In partnership with state vocational rehabilitation and special education agencies, a local university contributed interprofessional expertise in low vision rehabilitation to an established pre-employment transition services (Pre-ETS) program (Coduti, Herbert, Chiu, & Doke, 2017). This program was established to provide high school students…

A statewide assessment of stakeholders' needs was conducted for a state agency providing habilitation, rehabilitation, and independent living services to persons of all ages who are visually impaired (that is, those who are are blind or have low vision). This needs assessment was designed to acquire an accurate and thorough picture of the agency's…

Introduction: The study presented here examined rehabilitation providers' beliefs about services and service delivery strategies that are successful in facilitating the transition from school to competitive employment for youths who are blind or have low vision. Methods: Five focus groups were conducted, two with rehabilitation state agency…

The Texas Commission for the Blind's (TCB's) braille literacy initiative is an agency-based program designed to enhance the braille skills of teaching staff. In addition, TCB has established braille-production stations in 30 of its district offices and offers technical assistance to regional rehabilitation personnel. (Author)

A study involving 50 rehabilitation professionals, 264 rehabilitation clients, 90 adults with blindness, and 267 employers, identified factors that lead to or impede competitive job placements for clients of a state blindness rehabilitation agency. Also identified were services that employers felt would assist them in hiring or retaining clients.…

A survey of employment practices of state rehabilitation agencies found that most agencies employed both rehabilitation teachers and rehabilitation counselors for adults with visual impairments, offered teachers and counselors the same starting salaries, but required caseloads for counselors that were typically 60% higher than for teachers. Fewer…

Describes the Job Placement Training Program, a training program run by Southern Illinois University that is designed to teach rehabilitation counselors and placement specialists employed by state rehabilitation agencies the knowledge, techniques, and strategies necessary to help rehabilitation clients obtain employment. The program's curriculum…