ARIZONA STATE SENATE
Phoenix, Arizona
FACT SHEET FOR H.B. 2613
appropriation; blind and visually impaired
Purpose
Appropriates $425,000 from the general fund for FY 2000 to the Department of Economic
Security (DES) for independent living rehabilitation services for the blind and visually impaired.
Background
The independent living services addressed in this legislation train adults who have lost their
sight how to perform routine daily tasks such as dressing, house cleaning, cooking and travel.
Currently most of the funds available for rehabilitation of the blind and visually impaired can only be
obtained so that the client can get a job or be retrained for work (vocational rehabilitation). The
funds sought through this appropriation would be used for orientation and mobility training without
regard to employment.
In fact, most individuals needing this training are over age 65. According to James LaMay
of the Arizona Center for the Blind and Visually Impaired, there were approximately 90,600 blind or
visually impaired people in Arizona in 1994. By 1997, the number had doubled to 181,978, including
117,000 people over age 55. While one in 20 people in the general population is visually impaired,
the number is one in five among those over age 65. Visual impairment and blindness are strongly
associated with the aging process. Ed House, Manager of Services for the Blind and Visually
Impaired at DES, explains that the elderly often lose their vision over a period of time (typically two
years) and will cope with the loss of sight by limiting their activities and becoming dependent on
available family and/or elder care services offered by DES.
The Rehabilitation Services Administration within DES estimates that the average cost of
assisting one person to achieve his or her desired level of independent living is $915. The amount
appropriated would therefore enable approximately 464 people to live independently. The
appropriation is designed to go directly to client services, as the two DES employees to be hired will
be mobility and orientation teachers. The balance will go to community providers around the state.
DES reports that clients in Phoenix must wait five months for this type of training. Waiting
lists also exist in other areas of the state and vary in length. Federal funding for independent living
services totaled approximately $540,000 in FY 1998. The state portion of the program ($111,500)
has been relatively flat for several years. Medical insurance is not available for this training.
1.
2.
House Action
HS 2/18/99 DP 6-0-0-0
APPROP 3/9/99 DP 11-1-0-1
3rd Read 3/15/99 52-0-8-0
Prepared by Senate Staff
March 22, 1999
Provisions
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