The mission of VRCBVI is to prepare blind, vision impaired, and deaf-blind Virginians for their desired levels of employment and personal independence through the integration of individualized comprehensive blindness skills, employment skills, and work experiences.

DBVI envisions a world in which blind, vision impaired, and deafblind people can access all that society has to offer and can, in turn, contribute to the greater community. We believe this is achievable.

• Recognize the abilities of blind people - We value the contributions of people who are blind, vision impaired, and deafblind.

• Equal Access – We value equal access to all life activities including information, education, training, and employment.

• Exemplary Work Habits – We value integrity, honesty, teamwork, and dedication.

• Diversity – We value diversity, respect for the individual, and personal choice.

• Employees – We value our employees for their dedication and expertise.

• Professional Boundaries  – We value healthy, appropriate relationships with the people we serve.

Section 51.5-73 of the Virginia Code authorizes the Department for the Blind and Vision Impaired (DBVI) to operate and maintain the Virginia Rehabilitation Center for the Blind and Vision Impaired (VRCBVI).  VRCBVI provides residential evaluation, adjustment training, independent living, vision rehabilitation, and/or employment skills/readiness training to eligible blind, vision impaired, and deafblind students, youth, and adults. VRCBVI also provides services to commuter students.  Students generally remain in training from six to nine months depending upon individual needs, employment and/or training goals, and progress toward established goals; however, training can be modified according to individual student goals and needs.  VRCBVI serves approximately 25-30 students at a time in the general adjustment to blindness training program.  Specialized transition and pre-employment transition services for students and youth are provided during the summer.  

Administrative and support services are essential to the provision of VRCBVI’s services, along with liaison with other agencies and the public. General administrative direction and management control, which are vital to maintain VRCBVI’s facilities, are furnished in the areas of planning, budget, finance and accounting, procurement, instructional planning, staffing, and record keeping.  Support services include clerical services, office management, and coordination of operation of the physical facilities required for instruction, recreation, housing, feeding, and health of the students.  

VRCBVI will continue to focus on core adjustment to blindness skills and vocational services that have been demonstrated to increase opportunities for Virginians who are blind, vision impaired, or deafblind to maximize their levels of employment/employability, education, and personal independence.  VRCBVI is seeing an increase in the number of individuals who are blind, vision impaired, or deafblind who also have secondary disabilities.  Because financial resources are limited and the population of people being served is becoming increasingly diverse and complex, VRCBVI expects that resource allocation, staff training, and programmatic changes will need to be made.  

VRCBVI continues to explore ways to maximize the use of existing resources, while updating available services to provide current, relevant training.

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   Maintenance of software licenses is ongoing.  VRCBVI continues to work with vendors to identify the most cost effective solutions. Keeping software licenses current, especially with regard to assistive technology, is a significant yearly expense.

   
   


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   In order to ensure student access to network resources, VRCBVI added two wireless (Wi-Fi) access points, one to the cafeteria and the other to the recreation building.  By adding these two access points and applying careful adjustment to existing access points, we can deliver student Internet access and, therefore, access to training and communication resources, throughout the entire training facility.  This includes the courtyard between the dorm, Administration and Activities (AA) building, and recreation building.

   
   


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   As AT changes constantly, it is necessary for VRCBVI to obtain and teach the latest programs and devices to help our students be prepared for competitive employment opportunities.

   
   

There are a limited number of applicants who have the appropriate qualifications to fill the specialized instructor positions at VRCBVI. This is a nationwide problem resulting from university training programs turning out fewer graduates in blind rehabilitation. VRCBVI experiences a lack of qualified applicants from racial and ethnic minority groups who have specialized training, resulting in a workforce that is not reflective of the diversity of the general population.  VRCBVI strongly believes that it is important to hire qualified blind, vision impaired, and deafblind staff who can serve as positive role models for individuals participating in training at the Center.  Students benefit from training, counseling, support, and regular interactions with successful professionals who are blind, vision impaired, or deafblind. 

The VRCBVI Administrative and Activities Building (401 Azalea Avenue, Richmond, VA), Dormitory (393 Azalea Avenue), Cafeteria (391 Azalea Avenue), and Recreation Building (389 Azalea Avenue) have all experienced some level of facilities renovation, some of which are presently ongoing.  The renovations have addressed and will continue to address ADAAG noncompliance, updating fire and sprinkler systems, redesign of space to facilitate the agency’s ability to carry out its mission, and implementation of energy efficient HVAC systems within the facilities.

An area of need is an industrial arts/woodworking and home repair shop.  Construction of the same would allow VRCBVI to expand our skills of blindness training in an area that provides a skill set which would directly enhance employability of our customers.  We would also need to hire an instructor to teach these skills.

Another area of need is for new equipment for the existing bowling alley, including a new computer system to operate the lanes.

Societal low expectation: There are an increasing number of transition-aged blind and vision impaired consumers who lack age-appropriate social experiences and skills, self-advocacy skills, and the overall desire to be independent which is found in the general population for young people in this age range. As a result, these blind and vision impaired young people, who should be dreaming about their future as related to achieving social and economic freedom, are content, due to low expectations, to remain in custodial relationships that more than likely will not lead to their becoming active, taxpaying citizens. VRCBVI staff will continue to reach out to schools, educators, service providers, families, consumer organizations, and others to identify and provide services for this age group of consumers.

Aging population:  The general population of seniors (individuals age 55 and above) is increasing, and seniors experience a higher rate of visual impairment than the general population due to vision loss from a variety of causes, including cataracts, diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma, and age-related macular degeneration.  Accordingly the population of visually impaired seniors needing training in independent living skills is increasing significantly. Marketing to this population through the local Area Agencies on Aging and the Department for the Aging will be a priority in coming years.

Qualified staff Funding In the future, the need to provide core adjustment to blindness skills training and vocational readiness training to a broad spectrum of Virginians with visual impairments will continue, particularly as the population of the Commonwealth ages. Since resources are limited and the population to be served is becoming increasingly diverse and complex, it is expected that resource allocation, staff training, and programmatic changes will need to be made. We will continue to focus on those blindness skills that have been demonstrated to increase our customers’ chances to maximize their level of employment, education, and personal independence.

VRCBVI's funding comes from federal funds (89%), general funds (10%) and miscellaneous sources such as sale of meals and sales from vending (1%).

The agency receives funding from the U.S. Department of Education  federal formula grants to states to support a wide range of services designed to help individuals with disabilities.  These funds are awarded to the agency  to provide services to those citizens who are blind and vision impaired. 

The statistics cited in this summary provide a comprehensive snapshot of the breadthof the Rehabilitation Center consumers served.  Secondary disabilities, which include physical, cognitive and psychiatric disabilities, as well as diabetes, play a major role in serving customers who are blind and vision impaired,and represents a challenge for the agency. 

Increase, particularly in the areas of older blind consumers and in the number of consumers with multiple/secondary disabilities.

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  VRCBVI’s full personal adjustment to blindness training curriculum includes evaluation and instruction in orientation and mobility (cane travel), personal and home management (cooking, cleaning, and maintaining the home), braille, keyboarding, computers and access technology, academic instruction (if needed), conversations about blindness, vocational services, health education and wellness instruction, case management services, low vision services, and dormitory services.  All classes emphasize the development of skill competencies, self-confidence, employment readiness, and positive attitudes about blindness. 

  
  


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  VRCBVI offers a summer program for blind and vision impaired adolescents (“LIFE” - Learning Independence, Feeling Empowered).  LIFE is a five week residential program for blind and vision impaired high school students who want to network with other blind students and role models, learn or refine nonvisual skills, and participate in confidence building activities and real world integrated work based learning experiences.  The program assists students in the transition from high school to higher education, employment, and active participation in the communities where they live.  

  
  


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  VRCBVI also offers a college preparatory program each summer for high school juniors/seniors and recent high school graduates.  This is a collaborative program which gives participants the opportunity to assess their college-readiness skills and receive feedback to help them prepare and plan for their actual college experience.  Participants reside on VRCBVI's campus and attend classes at our partner college/university.  Classes are taught by college professors and/or graduate students, and graded according to collegiate standards (not reflected on transcript).  This program enhances participants’ awareness of the academic and blindness-related demands of college, and evaluates their ability to manage time and priorities.

  
  


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  A program for individuals aged 55 + is also offered during one week of the year called “Live Active, Live Healthy, Live Modern (“LIVE”).  This is a weeklong retreat for seniors experiencing vision loss + one (a loved one, family member, or friend).  This program provides services including coping with vision loss, daily living skills, independent travel, assistive technology skills such as learning to use iOS devices, diabetes education and training on the use of talking glucometers, nutritional consultation, recreational activities designed to promote a healthy, active lifestyle, and additional resources.

  
  


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  VRCBVI offers employment readiness programs periodically throughout the year.  

  
  


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  VRCBVI also has a Spring Event each year in May and Family and Friends Day each year in October.  Appropriate participants are individuals who are blind or vision impaired, students who are blind or vision impaired, and their families, teachers, technology service providers, and other professionals.

  
  

 VRCBVI measures its service performance through performance measures tied to the goals and objectives developed to help the agency accomplish its mission. The agency’s mission is to empower eligible individuals who are blind, vision impaired, or deafblind to achieve their desired levels of employment, education, and personal independence.



Services to facilitate achievement of these goals are provided through evaluation and assessment and comprehensive adjustment to blindness training in:

1.  Assessment of Independent Living Skills


2.  Adjustment to blindness training, including Orientation and Mobility, Braille, Keyboarding/Computer, Access Technology, Physical Conditioning and Recreation, Personal Home Management (cooking, cleaning, maintaining home)


3.  Vocational Evaluation


4.  Job Readiness Training


5.  Adult Basic Education


6.  Health Education


7.  Transition programs for high school age students


8.   Low Vision Evaluation


9.   College Assessment for students planning for post-secondary education


10. Weekend seminars for consumers and teachers of the blind and vision impaired


11. Parent and teacher outreach

Empowering blind and vision impaired individuals to gain the skills necessary to be independent promotes personal responsibility and gives them control over their life decisions. This decreases the need for public assistance and dependence on family members and others, and improves their quality of life. This aligns with the long-term objective of supporting Virginians toward healthy lives and strong and resilient families.

To increase the level of independent functioning of individuals in the core areas of blindness skills (orientation and mobility, personal and home management, braille, computers and access technology, conversations about blindness, health education and wellness instruction, and vocational services) as a direct result of training received.

• Develop an individualized plan of instruction according to assessed needs.

• Encourage student empowerment through the establishment and maintenance of high expectations.

• Perform functional assessments in core skill areas.

• Provide quality case management services.

• Reassess needs through regular progress evaluations.

• Respond to student feedback.

This service area provides support to the Center's Social and Personal Adjustment to Blindness Training services area. Support services include administration and management, including direction and supervision of direct customer services. The Center, through the Department for the Blind and Vision Impaired (“DBVI”), has a Memorandum of Understanding with the Department of Aging and Rehabilitative Services (“DARS”) to utilize their administrative services such as program compliance audits and analyses, accounting, budgeting, information services, purchasing, and human resources services. Physical plant services are provided by DBVI's maintenance department, and capital outlay and maintenance reserve activities are also handled by DBVI.

• Promptly address customer questions and concerns.

• Provide staff with the latest computer information technology.

• Compliance with policies, procedures, and regulations of Central State Agencies, i.e., Department of Accounts, Treasury, Virginia Information Technology Agencies, Department of General Services, etc.

• Compliance with policies, procedures, and regulations of federal grantor agencies.

• Obtain input from blind consumer groups on Center services.

Providing consistent administrative support to our staff to ensure their success directly contributes to the agency’s success in meeting its mission. Implementation of sound business practices and efficient agency operations ensures effective administration of agency programs. This aligns with the long term objective of Virginia being recognized as the best-managed state in the nation.

To increase the level of independent functioning of individuals in the core areas of blindness skills (orientation and mobility, personal and home management, braille, computers and access technology, conversations about blindness, health education and wellness instruction, and vocational services) as a direct result of training received.

• Develop an individualized plan of instruction according to assessed needs.

• Encourage student empowerment through the establishment and maintenance of high expectations.

• Perform functional assessments in core skill areas.

• Provide quality case management services.

• Reassess needs through regular progress evaluations.

• Respond to student feedback.

The Virginia Rehabilitation Center for the Blind and Vision Impaired ("VRCBVI") provides evaluation and training services to adolescents and adults with vision impairments to enhance their personal, educational, and vocational independence.

VRCBVI's General Management and Direction supports the Center’s mission to prepare blind, vision impaired, or deaf-blind Virginians for their desired levels of employment and independence through the integration of individualized comprehensive blindness skills, employment skills, and work experiences.

Assessment of Independent Living Skills

Adjustment Counseling

Assistive Technology Utilization

Training in Communication (Braille, Adult Basic Education)

Personal and Home Management (cooking, cleaning, personal financial management, shopping, laundry, etc.)

Independent management of personal health and wellness (Diabetes and Health Education)

Orientation and Mobility (independent traveling skills)

Job Readiness training

Transition programs for high school age students

College Preparatory program for students planning post-secondary education

VRCBVI's funding comes from federal funds (89%), general funds (10%) and miscellaneous sources such as sale of meals and sales from vending (1%).

The Virginia Rehabilitation Center for the Blind and Vision Impaired (“VRCBVI”) provides evaluation and training services to blind, vision impaired, and deafblind adolescents and adults to enhance their personal, educational, and vocational independence.  Administrative and Support Services are essential to the provision of these services.  General administration and management, as well as the management and operation of the training, housing, and dining facilities, make training possible. General administrative direction and management control are provided in the areas of planning, budgeting, financing, instructional planning, staffing, accounting, and record keeping.  Liaison with other agencies and the public is also provided. Support services provided include clerical services and office management, coordination of operation of the physical facilities required for instruction, recreation, and provision of dormitory and food services for the students.

VRCBVI's General Management and Direction supports the Center’s mission to prepare blind, vision impaired, or deaf-blind Virginians for their desired levels of employment and independence through the integration of individualized comprehensive blindness skills, employment skills, and work experiences.

General Management - General administration and management, as well as the management and operation of the training, housing, and dining facilities make training possible.  General administrative direction and management control are provided in the areas of planning, budgeting, financing, instructional planning, staffing, accounting, and record keeping.  Liaison with other agencies and the public is also provided.  Support services provided include clerical services, office management, as well as coordination of operation of the physical facilities required for instruction, recreation, housing, feeding, and health of the students with other programs of the Department for the Blind and Vision Impaired, as well as other state, local, and federal agencies.



The department obtains the following administrative support services from the Department of Aging and Rehabilitation Services via a cooperative agreement: information systems support (“VITA”), human resources management, fiscal management, comprehensive purchasing and procurement services, interagency mail pick-up and delivery, transportation management of state pool cars, and internal audit services by request.