REHABILITATION TEACHING PROGRAM

The DSB Rehabilitation Teaching program complements other public or private health and therapeutic services by providing home teaching for blind and severely visually impaired persons in the skills of self-sufficiency unique to blindness. During the past state fiscal year, 141 children school age 6 through age 21(dependent upon student status) received DSB Rehabilitation Teaching Services and/or referral to appropriate resources. Services to children are provided in close cooperation with the Educational Services for the Visually Impaired (ESVI) unit of the state Department of Education. The joint service efforts ensure that each child, whether in public school, private education or the Arkansas School for the Blind, has the opportunity to develop to his or her fullest educational potential without duplication of state services.

The LIFE Program provides home teaching services statewide to Arkansans, age 55 and older, who are blind, severely visually impaired or have a rapidly progressive visual impairment. Like the Rehabilitation Teaching Program above, the LIFE Program assists eligible individuals by teaching independent living skills necessary to remain independent in their homes and communities. DSB, the DHS Division on Aging and Adult Services, and the Arkansas Department of Health work closely to support the independence of older blind persons within the state. During SFY 1999, 772 older blind persons were served.

MULTIPLE DISABILITY SERVICES PROGRAM

This program promotes the independence of blind and severely visually impaired individuals at any age, who also have additional disabilities. In conjunction with DSB Counselors, the program coordinator assists consumers in accessing the full range of services available to them from both public and private sources, and develops local volunteer support groups. During SFY 1999, there were 219 individuals identified and listed on the Arkansas Deaf/Blind - Multiple Disability Registry. Five deaf/blind individuals successfully achieved employment outcomes.

The Client Orientation and Mobility Program is staffed by nationally accredited specialists specifically educated to impart independent travel skills (using white cane and other techniques) to blind and severely visually impaired individuals. Consumers learn orientation to their surroundings and mobility within their own homes or communities or, if appropriate, more distant locations. During SFY 1999, 186 consumers of all ages received orientation and mobility training.

The Job Development Unit provides VR consumers with employment and placement services, assists with job development of employment avenues in the private and public sectors, and performs job coaching activities for newly hired consumers. In SFY 1999, the Job Development Program placed 25 consumers in competitive employment.

The DSB Director's Office provides administrative guidance and supplemental staff support to the above programs in the form of recruitment, policy development, and financial services. Additionally, it provides the following direct services to consumers and staff:

Braille/Tape Production- This unit converts printed materials into braille, large print, cassette tape or computer diskette according to the user's preference in order to comply with ADA requirements or the Federal Rehabilitation Act. Services are provided after identifying preference of media choice from the agency's staff, consumers and other professionals throughout the field of blindness: e.g. textbooks, operating manuals, meeting agendas/minutes, training packets, test for employment, etc. This is a unique service specifically designed to meet the blind and visually impaired individual's needs, and is managed by a Library of Congress Certified Braille Transcriber who also serves as the liaison to the Library of Congress for the ongoing Volunteer Braille Training Project. From July 1, 1998 through June 30, 1999, the Braille/Tape Production unit received a total of 285 requests for alternative format to print, 258 requests were for Braille, resulting in the production of 11,158 braille pages; 179 large print pages; 169 duplicated cassette tapes and 27 computer diskettes.

Staff Development- This unit is responsible for monitoring agency compliance with federal requirements regarding the Comprehensive System of Personnel Development mandated under the Federal Rehabilitation Act. It assesses all staff development needs under federal standards and acquires or provides appropriate training for professional development and certification. In SFY 1999, 91 In-Service Training Activities were designed, conducted, and coordinated in the area of field procedures, management/leadership, computer training, career development, professional enhancement, and organizational development for all classes of positions within the Division. The Division's philosophy is that DSB staff must possess specific knowledge concerning the problems of blindness, and be given sufficient and timely training appropriate to the job function as well as training supportive of career development in the field of Rehabilitation. Training opportunities are ongoing and coordinated with other state departments and federal agencies to provide the highest quality training possible within available resources.

Volunteer Coordination- In SFY 1999, DSB volunteers participated in various activities with a total of 2,290 hours. Service was donated in the areas of management, direct services, advocacy, indirect services, special events, education and training, boards/commissions and advisory committee activities. A total of 191 volunteers donated time to DSB staff clients and various DSB and DHS projects.

Arkansas Radio Reading Services for the Blind (ARRSB)- This unit broadcasts current readings of various materials via subcarrier, SAP (Secondary Audio Program) and cable. Several state and national newspapers, magazines and other print material which are not otherwise accessible to visually impaired and physically handicapped individuals are covered daily. Consumers receive the audio programs either by tuning in to a particular television channel in their area or by listening to a specially designed radio provided by ARRSB. In 1999, the Arkansas Radio Reading Services for the Blind Network served approximately 630 consumers throughout Arkansas, and 83 of whom utilize the telephone reader service which provides the reading of selected text upon demand.