One of the resources that a practitioner working with students with visual impairments encouraged me to check out was the Ohio Rehabilitation Services Commission's Bureau of Services for the Visually Impaired (BSVI). The Ohio Rehabilitation Commission Services Commission (RSC), assists people with all types of disabilities to become employed. The BSVI is committed to helping people with low vision or blindness succeed in the workforce. The BSVI has offices around the state that employ counselors who assist individuals like Drake with identifying jobs that are a good match for one's skills, interest, and aptitude. BSVI assistance may also include adaptive devices, computer technology, and job training. Services through the BSVI are personalized based on one's individual needs, goals, and choices. Basically the BSVI is exists to provide individuals with visual impairments anything that will help them get and keep a job. To me, it almost seems like a career services office for students with visual impairments. Staff assist students like Drake with developing a career plan, preparing for interviews, locating job openings, developing skills for independence, etc.
You do not need to be totally blind to qualify for services through the BSVI and there is no age restriction. BSVI helps people with limited vision obtain special lenses or filters, magnifying devices, or instruction on how to adapt to their environment. You can refer yourself to the program or be referred by someone like a teacher or a doctor. The best part is that counseling and most of the other services offered are free.
I look forward to meeting a student like Drake and asking them whether or not they have used the services of the BSVI office. It was encouraging to read in the marketing materials I received about the BSVI some of the personal testimonials from individuals whose lives have been positively impacted by the services offered through the BSVI.
http://rsc.ohio.gov/bvrbsvi/bsvi/default.aspx
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