Phone: (907) 563-2525 or (800) 478-9998 Fax: (907) 562-5951
e-mail: aib@gci.net Website address www.airres.net
Mission: To promote equal access of the blind and
visually impaired to full participation in the community.
WHAT IS THE
ALASKA INDEPENDENT BLIND?
The Alaska Independent Blind, formed in 1988, is the largest organization of, for, and by blind consumers in the State of Alaska. Alaska Independent Blind (or AIB) can boast a membership of over 470 people whose members span the Alaskan landscape, from Ketchikan to Kotzebue and Toksook Bay to Tok.
Where can a blind person, a service provider, or a family member of a blind or visually impaired person find the latest information on issues relating to blindness? Answers can be found about assistive devices, Social Security, guide dog issues, and other advocacy issues right here at our offices at 1102 W. International Airport Rd., Anchorage, AK 99518.
Adaptive equipment such as canes, watches, and writing aids can be provided by AIB. You can be referred to the best sources of information if they are not available right here at this office.
Where can an individual, blind or otherwise, link up with national issues concerning blind and disabled people? Alaska Independent Blind is an affiliate of the American Council of the Blind, a national organization.
Where can blind children and students get assistance? AIB awards scholarships annually to blind students to further their education. AIB wants to maintain the best quality services for blind and visually impaired people.
Where can a blind person network, make friends, and share information about blindness? Turn to AIB, providing support across Alaska.
You can reach the office of Alaska Independent Blind via telephone, in Anchorage at 563-2525 or statewide toll-free at 1-800-478-9998.
Join us, support us, and be on the leading edge of blind advocacy and networking in Alaska at the Alaska Independent Blind.
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TIMELINE FOR ALASKA INDEPENDENT BLIND
It occurred to me that many people do not know the breadth of our accomplishments over the past fifteen or so years, so I compiled the biggest and best. There are some things I did not include, but these are the big things we did accomplish.
TIMELINE FOR ALASKA INDEPENDENT BLIND
1988 -- Formation
1989 – Incorporation
1994 -- Went to Juneau to work for a separate agency.
1994 – Worked with Judy Salo on allowing blind people to be covered by disabled parking placards which had to be cemented in 2001
1995-1997 Youth camp for Alaska Independent Blind
1995 – Challenged under Open Meetings Act the RFP process
1997 -- Won a $5000 grant to provide orientation and mobility to under-served areas
1997 – Recommended a certified mobility instructor to Access Alaska, Fairbanks
1997 Had Anchorage macular degeneration workshop with 75 people
1998 hb 170 An act relating to interference with the rights of physically and mentally challenged persons and relating to service animals during their pre-training and training periods. Gave input to a bill for training service animals
1998 HB 451 –
An Act relating to assistive technology devices and mobility aids for physically disabled persons.Article 5A passed an amendment to the Lemon Law” which set out minimum standards for those who taught assistive technology and orientation and mobility and it passed.
1999 Purchased the fastest Braille embosser in the state of Alaska interpoint 100 characters per second
1999-2001 Went around the state giving workshops on macular degeneration, diabetes, Social security, and assistive technology – Anchorage, Fairbanks and the Mat-Su Valley, and Sitka, Juneau and Ketchikan and Cordova and Palmer also.
2000, 2001 and 2005 Conducted Transportation summits.
2002 – HB 320 An act relating to the use of electronic balloting equipment. The first state to enact standards for electronic voting machines through Alaska Independent Blind’s efforts through Frank Haas and passed March 7, 2002.
2007 – SB 94 An act establishing a Division of Blind Services within the Department of Health and Social Services; and relating to the administration of the vocational rehabilitation program. Helped to write a bill for a separate agency which never was passed and had one hearing.
2008 SB 64 An act relating to the operation of bending facilities on public property. Wrote a bill to fix the regulations concerning the Randolph-Sheppard Act which is ongoing.
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