The mission of the Iowa Department for the Blind (IDB) is to empower blind Iowans to be gainfully employed and live independently. Its vision is to be the world’s leader in blind rehabilitation services.
Because the Department is funded primarily through state and federal tax dollars, most of the services it offers are provided to eligible Iowans at no cost to them.
IDB Programs and Services
The Iowa Blindness Empowerment and Independence Center (IBEIC) is a residential training program for adults who are blind or low vision. Located in Des Moines, the Center provides in-depth, individualized blindness training to students so that they can return to their home communities to live independently and work competitively in the careers they choose. Students receive training in four areas:
The Business Enterprises Program (BEP) provides opportunities for legally blind clients of the Vocational Rehabilitation program to manage their own businesses. These blind entrepreneurs manage a wide variety of food-service operations, including restaurants, coffee bars, vending locations, highway rest area vending sites, and catering. These businesses can be found at federal, state, county, municipal, and private locations throughout Iowa.
The Department has helped thousands of blind and visually impaired Iowans successfully find and retain high quality jobs.
The Department provides employment services to blind and visually impaired Iowans who are looking for a job or want to retain or advance in their current career. The Department for the Blind believes that with the right skills and opportunities a blind or visually impaired person can be a competitive and valuable employee.
The Independent Living (IL) program serves individuals with vision loss caused by a condition that cannot be corrected with glasses and has affected the person's ability to complete daily activities such as driving, reading the mail, dialing a telephone, cooking safely and more. Individuals served under this program do not wish to pursue paid employment and are at least age 55 or have other disabilities in combination with their vision loss. Rehabilitation Teachers in the IL program travel throughout the state to help individuals obtain the skills needed to live independently and participate in family and community life.
The Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) program assists persons who are blind or low vision in preparing for, obtaining, and retaining employment. Applicants are made eligible based on their visual disability, their need for VR services, and their intent to work. The VR counselor and the eligible individual jointly identify a vocational goal and the services needed to achieve it. Services may include:
Training to help individuals achieve the vocational goals they have selected
Assessment, demonstration, and training in the Assistive Technology Resource Center
The Library for the Blind and Print Disabled provides reading materials free of charge to Iowans who cannot use standard print because of blindness, physical disability, or reading disability. The library:
Provides books and other materials in a variety of formats: Braille, large print, digital audio recordings, print/Braille, descriptive video, and electronic text mailed to patrons' homes. Registered readers may also download audio and Braille books and magazines online (BARD). Because the Library is a cooperating member of the National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped (NLS), its borrowers have access to all NLS services.
Transcribes print materials into Braille and recorded formats. Employment-related, educational, and leisure materials not already available in alternative media are transcribed upon request. The Library also transcribes other magazines and books appropriate for its collection.
Acquires instructional and employment materials for students and workers. The Library's instructional Materials Center (IMC) locates textbooks and other educational materials for Iowa's K-12 and college students who cannot use standard print. The IMC also locates job-related materials for employed Iowans for whom standard print is not an option.
Provides independent access to the Library's collection through the On-Line Public Access Catalog (OPAC). Linked to the Department's web site, OPAC allows borrowers to search the Library's collection, select books, and put them on reserve.
Circulates videos enhanced with audio descriptions. These videos range in subject from popular movies to documentaries and in audience from children to adults.
Our technology team's mission is to provide the tech and training that empowers clients and staff to become self-sufficient, learn about our technology services.
Because it is important to educate the public about blindness and the competence of people who are blind, the Department is eager to participate in public education activities. The Department can make arrangements to:
Give presentations about the Department's services and blindness to schools, churches, civic organizations, and other interested groups.
Provide in-service training about the Department's services and blindness skills to care centers, community rehabilitation programs, and other community service providers.
Participate in fairs, expos, displays, and other public events.
Iowa Department for the Blind is excited to offer several programs to blind and low vision Iowans age 14 -22. More information about Youth Services.
Living with Vision Loss
The Iowa Department for the Blind has helped thousands of blind and visually impaired Iowans to manage their vision loss so they can continue to live independently.
The Iowa Department for the Blind helps empower blind and visually impaired Iowans to lead active and fulfilling lives. The Department educates and trains them in alternative techniques while instilling them with confidence for independent living and competitive job placement. These skills enable those with vision loss to fully participate in life, through work, family and community and helps them achieve their dreams.
Orientation Center The Adult Orientation and Adjustment Center provides a curriculum for those ages 17 and older to learn alternative skills for everything from cooking to computers.
Youth Transition Services The Iowa Department for the Blind (IDB) is dedicated to providing meaningful and high quality vocational rehabilitation services to blind and low-vision transition-age youth across the state. For more information, contact Ambrose Ball-Harney at (515) 829-7411 Ambrose.BallHarney@blind.state.ia.us.
Find or Keep a Job The Department provides free employment services to blind and visually impaired Iowans who are looking for a job or want to retain or advance in their current career.
Deaf-Blind Resources A list of helpful resources for deaf-blind people and their families.
Vision Loss Support Groups Meet others in your community experiencing vision loss. Groups are not maintained by the IDB. Contact information is provided.
