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South Dakota Division of Service to the Blind and Visually Impaired

General Information

South Dakota Division of Service to the Blind and Visually Impaired
Hillsview Properties Plaza
3800 E. Hwy. 34, c/o 500 E. Capital
Pierre, SD 57501
(605) 773 4644
DHS-infoSBVI@state.sd.us
http://dhs.sd.gov/servicetotheblind/default.aspx

Brief Description

The mission of the Division of Service to the Blind and Visually Impaired (SBVI) is to provide individualized rehabilitation services that result in optimal employment and independent living outcomes for citizens who are blind or visually impaired.
SBVI has offices in Aberdeen, Pierre, Rapid City, and Sioux Falls, where the South Dakota Rehabilitation Center for the Blind is also located.

Services Offered

  • Counseling
    • Offers help with transition and personal adjustment skills and vocational, peer, and family counseling. For additional information, please go to our website at http://dhs.sd.gov/sbvi/

  • Employment/Job Training
    • Offers vocational evaluation, exploration, work adjustment, job-seeking skills services, job placement follow-up, and supported employment services.

  • Daily Living Skills/Independent Living Skills Training
    • Provides training in communications, independent living skills, leisure time activity, self-advocacy, in-home rehabilitation teaching services, vocational evaluation, exploration, work adjustment, job-seeking skills services, job placement, and supported employment.

  • Assessment
    • Assessment for vocational, low vision and independent living skills. Services Available All services must be part of an Individualized Plan for Employment or an Independent Living Plan, and must be jointly agreed to by the consumer and counselor/rehabilitation teacher.

  • Information and Referral
    • Information and referral services may be the only service necessary for some individuals, and includes training for other professionals, telephone inquiries, and general inquiries.

  • Low Vision Services
    • Low Vision Services are designed to benefit those persons whose ability to function in everyday tasks has been compromised by impaired vision. Low vision services include a visual examination conducted by a trained specialist in the field of low vision, assessment of visual functioning of individual needs and goals, prescriptions for specialized low vision devices, and individualized training.

  • Reading Services
    • Reading services are a supportive service, and are available to an eligible individual while actively participating in the program or attaining their employment or independent living goals.

  • Travel/Orientation and Mobility
    • Orientation and mobility, and travel training are skills taught in order to access public or private transportation, and to travel safely and as independently as possible, in the home or community, with or without the use of mobility aids and devices.

  • Braille and Reading Instruction
    • Braille and reading instruction falls under the category of communication services which is determined for each individual to achieve their vocational, low vision and independent living skills. All services must be part of an Individualized Plan for Employment or an Independent Living Plan, and must be jointly agreed to by the consumer and counselor/rehabilitation teacher.

  • Computer Training/Assistive Technology
    • Assessment and training for assistive technology devices and services. Service may include an evaluation of an individual, and acquisition of the assistive technology device. Examples of devices include canes, slates, magnifiers, adaptive cooking items, handwriting guides, and computers.

  • Professional Training
    • The Division of Services to the Blind and Visually Impairs provides professional training to their staff based on their positions and level of interest.