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Department of Health and Social Services Division for the Visually Impaired

Department of Health and Social Services Division for the Visually Impaired. Joint Finance Committee Hearing Fiscal Year 2012 Robert L. Doyle, III Division Director Monday, February 28, 2011. Overview & Accomplishments.

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Department of Health and Social Services Division for the Visually Impaired

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  1. Department of Health and Social ServicesDivision for the Visually Impaired Joint Finance Committee Hearing Fiscal Year 2012 Robert L. Doyle, III Division Director Monday, February 28, 2011

  2. Overview & Accomplishments Mission “ Working in partnership with Delawareans who are blind or visually impaired empowering them to be self-sufficient” 3,031 Identified Blind/Visually Impaired Delawareans on the Registry Youngest is 7 months old Oldest is 109 years old Leading Causes of Blindness Macular Degeneration (34.45%) Glaucoma (7.94%) Diabetes Related Vision Loss (7.89%)

  3. Overview & Accomplishments DVI Employs 113 individuals 35 Percent of our total employment base are blind/visually impaired individuals Revenues/Funding Sources State General Fund Appropriations $3.20M Various Federal Grants $2.02M Other Appropriated Funds (Donations, DIB & BEP) $2.90M

  4. Overview & Accomplishments DVI Provides a Continuum of Services from Birth to Death Programs include: Education Independent Living Services Technology Assistance Orientation and Mobility Low Vision Evaluation and Training Vocational Rehabilitation Delaware Industries for the Blind Business Enterprise Program Instructional Material Center

  5. Overview & Accomplishments Education 255 students are currently being served by teachers for the visually impaired and County Resource room staff Provide consultation to families of infants, toddlers, and school age children Provide consultation to school personnel on student needs and accommodations Provide instruction in reading Braille Provide instruction in the appropriate use of Assistive Technology in the classroom Conducts learning media assessments Conducts functional vision assessments Aids in the identification of rehabilitation technology Advocates on behalf of students for the Individualized Education Plan

  6. Overview & Accomplishments Independent Living Services Provides: Independent Living Skills Training Low Vision Services Sensitivity/Vision Simulation Training Training to individuals, groups & organizations

  7. Overview & Accomplishments Vocational Rehabilitation Provided a variety of services over the last twelve months to 258 Job Seeking Consumers (27.9% increase). Assessments, Financial Assistance, Rehabilitation Technology, Job Placement, Vocational Counseling, Job Retention and other services. Increased employment outcomes by 71% in FFY 2010 in the following employment areas: Teacher, Electrician, Global Product Line Manager, Pharmacist, Web Designer, Produce Clerk, and Mess Hall Attendant to name a few. Three non-profit organization partnerships resulting in 4 newly created positions.

  8. Overview & Accomplishments Delaware Industries for the Blind Employment options for the blind and visually impaired through Delaware Industries for the Blind require various skill levels: Leadership/Supervisory Customer Service Representatives Production of Promotional Products Janitorial Services Engraving Embroidery Marketing/Sales Call Center Services DIB achieved ISO 9000 Certification in Fall 2010

  9. Overview & Accomplishments Business Enterprise Program Provides entrepreneurial opportunities for the Blind and Visually Impaired • Cafeteria Operation Management FFY10 Sales $755.4K • Vending Machine Operations FFY10 Sales $1.06M • Expanding into further markets

  10. Overview & Accomplishments Instructional Materials Center Provides instructional materials to students and the visually impaired community in alternate formats. FY 10 Braille - produced 18,733 pages Large Print - produced 58,799 pages Audio – produced 106 tapes

  11. Trends and Performance Measure Indicators

  12. Trends

  13. Trends INCREASED TECHNOLOGY DEMAND Increase in requests for: Web-based reading material Digital books for downloading (changing technology) Scripting to make state and business computer systems work with Assistive Technology Software programs like Jaws and Zoom Text

  14. FY 12 Governor’s Recommended Budget Base adjustments • ($32.6) Reducing summer coverage of 2 - 12 month teachers; • ($105.1) Switch to NSF one Teacher Salary; • $78.9 Switch to GF one Teacher Salary; • ($18.8) Switch to 50% NSF for Casual/Seasonal; • ($40.0) Complement Reduction for vacant Admin Specialist I position.

  15. Challenges Identifying blind and visually impaired Delawareans who are unknown to DVI. Increasing awareness of the medical professionals to register patients with the Division for inclusion on the blind registry.

  16. Challenges

  17. Challenges Increasing the awareness of Employers (public and private) to the Abilities of Blind/Visually Impaired Workers. Overcoming some attitudinal dispositions about hiring blind/visually impaired Employees. Scripting to make state and business computer systems work with Assistive Technology Software programs like Jaws and Zoom Text.

  18. Thank You!

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