DIVISION OF SERVICES FOR THE BLIND (DSB)

 

                                  

During the 2001 state fiscal year, DSB provided specialized services to blind and visually impaired persons through two major program units. Field Services offered vocational rehabilitation and independent living services to blind and severely visually impaired persons in their homes and communities throughout Arkansas.  Business and Technology Services provided assessment of technological and job development needs, then prescribed equipment and training plans to meet those needs in a rapidly changing job market and business environment.  The DSB Director’s Office supported the programs offered above through supplemental administrative services as well as providing management services to the Radio Reading Services for the Blind Network.

 

 

DSB FIELD SERVICES

 

Vocational Rehabilitation- The objective of the Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) program is to ensure that qualified blind and visually impaired persons work in appropriate careers and become as personally and economically independent as possible. The program assesses consumer needs, plans appropriate services based upon informed consumer choice, and develops and provides cost-effective services for individuals who are blind or severely visually impaired. Consumers usually range in age from 14 to 64. The vocational rehabilitation services provided are consistent with the strengths, resources, priorities, concerns, abilities, capabilities and informed choice of the disabled individual. 

 

To be eligible for DSB services, the individual must have a visual disability; the visual disability must be a substantial impediment to employment; it must be determined that the individual with the visual disability can benefit from vocational rehabilitation services in the achievement of a vocational outcome; and the individual requires vocational rehabilitation services to prepare for, engage in, or retain gainful employment.  After an individual is determined eligible for vocational rehabilitation, services are provided based on the DSB Order of Selection criteria, with priority given to the individual with the most significant visual disability.  In SFY 2001, DSB served 1,346 vocational rehabilitation consumers, of which 100% were severely disabled.  Of this number, 324 blind or severely visually impaired individuals successfully achieved employment outcomes.

 

VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION (VR) DEMOGRAPHIC BREAKDOWN 

 

 

Jump Start-  Under the Vocational Rehabilitation Program, again this year, DSB sponsored a special four-week summer transition program in conjunction with the Arkansas Department of Education-Special Education Unit, Arkansas School for the Blind (ASB), the ASB Outreach Program, and the Arkansas School for the Deaf. The program, dubbed “JUMP START”, was designed to combine skills training for independent living with education and summer employment opportunities for blind and visually impaired students.  Twenty-four students successfully completed JUMP START 2001.

 

JUMP START DEMOGRAPHIC BREAKDOWN

 

 

 

AR DHS Statistical Report SFY 2001

8-1

 

 

Living Independence for Elders (LIFE)-  The LIFE Program provides in-home instruction in the activities of daily living to Arkansans, age 55 and older, who are blind, severely visually impaired or have a rapidly progressive visual impairment. 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 very closely together to support the independence of older blind persons within the state.  During SFY 2001, DSB served 795 older blind persons.

                      

LIFE PROGRAM DEMOGRAPHIC BREAKDOWN

 

 

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 2001, 68 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.  Training opportunities are ongoing and coordinated with other state departments and federal agencies to provide the highest quality training possible within available resources.

 

 

DSB BUSINESS AND TECHNOLOGY SERVICES

 

Consumer Technology-  Like their sighted counterparts, blind college students, insurance agents, lawyers, social workers, ministers, physicians, etc., have multiple needs for computers and other technology. Computer systems with prescriptive sensory adaptations are developed by the Consumer Technology Program to enable blind and visually impaired individuals to access the information needed for success in their chosen professions.

 

During SFY 2001, there were 574 visits made to the Consumer Technology Lab with technology specialists providing consultation and training to 113 individuals.  Additionally, numerous public inquiries were made by agencies, businesses, and individuals interested in learning more about adaptive equipment for blind and visually impaired people.  The Technology Lab has proven to be valuable in allowing blind individuals to have access to computers for the purpose of gaining experience in using adaptive equipment.

 

Vending Facility Program- The Vending Facility Program (VFP) provides self-employment business opportunities throughout the state for individuals who are interested in, and have the necessary skills for, private enterprise.  The vending locations are managed by totally blind or legally blind persons who have been trained and licensed by the Division of Services for the Blind under the federal Randolph Sheppard Act.  In addition to initial training, managers are also provided technical assistance, financial management services and upward mobility training.  The program also assesses and recruits potential new locations.  It equips locations, maintains and replaces equipment as needed, and provides initial stock inventory.  This fiscal year, $115,926 was personally spent by the vendors upgrading existing facilities.  Licensed blind vendors operated 32 vending locations with sales of over 2.1 million dollars.  There were also 16 mechanical vending locations on Arkansas highways generating income of $155,989.  For the 2001 fiscal year, vending managers earned commissions on sales totaling $546,948 an average of $17,092 annually.

 

 

 

 

 

 

AR DHS Statistical Report SFY 2001

8-2

 

 

Job Development Program-  The Job Development Program 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 2001, the Job Development Program placed 36 consumers in competitive employment. 

 

DEMOGRAPHIC BREAKDOWN

 

 

Volunteer Coordination-  In SFY 2001, DSB volunteers participated in various activities with a total of 712 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 150 volunteers donated time to DSB staff and consumers and various DSB and DHS projects.

 

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.  The service 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, 2000, through June 30, 2001, the Braille/Tape Production unit received a total of 173 requests for alternative format to print.  Some 159 requests were for Braille, resulting in the production of 8,481 braille pages; 1,593 large print pages; 141 duplicated cassette tapes and 36 computer diskettes.

 

 

DIRECTOR'S OFFICE

 

The DSB Director's Office provides administrative guidance and supplemental staff support to the previously mentioned programs in the form of recruitment, policy development, and financial services. Additionally, it oversees the Arkansas Radio Reading Services for the Blind Network (ARRSBN).

 

Arkansas Radio Reading Services for the Blind Network (ARRSBN)-  This unit broadcasts current readings of various materials via subcarrier, SAP (Secondary Audio Program) and cable.  Several state and national newspapers, magazines and other printed 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 2001, the Arkansas Radio Reading Service for the Blind Network served approximately 630 consumers throughout Arkansas, 90 of whom utilized the telephone reader service that provides the reading of selected text upon demand.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Source:  Division of Services for the Blind

 

AR DHS Statistical Report SFY 2001

8-3