A message from Director Stacy Cervenka:
Since I assumed the position of Director of the Iowa Department for the Blind in July, the past few months have brought many exciting opportunities, partnerships, and innovations to our agency. From strengthening our relationships with state and community agencies to developing new programs and services for our clients, these new initiatives underscore our commitment to innovation, partnership, and results. These are just some of the examples of work we've undertaken since July:
Vocational Rehabilitation- We are currently serving 593 blind and low vision Iowans in our vocational rehabilitation program, which provides consumers with the tools, training, and resources they need to enter, remain, and advance in the workforce.
Independent Living- We are currently serving 267 clients in our independent living program, which provides tools, training, and resources to blind Iowans who do not have vocational goals. Many of these clients are retired, older, homemakers, or have family care responsibilities.
Iowa Library for the Blind and Print Disabled- Our library currently provides braille, audio, and large print reading material to 5,807 patrons, including those served by our Instructional Materials Center, which provides textbooks, worksheets, in-class materials, and other academic resources for students from preschool through college and university. The Library also runs many innovative hybrid (in-person and remote) book clubs, pen pal programs, Makerspace Mondays, and our new Braille Babies program for blind and low vision infants, toddlers, and preschoolers.
Orientation Center for the Blind- Our adjustment-to-blindness center experienced significant growth in the final months of 2025. For several years, the program averaged 3 to 5 students. In September, we implemented changes that increased consumer choice and flexibility. The program now serves 16 students, including 7 in the Comprehensive Program and 9 in the Specific Skills Track—more than triple the enrollment of recent years. We anticipate reaching full capacity of 20 students by the end of January. For the first time in at least a decade, the Center will have a waiting list. In practical terms, this means more blind and low vision Iowans will receive high-quality instruction in cane travel, braille, technology, home management, and industrial arts, which will result in better employment and community participation outcomes for blind Iowans.
Retreat Programs- In September, IDB launched a statewide retreat team which now provides two retreats each month in communities throughout Iowa:
- 3-Day Youth Pre-Employment Transition Services (Pre-ETS) Retreats- These retreats are being held one weekend a month in communities across Iowa. Students explore college and career options, learn about the importance of internships and apprenticeships, engage in volunteer opportunities, and participate in sports and recreation in collaboration with Paralympic athletes and Iowa Educational Services for the Blind and Visually Impaired.
- 7-Day Adult Skills Retreats- These retreats take place one week each month in communities around the state, focusing on alternative techniques of blindness, including cane travel, braille, technology, and home management. Participation continues to grow, and retreats have been well received.
NLS Regional Conference – The National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled’s Midlands and Southern Regions held their annual conference at IDB in September, allowing us to showcase our building and programs while learning from libraries across the country.
State Workforce Development Board – I now serve as IDB’s representative to the State Workforce Development Board, which oversees federally funded employment programs in Iowa. It is my goal to ensure that the needs of blind and low vision Iowans are taken into consideration when developing and improving all workforce programs throughout the state.
Des Moines Area Metropolitan Planning Organization- We are working with Des Moines MCO to advocate for expanded bus service, more innovative paratransit programs, and travel trainers for people who need assistance learning to ride the bus. We will be providing some additional training for their staff on the challenges blind pedestrians face and what we find helpful while traveling in the community.
Audio Darts – An audio darts league was held on Monday nights in October and November in the IDB assembly room and was well received by participants.
Running Club- We are now partnering with Team Run Free and the YMCA on a running club for any interested IDB clients, staff, and blind community members. Team Run Free is providing guides for running club members. The YMCA is allowing us to use their indoor track on Tuesday nights during December, January, and February, for only $1 in exchange for two social media posts a month. Governor Reynolds’ office reached out to Des Moines Area Community College and they are allowing our runners to use their indoor track on Thursday nights.
Iowa Council of the United Blind (ICUB) and National Federation of the Blind of Iowa (NFBI) Listening Sessions – Members of IDB’s leadership team held 90-minute listening sessions with the Iowa Council of the United Blind and the National Federation of the Blind of Iowa. These well-attended sessions provided opportunities for community members to ask questions and share feedback on proposed changes to the Orientation Center.
ICUB and NFBI Conventions- Many IDB staff participated in the ICUB Convention. I, along with the leadership team, hosted a listening session; I spoke at the Saturday luncheon; the Library staffed a booth on the concourse; Mark Edge served as an emcee; and several staff members volunteered, presented, and participated throughout the event. Members of our leadership team also addressed the members of the NFBI convention to update them on our recent work and many IDB staff served on various breakout panels throughout the weekend.
Vanderbilt University – We are excited to be working with the EMPOWER VI program at Vanderbilt University, which provides college and career readiness resources for blind youth and also offers free training to staff who provide Pre-Employment Transition Services (Pre-ETS). Our Pre-ETS team looks forward to taking full advantage of these free trainings to enhance and strengthen our programs.
Independence Science – IDB is collaborating with Independence Science, an organization founded, led, and staffed entirely by blind scientists and others in the STEM field. Independence Science will be assisting with our January 2026 weekend youth retreat. They will also be participating in our library’s STEM Fest in the fall of 2026. And they will be designing and leading two weeks of summer programming for our youth. The first week will have a CSI (Crime Scene Investigation) theme. Students will use scientific and forensics techniques throughout the week to solve a crime. The second week will teach students about the science behind nutrition and physical fitness, which will provide both science education and inspire students to incorporate healthy eating and physical activity into their lives.
Filomen M. D’Agostino Greenberg Music School (FMDG) – IDB partnered with FMDG and will be offering group music classes through our library. They will also be designing and staffing a two-week music performance and production camp for our youth program participants.
Paul McCartney Concert- Paul McCartney offers 20 tickets at each of his shows to people who are blind, low vision, Deaf, or hard-of-hearing. ICB was the beneficiary of tickets to an October concert at Casey’s Center. Fifteen clients from our Older Individuals who are Blind program and five staff had dinner at IDB and then attended the concert.
Easter Lake Park – Orientation Center students, staff, and I worked with the Great Plains ADA Center and Uncurbed to provide recommendations for making signage and park information accessible to blind and low vision visitors at Easter Lake Park.
Mitsubishi Electric America Foundation- In October, I went to Boston, Massachusetts for the 35th Anniversary Convening of the Mitsubishi Electric America Foundation (MEAF). MEAF is the philanthropic arm of Mitsubishi Electric and funds programs that empower youth with disabilities. I sit on its advisory committee and was honored to speak on a panel entitled “The State of Disability Employment.” Iowa was well-represented as Daniel VanSant of the Harkin Institute spoke on the same panel.
Council of State Administrators of Vocational Rehabilitation (CSAVR) and National Council of State Agencies for the Blind (NCSAB)- IDB Vocational Rehabilitation Program Administrator Keri Osterhaus and I both attended CSAVR and NCSAB in San Diego. We learned a great deal and made many useful connections with other state agencies, technical assistance centers, technology vendors, and service providers that will help us to improve and expand our current services. We have already engaged some of the connections we made, such as Independence Science, Aira, and the VR Technical Assistance Center for Quality Management.
Drake University- Former CSAVR Director Steve Wooderson invited me to serve as a guest lecturer in his disability policy class at Drake University to discuss how policies and practices impact informed consumer choice. Students engaged enthusiastically in the discussion.
All-Staff Trainings- We held a 2.5-day all-staff training. The first day focused on strategic planning, our mission, vision, values, and culture. The second day focused on day-to-day work, such as communicating effectively and serving older adults with vision loss, etc. On the third day, staff focused on serving clients with additional disabilities and learned about the American Printing House for the Blind Connect Center. We held an additional all-staff training in December to learn about managing diabetes with vision loss independently.
As we look ahead to 2026, we are energized by the progress we’ve made and the partnerships we’ve strengthened. The programs, collaborations, and innovations I've discussed above represent just a portion of the work underway to empower blind and low vision Iowans to live the lives they choose. We remain committed to expanding opportunities, deepening community engagement, and delivering high-quality services that make a tangible difference in the lives of blind people throughout Iowa.