RTS Blind & Low Vision Services

If you have questions or need more information about RTS Blind & Low Vision Services at WTC, please contact Kelly Blake at 410-554-9177 or Kelly.Blake@maryland.gov.

RTS provides specific services for individuals who are blind or visually impaired, as well as support services for these consumers when participating in other WTC Services. Specific services are designed to assist consumers with gaining skills and appropriate technology needed for independence and employment. WTC’s Staff Specialist for Blind & Low Vision Services provides ongoing support to consumers through individual counseling and group meetings, as well as facilitates the coordination of services at WTC.

Low Vision Support Group

The Low Vision Support Group is designed to give DORS OBVS consumers the opportunity to meet and interact with other individuals who are blind or have low vision and speak about and share common concerns they face such as relationships, independence, advocacy, responsibility and technology.

Program Description

This is a peer-support group model that meets once per week for eight weeks. This group is offered four times a year at WTC and also offers groups at the local field offices as requested. Virtual sessions are also available via Google Meet for consumers who are unable to attend sessions at WTC. This group has a maximum capacity of eight participants.

Attendance in the group is mandatory once a consumer makes the commitment to attend. They will be allowed two excused absences. Referring counselors will receive a weekly attendance note and then a final note regarding their consumer’s progress once the session has completed.

Authorization Requirements

VR Case Type

1. Category: WTC RTS Support
   Subcategory: Low Vision Support Group
2. Describe the focus of the consumer’s background and vision in the comments section. Example: "Consumer is totally blind and is scared to leave their home by themselves."

ILOB Case Type

1. Category: ILOB Services
   Subcategory: Low Vision Support Group ILOB
2. Describe the focus of the consumer’s background and vision in the comments section. Example: "Consumer is totally blind and is scared to leave their home by themselves."

Virtual Self-Advocacy Support Group for Pre-ETS and Transitioning Youth

This Virtual Support Group provides consumers the opportunity to gain self-advocacy skills in order to overcome everyday life struggles with being blind or having low vision, as well as the opportunity to engage with other individuals of their same age.

Program Description

This group is offered virtually four times a year using Google Meet. Each group session is 10 weeks in length with meetings once per week for an hour each session. This Support Group has a maximum capacity of six participants.

The facilitator of this group will be available for additional individualized sessions with each consumer as needed after the completion of each 10-week group session. Attendance in the group is mandatory once a consumer makes the commitment to attend. They will be allowed two excused absences. Referring counselors will receive a weekly attendance note and then a final note regarding their consumer’s progress once the session has completed.

Authorization Requirements

Pre-ETS Case Type

1. Category: WTC Pre-ETS
   Subcategory: Pre-ETS Self-Advocacy Support Group PETS*
2. Provide relevant information regarding the consumer that will be of benefit for the facilitator. Also include the consumer’s goals for when they have completed the group.

VR Case Type for Pre-ETS Consumers

1. Category: WTC Pre-ETS (VR)
   Subcategory: Pre-ETS Self-Advocacy Support Group PETS
2. Provide relevant information regarding the consumer that will be of benefit for the facilitator. Also include the consumer’s goals for when they have completed the group.

SMILE (Skills to Move Towards Independence, Life & Employment)

This summer program is a collaboration between WTC and OBVS designed for Pre-ETS and Transitioning Youth consumers who are blind or visually impaired.

Program Description

Consumers in this program will participate in activities which focus on career exploration, work readiness, and the development of skills for advocacy and independence. Students will be exposed to college/vocational options, work skills, technology, self-advocacy, independence and social skills instruction, Interest Inventory Survey, guest speakers, community resources, etc.

This program can be held in-person or virtual using Google Meet.

As participants in the SMILE program, students will:

• Increase self-advocacy skills.
• Meet and interact with other students with blindness/low vision.
• Learn how DORS can assist after high school.
• Discover exciting careers through job exploration.
• Participate in activities to develop independent living skills.
• Learn about college, apprenticeships and certifications.
• Engage in activities to build self confidence.
• Explore how assistive technology can be used for employment and independent living.
• Learn about the ADA, Disclosure, and interviewing.

Authorization Requirements

Pre-ETS Consumers with VR Case Type: Pre-ETS (VR)

1. Category: WTC Pre-ETS (VR)
   Subcategory: WTC OBVS-SMILE PETS
2. Category: WTC Specialty Services
   Subcategory: OBVS Career Life Plan
3. Category: WTC RTS Assessment
   Subcategory: AT Assessment
4. Category: WTC SBVI Assessment
   Subcategory: SBVI Assessment

Consumers with Pre-ETS Case Type: Pre-ETS

1. Category: WTC Pre-ETS
   Subcategory: WTC OBVS-SMILE PETS*
2. Category: WTC Pre-ETS
   Subcategory: WTC OBVS-SMILE PETS* Instruction AT Self Advocacy
3. Category: WTC Pre-ETS
   Subcategory: WTC OBVS-SMILE PETS* Instruction CLP Self Advocacy
4. Category: WTC Pre-ETS
   Subcategory: WTC OBVS-SMILE PETS* Instruction SBVI Self Advocacy

See Also:

• Assistive Technology Services Training & Tech Support

• Worksite Services