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What is Blind Services?
Blind Services is a section of Louisiana Rehabilitation Services’ Vocational Rehabilitation Program and provides services to eligible individuals who are blind or visually impaired. The Randolph-Sheppard Business Enterprise Program and the Older Blind/Visually Impaired Program are parts of Blind Services. The Randolph-Sheppard Business Enterprise Program provides entrepreneurial opportunities for legally blind clients of the Vocational Rehabilitation Program to manage their own businesses. These blind entrepreneurs manage a wide variety of food-service operations, including cafeterias, coffee shops, vending locations, and highway rest area vending sites. Through this program, blind persons receive training and opportunities to become productive, tax-paying citizens and proud business owners.
The Older Blind/Visually Impaired Program expands independent living services for people who are age 55 or older and have a severe visual impairement. Through a grant from the Department of Education Older Blind Program, Louisiana Rehabilitation Services provides funding to 3 contractors: Affiliated Blind of Louisiana, Lighthouse for the Blind in New Orleans and LA Center for the Blind, to coordinate statewide services for Older Individuals who are Blind/Visually Impaired. This program offers hope for those who are age 55 or older with visual impairments.
How do I qualify for services?
Eligibility for the Randolph-Sheppard Business Enterprise Program is based upon an individual with a significant visual disability benefiting from vocational rehabilitation services in terms of achieving employment. Therefore, applications for services are accepted at the time an individual with a disability reaches or nears the minimum age of legal employability.
To be eligible for vocational rehabilitation services, the individual must:
- have a physical or mental disability which for the individual constitutes or results in a substantial impediment to employment; and
- be able to benefit from vocational rehabilitation services in terms of employment; and
- require vocational rehabilitation services to prepare for, enter, engage in or retain gainful employment.
In addition, an individual must:
- be a U.S. citizen residing in Louisiana
- be 18 years of age or older
- have completed all services on their Individualized Plan for Employment (IPE)
- have documentation of independent living skills
- be a high school graduate or have a GED
- have basic math skills
Since 1988, Louisiana Rehabilitation Services has been providing vocational rehabilitation services under an Order of Selection. This has resulted in priority for services to citizens in Louisiana with the most significant disabilities.
Eligibility for the Older Blind/Visually Impaired Program are:
- be age 55 or older
- have a severe visual disability or legally blind.
Where do I apply for services?
For information about resources for Blind Services in Louisiana contact the nearest LRS Regional Office. You can locate this information through the Regional Office Directory or you can contact:
Kevin Monk, Executive Director for Blind Services
Louisiana Rehabilitation Services
627 N. Fourth Street, 2nd Floor
Baton Rouge, LA 70802
(225) 219-2943 or 1-800-737-2958
For information on the Older Blind/Visually Impaired Program, contact:
Affiliated Blind of Louisiana
409 W. St. Mary Blvd.,
Lafayette, LA 70506
(337) 234-6492
Lighthouse for the Blind in New Orleans
123 State Street
New Orleans, LA 70118
(504) 899-4501
LA Center for the Blind
101 South Trenton Street
Ruston, LA 71270
(318) 251-2891 or 1-800-234-4166
What Services are available?
Blind /Visually Impaired Services may include, but is not limited to:
- Vocational guidance and career counseling
- Evaluation of rehabilitation potential
- Restoration (physical/mental)
- Vocational and other training services
- Rehabilitation technology, including assistive technology services, assistive technology devices, and rehabilitation engineering
- Occupational tools and equipment
- Transportation to access other vocational rehabilitation services
- Job Placement into suitable employment
- Orientation and Mobility training
- Randolph-Sheppard Business Enterprise
These services are available through the Older Blind/Visually Impaired Program:
- Low Vision Screening
- In home or classroom training in skills to help maintain independence
- Aids for independent living
- Orientation and Mobility training (sighted guide and use of white cane)
- Peer Counseling
- Braille
- Information and referral services
- Confidence- building activities
Publications
For additional information, contact:
Kevin Monk, Executive Director of Blind Services
Louisiana Rehabilitation Services
627 N. Fourth Street, 2nd Floor
Baton Rouge, LA 70802
Statistics
Currently the Randolph- Sheppard Vending Facility Program has a total of 91 vending facilities located statewide. During Federal Fiscal Year 2004, over 1,000 individuals age 55 or older received services through the Older Blind Program.
Related Links
Affiliated Blind of Louisiana
American Council of the Blind
American Foundation for the Blind
Federal Register Documents -- U.S. Department of Education
Lighthouse for the Blind in New Orleans
Louisiana Association for the Blind
National Federation of the Blind (NFB)
National Federation of the Blind - Newsline
National Library Service
Randolph Sheppard Vendors of America
www.lcb-ruston.com
www.blindmerchants.org |
