Washington State Department of Services for the Blind

        Information about the Business Enterprise Program and its training program

The primary function of the Business Enterprise Program (BEP) is to provide the opportunity for the legally blind individual to become a successful, independent businessperson. The program is a part of the Washington State Department of Services for the Blind (DSB). The purpose of the program is to provide increased employment opportunities for legally blind citizens of the state of Washington and at the same time provide a visible demonstration of what blind people can do and accomplish.  The program provides training and placement of blind individuals in food service operations located in government building.  Presently, the program has cafeterias, deli/espresso cafés, snack/gift stands and espresso stands.   Besides the training, the program provides the location, the essential pieces of food service equipment for each specific location and ongoing professional guidance and administrative support.  The blind operator of the BEP location is required to actively participate in the daily operation of their business.

To be eligible to enter the program, an applicant must be: legally blind; a U.S. citizen; determined eligible for vocational rehabilitation; found to possess adequate adaptive skills to enable them to perform the essential function of the job; referred to the Business Enterprise Program (BEP) by a vocational rehabilitation counselor from DSB; pass the BEP’s entrance test; and completed the Checklist/Requirements for applying.  Applicants accepted for the BEP training program are provided with training in the skills necessary to operate a facility.  Upon successful completion of the program, the individual is issued a license/certificate that qualifies the individual to bid, or apply for the opportunity, to become a vendor of a facility in any available location in a public facility.  

Frequently asked questions:

Where is the training and how long is it? 

The classroom portion of the BEP Training Program is done at the Tacoma DSB office 2 days a week, and the other three days of the week is work experience done at a BEP food service site in either Seattle or Olympia. The training program is about 6 months long.

When is the next training start date? 

We limit our training class size to three people. We schedule a training class when we know we have at least two applicants ready for BEP training. The first three applicants who complete and submit the application and checklist for the Business Enterprise Program to the DSB office in Lacey are registered into the next class.

Is there any relocation assistance to move for training and subsequent employment?

The Business Enterprise Program does not provide any relocation assistance for training or subsequent employment.  This issue may be bought up with the client’s counselor but there are no guarantees that there will be any funding.

If I complete the Training Program for BEP, will there be a location for me to start working at?

There is no guarantee that there will be a BEP site available for a trainee after they have completed the BEP Training Program and have been presented with a certificate of completion indicating that they are now a licensee in the Business Enterprise Program. In most cases, a licensee must be willing to move to where the BEP opportunities are.

Where are the BEP sites located and how many sites are there?

At present, all the BEP sites are located in Western Washington from the city of Everett in the north to the city of Vancouver in the south. The largest concentration of sites is located in Olympia. The Program now has a total of 21 locations and they are located in state, federal and local government buildings.

What if any classes and/or training would prepare me to be a future applicant of the BEP Training Program?

• Computer classes in Excel, Word and Outlook
• Business Management especially Personnel Management classes
• Business Accounting

What past skills or education would make me a good possible candidate for referral to the Business Enterprise Program?

Individuals with a past work history in food service operation especially with managerial experience; managerial expertise in any career field; strong leadership skills; good money management skills; a willingness to work long hours and invest themselves into their business.

What equipment/supplies are needed for trainees prior to the start the BEP training program?

Individual must have passed and received a food handler card from their local county Health Dept. and must at a minimum have a computer, printer, scanner, tape recorder, talking calculator, suitable clothing for working in a food service operation.