Services for the Blind and Visually Impaired

Purpose:

The purpose of Services for the Blind and Visually Impaired is to provide eligible individuals with visual impairments the opportunities and support that will enable them to become independent, active, self-sustaining members of their community.

Eligibility:

To be eligible for services, you must be visually impaired, with acuity of 20/60 or less in the better eye with correction, or a field loss of twenty degrees or less in the better eye.

Independent Living and Social Services Program:

“These services are designed to enable individuals, families, and groups to understand and adjust to the problems encountered by those with visual impairments. Social workers coordinate comprehensive range of services which enable individuals to maintain their independence and self-sufficiency in the community”.- ORS Policy and Procedure Manual 118.1

Children and Youth:

Services to children from 3 through 14 are provided by social workers. These services include:


• Counseling and guidance to children and youth with visual impairments and their parents and/or support team;
• Medical and educational planning;
• Advocacy;
• IEP participation and support;
• Eye glasses and other adaptive equipment (based on Economic Need and Comparable Benefits);
• Information and referral to community resources and supports

Adults:

Anyone who would like further information regarding the above programs and its services may contact Sandy Pritko, Acting Senior Casework Supervisor at 222-2300 ext. 426 or email at sandyp@ors.ri.gov.

Vocational Rehabilitation Program

"Vocational rehabilitation services are any goods or services necessary to assist a person with a disability in preparing for, securing, or retaining an employment outcome that is consistent with the individual's strengths, resources, priorities, concerns, abilities, capabilities, interests, and informed choice”.- ORS Policy and Procedure Manual 115.6

Services to Youth and Adults:

• A Federal/State Program
• Vocational guidance and counseling
• Member of IEP team
• Vocational Evaluation, Career Assessment, and Educational Planning
• Orientation and Mobility
• Rehabilitation Teaching
• Training, Job Development, Job Placement, Job Retention
• Adaptive equipment in work setting and/or home (Based on Economic Need and Comparable Benefits)
• Property and income tax exemptions
• Information and referral to community resources and supports

Anyone who would like further information regarding vocational rehabilitation services may contact Melanie Sbardella, Vocational Rehabilitation Supervisor at 222-2300, Extension 444 or email to msbardella@ors.ri.gov.

Business Enterprises Program

The Business Enterprises Program [BEP] of ORS/Services for the Blind and Visually Impaired offers training and employment for qualified persons who are legally blind. Licensed blind vendors operate vending facilities at 13 locations found throughout the state. Vending facilities are established by the "State Licensing Agency" or "SLA" in public buildings as provided for in state and federal legislation and regulation. Licensed blind vendors are assigned to these locations on the basis of their seniority within the program. All locations are operated as independent businesses in close cooperation with the SLA. Types of facilities range from small snack bars serving light snacks and beverages to larger food-service sites serving hot and cold entrees prepared on-site.

Those interested in applying for training must meet the following basic entry requirements. Applicants must:

1. Be a Vocational Rehabilitation client who is ready for training.

2. Be eighteen years of age or older.

3. Possess skills in the capacity or potential to travel independently.

4. Possess sufficient capacity to learn and/or perform basic math skills.

5. Give evidence of stable personality traits sufficient to meet and deal with the public.

6. Be willing to exercise due care in daily maintenance of personal cleanliness and grooming.

7. Be legally blind.

8. Be a citizen of the United States.

Candidates selected for training participate in a minimum of eight weeks of classroom and on-the-job training offered through the SLA. In addition, new trainees are required to obtain and maintain food Safety Certification to insure safe food-handling measures are consistently practiced in the program.

Anyone who would like further information concerning BEP is encouraged to discuss their interest with their assigned VR Counselor or if there are specific questions, to contact Laurie DiOrio, Assistant Administrator at 222-2300, Extension 401or via email to ldiorio@ors.ri.gov.

NEWSLINE for the Blind

Fact Sheets

Business Enterprises Program (en Espanol)
NEWSLINE for the Blind (en Espanol)
SBVI Brochure (en Espanol)
Social Services (en Espanol)

Related Links

Governor's Advisory Council for the Blind 
National Federation of the Blind
American Foundation for the Blind
IN-SIGHT
Perkins School for the Blind
The Carroll Center
The Hadley School
Paul V. Sherlock Center on Disabilities
Louisiana Center for the Blind
American Council for the Blind
American Printing House for the Blind
Library of Congress National Library Services for the Blind & Physically Handicapped
National Braille Press