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FAQ

General Questions

A: It depends on the program. To be eligible for vocational rehabilitation services from the Oregon Commission for the Blind (OCB), the applicant must be legally blind or have a progressive condition likely to lead to legal blindness within two years and have authority to work legally in the United States.​​​​

Requirements to receive services as a student​ who is not ready or does not plan to apply for vocational rehabilitation differ. To receive these services the participant must be a student with a visual impairment. These services are limited in scope.​​

Independent Living services are free to Oregonians over the age of 55 who experience vision loss.

A: ​Our services are funded through the state and federal government and provided at no cost to our clients.​

A: Yes. Participants across the state have the option to participate in virtual services. The decision to provide partial or fully remote services will be made in conjunction with the counselor or teacher with which the participant is working.​

A: Legal blindness or a condition likely to lead to legal blindness within two years is a requirement of OCB’s vocational rehabilitation program​. If an applicant has results from an eye exam prior to applying, they will be asked to sub​mit those upon application for review by OCB’s ophthalmological consultant. Anyone wishing to receive OCB services is welcome to apply prior to their eye exam and their medical eligibility will be determined during the eligibility process.
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If an applicant is determined not to be legally blind or have a progressive condition meeting OCB requirements, they are encouraged to apply to Oregon Vocational Rehabilitation Services, another state agency that provides services to Oregonians who experience barriers to employment/disabilities but who are not legally blind or having a qualifying progressive condition.

A: Yes. OCB provides equitable services often necessitating the use of language or disability related interpretation. OCB has staff that are fluent in ASL/Sign Language and Spanish, and OCB also contracts with companies providing interpretation for in-person and virtual services.​

A: Y​es. OCB will work with other staff and participants’ external support networks to support participants’ participation in the vocational rehabilitation process. That collaboration is guided by the participant’s choice and needs.

A: Schools are required to provide training for students with vision loss. Discuss this matter with your child’s teacher to begin the Individualized Education Program (IEP) process.​

A: ​We have limited items for sale in our offices.
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  • Bump Dots (variety)
  • Canes and tips
    • ​Folding canes from Revolution, Ambutech and NFB
    • Identity canes
  • ​Braille Paper
  • Bold writing pens
  • Braille Labels

A: We do not provide braille services for translating text to braille. We recommend contacting the ​Braille Access Center​ at the school for the blind in Vancouver WA.​

A: A dog guide is an accelerated means of mobility. Prior to getting a dog guide, the dog guide schools require orientation and mobility and experience using a long cane successfully. This preparation often takes upwards of a year. We can provide the initial orientation and mobility training and consult with you on how best to become eligible for a dog guide.​

Vocational Rehabilitation Process

A: Every participant’s vocational rehabilitation process is unique, making it difficult to determine a standard timeline. With the help of their vocational rehabilitation counselor, the participant can identify what they will need to prepare them for employment. The more the participant is able to respond to meeting and documentation requests, the more quickly the process will be able to move forward.​​

A: Our clients have obtained jobs in a wide variety of positions such as:
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A: There is no limit on how long a participant may receive services. As OCB takes an individualized approach to services, the time in which a client will need services is dependent on many factors.​

A: The services a participant will receive is a completely individualized process guided by the participant and their vocational rehabilitation counselor. As needed, OCB conducts thorough assessments with participants to identify potential opportunities for skill gain. OCB teams work closely together to support participants’ individual needs as they progress through the vocational rehabilitation process.​

A: ​Necessary equipment and services are determined by individual participant needs. The participant will work with their vocational rehabilitation counselor and instructors to identify equipment and services necessary to participate in the vocational rehabilitation process and gain or maintain successful employment.

A: Upon application for OCB vocational rehabilitation services, the applicant will be provided a list of their rights and responsibilities​. These include a participant’s commitment to being reliable and motivated to reach their goals. Examples include consistent attendance to training and follow through with commitments (e.g. scheduled informational interviews, job searching). Other responsibilities include maintaining communication with their vocational rehabilitation counselor and, when possible, identifying sources of comparable benefits.
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A: We rarely pay for bioptic glasses (exceptions must be directly related to the participant’s employment goal and should be discussed with the participant’s assigned Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor). We also do not have staff who are qualified to provide training in their use.

It is important to note that insurance coverage may be available for bioptic glasses. Benefits for low vision aids vary between insurers. Contact your HR department or insurance provider representative to review your coverage. Your eye care provider may also have information on discounts or government programs that provide funding.

​​Oregon provides an opportunity for persons with a limited vision condition who use a bioptic telescopic lens to be eligible for restricted driving privileges. Please see the Oregon DMV Limited Vision Condition Program​ page for more information. The page includes information on training resources in the use of a bioptic telescopic lens while driving.​

Independent Living Programs

A: We have teachers across the state that come to your home to provide you with training.​

A: We teach organization strategies for clients to implement on their own or with their friends and family.​

A: We introduce various techniques, including magnification, so that people can read/access print. The client then utilizes one of those choices to read their own mail.​

A: There are no specific housing options for people with vision loss. However, our staff can provide an in-service training session for the staff at your living facility.​

A: We can provide materials, resources and even an in-service with a home care worker. The Oregon Home Care Commission​ has a list of people who work as caregivers. As with any person coming into your home it is best to conduct a thorough interview to make sure they will fulfill your needs. We do provide a continuing education course for caregivers​ working through the Oregon Home Care Commission​.

A: We are not able to provide computer support in the Independent Living program​ due to funding limitations. We can instruct introductory level training on smart phones and tablets.​

A: Our in-home training includes conversations about some available technology. We only recommend phones after assessing the needs of the client and, when possible, partner with the State Telecommunication Devices Access Program​. We have limited high-tech demonstration equipment, so we recommend a ​non-profit lending library​, ​or try to arrange for manufacturers to do ​in-home demonstrations.

A: If public door-to-door transportation is available in your area, we are able to assist in the application process. We can als​o refer you to agencies that work with transportation options. The Commission for the Blind doesn’t have an internal transportation program for Independent Living.​

A: We can give you training techniques and resources for grocery shopping assistance. We do not grocery shop for you.​

A: We do have Orientation and Mobility Instructors that serve the Independent Living programs.​

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Under age ​55
If you are under the age of 55, a current eye exam determines eligibility​. People under the age of 55 need to be determined legally blind. We will need an eye exam that is less than a year old with both acuity and field test results. Once we have your eye exam report our state Ophthalmologist will determine if you are legally blind. We do not pay for eye exams.​

Age 55+
​If you are 55 or older, a current eye exam will assist your instructors in knowing what you see and don’t see, whether your condition is deteriorating, and what your cause of vision loss is due to. This all aids in our ability to give you the best recommendations. We do not pay for eye exams.

A: As a client, we can provide one optical magnifier at no cost to you. We conduct a functional vision test in your home to determine the correct magnification for your needs. Once the correct magnifier has been determined, and you have received your Commission purchased unit, you may purchase additional magnifiers through one of the catalog companies. If your vision has deteriorated and you need a stronger magnifier then re-opening your case to conduct an updated functional vision test is recommended.​

A: We can provide a cane and tip to you at no charge when you are a client. However, i​f you have never had a long white cane before there is an assessment to determine what the best cane and cane tip for you is. We don’t recommend buying a long cane without receiving an assessment and training from one of our orientation and mobility staff. Once the correct cane and tip has been determine​d, you may buy replacements from our offices for wholesale prices.

A: The Commission for the Blind partners with the State Library​ who provide the talking book machines. We can assist you with returning the talking books player if you want to drop it off at our office along with your name, reason for returning, and address.​

A: ​We do not sell computer accessories.


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