Washington State Department of Services for the Blind

DSB Director Reports to the Community: December 2007

Wild Weather

I hope you all are managing to dry out from our recent storms. Your safety and health are a topmost concern of mine and of the Governor. As we move more deeply into winter, please take the time to prepare yourself and your family for emergencies.

New IT system at DSB:

As most of you well know, we are in the implementation phase of a new agency-wide automated case management/information system, and it’s a bumpy ride, as is typical for new IT systems..........

Independent Living program:

The population of older people with visual disabilities who could benefit from Independent Living services continues to grow, while available resources do not. In fact, as costs increase, even the same level of resource does not stretch as far..........

Braille literacy:

Literacy is critical to every person and to our agency mission: inclusion, independence and economic vitality for people with visual disabilities.......

New SRC members:

The Governor has recently appointed four new members to our State Rehabilitation Council: Michael Cunningham, representing a former applicant/recipient of VR services; Marlaina Lieberg representing a disability advocacy group; Mike Davis representing business, industry and labor; and Laura Beigh representing a community rehabilitation program service provider.............

*Click this link to Read the full text from Lou Oma Durand, Executive Director

DSB Director's Update - What’s Happening: Summer 2007 at DSB

Summer can be a lazy time, but at DSB, we are busier than ever.  I would like to share a few highlights with you.

This has been a very good year (July of 06 through June of 07) for DSB and our participants.

We are excited to report that this year more of our participants went to work in good jobs than in any previous year.  157 more individuals, after completing their Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) programs, are now in competitive jobs at an average wage of $16.72 per hour.   ………………

This coming year we can do more to help families and schools set high expectations for children with visual disabilities and better prepare them for success in education and eventually employment.   Thanks to the support of our state’s consumer organizations, collaborating partners, and other friends of Child and Family Services, the program has obtained secure state funding and three additional staff  …………

Recently, Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA) staff from Washington DC came to Seattle for a full week to review our Vocational Rehabilitation and Independent Living programs.  ………..Read the full text of the Director's statement