VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION FOR THE BLIND

Contact: Lou Oma Durand
Department of Services for the Blind
P.O. Box 40933
Olympia, WA 98504-0933
Telephone: 360.586.6981
E-mail: loudurand@dsb.wa.gov

State Website: www.dsb.wa.gov

Participation: 1,193 participants were served by the Department of Services for the Blind (DSB) in the Vocational Rehabilitation Program during July 1, 2006-June 30, 2007.

Who is Served: Any blind or visually impaired person may apply for vocational rehabilitation services. Eligibility is based on statutory criteria for legal or functional blindness and need for vocational rehabilitation services. Individuals must have a visual impairment that creates a barrier to employment.

Program Description: DSB provides comprehensive and individualized vocational rehabilitation services to assist eligible individuals gain competitive employment. The emphasis is on family wage jobs with benefits in integrated settings.

Typical services include information and referral, vocational assessment, adaptive skills assessment and training, vocational counseling and career exploration, assistive technology and training, job skills and academic training, job development and job search assistance, transportation, placement, job site analysis (including assistive technology), employer support and follow-up. When appropriate, DSB also provides assistance in establishing small businesses. Services may include assessment and development of a business plan, occupational licenses, tools, equipment, technological aids, and other goods and services that can be reasonably expected to help participants achieve successful employment.

Other Program Characteristics: DSB currently employs 15 full-time counselors with an average annual caseload of close to 100 participants requiring intensive vocational rehabilitation services. The rapidly changing nature of technology in the workplace presents a major opportunity and challenge for the Vocational Rehabilitation program. More jobs require high levels of technical skill and knowledge of computerized systems. Access to technology is required for visually impaired workers to be more productive and competitive in the workplace.

DSB strives to effectively integrate its Vocational Rehabilitation services into the Workforce Investment System. The Workforce Investment Act provides the opportunity to leverage the resources of larger agencies to assist in the employment of blind individuals.

Program History: Originally part of the Department of Social and Health Services, the Commission for the Blind was established in July 1977. It was renamed the DSB in July 1983.

Funding and Regional Division: DSB has no regional divisions. The agency is directed from Olympia with offices in Seattle, Spokane, Tacoma, Vancouver, and Yakima. The federal Department of Education, Rehabilitation Services Administration requires a state plan. Funding is allocated by formula: 79 percent federal grant and 21 percent state matching funds, based on state population.

State Funding: $2,361,000 (July 1, 2007-June 30, 2008), State General Fund.

Federal Funding: $8,830,000 (July 1, 2007-June 30, 2008), U.S. Department of Education, Rehabilitation Services.

Planning Cycle: State annual and biennial planning. Federal planning is coordinated with the WIA State Unified Plan process.

State Core Measures: See Workforce Training Results.

Other Outcome Measures: The primary outcome measure for vocational rehabilitation is successful competitive employment (above minimum wage in an integrated setting). Other measures include average wages, increase in earnings, benefits, job retention, employment outcome quality, participant satisfaction, coverage and accessibility of services, and cost effectiveness.

Statutory Authority: Federal-34 CFR 361. State-WAC, Chapter 67-25. Administeredby the Department of Services for the Blind.