Washington State Department of Services for the Blind

Complimentary Assistance for Employers

Department of Services for the Blind (DSB) provides a wide range of free services to help you find and hire qualified job candidates who are blind or visually impaired.

Pre-Screened Applicants

Our agency can serve as a recruitment resource. We can pre-screen our participants, review their skills with your employment opportunities in mind, and refer appropriate candidates.

Job Site Evaluations

DSB can come to your business and assess the job tasks associated with the employment position. In some cases our participants will need some type of adaptive equipment to do their jobs. DSB’s Assistive Technology (AT) Unit will determine what equipment fits their needs, whether it be computers, hardware, software, training, or low tech accommodations. After the AT Unit has made its recommendations, DSB staff will meet with you to discuss how the equipment will be purchased. However, not all jobs require equipment or accommodation. The AT Unit will inform you if this is the case.

Work Clothes

In some situations, employees have to follow a specific dress code or wear uniforms or special footwear. DSB can provide these items.

Orientation and Mobility

DSB offers Orientation and Mobility (O & M) services to assist a new employee in getting around the work place and adjusting to the work environment.

Disability Awareness Training

DSB can provide training designed to educate co-workers and supervisors on issues related to working with new employees who are blind or visually impaired.

On the Job Training

DSB can subsidize the employee’s wages for the first few months, if substantial training is involved in learning the job. The expectation is that after the On the Job Training (OJT) period, the responsibility of wage compensation shifts to the employer.

Job Coaching

Some job candidates benefit from additional support in learning how to do specific job tasks. In these cases, DSB can arrange and pay for job coaches to assist in the candidate’s training. The job coach is specifically trained to observe a job and then instruct people on how to perform it.

Follow Up

A Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor (VRC) is assigned to each job candidate. The VRC will work with you for at least 90 days after the job candidate is hired to address any issues that may arise. The VRC will coordinate services, such as the job site evaluation, purchase of equipment, job coaching, etc., to support you and the employee.

Post-Employment

If there is a significant change in the employee’s vision, position, job duties or technology, DSB can assist the employer by conducting a new job site evaluation.

Work Opportunity Tax Credit

The Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC) program provides special tax credits to employers that hire people with disabilities. This is an added incentive to hire our job candidates. DSB can provide you with the information and forms you need to take advantage of this program.

On-Line Information

For more information about our employment services and job candidates, DSB has a home page. Find us at www.wa.gov/dsb

Go back to Employer Handbook Table of Contents