Getting to Know BBVS
Amber Phillips, Assistant District Administrator BBVS Wilkes-Barre
Natalie Barbush, Social Worker Supervisor BBVS Harrisburg
August 11-12, 2021
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Overview: Mission Statement
To assist Pennsylvanians with
disabilities to secure and maintain employment and independence.
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Overview: Agency Organization
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OVR District Offices (List)
Western Region
• Altoona
• DuBois
• Erie
• Harrisburg
• Johnstown
•
Hiram G. Andrews Center (HGAC)• New Castle
• Pittsburgh
• Washington
• Williamsport
Eastern Region
• Allentown
• Altoona BBVS
• Erie BBVS
• Harrisburg BBVS
• Norristown
• Philadelphia (+ BBVS)
• Pittsburgh BBVS
• Reading
• Wilkes-Barre (+ BBVS)
• York
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Presenter Names and Roles
• Natalie M Barbush, MSW – Social Worker Supervisor, Harrisburg BBVS
• Amber Phillips, MS – Assistant District Administrator, Wilkes-Barre BBVS
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Presenter Origin
District Offices Represented
• Wilkes-Barre BBVS
• Harrisburg BBVS
County(ies) Served
• Tioga, Bradford, Susquehanna, Wayne, Pike, Lackawanna,
Luzerne, Monroe,
Northampton, Lehigh, Berks, Schuylkill, Sullivan, Carbon, Wyoming
• Adams, Franklin, Lebanon,
Cumberland, Lancaster, Perry, Dauphin, York
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Scope of Presentation
Information in this session focuses on a STATEWIDE program/initiative.
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Mission of Blindness & Visual Services
• The mission of BBVS is to assist Pennsylvanians who are blind or visually impaired to work and maintain independent lives.
• BBVS provides services to Pennsylvanians of all ages experiencing vision loss and other disabilities.
• BBVS specializes in rehabilitating individuals whose primary disability is vision loss that has significantly
impacted their activities at home, in the community or at work.
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BBVS District Offices
• Altoona
Bedford, Blair, Cambria, Centre, Clinton, Columbia, Fulton,
Huntingdon, Juniata, Lycoming, Mifflin, Montour, Northumberland, Snyder, Somerset, Union
• Erie
Cameron, Clarion, Clearfield, Crawford, Elk, Erie, Forest, Jefferson, Lawrence, McKean, Mercer, Potter, Venango, Warren
• Harrisburg
Adams, Cumberland, Dauphin, Franklin, Lancaster, Lebanon, Perry, York
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BBVS District Offices Continued
• Philadelphia
Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery, Philadelphia
• Pittsburgh
Allegheny, Armstrong, Beaver, Butler, Fayette, Greene, Indiana, Washington, Westmoreland
• Wilkes Barre
Berks, Bradford, Carbon, Lackawanna, Lehigh, Luzerne, Monroe,
Northampton, Pike, Schuylkill, Sullivan, Susquehanna, Tioga, Wayne, Wyoming
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BBVS 6 District Office - County Assignments
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Visual Eligibility
BBVS determines eligibility based on criteria that is specific to vision loss:
• A corrected visual acuity of 20/70 or greater loss in the better eye
• A visual field loss of 20 degrees or greater
• A diagnosis of a progressive sight threatening disease
• A significant functional limitation from vision loss
Anyone with a visual impairment can apply. BBVS will determine the eligibility. Do Not Assume You Do Not Meet the Eligibility Criteria!
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Who should be referred to BBVS?
• There are no wrong referrals. An agency does not have to vet referrals. Anyone with a visual impairment can be
referred.
• Referrals can be made by contacting your local BBVS office via phone, email, mail, fax, letter or online.
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Common Eye Disorders
• Macular Degeneration - Common in older people where central vision deteriorates
• Diabetic Retinopathy - Caused by diabetes, results in patches of vision loss and causes a lack in sharpness across visual field
• Glaucoma - Often caused by increased pressure inside the eye, damages the optic nerve and results in loss of peripheral vision
• Cataracts - Occurs when the lens of the eye becomes cloudy
• Blindness - The loss of all useful vision. Shade of light and dark may or may not be visible.
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How much will it cost?
• Depending on income, the customer may have a contribution.
• No cost services include:
• Application
• Diagnostics and vocational evaluation
• Vision Rehabilitation Therapy
• Orientation & Mobility Instruction
• Counseling and guidance
• Job placement
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BBVS Programs
BBVS provides services to all ages experiencing vision loss through 4 separate programs:
• Vocational Rehabilitation (VR)
• Specialized Services: Adult and Children (SSA & SSC)
• Independent Living Services for Older Individuals who are Blind (ILOIB)
• Business Enterprise Program
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BBVS Staff
The Bureau of Blindness has direct service staff:
• Vocational Rehabilitation Counselors
• Social Workers
• Vision Rehabilitation Therapists
• Orientation and Mobility Instructors
• Business Enterprise Agents
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Rehabilitation Act
The Rehabilitation Act of 1973 requires the federal government to actively hire and
promote workers with disabilities. The
regulations for this law require the federal government to provide equal access to
training and promotion opportunities and
reasonable accommodations for workers with disabilities.
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Vocational Rehabilitation Program
• Vocational Rehabilitation Counselors work with customers in the Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) Program.
• The VR Program assists eligible individuals who need services to prepare for, advance in or retain employment.
• Services may include employment evaluation; counseling and guidance; training; job placement; assistive technology;
adjustment to blindness; occupational tools and equipment;
orientation and mobility instruction; and vision rehabilitation therapy. Services are based on individual’s needs and choices that are necessary for the person to enter, advance in or retain employment.
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The Rehabilitation Plan
Together, the customer and VR Counselor develop an Individualized Plan for Employment (IPE).
The IPE states:
• The employment goal
• The steps needed to achieve the goal
• What services will be provided
• What is expected of both the customer and OVR/BBVS, including responsibilities and costs
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Pre-Employment Transition Services
• Pre-ETS services help students (starting at 14 years of age) with disabilities learn about themselves, practice
work skills, explore training options and choose jobs. Pre- ETS are meant to supplement, not replace, transition
services a student may be receiving through school.
• Self-advocacy instruction teaches students/customers how to solve problems and manage their life.
• Workplace readiness training teaches students/customers how to get and keep a job.
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Pre-Employment Transition Services Continued
• Job exploration counseling helps students/customers learn about jobs and pick a career.
• Counseling on postsecondary training helps
students/customers decide if college or training after high school is right for them.
• Work-based learning connects what students/customers learn in school to real jobs.
• IEP assistance includes attending IEP meetings and providing the IEP team information about OVR services.
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Strive On Program
• Students Transition Readiness into Vocation and Education
• Active customer with BBVS
• Currently enrolled in grades 9 through 12
• Must have internet connection with access to a computer, smartphone or tablet
• Independently able to access a web browser, participate in virtual meetings and utilize necessary assistive technology
• Session topics include:
• Assistive Technology – virtual job fair, assistive technology roundtable
• Self Advocacy – understanding your disability, requesting accommodations
• Employability – career panel, job and career exploration, work-based learning experiences
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SSA, SSC & ILOIB
Specialized Services Adult and Children
&
Independent Living Services for Older Individuals who are Blind
Social Workers are responsible for:
All cases in the Specialized Services Adult (SSA) and Children (SSC) programs and Independent Living Services for Older
Individuals who are Blind (ILOIB) programs.
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Specialized Services Children (SSC)
• The SSC program is designed to assist children in gaining the necessary skills to function as
independently as possible with in their homes, schools and communities.
• SSC is state funded
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Specialized Services for Children - Services
Services are based on individual needs and may include:
• Information and referral
• Counseling and guidance
• Advocacy
• Eye exams
• Adaptive equipment
• Vision Rehabilitation Therapy
• Orientation and Mobility instruction
• Children’s summer programs
• Attending IEP meetings
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Specialized Services for Adults (SSA)
• SSA is designed to assist individuals in
achieving independence in their home and community. This program serves individuals who are 54 years old or younger. Services
include VRT and O&M required for safety and remaining independent in their homes.
• SSA is state funded.
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Specialized Services for Adults – Services
Services are based on individual needs and may include:
• Information and referral
• Counseling and guidance
• Vision Rehabilitation Therapy
• Orientation and Mobility Instruction
• Referral to the VR Program
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ILOB
Independent Living Services for Older Individuals who are Blind Program (ILOIB)
• ILOIB helps customers regain or maintain their
independence in their homes and/or communities.
• This program serves individuals who are 55+.
• This program is funded through state and federal funds.
• PA received a grant of $1.3 million for FY20-21.
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ILOB – Services
Services are based on individual needs and may include:
• Information and referral
• Counseling and guidance
• Diagnostic services
• Low vision evaluations
• Low vision aids
• Current funding cap of $500 per case
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Customer Choice vs. Cost-Effective
• In all cases, the most cost-effective option(s) available must be used when providing services to customers.
• OVR staff must offer customers options for services and providers that are comparable in price. If costs are
comparable, customers may then choose their service and provider options based on preference.
• If the cost for various services and provider options are
not comparable, OVR staff must offer customers the most cost-effective option.
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Customer Choice vs. Cost-Effective – Example
Example: a customer needs a Low Vision Evaluation. The VRC shares available eye doctors that provide low vision evaluations. The customer chooses the eye doctor they will receive an evaluation from. OVR has fee codes, including prices, for low vision services. The fee codes (cost for service) is consistent.
• The eye doctor recommends prescription glasses and a 20 inch/color CCTV.
• The VRC will purchase the prescription item from the eye doctor.
• The VRC will get prices/bids from multiple vendors that can provide a 20 inch/color CCTV. The VRC may include delivery, set up and training. The lowest cost CCTV is purchased that meets the customer’s specific needs.
• If the customer has additional questions on using the CCTV, they should contact the vendor that provided the CCTV.
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Business Enterprise Program (BEP)
• BEP operates under the authority of the federal Randolph
Shepard Act and state Little Randolph Shepard Act. These laws give priority to individuals who are legally blind to provide
retail services on federal and state owned or leased properties.
• BEP assists qualified, interested persons in business ventures ranging from a vending machine route and snack bar to a full cafeteria.
• BEP works closely with VR customers who are legally blind and choose the employment goal of food service management.
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Vision Rehabilitation Therapy (VRT)
• The VRT staff assess the needs of the customer, develop a service plan and teach adaptive techniques.
• VRT staff teach individuals how to safely and efficiently carry out their daily activities at home, on the job and in the community.
• Services may include Braille instruction, home management, in-home orientation and personal management.
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Vision Rehabilitation Therapy - Services
Instructional Service areas:
• Personal management/daily living skills
Ex: grooming, eating techniques, timekeeping
• Orientation and Safety Techniques
Ex: independent travel in the home, travel with human guide
• Home Management
Ex: food preparation, house cleaning, labeling food items
• Communication Skills
Ex: Braille Instruction, use of a telephone, assistive technology
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Orientation & Mobility Instruction
The Orientation and Mobility staff assess the needs of the customer, develop a service plan and teach adaptive travel techniques.
• O&M staff teach individuals how to travel independently and safely within their homes, workplaces and
communities.
• After an evaluation is completed, a training plan is developed to meet the individual’s specific needs.
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Orientation & Mobility Instruction - Services
Instructional Service Areas:
• O&M techniques in home setting
Ex: pre-cane travel techniques, human guide skills
• Instruction in mobility/adaptive devices
Ex: long cane, electronic travel devices, sun lenses, tactile maps
• O&M skills
Ex: utilization of functional vision, negotiating intersections, using public transportation
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Additional Information
• OVR is currently discussing the Bioptic Driving Law.
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BBVS District Office Contact Information
• Altoona: 866-695-7673
• Erie: 866-521-5073
• Harrisburg: 866-375-8264
• Philadelphia: 866-631-3892
• Pittsburgh: 866-412-4072
• Wilkes-Barre: 866-227-4163
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