DEPARTMENT PERFORMANCE
Department for the Blind
Emily Wharton, Director
Mission Statement: The Iowa Department for the Blind is the means for persons who are blind to obtain for themselves universal accessibility and full participation in society in whatever roles they may choose, including roles that improve Iowa's economic growth.
Blind Iowans average wage vs. average state wage
Individuals indicating a more positive
attitude after training
Iowans using services of Department for the Blind
Library book circulation
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-
Performance Plan - How we measure our progress
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Strategic Plan - How we plan for progress
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Performance Report - How we report our progress
- Department Home Page - Learn more about this department
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Highlighted Measure:
Ratio of average VR wage to average
state wage as a percentage
Data Source: eFORCE
Note: Per recently new federal legislation, all employment must now be competitive
Updated 07/28/2021 |

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Why this is important:
These services enable blind individuals to develop
the confidence and skills to meet Iowa employer
needs and job demands. Individuals develop the
pride of achievement and self-sufficiency. They
become an effective, contributing part of Iowa
and become a part of their communities.
What we're doing about this:
Placement specialists regularly meet with counselors
and clients to provide employment leads and develop
career and job placement plans. They also meet
with employers to provide information about the
blind as an untapped workforce. The Department
now has two job clubs: one in Des Moines and
the other in Council Bluffs. These are proving
to be useful as a means for blind jobseekers
to share important information with one another.
The Department provides necessary services for Iowans who are blind
to live independently and work competitively.
The Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) services
assist Iowans who are blind in preparing
for, obtaining, and retaining employment.
The highly trained VR Counselor and blind
individual identify a vocational goal and
the services needed to achieve the goal.
This can involve assessment and evaluation
of persons' needs, skills and resources so
that they can make an informed choice. Individuals
often need training to acquire the skills
of blindness and vocational development involving
the client and counselor. VR Counselors help
the individual write a resume, practice interviewing,
and locate job-search and placement resources.
Job-site assessment and procurement and appropriate
assistive technology devices and training
in the use of adapted equipment are provided
where necessary. Follow-up services after
job placement can be critical to both the
blind employee and the employer to ensure
that the individual is successful and the
employer is satisfied with reliability, productivity,
and profitability.
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Highlighted Measure:
Individuals indicating they
have a more positive attitude
about their blindness after
training.
Data Source: eFORCE
NOTE: Only 8 of 19 surveys were completed for FY19.
Updated 07/28/2021 |
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Why
this is important:
Instruction in the skills and techniques of blindness,
guidance and counseling, and positive peer interaction
is provided through home training and community-based
training programs. Without proper and early intervention,
many older Iowans who experience a severe loss
of vision make major life changes that involve
a loss of self-sufficiency and increased dependence
on costly long-term and institutional supports.
Development of blindness skills coupled with
a positive, self-confident attitude pertaining
to blindness enables individuals to postpone
or avoid costly institutional supports and prolong
the time they are able to continue as independent
and contributing members of Iowa's society.
What we're doing about this:
Independent Living staff members provide individualized
home training in blindness skills needed to
independently and competently carry out essential
activities of daily living such as travel with
the long white cane; communication techniques;
and home management skills (i.e., cooking,
cleaning, and shopping). To further enhance
skill development and to promote a positive
adjustment to blindness, staff members encourage
and facilitate peer interaction
through involvement with peer support groups
and group training in blindness skills. Additionally,
Independent Living staff members provide in-service
training to other service providers to meet
the unique needs of individuals who are blind.
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Highlighted Measure:
Number of individual Iowans using
Iowa Department for the Blind
services per state fiscal year.
Data Source: Department for the Blind, CUL system
Updated 07/28/2021
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Why
this is important:
Iowans who cannot read standard print because of
disabilities need information to continue their
education, acquire and maintain jobs, participate
in community and democratic processes and activities,
and maintain a quality of life which includes
mental stimulation, knowledge of current issues
and events, and enjoyable leisure activities.
The library makes all of this possible.
What we're doing about this:
Improving public information and outreach to
serve more reading-disabled Iowans; upgrading
automated circulation system for more efficiency
and better, more customer-centered service; increasing
programming; cooperating with newspaper services
to make them available to all patrons; producing
newsletters to inform patrons of new and existing
services; digitizing old Braille to preserve
content and reduce space needs; recruiting new
Braillists and narrators; upgrading Brailling
and recording processes and programs; implementing
patron training on digital resources; building
professional-quality recording studio; training
volunteers in math, music and tactile Braille
production.
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Highlighted Measure:
Number of books circulated to
blind Iowans in an alternative
format including Braille, cassette,
electronic text, large type,
descriptive video, and talking
book disc.
Data Source: Department for the Blind, CUL System
Updated 07/28/2021 |
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Why
this is important:
By providing access to information of all types,
the Library plays a critical role in helping
citizens who cannot read standard print because
of a visual, physical or reading disability maintain
their independence, work, and participate in
community and family activities.
What we're doing about this:
The Library educates groups (e.g., visiting congregate
meal sites, conference exhibits) about available
library services and contacting all new patrons
to resolve questions.
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