CONNECT:
Brochures & Fliers
- DBVI Services Flyer -- Information sheet highlighting the programs and services available through DBVI.
- "What is Braille?" -- This pamphlet provides an overview of Braille; Braille codes; writing Braille; Braille instructions; Braille textbooks.
Documents and Forms
Virginia Department for the Blind and Vision Impaired Code of Ethics
Virginia Department for the Blind and Vision Impaired Forms
Services that may be provided include, but are not limited to, training to assist individuals in adjusting to the loss of vision; vocational and adjustment counseling and training, eye surgery and/or eye treatment for a limited number of individuals; adaptive equipment for training and/or employment; rehabilitation engineering services to modify training and/or job sites; and supported employment services for individuals who are blind and have other disabilities. Job placement and follow-up services are also provided and are given major emphasis.
Visit our Document Repository for the DBVI Forms Listing.
DBVI State Plans
In order for DBVI to receive federal funding for the provision of Vocational Rehabilitation Services, the agency must submit to the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Education, and obtain approval of, a State Plan that contains a description of the DBVI's vocational rehabilitation program, the plans and policies to be followed in carrying out the program, and any other information requested by the Secretary (34 CFR § 361.10). Information regarding the current DBVI state plan or state plans from previous years may be reviewed at the U.S. Department of Education, Rehabilitation Services Administration website.
Comprehensive State Needs Assessment
Strategic Plans
Strategic Plan -- View the complete agency plan at the Virginia Performs website.
Create a customized report for DBVI's Strategic Plan
VRCBVI Strategic Plan -- View the complete plan at the Virginia Performs website.
Code of Virginia
The Virginia General Assembly is offering access to the Code of Virginia on the Internet as a service to the public. We are unable to assist users of this service with legal questions nor respond to requests for legal advice or the application of the law to specific facts. Therefore, to understand and protect your legal rights, you should consult an attorney.
The Code of Virginia online database excludes material copyrighted by the publisher, Michie, a division of Matthew Bender. Copyrighted material includes annotations and revisors' notes, which may be found in the print version of the Code of Virginia. Annotated print copies of the Code of Virginia are available in most Virginia public library systems , from LexisNexis (1-800-446-3410), and from West, a Thomson-Reuters business (1-800-344-5008).
Title 51.5, Chapter 12 - Persons Who Are Blind and Vision Impaired.
§ 2.2-1117 - Purchases from Department for the Blind and Vision Impaired; violation.
§ 22.1-217 - Visually impaired children.
§ 24.2-649 - Assistance for certain voters.
§ 46.2-221 - Certain state agencies to report to Department concerning the blind and nearly blind; use of such information by Department; Department to report names of persons refused licenses for defective vision.
§46.2-932.1 - Duty of driver approaching blind pedestrian; effect of failure of blind person to carry white cane or use dog guide.
§ 46.2-933 - When vehicles to stop for pedestrian guided by dog or carrying white, red-tipped white, or metallic cane.
§ 46.2-934 - Failure to use cane or guide dog not contributory negligence.
§ 3.2-6588 - Intentional interference with a guide or leader dog; penalty.
§ 3.2-6528 - Amount of license tax.
§ 29.1-301 - Exemptions from license requirements.
Title 51.5, Chapter 9 - Rights of Persons With Disabilities.
§ 51.5-61 - Appointment, terms and qualifications of members of Board; eligibility for reappointment; quorum.
§ 51.5-62 - Powers and duties of Board; form of materials.
§ 51.5-63 - Board to administer institutional fund.
Administrative Code - Administrative Regulations.
Virginia Regulatory Town Hall - All State Agency Administrative Regulations.
DBVI Summary of Public Comments and Agency Responses
As directed by federal regulation 34 CFR 361.20, the DBVI State Plan assures the agency will provide opportunities for public comment prior to adopting substantive policies or procedures governing the provision of vocational rehabilitation services under that State Plan, including making substantive amendments to policies and procedures. DBVI conducts public meetings annually prior to the development of the State Plan for the upcoming year.
Policies
The Vocational Rehabilitation Manual illustrates and discusses the policies and procedures which the Vocational Rehabilitation division follows.
Annual Reports
Older Blind Grant Program
- 2017 Annual Report - Independent Living Services for older individuals who are blind - Fiscal year end 2017 (10/1/2016-9/30/2017)
- Mississippi State University Evaluation Report for 2017
Estimates of people with blindness or vision loss in Virginia
September 2020, updated annually
DBVI recognizes the importance of estimating the number of Virginians who are blind, experiencing vision loss, and vision difficulty. There are several factors to consider in this estimation, including varying definitions of blindness or vision loss, the use of estimates in population statistics, the variance of blindness and vision loss as related to age, and the range of self-report of individuals surveyed. In determining the potential number of Virginians who are blind or experiencing vision difficulty one of the most frequently used resources is the US Census Bureau and the American Community Survey (ACS). The ACS website can be found at: https://www.census.gov/topics/health/disability.html. To estimate disability prevalence the ACS allows for a broad view of blindness and identifies individuals with vision difficulty as those who are blind or have serious difficulty seeing even when wearing glasses. DBVI also uses Virginia population estimates from the University of Virginia’s Weldon Cooper Center for Public Service. The Weldon Cooper website can be found at: https://demographics.coopercenter.org/
Using the ACS 2018 5-year estimates and the Weldon Cooper Center July 2019 population estimates, DBVI estimates Virginians with a vision difficulty as described below:
|
Age Group and Percentage of Population with Vision Difficulty |
Number or Virginians |
Margin of Error |
|
In the total population (2.1%) |
179,246 |
+/- 3,600 |
|
Under 5 years (0.5%) |
2,527 |
+/- 400 |
|
Under 18 years (0.7%) |
13,026 |
+/- 1018 |
|
18 to 64 years (1.8%) |
95,684 |
+/- 2,680 |
|
65 years and over (5.9%) |
80,176 |
+/- 1,800 |
