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Independent Living Older Blind

​The Independent Living Older Blind (ILOB) Program helps individuals who are 55 or older who are blind or have a vision impairment to live independently in their homes and communities.

Examples of services may include:

  • Training in how to manage personal care and household tasks.
  • Labeling and organizing personal care items
    clothing, appliances and medications.
  • Safe cooking techniques.
  • Orientation and mobility training.
  • Braille instruction.
  • Referral to community peer support groups and other services.
  • ​Introduction to community resources that enhance daily living such as NFB–NEWSLINE and resources at the Maryland State Library for the Blind and Print Disabled.​​​

DORS rehabilitation teachers will come to your home to provide assessment and training. The program reaches out to individuals in all areas of the state, including those living in rural counties.

Rehabilitation teachers work as a team with ophthalmologists, low vision specialists and community partners to provide personalized service.

There is no upper age limit to take part in this program. Most people who receive ILOB services do not have an employment goal.


A man wearing dark glasses and a woman, sitting at a table, at an outreach event. The table has several DORS publications on it.  

ILOB staff attend community events to share information about services and offer support to Marylanders who are 55 or older, and are blind or have a vision impairment.

DORS ILOB staff, like Vision Rehabilitation Therapist, Marilynn Ward-Tluszcz (pictured here, to the right), run low-vision support groups in some Maryland communities.

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Human Trafficking GET HELP

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Help Stop Fraud in State Government

The Maryland General Assembly’s Office of Legislative Audits operates a toll-free fraud hotline to receive allegations of fraud and/or abuse of State government resources. Information reported to the hotline in the past has helped to eliminate certain fraudulent activities and protect State resources.

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