OBVS offers services on the campus of DORS' Workforce & Technology Center (WTC), including evaluation and training and case management services to individuals who are blind or visually impaired to help them live and work as independently as possible.
Orientation and Mobility
We evaluate your ability to travel in and around the WTC safely and independently. We observe how effectively you are able to travel using any residual vision, low vision aids, mobility cane and/or guide dogs. We may make recommendations for orientation and mobility training in and around the community or place of employment.
Communications
We evaluate your ability to read mail, complete job applications, and write and read recipes using materials in appropriate formats such as large print, Braille and electronic format. Our training may include instruction in large/standard print and magnification. Students also learn keyboarding skills and learn to type in preparation for further assessments and/or computer-related training.
Household Arts/Daily Living
We evaluate your ability to care for home and personal needs. Our training may include instruction in telling time, money identification, dressing, sewing, laundering, cooking, cleaning and grooming. Recommendations for further training are made based on your needs, skills and abilities.
Adjustment to Blindness for Life & Employment (ABLE)
The ABLE Program is designed to provide individuals with blindness/low vision the opportunity to develop basic adjustment to blindness skills. This program will allow participants to develop and maintain independent living skills and work readiness skills in preparation for employment. Participants will have the opportunity to interact and share concerns and solutions with other program participants with vision loss.
This is an eight-week program operating four days per week, Monday through Thursday. Instructional hours are 8:30 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. ABLE will be conducted two times per year, in the fall and in the spring.
Job Squad
Job Squad is an eight-week job seeking skills and employee development program. You will be expected to treat Job Squad like a job: appropriate dress, behavior, attendance, participation, active job searching and completion of assignments, is required.
Career Life Planning
Career Life Planning is a four-week program designed to determine if working is right for you. The program allows for self-guided assessments of skills, knowledge, abilities, strengths and weaknesses, and job readiness, as well as exploration of career choices. This discovery process will help you determine your interests and make a commitment to achieving employment or alternate life goals, as well as those steps necessary to achieve the desired path.
