BSBP Program Overviews

A broad overview of programs offered by the Bureau of Services for Blind Persons and eligibility requirements.

Employment

Working age and up
Eligibility - Legally Blind: Central acuity does not exceed 20/200 in the better eye with corrections; OR The field of vision is restricted to 20 degrees or less
Exception to Legal Blindness: A visual acuity with best correction 20/100 or worse in the better eye with a prognosis of rapid deterioration or visual fields that subtend an angle of less than 40 degrees in each eye with a prognosis of rapid deterioration
Desire to be employed
At least one functional barrier to employment

Self-employment in food and vending businesses located in state and federal facilities and rest areas
Age 18 and up (must open a Vocational Rehabilitation case first)
Eligibility - Legally Blind: Central acuity does not exceed 20/200 in the better eye with corrections; OR The field of vision is restricted to 20 degrees or less
Exception to Legal Blindness: A visual acuity with best correction 20/100 or worse in the better eye with a prognosis of rapid deterioration or visual fields that subtend an angle of less than 40 degrees in each eye with a prognosis of rapid deterioration
Training, site set-up based on availability and equipment provided after successful completion of Program Training
You must be a United States Citizen

Students

Age birth to 14
Visual acuity of 20/70 or less in the best corrected eye; Visual field restriction 40 degrees or less in the best eye with documented deteriorating eye diagnosis
State funded program for head-borne devices to maximize use of child's residual vision

Age 14 to 26
Eligibility - Legally Blind: Central acuity does not exceed 20/200 in the better eye with corrections; OR The field of vision is restricted to 20 degrees or less
Exception to Legal Blindness: A visual acuity with best correction 20/100 or worse in the better eye with a prognosis of rapid deterioration or visual fields that is restricted an angle of less than 40 degrees in each eye with a prognosis of rapid deterioration
Designed to complement and enhance services the student may or may not be receiving at school and includes a post-secondary focus on workplace readiness and skills that lead to success upon existing the school system and related school supports.
Various programs and services will assist students with identifying career interests to be further explored through additional vocational rehabilitation services

Age 14 to 26
Eligibility - Students with a visual disability who have not yet applied or been made eligible for VR services
Designed to complement and enhance services the student may or may not be receiving at school and includes a post-secondary focus on workplace readiness and skills that lead to success upon existing the school system and related school supports.
Various programs and services will assist students with identifying career interests to be further explored through additional vocational rehabilitation services

Age 55 years or older
Eligibility - Legally Blind: Central acuity does not exceed 20/200 in the better eye with corrections; OR The field of vision is restricted to 20 degrees or less
Exception to Legal Blindness: A visual acuity with best correction 20/100 or worse in the better eye with a prognosis of rapid deterioration or visual fields that subtend an angle of less than 40 degrees in each eye with a prognosis of rapid deterioration
Services are directed at maintaining independence in the home and community.

Typically customers less than 55 years of age
Eligibility - Legally Blind: Central acuity does not exceed 20/200 in the better eye with corrections; OR The field of vision is restricted to 20 degrees or less
Exception to Legal Blindness: A visual acuity with best correction 20/100 or worse in the better eye with a prognosis of rapid deterioration or visual fields that subtend an angle of less than 40 degrees in each eye with a prognosis of rapid deterioration
Services are directed at maintaining independence in the home and community delivered by BSBP staff and the Centers for Independent Living.

Age 14 and up who are legally blind per definition below AND have moderate to profound hearing loss
Eligibility - Legally Blind: Central acuity does not exceed 20/200 in the better eye with corrections; OR The field of vision is restricted to 20 degrees or less
Exception to Legal Blindness: A visual acuity with best correction 20/100 or worse in the better eye with a prognosis of rapid deterioration or visual fields that subtend an angle of less than 40 degrees in each eye with a prognosis of rapid deterioration
AND Who has a chronic hearing impairment so severe that most speech cannot be understood with optimum amplification, or a progressive hearing loss having a prognosis leading to this condition AND
For whom the combination of impairments described in previous 2 bullet points of this section cause extreme difficulty in attaining independence in daily life activities, achieving psychosocial adjustment, or obtaining a vocation

No age restriction
An individual who is blind or has a visual impairment that makes them unable to comfortably read print books
An individual who has a perceptual or reading disability
An individual who has a physical disability that makes it hard to hold or manipulate a book or to focus or move the eyes as needed to read a print book
Facilities such as schools, hospitals, and nursing homes, that regularly serve clients meeting the eligibility requirements

Age 14 and up
Eligibility - Legally Blind: Central acuity does not exceed 20/200 in the better eye with corrections; OR The field of vision is restricted to 20 degrees or less
Exception to Legal Blindness: A visual acuity with best correction 20/100 or worse in the better eye with a prognosis of rapid deterioration or visual fields that subtend an angle of less than 40 degrees in each eye with a prognosis of rapid deterioration
Stay onsite at a 24/7 facility for training
Onsite technical training programs to include interpersonal, independent living and employment readiness