There is an Advisory Board for Persons Who are Blind or Visually Impaired that serves as an advisor to the Department of Aging and Disability Services. It helps the agency in fulfilling its responsibilities in providing services to persons who are blind or visually impaired in the state.
This advisory board falls under Connecticut Regulations - Sec. 17a-810. (Formerly Sec. 10-293). Advisory Board for Persons Who are Blind or Visually Impaired; to act as an advisor to the Department of Aging and Disability Services.
Current Members
Eileen Akers, Chair
Astread Ferron-Poole, Ex-Officio for the Commissioner, Department of Social Services
Andrea Giudice
Katherine Guzman
Elizabeth Rival
Mary Silverberg
Stephen Thal
Vacancy
Vacancy
Vacancy - Governor's Appointment
Meeting Minutes and Agendas
Browse all meeting minutes and agendas for the Advisory Board for Persons who are Blind or Visually Impaired.
Qualifications and Terms for Advisory Board Membership
The Advisory Board for Persons Who Are Blind or Visually Impaired will have members chosen as follows:
- 6 members appointed by the Governor.
- 1 member appointed by the president of the Senate.
- 1 member appointed by the speaker of the House of Representatives.
- 1 member each appointed by the majority and minority leaders of both the Senate and the House of Representatives.
- All members must live in the state.
- The Commissioner of Social Services will be part of the board but without voting power ("ex-officio").
- One of the Governor’s appointees must be a parent of a child receiving services from the Department of Aging and Disability Services.
- At least two members chosen by the Governor must be blind.
Terms of Service:
- 2 Members will serve for different lengths of time.
- 3 members appointed by the Governor will serve 4 years.
- 3 other members appointed by the Governor will serve 2 years.
- Members chosen by Senate leaders will serve 4 years.
- Members chosen by House leaders will serve 2 years.
- After these initial terms, all members will serve for 4 years starting January 4th of the appointment year.
- The Governor will pick one member to be the chairperson of the board.
- The board will have at least one regular meeting every September and can meet at other times if the chairperson calls a meeting.
- The chairperson must call a meeting if two or more members request it.
- If a member misses three meetings in a row or half of all meetings in a year, the committee considers them as a member who quit.
- A majority of the board members must be present for the board to make decisions (this is called a quorum).
- If a member needs to be removed for a good reason, the person who appointed them can choose someone else to take over for the rest of the term.
- Any vacancies will be filled by the same person or office that made the original appointment.