A r c h i v e d I n f o r m a t i o n

Biennial Evaluation Report - FY 93-94

Chapter 332

Independent Living Services for Older Individuals Who are Blind

(CFDA No. 84.177)

I. Program Profile

Legislation: Chapter 2 of the Title VII the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, P.L. 93-112, as amended by P.L. 102-569 (29 U.S.C. 796f) (expires September 30, 1997).

Purpose: To provide independent living services for blind persons age 55 years or older, and to help them adjust to blindness so that they may live more independently in their homes and communities.

Funding History

Fiscal Year	Appropriation
1986	$4,785,000
1987	5,290,000
1988	5,600,000
1989	5,700,000
1990	5,829,000
1991	5,914,000
1992	6,505,000
1993	6,944,000
1194	8,131,000

II. Program Information and Analysis

Population Targeting

The program serves blind or severely visually impaired individuals, age 55 or older, whose blindness or severe visual impairment makes gainful employment extremely difficult, but for whom independent goals are feasible. Independent living skills help to prevent institutionalization and enhance the lives of these individuals.

Services

Independent living services for older blind persons include services that will assist such persons to correct blindness or visual impairment, or to adjust to blindness by becoming more able to care for individual needs. Services offered include visual screening, therapeutic treatment, outreach, eyeglasses, other vision aids, guide services, transportation, orientation and mobility services, reader services, Braille instruction, information and referral peer counseling, adaptive skills training and other appropriate service designed to assist an older individual who is blind in coping with daily living activities. In FY 1993, approximately 12,000 individuals received one or more services through this program.

Program Administration

The State unit designated to provide rehabilitation services to persons who are blind, is the eligible agency under this program. Each designated State unit may either directly provide independent living services under this program or make subgrants to other public agencies or private, nonprofit organizations to provide these services.

The Rehabilitation Act (the Act) as amended in 1992, requires the Commissioner to use 1 percent of the aggregate funds appropriated for programs authorized in Title II, III, VI, VII, and VIII for minority outreach activities as specified in Section 21 of the Act. In FY 1993, 1 percent of the funds appropriated for this program were reserved for this purpose. Section 21 also requires grant applicants to demonstrate how they will address the needs of individuals with disabilities from minority backgrounds. Section 20 of the Act requires all programs under the Act to advise individuals receiving or seeking to receive program services, or as appropriate, such individuals' authorized representative, of the availability and purposes of the Client Assistance program, under section 112 of the Act, including information on the means of seeking assistance under such program.

III. Sources of Information

Program files

IV. Planned Studies

None.

V. Contacts for Further Information

Program Operation:: Ray Melhoff, (202) 205-9320
Program Studies:: Barbara Vespucci, (202) 401-3630

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[Vocational Rehabilitation Services for American Indians with Disabilities]

[Independent Living Services Program]