An Overview Iowa Department for the Blind IDB Mission The mission of the Iowa Department for the Blind is to empower blind Iowans to be gainfully employed and live independently IDB uses a clientcentric approach to empower clients to achieve successful outcomes ID: 912781
Download Presentation The PPT/PDF document "Iowa Department for the Blind:" is the property of its rightful owner. Permission is granted to download and print the materials on this web site for personal, non-commercial use only, and to display it on your personal computer provided you do not modify the materials and that you retain all copyright notices contained in the materials. By downloading content from our website, you accept the terms of this agreement.
Slide1
Iowa Department for the Blind:
An Overview
Slide2Iowa Department for the Blind (IDB)
Mission:
The mission of the Iowa
Department for the Blind is
to
empower blind Iowans to be gainfully employed and live independently.
IDB uses a client-centric approach to empower clients to achieve successful outcomes.
Slide3IDB
Federally and state funded program
to assist Iowans who are blind or low vision improve skills to obtain or retain competitive employment.
Both
IDB
and the Iowa
Vocational Rehabilitation Services are
voluntary programs (not entitlement) with rights and responsibilities for
participation.
IDB
works with a variety of community partners, agencies,
businesses,
disability groups and other
stakeholders.
Slide4IDB
The department’s main office is in Des Moines, with field staff statewide
IDB assists
eligible individuals who are blind/low vision lead active and fulfilling lives at home, at work, and in their
communities
Over 50% of individuals served by IDB have documented co-occurring disabilities
Services offered include:
Vocational Rehabilitation Services
Orientation Center
Business Enterprise Program
Library Services
Slide5Vision loss of legal blindness, functional blindness or a degenerative eye disorder that will lead to legal blindness
Legal Blindness:
visual acuity of 20/200 or less in the better eye with correction
Visual field of 20 degrees or less
Functional Blindness: When an individual has to use so many alternative techniques to perform tasks that are ordinarily performed by sight that their pattern of daily living is substantially altered.
A substantial impediment to employment
Can benefit in terms of an employment outcome
Must also require vocational rehabilitation services in order to prepare for, secure, retain or regain employment
Eligibility for VR Services
Slide6Common Vocational Rehabilitation Services
Guidance and Counseling
Assistive Technology
Assessment, Equipment, Training
Skills
Training
Academic Training
Job Placement Consultation with Employers Regarding Accommodations
Slide7VR Counselor Territories
Slide8VR Counselor Contact
Information
Central:
Ashley.West@blind.state.ia.us
/ 515-802-4651
Toni.Reimers@blind.state.ia.us
/ 515-777-5693
West:
Jessica.Badding@blind.state.ia.us
/ 515-661-8528
Northwest:
Gloria.Graves@blind.state.ia.us
/ 712-522-0442
Southwest:
Samuel.Negron@blind.state.ia.us
/ 515-344-7942
East Central:
Joe.Weigel@blind.state.ia.us
/ 515-971-7049
East
Lisa.Ortner@blind.state.ia.us
/ 515-681-4914
Northeast:
Jamie.Phipps@blind.state.ia.us
/ 515-249-9137
Southeast:
Rachel.Miller@blind.state.ia.us
/ 319-231-3059
Slide9Orientation Center
Residential pre-vocational training program
VR clients, 17yrs old and older
L
earn alternative/nonvisual skills, build self-confidence, and develop a positive attitude about themselves and their blindness
Classes include:
Technology
BrailleHome and Personal Management Industrial Arts Cane TravelDiscussion Group: Business of Blindness
Slide10The
Randolph Sheppard Act (1936) gives legally blind vendors priority in operating vending facilities in federal, state, or county facilities.
The licensed vendor may work in a variety of settings, including: vending machine routes, snack bars, or cafeterias.
The Business Enterprise Program provides opportunities for legally blind VR clients to manage their own businesses.
IDB provides initial and ongoing food service and management training, as well as beginning inventory and purchase of equipment.
The average income of BEP business owners is $41,000 per year.
Business Enterprise Program (BEP)
Slide11Library Services
Provides reading materials in alternative formats to Iowans who are unable to access standard print.
Eligibility for Library Services
Blindness: visual acuity of 20/200 or less in the better eye with correcting lenses
Visual disability that prevents the reading of standard print materials- inability to read standard print materials with correction and regardless of optical measurement
A physical disability- inability to read or use standard print materials as a result of physical limitations such as paralysis, lack of arms or hands, extreme weakness, etc.
A reading disability resulting from organic dysfunction
Slide12Library Services
Provide reading materials in alternative formats
Braille, large print, digital audio recordings, print/Braille, descriptive video, and electronic text
Instructional Materials Center
Textbooks and other educational material in alternative formats for students of any age
Vocational materials in accessible formats for jobseekers and employed Iowans upon request
The library works with agencies, organizations, and employers, to create accessible documents, materials, signage and more in braille and audio
Slide13Resources
To make a VR referral to Iowa Department for the Blind:
https://iowadeptblind.wufoo.com/forms/zvrywj80kfnxfj/
or contact Ann Fremont, Intake Specialist: 515-281-1357 or
Ann.Fremont@blind.state.ia.us
For more information about the Orientation Center, contact Julie Aufdenkamp, Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor: 515-242-5768 or
Julie.Aufdenkamp@blind.state.ia.us
For more information about the Business Enterprise Program, contact Tim
Wigans
, Business Enterprise Program Counselor: 515-249-8742 or
Tim.Wigans@blind.state.ia.us
Library application form:
https://blind.iowa.gov/sites/default/files/file/Iowa%20Library%20Application%202017.pdf
or to
request an application by phone, contact the library at: 515-281-1323 or
library@blind.state.ia.us
Slide14Ashley West, M.S., CRC Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor
Ashley.west@blind.state.ia.us
515.802.4651
IDB WEBSITE
https
://blind.iowa.gov/