Lighthouse; and
Whereas: In the past decade, the LightHouse has invested in the purchase of an expensive office building in downtown San Francisco and a second manufacturing facility in Alameda, opened offices in Eureka and on the Ed Roberts Campus in Berkeley, acquired the assets of the Earl Baum Center, in Santa Rosa, and renovated the Enchanted Hills Camp near Nap a, all of which have resulted in the depletion of a large portion of its financial reserves; and
Whereas; Since 2016 the Former Chief Operating Officer who is now the Interim Chief Executive Officer, has been intimately involved in, and has often been the driving force behind, the destructive decisions and actions of the Lighthouse senior management team,
Now therefore be it
Resolved by the California Council of the Blind, in convention assembled virtually this fourth day of May, 2025, that the Council calls on the LightHouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired to reverse its policy of self-destructive and reckless cost cutting and layoffs and shift its financial recovery efforts to fully funding and appropriately staffing its blind rehabilitation and community service programs; and be it further
Resolved, that this organization calls upon the Lighthouse board of directors to begin the process of revitalizing the organization by immediately commencing the search for a new Executive Director, who shall be a qualified person who is blind, deaf/blind or low vision; and be it further
Resolved, that the Lighthouse board of directors immediately remove and replace the Interim Chief Executive Officer: and be it further
Resolved: that the Council calls on the LightHouse Board of Directors to strengthen its oversight of the LightHouse; and be it further
Resolved, that, should the Lighthouse board of directors elect not to proactively and immediately address the concerns expressed in this resolution, the Council president shall work with concerned CCB members to find ways of more broadly publicizing the problems outlined in the foregoing to the community served by the Lighthouse, and be it further
Resolved: copies of this resolution shall be sent to each member of the LightHouse Board of Directors.
Resolution 2025-8 Funding Support for the Braille Institute and the Braille and Talking Book libraries
Whereas, In early January 2025 the Head Librarian of the state of California froze the annual grant of $500,000 for the Braille Institute Library; and
Whereas, The Head Librarian asked the Governor of California to remove this grant from the annual state budget, which he did; and
Whereas, due to the elimination of federal funding for libraries under the Institutes for Museums and Library Services (IMLS), severe cuts in funding and services are expected for both the Braille Institute library and the Braille and Talking Book Library in Sacramento; and
Whereas, these funding reductions will adversely impact the availability of library services for all blind, deaf-blind, and low vision Californians, including children and adults who have recently lost their vision; and
Whereas, Blind, deaf-blind, and low vision children and adults, especially seniors living alone, will not be able to read for entertainment and to gather knowledge easily; and
Whereas, The Braille Institute Library and Braille and Talking Book Library also serve a large population of people with other print disabilities, now, therefore, be it
Resolved, by the California Council of the Blind, in convention assembled virtually, this 4th day of May, 2025, that this organization calls upon the legislature and the Governor to appropriate the amount of state funds necessary to backfill any federal funding reductions to both the Braille Institute and Braille and Talking Book libraries, and be it further
Resolved, that a letter of support be sent to the President of the Senate, the Speaker of the Assembly, the Governor, and both libraries.
Submitted by, Robert Acosta, and California Libraray Users of America
