Summary of Services, Programs, and Initiatives Provided to Virginians with Disabilities

DEPARTMENT FOR THE BLIND AND VISION IMPAIRED

1. Name of Service/Program/Initiative: Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) Services, including orientation and mobility services, low vision services, services to deaf-blind persons and a residential rehabilitation center.
2. Service Description and Eligibility Requirements, If Any: Evaluation services are provided to determine eligibility, which may include eye, hearing and general medical evaluations, special aptitude and ability tests, psychological tests, work evaluations and vocational explorations. Individualized programs are developed with eligible individuals to assist with obtaining or retaining employment. Services that may be provided include, but are not limited to, training to assist individuals in adjusting to the loss of vision; vocational and adjustment counseling; vocational training, eye surgery and/or eye treatment for a limited number of individuals; adaptive equipment for training and/or employment; rehabilitation engineering services to modify training and/or job sites; and supported employment services for individuals who are blind and have other disabilities. Job placement and follow-up services are also provided and are given major emphasis. VR services help to make employment opportunities of many types available to persons with visual disabilities. Orientation and mobility staff provide assessments, instruction, technical assistance, and materials that enable visually impaired persons of all ages to travel safely and independently in their homes and communities. Low vision examinations, intended to improve useful vision to persons of all ages who cannot see with conventional glasses, are available by appointment. Preliminary assessment, follow-up counseling and training programs in home or school settings are aimed at ensuring maximum benefit is gained from the low vision optical aids prescribed. Examiners are strategically located throughout Virginia.
   Individuals with a combined loss of vision and hearing (deafblind, blind-hard of hearing, visually impaired-deaf, and visually impaired-hard of hearing) require specialized communication, education, assistive technology, independent living and rehabilitation services. The agency provides statewide consultation and technical assistance to staff of the agency and outside entities, ensuring deafblind individuals of all ages full participation in various programs and services. In addition, training is provided on deaf-blindness to other agencies/organizations and individuals interested in information on this population.
   The Virginia Rehabilitation Center for the Blind and Vision Impaired (VRCBVI), was established in 1970 to provide comprehensive adjustment services to severely visually impaired Virginians. For a blind person, using senses other than sight to "see" may be difficult at first, but with the proper training, it can be much easier. That is our goal. The center teaches blind persons strategies and skills to adapt to living without sight, and teaches people with partial vision ways to use their remaining sight more effectively.
3. Service Preauthorization Required: Yes, eligibility requirements as determined by DBVI.
4. Target Population/s: Blind and visually impaired persons
5. Method of Administration: State: Department for the Blind and Vision Impaired Federal: Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended.
6. General Availability of the Service Across the Commonwealth: (e.g., statewide, only available in certain localities): Services are available statewide.
7. Number of Persons Served Annually (Provide and indicate most recent year available): 1333 persons served in the year ending June 30, 2001
8. Annual Service Cost/Allocation (Provide and indicate the most recent year available): $7,275,392, FY 2002, federal funds; $1,969,070, state match
   (Note: the required State match is 21.3% of the Federal grant.)
9. Other Information or Comments About the Service: DBVI services cross all agency service funds.
   
   FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION CONTACT:
   Seville Allen
   804-371-3042
   allensm@dbvi.state.va.us

DEPARTMENT FOR THE BLIND AND VISION IMPAIRED

1. Name of Service/Program/Initiative: Rehabilitation teaching/independent living services
2. Service Description and Eligibility Requirements, If Any: The goal of this
   program is to provide services necessary to enable people with visual disabilities to achieve their maximum level of independence and participation in society, thus enhancing their economic, social, and personal independence. A service program is individually designed to develop and raise the level of adaptive coping skills and functional independence of youth and adults who are blind or visually impaired. Services provided include individualized needs assessment, adjustment counseling, information and referral, advocacy, outreach, orientation and mobility, daily living skills training, Braille, typing, script writing, home management skills, assistive technology services and devices, and other specialized services. These services are especially important for individuals experiencing severe visual loss for the first time. The US Department of Education has awarded DBVI a grant to provide and arrange for services that will enable visually impaired people aged 55 or older to gain or maintain independence within the home and community by adjusting to their level of impairment. In addition to the broad array of services available to all consumers, local community training workshops will be held semi-annually.
3. Service Preauthorization Required: Yes, eligibility requirements as
   determined by DBVI.
4. Target Population/s: Those with visual disabilities of all ages
5. Method of Administration: State -- Department for the Blind and Vision
   Impaired
6. General Availability of the Service Across the Commonwealth (e.g.
   statewide, only available in certain localities): Services are available statewide.
7. Number of Persons Served Annually (Provide and indicate most recent
   year available): 2,677 (2001)
8. Annual Service Cost/Allocation (Provide and indicate the most recent year
   available): $383,687 older Blind services grant (federal); $1,300,000 (state) 2001
9. Other Information or Comments About the Service: DBVI services cross all agency service funds.
   
   FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION CONTACT:
   Seville Allen
   804-371-3042
   allensm@dbvi.state.va.us

DEPARTMENT FOR THE BLIND AND VISION IMPAIRED

1. Name of Service/Program/Initiative: Education Services
2. Service Description and Eligibility Requirements, If Any: Infants and
   children with visual disabilities, their families and teachers can receive technical assistance and support that will help them during the child's developmental and educational process. Staff provide technical assistance for evaluation, program planning, curriculum modification, transition programs, information about blindness, and adaptive equipment.
3. Service Preauthorization Required: Yes, eligibility requirements as
   determined by DBVI.
4. Target Population/s: Infants through age 21 with visual disabilities, families, and teachers of the visually impaired
5. Method of Administration: State -- Department for the Blind and Vision
   Impaired; Federal: Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)
6. General Availability of the Service Across the Commonwealth (e.g., statewide, only available in certain localities): Services are available statewide.
7. Number of Persons Served Annually (Provide and indicate most recent year available): 2004 (2002)
8. Annual Service Cost/Allocation (Provide and indicate the most recent year available): $144,715 (federal) 2002; $387,070 (state) 2002
9. Other Information or Comments About the Service: DBVI services cross all agency service funds.
   
   FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION CONTACT:
   Seville Allen
   804-371-3042
   allensm@dbvi.state.va.us

   

Tim Kaine	Marilyn B. Tavenner	Patrick O. Gottschalk	Pierce R. Homer	Dr. Thomas R. Morris
Virginia Governor	Secretary of HHR	Secretary of Commerce & Trade	Secretary of Transportation	Secretary of Education