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BSBP Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) Program
VR Overview
The Bureau of Services for Blind Persons (BSBP) VR program is an integral part of the statewide workforce and is designed to assess, plan, and provide vocational rehabilitation services to eligible legally blind or visually impaired customers. Vocational services are designed around the customer's informed choice, unique strengths, resources, priorities, concerns, abilities, capabilities, interests, and the local labor market. The VR program prepares the customer for competitive integrated employment as that term is defined by regulatory and sub-regulatory guidelines. It is BSBP’s vision that every customer will achieve economic self-sufficiency.
Scope of Services
Vocational Rehabilitation assessment and training services are provided on an individualized basis with consideration to the following:
- Eligibility determination and priority for services,
- Vocational rehabilitation and independent living needs,
- Vocational rehabilitation counseling and guidance, and
- Referral to other statewide workforce development centers and resources that support competitive integrated employment.
Eligibility
- The individual must be at least 14 years of age and desire to be employed,
- The primary disability must be legal blindness which results in a substantial impediment to competitive integrated employment,
- The individual must require vocational rehabilitation services to prepare for, secure, retain, advance in, or regain competitive integrated employment.
Highlights
Information Coming Soon!
VR Program Referral
To request BSBP Vocational Rehabilitation services, a referral form must be submitted. Upon submitting the requested information, the individual or guardian seeking services will be contacted by a BSBP representative who will process the submitted referral form, provide program information, and assign a Rehabilitation Professional to discuss service needs. Request for vocational rehabilitation services can come directly from the individual, family, friends, employers, and workforce partners.
To Request Services: Referral for BSBP Services Form
For More Information: Contact a Bureau of Services for Blind Persons office near you to speak to a Rehabilitation Professional in your area.
Resources
Business Services
Business Services help employers like you retain your experienced employees after vision loss and find new, qualified employees who are blind or visually impaired.
Pure Michigan Talent Connect
Ticket To Work
MAXIMUS Ticket-To-Work Help-line:
866-968-7842 or 866-833-2967 (TTY)
(Michigan) Bureau of Services for Blind Persons Toll-Free Line:
800-292-4200 or 888-864-1212 (TTY)
Michigan Occupations Employment Forecasts Through 2024
Disability Tool Links
Disability Benefits 101 gives you tools and information on employment, health coverage, and benefits
Disability.gov Connects the Disability Community to Information and Opportunities
Frequently Asked Questions
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What is required before being determined eligible/ineligible for services offered by BSBP?
Before receiving services, customers shall participate in a skills of blindness and vocational assessment to evaluate functional limitations related to vision loss.
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What if I have a secondary impairment such as hearing loss, can BSBP still assist me?
Yes, BSBP provides vocational services to address all disability-related barriers in addition to legal blindness.
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Are all legally blind customers eligible for services offered by the BSBP VR program?
Presumptive eligibility is assumed for individuals receiving social security benefits based upon diagnosis of legal blindness and can provide documentation to support eligibility. The customer is still required to demonstrate a desire and ability to work in a competitive integrated environment.
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What does it mean to achieve economic self-sufficiency?
This is the minimum amount of income required for a household to meet its basic expenses without public or private assistance.
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What is considered competitive integrated employment?
Full or part-time employment where the employee with a disability is compensated (including benefits) not less than the rate paid to employees without disabilities performing similar work and having a similar experience, training, and skills. Additionally in order to be considered integrated, the work must occur at a location typically found in the community and where the individual with a disability can interact within the work unit with other persons who are not individuals with disabilities and where opportunities for advancement are similar to those available to employees without disabilities in similar positions.