DORS Office for Blindness & Vision Services (OBVS) oversees programs and services for individuals whose disability is vision loss.
OBVS teachers, counselors and technical specialists are specially trained to help individuals who are blind, vision impaired or deaf-blind.
OBVS offers four service areas:
Employment or vocational rehabilitation (VR) services which help people with disabilities obtain competitive employment.
Transition services for Students with Disabilities are activities that prepare students with disabilities to move from school to post-school life.
Independent Living Older Blind (ILOB) programs that teach people with vision loss, age 55 and over, how to become independent in their homes and communities.
Maryland Business Enterprise Program for the Blind (BEP) prepares individuals whose primary disability is vision loss to operate successful retail concession, food service, and vending operations in federal and State of Maryland facilities.
Examples of services may include:
- Career guidance and exploration
- Assistive technology (AT), such as screen reading software, magnifiers, and low vision aids
- Career training or academic education
- Independent living skills training, such as safe cooking techniques and managing personal care and household tasks
- Orientation and mobility (O&M), such as instruction in safe travel or use of a long, white cane
- Job placement
Request OBVS Services
Complete the Request DORS Services form and you will be contacted to set up an intake meeting where a DORS counselor will gather and provide information regarding eligibility. You will be contacted to set up an intake where DORS will gather and provide information regarding your eligibility for DORS services.
The Request DORS Services form can be completed by anyone – you, a parent or family member, a medical provider, a teacher, etc.
OBVS counselors, case managers and teachers are located in DORS offices throughout Maryland.
Contact your local DORS offices to request services. If you are eligible for services, you will be assigned a counselor or teacher who works in your community.
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