Iowa Department for the Blind: An Overview

1. Iowa Department for the Blind: An Overview

2. 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 client-centric approach to empower clients to achieve successful outcomes.

3. IDB • 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.

4. IDB • 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

5. Eligibility for VR Services • Vision 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

6. Common Vocational Rehabilitation Services • Guidance and Counseling • Assistive Technology • Assessment, Equipment, Training • Skills Training • Academic Training • Job Placement • Consultation with Employers Regarding Accommodations

7. VR Counselor Territories

8. VR 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

9. Orientation Center • Residential pre-vocational training program • VR clients, 17yrs old and older • Learn alternative/nonvisual skills, build self-confidence, and develop a positive attitude about themselves and their blindness • Classes include: • Technology • Braille • Home and Personal Management • Industrial Arts • Cane Travel • Discussion Group: Business of Blindness

10. Business Enterprise Program (BEP) • The 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.

11. Library 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

12. Library 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

13. Resources • 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.pdfor to request an application by phone, contact the library at: 515-281-1323 or library@blind.state.ia.us

14. Ashley West, M.S., CRC Vocational Rehabilitation CounselorAshley.west@blind.state.ia.us515.802.4651 IDB WEBSITE https://blind.iowa.gov/