The Commission for the Blind, established under ORS 346.120 is a governing body that provides leadership, financial oversight, and policy direction to the agency. Commissioners are selected by the Governor and their appointments require confirmation by the Oregon Senate. Members of the Commission represent key stakeholders that relate to the work of the agency and include consumer organizations, education, ophthalmology/optometry, business, and Oregon citizens who are blind. It is required that the majority of the seven members of the Commission are persons who experience blindness.
The Commission is a public body and their meetings are open to the public.
BOARD MEMBERS
Scott McCallum: Commission Chair. Represents Education. Mr. McCallum is the Superintendent for the Washington State School for the Blind. Scott's career has included working as a teacher of students who are blind or visually impaired and orientation and mobility specialist in the Oregon Low Incidence Regional Program system. He has also served as a Regional Program Vision Services coordinator for Northwest Regional Education Service District and as the administrator of the Oregon Blind and Visually Impaired Student Fund.
Nadeera Broome: Represents Oregonians who are blind. Nadeera
was born and raised in Barbados, and moved to Oregon in 2016. She is an ESL,
French, and Spanish tutor with a background in customer service, tourism, and
freelance writing. Nadeera is very passionate about the rights of marginalized
groups in society, including people who are blind, immigrants, and people of
color. She is especially interested in changing the negative, misinformed views
about blind parents, and spreading awareness and educating the public about the
realities of living with blindness. Nadeera enjoys reading, writing fiction,
cooking (especially Barbadian cuisine), and dancing.
Vivian Carlile-Smith: Represents the National Federation of the Blind of Oregon. Ms. Carlile-Smith has dedicated her time to promoting education and skills training for youth and advocating for blind and visually-impaired adults. She participates annually in the summer National Federation of the Blind Braille Enrichment for Literacy and Learning (BELL) Academy for children 4-18 years old where they learn and improve their skills related to blindness.
Lillian Goodman: Represents Oregonians who are blind. Ms. Goodman is a student at Portland State University, studying Accounting and Business. She is an advocate for individuals who are blind to be able to fully engage in any life activity of their choosing, including a career. She is committed to informing the policies and priorities for the Commission for the Blind that impact the services received by many Oregonians who are blind. In her free time, Lillian, accompanied by her guide dog Spinoza, enjoys activities such as dragon boating, rowing, tandem cycling, hiking, skiing, paddle boarding, and kayaking.
Laurel Hudson: Represents Business. Laurel Hudson graduated from Northern Arizona University with a degree in Hotel and Restaurant Management then began her career in the hospitality industry, learning the ins and outs of excellence in customer service. After 10 years of being a manager in hotels, restaurants and retail, she is now on the marketing team for Allmade Apparel. Laurel enjoys spending time in her garden and hanging in the great outdoors as much as possible.
Alan Labrum, O.D.: Represents Optometry/Ophthalmology. Dr. Labrum is an Assistant Professor of Ophthalmology at the Casey Eye Institute Vision Rehabilitation Clinic at the Oregon Healthy and Science University (OHSU). Dr. Labrum’s practice includes individuals who have a visual impairment. He also provides clinical instruction to the Ophthalmology residents as they rotate through the Vision Rehabilitation Clinic and he serves as the Assistant Director of the Optics course. Dr. Labrum actively seeks opportunities to further advocate for individuals who have a visual impairment and looks forward to leading the agency’s efforts to create better opportunities and programs to help individuals with a visual impairment return to the workforce to perform the type of work they are passionate about.
Cassie Trosper: Represents American Council of the Blind of Oregon. Cassie Trosper serves at the local, regional and national levels of American Council for the Blind (www.acb.org) in several roles including: Secretary Next Generation, Co-chair Next Generation Convention (www.acbnextgeneration.org), and President of the Veterans of ACB. Locally, Ms. Trosper serves as both the Oregon Chapter's Secretary and Membership Chair, as well as holding the Southwest Chapter's Secretary and Program Chair positions (www.acboforegon.org).
Ms. Trosper is honored to serve as a Commissioner at Oregon Commission for the Blind. She is a U.S. Army Veteran who learned they would go blind later in life. She has made it her mission to serve other citizens who may be facing, or going through, vision loss.
Ms. Trosper holds an AAS from Southwestern Oregon Community College (Coos Bay) and a Medical Assisting Certificate from Everest College (Tacoma). She is the proud mother of three children, ages nine, 16, and 20-years-old.