From the Director

The year 2010 marks a number of milestones for the Iowa Department for the Blind. Fifty years ago we acquired our building, remodeled it for the first time, opened the Iowa Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped, and moved the newly-inaugurated Orientation Center into the building.

Thirty years ago we launched our Independent Living program. We’ll be celebrating these milestones in a number of ways this year. Watch for information, and join us if you can.

This has been a spring of farewells at IDB. Seven of our most experienced staff members have opted to take advantage of the state’s Early Retirement Incentive Program. Bonnie Linquist, our long-time supervisor of vocational rehabilitation; Terry Poldberg, who taught independent living skills for the past thirty years; Cindy Valin, whom many of you know as a reader advisor; Mike Hicklin, our building manager; Doug Cole, a 39-year veteran of the library; Dawna Ray, who has chalked up 34 years in the library; and Lisa Davis, who has held several positions, most recently as our network administrator; are all seeking new challenges and adventures. We wish them all the very best in their retirement.

The Early Retirement Program does not allow us to fill all of these positions, and the loss will be felt most deeply in the library where Doug’s and Dawna’s positions will remain vacant for the time being.

Meanwhile, our outreach efforts continue, and programs are strong. With judicious use of our resources, we will prosper in the 2010/11 fiscal year, which began July 1.

We mark milestones in the making through our “Cane Tracks” blog, which is written primarily by Orientation Center students who tell their own stories as they progress through the Center. Check it out atidbcomm.wordpress.com. The views expressed on this blog are the personal opinions and experiences of the individuals contributing content. The words they use and the experiences they discuss may not reflect the IDB’s official position. Nevertheless, we believe they are real, valid and important experiences, and we hope that their willingness to share them candidly will help others both understand their journeys and develop the courage to attempt their own.

Sincerely,

Karen Keninger