Benefits.gov - Independent Living Services for Older Individuals Who Are Blind

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Independent Living Services for Older Individuals Who Are Blind

Managing Agency U.S. Department of Education http://www.ed.gov

Program Description

Independent living services for older blind persons aims to support individuals aged 55 or older, whose recent visual impairment makes competitive employment extremely difficult to obtain, but for whom independent living goals are feasible. The goal of this program is to assist such persons to correct blindness or visual impairment, or help them adjust to their blindness by increasing their ability to care for their 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 services designed to assist an older individual who is blind in coping with daily living activities.

General Program Requirements

In order to qualify for this benefit program, you must have a disability, you or a family/household member must be blind, you must be over the age of 55 years, and your disability must prevent you from either holding a job (full-time or part-time) or from functioning independently in the family or community.

Your Next Steps

The following information will lead you to the next steps to apply for this benefit.

Application Process

For more information on the application process, please contact the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services at:
http://www.ed.gov/programs/rsailob/contacts.html

Program Contact Information

For more information and resources on independent living services for older, blind persons, visit: http://www.ed.gov/programs/rsailob/index.html

Related general information and resources for older, blind individuals may be found at: http://www.acb.org/node/12