Washington State Department of Services for the Blind (DSB) works with individuals who are Blind, Deaf-Blind, or Low Vision so they can flourish in their homes, communities, and workplaces. DSB provides skills, training, and support to people of all ages to help them achieve educational, employment, or independent living goals. If you have a vision impairment that makes employment hard for you, you may be eligible for services to help you prepare for, obtain, maintain or advance in a job. Our training often covers:

Skills for adapting to vision loss
Orientation and mobility
Assistive technology
Job-seeking skills
Talking about your disability in the workplace
Employer expectations
Communication and problem-solving

Adult Vocational Rehabilitation/Career Services offered by Washington State Department of Services for the Blind in Seattle

Assists those who are blind or have low vision in exploring a wide range of possibilities for employment. Helps find the right combination of assistive technology devices and accommodations so they can get or keep a job.

Programs that assess the current ability to function of people who have disabilities and prescribe or recommend the most appropriate assistive technology product to meet their individual needs including communication/learning aids, control and signaling aids, daily living aids, hearing augmentation aids, mobility aids, prosthetic/orthotic/seating devices, recreational aids, speech aids and/or visual/reading aids.

Evaluation for Assistive Technology

Programs that enable individuals with disabilities, people who abuse drugs or alcohol, or people who have emotional problems to obtain the training and employment experiences they need to achieve economic self-sufficiency. Services may include vocational evaluation, work adjustment, work experience, training in marketable skills and placement in competitive employment or a sheltered work environment.

Vocational Rehabilitation

Programs that provide training for individuals who have physical or sensory limitations and/or for their caregivers which focuses on the care and utilization of the particular type of assistive technology product they require and changes the devices might require in their lives. Assistive technology training may deal with cognitive/learning aids, computer access aids, assistive technology software, control and signaling aids, daily living aids, hearing augmentation aids, mobility aids, prosthetic/orthotic/seating devices, recreational aids, speech aids and/or visual aids.

Assistive Technology Training

Programs that administer tests which measure an individual's skills, abilities, interests, personality traits and other attributes for success in different occupational areas or specific positions. Also included are programs that allow people to "try out" jobs in the community for short periods of time to determine whether there is a fit and, in the case of people with disabilities, to determine the type of supports the individual might require to succeed if hired for that type of job.

Vocational Assessment

When vision loss makes your daily life difficult, DSB is here to help. DSB's Independent Living Program can empower you to live independently in your home and community. The Independent Living Program is free for anyone who qualifies. We match you with a local provider that can help you meet your goals of becoming independent.

Independent Living Services offered at Washington State Department of Services for the Blind in Seattle

Assesses the needs of those who are blind or have low vision to maximize their level of independence by teaching adaptive skills and recommending adaptive devices. Focuses on helping those not seeking employment. Serves northwest Washington.

Programs that pay for or provide magnifiers, magnification equipment, light intensification equipment, night vision equipment, closed circuit television devices and other products which help people who have visual impairments use their remaining vision to greater advantage.

Low Vision Aids

Programs that evaluate an individual's capacity for self-care and his or her ability to function independently in the context of everyday living and which, where necessary, may recommend rehabilitative services (e.g., independent living skills instruction), supportive services (e.g., attendant care, personal care or home health care), or an alternative residential setting (e.g., an assisted living center or nursing facility). Activities of daily living include bathing, eating, dressing, mobility, transferring from bed to chair and using the toilet. Most assessments also include instrumental activities of daily living such as using the telephone, taking medication, money management, housework, meal preparation, laundry and grocery shopping. Evaluation services are generally provided for individuals who have physical and/or mental limitations or for people whose age may constitute a temporary (children) or developing (elderly) limitation.

Activities of Daily Living Assessment

Programs that provide comprehensive, intensive instruction that is designed to teach older adults and/or individuals with disabilities how to travel independently and safely using accessible public transportation. Skills include crossing streets safely with and without traffic signals, boarding the correct bus or subway, recognizing and disembarking at the correct destination, following directions, recognizing and avoiding dangerous situations and obstacles, dealing appropriately with strangers, handling unexpected situations such as re-routed buses or subways or getting lost, maintaining appropriate behavior, using specialized equipment and/or devices, and recognizing the need for assistance and requesting help from appropriate sources.

Travel Training for Older Adults/People With Disabilities

Programs that assist people who have disabilities to learn the basic skills of daily living through individual and group counseling and instruction, experience and practice in coping with real or simulated life situational demands; or through the use of assistive devices, special equipment and specialized assistants. Services include but are not limited to training in the ability to travel about the community alone; to live independently in a private residence; to maintain health through self-care and use of medical services; to live within personal income; to maintain acceptable grooming and appearance; to deal with legal, family or social problems; and to cope with other requirements for successful independent living.

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Adult Vocational Rehabilitation/Career Services offered by Washington State Department of Services for the Blind in Seattle

Independent Living Services offered at Washington State Department of Services for the Blind in Seattle