Each state in the United States has a designated state unit for providing vocational rehabilitation and other disability-related services for state residents who are blind, visually impaired, legally blind, low vision, or deafblind. Each state has a different name for this department, but they all generally provide similar services: Virginia is the Department for the Blind and Vision Impaired (DBVI), Maryland services are provided through the Division of Rehabilitation Services (DORS), Washington state is Department of Services for the Blind, etc..
Here are some of the most common services provided for people who have a case file with their state unit for visual impairment, rehabilitation services, or similar agency.
Who qualifies to receive services from the state for vision loss?
Each state has their own guidelines for who qualifies to receive services from the state unit for visual impairment, and some programs within the unit have their own criteria as well. In general, state residents can refer themselves for program services or be referred by another professional such as a social worker, low vision specialist, or teacher of the visually impaired either online or by phone. Services are available for people of all ages, including infants, children, and seniors, and can be requested at any time.
While requirements may vary from state to state, individuals with visual impairments are generally required to submit medical documentation of their visual impairment to confirm that they meet one or more of the following requirements:
- Low vision or vision impairment where visual acuity is greater than 20/200 but less than 20/70 in the better eye with visual correction (i.e glasses, contacts, or surgery) or less than a 70-degree horizontal field
- Low vision or vision impairment where visual acuity is between 20/100 and 20/200 in the better eye with visual correction that requires additional specialty services from the state unit for visual impairment.
- Legal blindness where visual acuity is no more than 20/200 in the better eye with visual correction, or less than a 20-degree horizontal field. Profound blindness with or without light perception is also included in this criteria.
- Vision impairment or blindness combined with hearing impairment (Deaf, hard-of-hearing, or deafblindness)
While individuals do not necessarily have to be blind or legally blind to receive services, they will need to supply documentation of their visual acuity with corrective lenses.
Related links
- Ten Lessons My TVI Taught Me
- How I Respond To Questions/Comments About My Eyes
- How I Respond To Questions/Comments About My Glasses
- Learning To Explain Usable Vision
Vocational Rehabilitation services
Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) is a program that helps people with disabilities prepare, locate, and maintain employment by providing services related to job training/education, developing strategies for performing work and daily living activities with a disability, assistive technology/rehabilitation technology services and assessments, job counseling, and limited financial assistance that can be used to achieve employment-related goals.
Services may be offered in several different environments, depending on the employment goals of the individual and the agency that is providing services. Examples of places where trainings and services may be conducted include:
- On-site workplace visits
- High schools, colleges, universities, trade schools, or other educational institutions/job training centers where an individual may be enrolled
- Home visits or meetings in public locations
- Regional state agency offices
- Residential facilities for vocational rehabilitation training and skill development, which provide instruction for activities of daily living, orientation and mobility (O&M), and how to use assistive technology
There is no age limit for VR services, though as a general practice there is an age minimum of 14 for pre-transition services to prepare for employment after graduating from high school. Individuals are not required to receive SSDI or SSI to participate in vocational rehabilitation.
Related links
- Vocational Rehabilitation for College Students
- College Interview Tips For Disabled Students
- Seeing The Future: College Transition for Visual Impairment
Assistive technology assessments
Assistive Technology is defined as “Any item, piece of equipment or product system, whether acquired commercially off the shelf, modified, or customized, that is used to increase, maintain, or improve the functional capabilities of individuals with disabilities.” Assistive technology is not just high-tech devices like computers or specialty tools— it also includes low-tech or no-tech devices like pens or mid-tech devices like external cameras for magnification or keyboards.
Many state units for visual impairment offer assistive technology services and assessments that may be conducted by qualified professionals/specialists, approved community partners, and/or staff at a vocational rehabilitation center. Assistive technology assessments may be conducted at regional offices, at the rehabilitation center, or in the environment in which the individual will be using the assistive technology (home, workplace, school, etc.). Individuals must be present for their assistive technology assessment to qualify for services.
Individuals with visual impairments are evaluated to determine appropriate access methods (media) for information, such as visual access, audio access, and tactile access. Some individuals may use multiple methods or dual media, such as braille and audio. Additional vision and hearing exams may be conducted in addition to assessments on computer skills when relevant; individuals with limited computer skills may go through additional or separate evaluations.
During the assistive technology assessment, the individual’s technology needs are considered through a functional evaluation. The individual may examine different categories of generic assistive technology or specific devices to determine the most effective and appropriate solution for their needs. This could include comparing different types of software, brands of assistive technology devices, or meeting with product vendors and discussing customization options.
The ability to learn/master the technology is also considered. For example, learning to use a braille display can be “expensive” in terms of the time it takes to learn to read braille at the speed necessary, so other alternatives for information access such as screen readers may be considered as well.
Once an appropriate assistive technology solution is determined, the counselor and individual will meet and the counselor will share information about purchasing, renting, or otherwise procuring a device for individual use.
Examples of assistive technology devices that can be found in an assistive technology lab can include, but are not limited to:
- Mainstream technology with assistive technology programs/accessibility settings enabled, such as computers, tablets, and phones
- Smart glasses and wayfinding tools
- Adapted keyboards and peripheral accessories
- Tools for preparing and serving food and drink
- Labeling tools
- Magnification aids and optical devices
- Smart speakers and virtual assistants
Related links
- A to Z of Assistive Technology For Low Vision
- A to Z of Assistive Technology for Reading Digital Text
- Mainstream Technology and Low Vision: Keyboards
- Low Vision Accessibility Settings For Android Phones
- How To Make iPad Accessible for Low Vision
- iPhone Accessibility Settings For Occipital Stroke
- Mainstream Technology and Low Vision: Headphones
- Low Vision Assistive Technology For The Bathroom
- Assistive Technology and Dressing Aids For Low Vision
- Accessible Maps and Wayfinding Tools For Low Vision
O&M services and instruction
Orientation and Mobility, also known as O&M, focuses on training blind and visually impaired individuals with tools and strategies for safe and effective travel. O&M instructors may be employed by the state unit for visual impairment and can provide lessons on selecting and learning to use a blindness cane, using GPS applications, accessing public transportation and paratransit services, and learning to navigate a school or workplace environment. However, O&M isn’t just for people who want to use a cane or guide dog— it’s great for anyone with visual impairment who can benefit from learning how to navigate indoor and outdoor spaces independently.
Many college students receive O&M services as part of their vocational rehabilitation case file, and this is how I received O&M services when living on a college campus. Some state units also provide free or discounted blindness canes for people who receive O&M services.
Related links
- Ten Things To Know About Going To College With A Blindness Cane
- Five Questions To Ask When Buying A Blindness Cane
- Using GPS Apps On College Campuses: College O&M
- How I Learned To Use The City Bus System With Low Vision
- How I Learned To Navigate My Internship Building With Low Vision
Financial assistance for assistive devices
People that have a case with their state unit for visual impairment and that meet financial or individual program criteria can receive financial assistance for assistive devices or items that are being used for vocational rehabilitation, either providing the device at a discount or for free. As part of my vocational rehabilitation case with Virginia’s department for visual impairment, I received an E-Bot Pro video magnifier for accessing materials in my college classes, and the device’s ownership was transferred to me after a year. Some of my other friends have received laptops, braille notetakers, and other high-tech devices through financial assistance programs associated with their state units for visual impairment as well.
Related links
- How I Use The HIMS E-Bot Pro In College
- Questions To Ask When Choosing A Laptop For College
- High School Laptops and Low Vision
- Questions To Ask When Choosing A Desktop Computer For College
Special education services for IEPs, 504 Plans, and other disability accommodations
I officially received a case file with the state unit for visual impairment when I was in high school, and was able to have a case manager and advocate from the department attend IEP meetings and other meetings related to my disability accommodations. This was helpful when my family and I were dealing with teachers not following my disability accommodations, as the case manager was able to step in and let us know about additional resources that could be requested by my school district at no cost to them.
Unfortunately, my case file went missing about a year after I was approved for services, so I do not have a ton of experience with working with the state unit for visual impairment while attending public school. DBVI contacted me shortly before I started college after finding my case file, which meant I could receive vocational rehabilitation services.
Related links
- Five Things Your IEP Case Manager Won’t Tell You
- Eight Things You Need To Know About Your Disability Accommodations
- Receiving Accessible Educational Materials With NIMAC and AIM-VA
- I Don’t Need An IEP!
- How To Create A Disability Services File
- How To Get Disability Accommodations In Community College
Short-term programs and special events
Many state units host short-term programs and special events for people who receive services as well as community members, with a growing number of online events that anyone can register for. Examples of topics that I’ve attended or spoken at events for include:
- Preparing for college with vision loss
- Healthcare management, e.g. managing diabetes with low vision/blindness
- Classes on mainstream technology and assistive technology
- Job training and digital upskilling events
- College immersion programs
- Learning to use mobile and web applications
- Social events for adults, children, and families
Related links
- How To Make Easter Egg Hunts Accessible For Low Vision
- Supporting Patients With Low Vision In Medical Environments
- Seeing The Future: College Transition for Visual Impairment
- Ways To Support New Accessibility Advocates
- US Government Programs For Blind/Low Vision Residents
- How I Use Accessible Voting Machines With Low Vision
Assistance from the state Protection and Advocacy organization
Each state has their own Protection and Advocacy organization that provides legal assistance and resources for people with disabilities facing discrimination or barriers to receiving services, including issues with education, housing, employment, and accessing state agencies. Each state has a different name for their agency, and as a Virginia resident I used the Disability Law Center of Virginia to assist with resolving a discrimination issue with their pro bono legal services. Protection and Advocacy representatives can also attend IEP meetings and assist with other types of cases free of charge.
Related links
- My Experience With Disability Law Center of Virginia
- Ten Things I Wish My TVI Taught Me About Transition
- Seeing The Future: College Transition for Visual Impairment
Other services available from state departments for visual impairment
- Scholarships and financial assistance for higher education/trade school programs
- Employment opportunities within industries for the blind programs
- Accessible libraries for receiving information in large print, Braille, audio, or other formats. Learn more about how to find content in accessible formats by reading How I Find Research Sources In Accessible Formats and How To Find Accessible Picture Books For Low Vision
- Referrals for low vision professionals and specialists, such as doctors and opticians.
Published February 23, 2023. Updated June 2025