Washington State Department of Services for the Blind

Coordinating Your Schooling with the Department of Services for the Blind

If your plan for employment includes going to college or a vocational program, the Department of Services for the Blind (DSB) may support your efforts with aid for tuition, books, and supplies. To maintain this support there are certain responsibilities that you and your counselor will assume.

Student responsibilities are to…

1. Apply for a Pell Grant each year. Send a copy of the award or denial letter to your DSB vocational rehabilitation counselor.
2. Discuss your basic equipment needs with your counselor. Find out about the equipment that is available at the school you plan to attend.
3. Contact your counselor at least four weeks prior to registration or the beginning of the quarter. Make sure the appropriate paperwork is being processed.
4. Arrange for readers if needed. Request reader forms from your counselor. Recruit, hire, manage, screen, train and reimburse readers.
5. Contact your counselor, if your books and supplies expenses exceed the allotted amount.
6. Send a copy of your grades to your counselor each quarter.
7. Maintain at least a 2.0 GPA.
8. Contact your counselor as problems arise. Do not wait until the last minute when a situation may be out of control.

DSB Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor responsibilities are to…

1. Provide training on the basic adaptive skills necessary for success in education.
2. Assist the student in developing an appropriate vocational goal and training plan. This may involve testing, informational interviews, etc.
3. Arrange with student to maintain regular contact throughout the education/training program.
4. Coordinate and facilitate the paperwork necessary for tuition, books and supplies, readers, etc.
5. Work with student to resolve problems.

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