At Blooming Day, Neva Fairchild, member of the Texas Governor's Committee on People with Disabilities and longtime advocate for blindness services, delivered a powerful session on the systemic challenges facing older Texans with vision loss. Drawing from over 35 years of experience and her own life as a visually impaired person, Fairchild highlighted both the scale of the issue and the urgent need for accessible services.

“Over 300,000 Texans over 65 live with severe vision loss, and by 2050, that number will approach one million,” Fairchild explained. Despite existing programs for children and younger adults, older adults losing vision later in life remain vastly underserved. The Older Individuals Who Are Blind (OIB) program currently reaches only about 1% of this population, leaving most without the guidance and tools they need to live independently.

Fairchild emphasized the importance of “nothing about us without us”—ensuring that people with vision loss are included in planning and designing services. She noted the need for a coordinated approach across state agencies, aging programs, and community organizations to expand outreach and training. Many older adults are unaware of programs that could help them read, navigate public spaces, or access technology-assisted services, and stigma often prevents them from seeking help.

Key recommendations from Fairchild’s session included:

• Scaling and expanding services to meet growing demand across urban and rural areas.

• Training staff and service providers to recognize and support individuals with vision loss.

• Leveraging assistive technology and accessible formats for information, from talking clocks to Texas Talking Book Program resources.

• Enhancing coordination between aging services and vision-loss programs, as well as legislative advocacy for sustainable funding.

Fairchild also addressed vision loss caused by cognitive changes, such as dementia, underscoring the need for simple, user-friendly solutions to maintain independence and quality of life.

She concluded with a call to action: “Older adults losing vision don’t know they’re not alone. We have to bring services to them, meet them where they are, and prepare for the growth of this population.” Her message is clear—collaboration, awareness, and proactive planning are essential to ensure that Texans with vision loss can live full, productive, and independent lives.

For organizations, caregivers, and policymakers looking to support this community, Fairchild encourages connecting with her and accessing the full summit report for practical guidance and resources.