Welcome to the CCB Courier for October 9, 2026
California’s Rehabilitation Crisis: A Call for Action
Californians with disabilities face growing uncertainty as the Department of Rehabilitation’s funding crisis threatens access to essential services, employment opportunities, and independence. With new applicants being turned away, including those with the most significant disabilities, delays in critical services and funding reductions affecting older blind adults and Independent Living Centers have far-reaching consequences. CCB and its partners are calling for legislative oversight, greater transparency, and sustainable funding to ensure Californians with disabilities receive the services they need to live independently and participate fully in society. For more information, contact Regina Brink at regina.brink@ccbnet.org or 800-221-6359, option 3.
Some Good News! CCB wins important court victory,
upholding the right to cast a ballot privately and secretly. This is a step toward our long-term voting goals here in California. . That remedy will be handed down on October 19. We’ll keep you informed. Here’s hoping the court continues to listen to us! This took many voices and many years to get this far.
From California Council of Citizens with Low Vision:
October 15 marks White Cane Day. California passed its first White Cane Law in 1935, and today Vehicle Code Section 21963 grants the right-of-way to every totally or partially blind pedestrian carrying a predominantly white cane or using a guide dog. Drivers who withhold that right face jail time or fines up to $1,000. Members with low vision sometimes treat the cane differently; CCCLV sees it as a declaration: we belong here. Carry it proudly.
From the Greater LA CCB chapter:
Join the Greater Los Angeles Chapter of the California Council of the Blind on Saturday, October 17, from 10:00 AM–12:00 PM via Zoom.
Renee Leask of the League of Women Voters will provide a 90-minute nonpartisan presentation covering California state ballot initiatives and Los Angeles County measures. Renee has presented to both the Greater LA and Glendale-Burbank chapters and is known for her thorough, informative presentations.
For questions or additional information, write to ccbgreaterla@gmail.com, or call (310) 558-4500.
From CCB Orange County:
The Orange County Chapter of CCB will host a virtual presentation by the League of Women Voters on Saturday, October 10 at approximately 11 a.m. For more information please contact Vice-president Cathy Schmitt Whitaker at:
clswhitaker@gmail.com
Thank you for reading.
