At the federal level, the U.S. Department of Education's Rehabilitation Services Administration provides leadership and resources to the program.  The department provides funds to state vocational rehabilitation programs, including blind services agencies, to provide employment-related services to individuals who have a physical or mental impairment that results in a substantial impediment to employment and who require and can benefit from vocational rehabilitation services. Priority for this funding must be given to individuals who are significantly disabled.

In Florida, the Department of Education (Division of Blind Services) is the designated state agency for blind services. The division provides a range of services and programs across the state to individuals who are blind or visually impaired. The division has 15 district offices and also works with local community rehabilitation programs. In addition, the Florida Rehabilitation Council for the Blind advises policy decisions and evaluates the effectiveness of the division to ensure meaningful access to and use of vocational rehabilitation and independent living programs for Floridians who are blind or visually impaired.

Blind services accountability and reporting requirements are directed by both federal and state law.

• Blind Babies Program provides community-based early-intervention education to children from birth to five years of age who are blind or visually impaired and to their parents and families through community-based provider organizations.
• Children's Program serves children from kindergarten through high school through transition to the Vocational Rehabilitation Program. This program supplements services already offered by the school system to foster the child's learning and ability to function independently. The child's parents, guardian, and family members should be an integral part of the program in order to foster independence.
• Transition Program assists young people in meeting their future employment goals through transitioning from school to post-school activities, such as post-secondary education or employment. Transition services offered include instruction, community experiences, or the development of employment and other post-school adult-living objectives. These services are generally provided through the Vocational Rehabilitation Program, but could also be provided through the Children's Program. In either case, the student will have a Plan of Services. The types of services to be provided through Blind Services are normally incorporated into the student's Individual Education Plan.
• Vocational Rehabilitation Services are provided to assist blind and visually impaired individuals seeking employment. An Individualized Plan for Employment (IPE) is developed that outlines the client's vocational goal and the services to be provided toward achieving that goal. Services may include, job placement, on-the-job training, or the provision of low vision aids and appliances.
• Business Enterprise Program provides job opportunities in the food service sector for eligible blind persons under the Randolph-Sheppard Act. Job opportunities include Snack Bar, Cafeteria, Highway Vending Machines, or Non-Highway Vending.
• Employer Services provides information to employers to help them make a job accessible to an employee with a visual impairment. Employers seeking to hire a qualified employee can also contact the program for this information.
• Independent Living Program enables individuals who are blind or severely visually impaired to live more independently in their homes and communities with a maximum degree of self-direction. Services may include independent living skills training, advocacy training, and skills to travel independently. Successful outcomes enable individuals to live more independently in their communities and/or transition to the working world.
• Rehabilitation Center for the Blind and Visually Impaired is a place where people who are blind can reside temporarily while they learn to lead productive, self-sufficient lives. The center incorporates instruction in a variety of independence skills, including home management, cooking, cleaning, personal care, labeling, orientation and mobility, Braille, computer technology, employability skills, adaptation to blindness, and many other skills that contribute to independence and the confidence to seek the highest level of employment possible.
• Braille and Talking Books Library provides information and reading materials needed by individuals residing in Florida who are unable to use standard print because of a visual, physical, or reading disability.

The federal Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) is designed to help job seekers gain employment, and access education, training and support services. The WIOA state plan outlines a four-year strategy for Florida's workforce development system, which will be implemented by partners in the state, including the Division of Blind Services. The WIOA State Plan provides information about the various investments, programs, and initiatives underway to serve jobseekers, students, and businesses. Florida's unified state plan, which is available on the CareerSource Florida website, includes specific requirements for core programs, such as the Florida Division of Blind Services.

Other Reports
The Auditor General reports on Department of Education operations are available on its website

Websites of Interest
American Council of the Blind
American Foundation for the Blind
Florida Division of Blind Services Public Internet Website
Florida Independent Living Council
National Federation of the Blind
Florida School for the Deaf and Blind
CareerSource Florida

Performance Information

Division of Blind Services State Office, 850-245-0300 or 1-800-342-1828
Website