Present Duties
This building in southeast Portland holds the central office of the Oregon Blind Commission. (Oregon State Archives Photo)
The mission of the Commission for the Blind (OCB) is to empower Oregonians who are blind to fully engage in life. The commission was established in 1937 and has evolved to be a consumer driven organization with a citizen governing body, appointed by the governor, that represents consumer organizations, education, ophthalmology/optometry, businesses and individual citizens who are blind. The agency operates under its enabling statutes and through the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act of 2014. The commission has 57 full-time equivalent staff who provide services throughout the state.
OCB’s major program objectives include helping Oregonians who are blind get and keep jobs that allow them to support themselves and their families; training Oregonians in alternative skills related to blindness such as adaptive technology, white cane travel, Braille and activities of daily living; helping seniors and individuals with vision loss who are unable to work live with high levels of independence and self-sufficiency so they can remain in their homes and stay active in their communities; and licensing and supporting business owners who operate food service and vending operations in public buildings and facilities throughout the state.
Contact Information
Mailing Address: 535 SE 12th, Portland 97214
Telephone: 971-673-1588, Toll-free: 1-888-202-5463
Fax: 503-234-7468
Legal and Legislative Information
Statutory Authority: ORS
346.110–
346.270
Records, Publications and General Information
State Archives Holdings from This Agency
The following are selected abbreviated listings from the holdings of the Oregon State Archives. Additional records may be available. These records may be viewed free of charge at the State Archives Building in Salem. Copies are available for a fee.
Take the Web tour for more information about visiting or ordering copies from the Oregon State Archives.
Title: Administrative Correspondence
Dates: 1944-1956
Cubic Ft.: .25
Title: Blind Census
Dates: 1924
Cubic Ft.: .25
Title: Inmate Case Files
Dates: 1923-1952
Cubic Ft.: 3
Title: Inmate roster
Dates: 1929-1938
Cubic Ft.: .1
Title: Minutes 1937-1949
Dates: 1937-1949
Cubic Ft.: 1.25
Title: Photographs: Workshops, Trucks & Groups
Dates: 1926-1932
Cubic Ft.: .1
Title: State Emergency Relief Administration Records (SERA)
Dates: 1934-1935
Cubic Ft.: .1
Title: Superintendent's Correspondence
Dates: 1919-1946
Cubic Ft.: .5
Title: Works Progress Administration Records (WPA)
Dates: 1935-1939
Cubic Ft.: .5