Eligibility for DSB Services

Division of Services for the Blind (DSB) offers a variety of services with distinct eligibility requirements based chiefly upon the severity of visual impairment and its affect upon your employment opportunities or your ability to function independently. Basically, if (1) you cannot read standard print regardless of corrective lenses, (2) your visual acuity is less than 20/200 in the better eye, or 
(3) your useful vision is rapidly deteriorating, you may be eligible for one or more of the DSB Services:

Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) Services


The Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) Services is a comprehensive state program to assess needs, and to plan, develop and provide job-related services to blind or severely visually impaired individuals. Such services are designed to assist you to prepare for employment that is commensurate within your abilities, interests and informed choice and consistent with your strengths, resources, concerns and capabilities. VR services are available to you, if you are blind or have a severe visual impairment and are not currently employed; or if you are seeking to advance in your present career.

VR Transition Services are designed to ensure there is not a gap between services provided students by the educational system and those provided by rehabilitation. Transition activities promote movement from school to a post-secondary setting for students from age 14 thru high school.

Rehabilitation Teaching Services (RT)

The Rehabilitation Teaching Services (RT) is a coordinated system of instruction in the development of adaptive skills and supportive resources to enable individuals who are blind or have an uncorrectable severe visual impairment to live as independently as possible in their homes and communities. Individuals learn how to care for themselves, travel independently, perform home management skills, keep records and other activities to promote self-reliance. Involvement of family and friends is strongly encouraged.

Arkansas Information Reading Services for the Blind

Application for Service
(Microsoft Word Document)

 

Click here to listen to AIRS

 

The Arkansas Information Reading Services for the Blind (AIRS) broadcasts readings of local and national newspapers and magazines daily over special television or radio channels to provide independent access to current information.

Serving the blind and visually impaired from Little Rock ARKANSAS INFORMATION READING SERVICES FOR THE BLIND broadcasts 24 hours per day, seven days per week on the SAP channels of AETN channels 2, 6, 9, 13, and 19. 

Readings are presented from the New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, The Arkansas Democrat/Gazette, and several State and regional newspapers. 

The Arkansas Telephone Reader is a computer system that reads the Arkansas Democrat/Gazette and the Arkansas Times by a combination of digitized and human speech. The reader can access individual stories by using a touch-tone telephone, allowing them to read what they want, when they want. 

To hear a demonstration of the system call 501-683-2005 
(Little Rock) or 501-852-5127 (Conway) or 1-800-550-7633 and use the I.D. number 1777 (AIRS). 

TO APPLY FOR SERVICE 
Call 501-852-5125 or 1-800-645-8125 and leave a message on the voice mailbox, or e-mail  arkansas_blindnet@aetn.org

The Vending Facility Program (VFP) Services are available to eligible blind persons who are interested in and have the necessary skills to manage snack bars throughout the state. VFP locates the sales site, equips and stocks the facility initially, maintains the equipment, and provides oversight and record keeping.

For more information about services, you may contact any of the ten DSB Offices listed below. Call toll free at 1-800-960-9270, 
TDD: (501) 682-0093, Fax: (501) 682-0366 or click here for online referral.

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