VA Department for the Blind and Vision Impaired Home

Department for the Blind and Vision Impaired

Welcome to the Department for the Blind and Vision Impaired

Providing Quality Services to Assist Virginia's Citizens

Raymond E. Hopkins, Commissioner

Latest News

Gov. McDonnell Declares State of Emergency

VA state seal

Governor McDonnell Declares State of Emergency in Preparation for Hurricane Sandy
http://www.governor.virginia.gov/News/viewRelease.cfm?id=1473.

VoiceOver for iPhone Video Tutorial

Are you interested in learning a little more about using an Apple iPhone with VoiceOver? If you are, the DBVI video Introduction to VoiceOver on the iPhone can give you a clear, concise overview on the physical configuration of the iPhone and its basic operation, specifically using VoiceOver gestures. Look for Introduction to VoiceOver on the iPhone on our YouTube channel and start learning about iPhone accessibility now!

Like DBVI on Facebook

Facebook ProfileDBVI is excited to announce that we’re now on Facebook! Stay up to date with our latest announcements, links and videos. For those of you who have Facebook accounts (they are free and open to all), we’d love to hear your feedback. Don’t forget to ‘Like’ us!! https://www.facebook.com/VDBVI

VR Public Forum Events

During Fall 2012, DBVI will conduct a minimum of four public meetings providing stakeholders an opportunity to make comments regarding DBVI services. DBVI seeks input from agency stakeholders to develop the State Plan required by the Rehabilitation Services Administration and to assist with developing vocational rehabilitation (VR) policy and procedure. To see a complete list of the dates, visit the calendar and public events page. More information about the forums can be found by downloading the announcement.

Blind Chef Is 'MasterChef' Winner

From the moment she took those first tentative steps onto the national stage, chef Christine Ha captured America's heart. During Monday night's season 3 "MasterChef" finale, Ha won the title, $250,000 grand prize and a cookbook deal, beating out Josh Marks and about 100 other chefs . But that's not what makes her so inspiring. Ha is blind -- the first blind contestant on the show.

For the complete article, go to ABC's Nightline site.

NFB-NEWSLINE® Announces Online Weather Information Service

NFB-NEWSLINE®, has announced a collaboration with AccuWeather®, an online weather information service, to provide emergency weather alerts to blind and print-disabled subscribers throughout America. The AccuWeather® information service will be offered on NFB-NEWSLINE®, giving blind and print-disabled people instant access to emergency weather alerts such as those shown on television screens during regular programming which aren’t accessible to the blind. Newsline subscribers can get more information by selecting weather alerts when they next visit the Newsline service. Read the full story at https://www.nfb.org.

A Message from Raymond Hopkins

Welcome to this website of the Virginia Department for the Blind and Vision Impaired (DBVI). DBVI is an agency of the Commonwealth of Virginia that is dedicated to its mission of providing services and resources which empower Virginians who are blind, vision impaired or deafblind to achieve their desired levels of employment, education, and personal independence. Whether you are experiencing vision loss yourself, have a family member who has a visual disability or you’re conducting research; I hope the information found here is beneficial to you.

The department offers a wide array of specialized services and programs for Virginia residents of all ages who are experiencing significant visual disabilities. With the assistance of DBVI it is hoped that persons who are blind, deafblind and vision impaired will acquire the skills which lead to confidence and positive attitudes which are essential components for becoming independent contributing members of our communities.

This Department employs a staff which is highly trained and committed to assist Virginia's blind, deafblind, and vision impaired citizens in reaching their full potential. The services of the department are comprehensive, varied and available in local communities as well as through our residential component, Virginia Rehabilitation Center for the Blind and Vision Impaired in Richmond. All training opportunities that DBVI offers are intended to assist consumers who are blind to develop the skills, confidence and positive attitude needed to achieve their goals. Please allow us to be of assistance to you or someone you know.

This website provides detailed information about the department's programs and services. I hope you find the information helpful. You may contact us by telephone through our toll free number, 1-800-622-2155, or in the Richmond area: 371-3140. You may also reach us by following the “contact us� link on this website.
Warmest regards,

Raymond E. Hopkins, Commissioner
Virginia Department for the Blind and Vision Impaired
397 Azalea Avenue
Richmond, VA 23227
Phone: (804) 371-3145
Toll Free (in Virginia): (800) 622-2155
Fax: (804) 371-3157
E-mail: Ray Hopkins
Read more of the Commissioner's message.

 

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