Opportunity for Public Input

Saturday, December 3, 2016
1:00 PM to 4:00 PM
Department of Services for the Blind, Downstairs Conference Room
3411 S. Alaska Street, Seattle, WA 98118

To participate via teleconference, please call 800-379-6841 and use pin 679809, followed by the pound sign, to connect to the meeting. Participants will be in “listen mode” until Public Comment.

The Department of Services for the Blind and the State Rehabilitation Council for the Blind invite your participation and input on proposed revisions to Department Rules in the Employment and Independent Living Programs.

Background

The Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) of 2014 reauthorized the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and maintained funding for vocational rehabilitation activities through the Department of Services for the Blind. Within WIOA, there is an added emphasis on youth services, universal accessibility, serving communities with barriers, and effective engagement with business for all partner programs.

To comply with the many changes and new requirements of WIOA, the Department of Services for the Blind must revise the rules (Washington Administrative Code) that describe and govern the employment program. The Department is also taking this opportunity to make minor revisions to the rules (WAC) that govern the Independent Living Program and rules that govern some of the Department’s administrative functions. You will find links to documents that summarize these changes at the end of this announcement, or as attachments if you receive this announcement by email. Full versions of the WAC with proposed changes will be posted here for written comment within a few days following the public meeting. The Department may revise the proposed WAC based on public input. In January, after allowing a sufficient time for public comment, a date will be set for a public hearing, and following that hearing these proposed changes will be adopted and codified.

Attendees at the public meeting on December 3 will learn about the new requirements in WIOA and the opportunities and challenges faced by DSB in implementing these changes and requirements. All proposed changes will be discussed, and there will be opportunity for questions and comments.

Questions & Public Accommodations

The Department of Services for the Blind respects the need for a fragrance-free environment: this meeting is fragrance-free.

DSB is committed to providing a barrier-free environment for everyone who attends the meeting. If you need a reasonable accommodation to attend the meeting, please call in advance to make a request. DSB does not provide transportation to or from the meeting.

To participate via teleconference, please call 800-379-6841 and use pin 679809, followed by the pound sign, to connect to the meeting. Participants will be in “listen mode” until Public Comment.

Background Information

DSB Summary of Draft WAC Changes (.docx)

Local Merchant Hosts “Dress for Success” for Visually Impaired Students

By Britney Taylor, YES 2 Intern

Seattle, Wa -- The JCPenney located in Northgate Mall held more than just customers on Sunday, July 31st. The opening of the store at 11 a.m. began the start of an eventful “Dress for Success” day for the students of the YES 2 Program. Students were greeted by a JCPenney store manager. His friendliness and charm allowed the students to become comfortable and settled quickly.

The group of students was divided into three smaller groups so that each individual would be able to have a one-on-one consultation with a hair stylist. Students gave a brief description of their hair type and maintenance routine. The hair stylist then provided a personalized list of products, styles, and techniques for their unique hair. Students then had an opportunity to schedule an appointment to put the stylist’s advice into action. Goodie bags full of sample products, as well as coupons for the salon and apparel, were given to students as well.

The second part to the event was for the students to move over to Sephora to learn about proper skincare. There, students gathered around to ask questions about how to take care of their skin. Questions ranged from, “What are different skin types?” to, “What brands specialize in natural ingredients?” Students received multiple samples of different products to determine which worked best for their skin.

Lastly, students were ushered to the top floor of the store. It was there where the event would come to a close. One manager spoke to the YES students and staff. He gave a short lesson on the history of JCPenney and his personal experience there. He provided the perspective of an employer in what employers look for when hiring an employee.

First impressions and their lasting impact perfectly summarized the importance of the “Dress for Success” event. YES 2 Employment Coordinator, Amanda Sutherland, also spoke about first impressions. “As visually impaired young people, pushing past prejudice is already necessary. That’s why the skills you’ve learned today are so important.”

Second year YES 2 student Shirquita Craft said, “It was very encouraging to hear that I can break expectations. Sometimes you have to fake it ‘til you make it, but you’ll still make it.”

At the center of this event, that message was very clear. Impressions based on outward appearance are quickly made. Individuals with low vision must work harder than most to push past them. Once that is done it is easy to showcase the person who is successful inside and out.

Americans with Disability Act Celebrates 26th Anniversary

Today marks the 26th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), signed by President George H.W. Bush in 1990.

The ADA is a civil rights law that prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities in all areas of life, including jobs, schools, transportation, and all public and private buildings and venues that are open to the general public. The purpose of this law is to guarantee that people with disabilities have the same rights and opportunities as everyone else.

In addition to the noticeable signs of ADA – such as Title III, which calls for accommodations in public and commercial buildings – the ADA also:

• Guarantees equal employment opportunities for people with disabilities
• Provides for nondiscrimination in state and local government services
• Establishes a process for Reasonable Accommodation
• Supports a nationwide system interstate and intrastate telecommunications relay services that allows individuals with hearing and speech disabilities to communicate over the telephone, and requires closed captioning of federally funded public service announcements.

To learn more about the ADA, visit the ADA National Network at http://adata.org/learn-about-ada.

Inslee honors 22 state government managers for excellence in leadership

OLYMPIA – Gov. Jay Inslee today honored state agency managers who have demonstrated outstanding leadership. The 2016 Governor’s Award for Leadership in Management was presented to 22 recipients at an awards luncheon at the Executive Residence.

This year’s recipients were recognized for a wide range of accomplishments, including work to save taxpayer dollars, improve communications with local governments, small businesses and the public, and protect public health.

“These managers exemplify the best in our state employees. They have set priorities and achieved results, managed risk and modeled leadership attributes,” Inslee said. “They are setting a great example and I am pleased to recognize their excellence in management through these awards.”

The Leadership in Management program was created in 1985 to recognize state government managers who demonstrate excellent performance. A selection committee composed of agency directors and executive staff chose the winners based on demonstrated performance.

This year’s recipients of the Governor’s Award for Leadership in Management are:

• Kathy Beith, Department of Revenue
• Daniela Bremmer, Department of Transportation
• Steve Campbell, Department of Retirement Systems
• Terri Colbert, Workforce Training and Education Coordinating Board
• Sreenath Gangula, Department of Transportation
• Betsy Hagen, Washington Student Achievement Council
• Julie Hudson, Washington State Patrol
• Scott Jarmon, Washington State Patrol
• Vickie Kennedy, Department of Labor and Industries
• Catherine Kinnaman, Department of Social and Health Services
• Dr. Yong Liu, Department of Agriculture
• Michael MacKillop, Department of Services for the Blind
• Dr. James Marra, Department of Agriculture
• David Mitchell, Washington Student Achievement Council
• Larry Pierce, Military Department
• Connie Shumate, Department of Commerce
• David Smelser, Department of Transportation
• Kathy Smith, Health Care Authority
• Annette Taylor, Department of Labor and Industries 
• Dr. Kathy Taylor, Department of Ecology 
• Brian Thomas, Office of Administrative Hearings
• Haiping Zhang, Department of Licensing

Aberdeen Rotary Club Offers Scholarship for Blind, Deaf, and Deaf-Blind Youth

Rosenkrantz Scholarship Fund application deadline approaches

The Alex and Suzanne Rosenkrantz Scholarship Fund was established with the proceeds of a bequest to assist youth who are blind, deaf and deaf-blind in becoming self-sufficient through higher education, vocational training, or other appropriate schooling.

Although the bequest prioritizes higher education, scholarships will not be limited to higher education. Vocational training, education in Braille, and computer-based education for the blind, deaf, and deaf-blind will also be funded.

The fund is administered by the Aberdeen Rotary Club. The number and amount of the awards are subject to change from year to year. Priority is given to Grays Harbor residents; then residents of Pacific, Thurston, and Mason Counties; then residents of other counties in Washington State. Organizations may apply for grants that support the goals of the Fund.

Application forms for scholarships may be downloaded at: www.facebook.com/AberdeenRotary56

Applications are accepted year round. Those that are postmarked by July 15th will be considered during the annual August review period.

Submit completed packets to:

Aberdeen Rotary Club

Rosenkrantz Scholarship Fund Committee

P.O. Box 836
Aberdeen, WA 98520

Give your feedback 

The Department of Services for the Blind is seeking your input on a draft version of its four-year plan for implementation of vocational rehabilitation services, on the DSB web site. See below for ways to comment.

Overview 

The Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) of 2014 reauthorized the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and maintained funding for the vocational rehabilitation activities through the Department of Services for the Blind.  The law also consolidated job training programs under the Workforce Investment Act of 1998 (WIA), amended the Wagner-Peyser Act, and reauthorized adult-education programs. The emphasis within the law is for all workforce partners to deeply collaborate to streamline services and improve outcomes for a shared customer base. Within WIOA, there is an added emphasis on youth services, universal accessibility, serving communities with barriers, and effective engagement with business for all partner programs.
All workforce partners under WIOA in Washington State will collaborate on a combined state plan as an agreement with the federal partners on how the law will be implemented in the state. The combined state plan, entitled “Talent and Prosperity for All”, has a number of components: a strategic component, a shared operational component, and specific attachments for each of the individual partner agencies. The vocational rehabilitation attachment requires DSB to provide responses to specific area questions.

The Department of Services for the Blind has also submitted a draft response to the combined operational component of the state plan, attached to this email and on the DSB web site, which will later be merged with the responses of the other core partner groups.

For your interest, there are other draft components to the state plan also available for your review and comment:

• The Division of Vocational Rehabilitation vocational rehabilitation state attachment is located at link DVR state attachment

How to Comment on DSB’s Draft VR State Plan Attachment:

Comments can be sent to comments@dsb.wa.gov. Email comments will be accepted until January 27, 2016.

The Department of Services for the Blind and the State Rehabilitation Council for the Blind will also host a phone conference to accept public comment and answer questions about the draft.

Date: Thursday, January 21, 2016
Time: 7:00 pm to 8:30 pm
Toll free: 800-379-6841 (FREE)
Passcode: 679809#

For questions or to make a Reasonable Accommodation request:
Email:  comments@dsb.wa.gov
call toll-free: 1-800-552-7103.

DSB Celebrates Customers' Successes!

Fall is the time when we look back at the year and celebrate the successes of all of our customers who completed their Vocational Rehabilitation programs and went to work in, or kept, good jobs.

This year 169 individuals are now employed in competitive jobs with benefits. Three others gained independence as homemakers in order to free up a family member to go to work, for a total of 172 successes. This is not just about numbers, but about each person who is able to take charge of their life, support their family, pay taxes, and give back to their community.

Everyone is encouraged to view the list of jobs and employers.  The list is always exciting because it illustrates in what an unlimited range of professions individuals who are blind or visually impaired succeed.  It also shows the wide variety of employers who benefit from qualified employees who are blind or visually impaired.

It is interesting that out of this year’s 172, three (3) are self-employment/ small business start-ups. Ninety-five (95) are new employment outcomes. Sixty-eight (68) are individuals who were able to the gain the skills, assistive technology, and confidence needed to keep their jobs. This includes two individuals, age 84, who now work competitively as an electrical engineer and an installation helper.

More details of DSB’s customer achievements will be available in the coming weeks.

Please Touch: A Tactile Art Exhibition

Join Mount Baker Neighborhood Center for the Arts for the exhibition Please Touch, an exciting art show featuring 19 regional artists, emerging to established, providing artwork you can TOUCH and experience through the tactile sense.

Featuring: Deborah Kapoor, Nancy Stokely, Lucy Mae Martin, Randy Warren, Suzanne Tidwell, Laura Castellanos, Stacy Thurston, Elise Koncsek, Hawo Ali, Camille Jassny, Karel Hendee, Carolyn Autenrieth, Canyon Bowden, Betty Laughlin, Cara Franklin-Moytoy, John Lucas, Jane Walster, Randy Warren, and Robert Ross.

Also on display will be select work from MBNCA's collection of artwork by visually impaired artists from around the world, including the famous Turkish artist Eşref Armağan.

Hours: Tuesday through Saturday, 12:00 pm to 6:00 pm.
Location: 2919 Rainier Ave S., Seattle, WA 98144
Contact: Barbara, voice line: 206-734-1994

This special exhibition is supported by 4Culture.

Mount Baker Neighborhood Center for the Arts is a South Seattle nonprofit exhibition space focusing on artists with disabilities and from under-served communities. MBNCA exhibitions, workshops, and events are designed to provide creative experiences for ALL artists and audiences. For more information, please visit https://mtbakerarts.wordpress.com/news/.

'Access For All' technology open houses at The Seattle Public Library this fall

The Seattle Public Library and the Library Equal Access Program (LEAP) are proud to launch "Access for All: Accessibility Kits & Software" for low vision and blind patrons.

New accessibility software will be available on public computers at every Library location. All computer workstations will have ZoomText, a text-enlargement software program for low vision patrons, and JAWS, screen reading software to assist blind users.

To learn more about the software and kits, everyone is invited to attend an "Access for All" technology open house this fall. The open houses will be happening at Library locations across the city from Wednesday, Oct. 28 through Saturday, Dec. 19. Free parking is available at the branch library locations. Parking in the Central Library's parking garage is $6 after 5 p.m. and will be covered for attendees of the LEAP technology open house.

At the open houses, Library staff will give patrons hands-on access to computers with the assistive software. They will also demonstrate how to use magnifiers, Braille systems and other items in the new Accessibility Kits. Dates, times and locations for the "Access for All" technology open houses are as follows.

5 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 28 at the Central Library, 1000 Fourth Ave, Level 1, LEAP Lab, Room 167, 206-386-4636.

5 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 4 at the Central Library, 1000 Fourth Ave, Level 1, LEAP Lab, Room 167, 206-386-4636.

5 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Monday, Nov. 16 at the Central Library, 1000 Fourth Ave, Level 1, LEAP Lab, Room 167, 206-386-4636.

2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Friday, Dec. 4 at the Columbia Branch, 4721 Rainier Ave. S., 206-386-1908.

2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 12 at the Southwest Branch, 9010 35th Ave. S.W., 206-684-7455.

3 p.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 15 at the University Branch, 5009 Roosevelt Way N.E., 206-684-4063.

2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 19 at the Broadview Branch, 12755 Greenwood Ave. N., 206-684-7519.

The "Access for All" kits and software are generously supported by the Safeco Insurance Fund's "Access for All" inclusion grant and The Seattle Public Library Foundation.

For more information visit the Access for All page, call the Library at 206-386-4636 or Ask a Librarian.

October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month

Department of Services for the Blind supports community events state-wide

(Seattle, WA) — September 30, 2015 — The Department of Services for the Blind (DSB) is joining in commemoration of National Disability Employment Awareness Month, an annual awareness campaign that takes place each October. The purpose of National Disability Employment Awareness Month is to educate about disability employment issues and celebrate the many and varied contributions of America's workers with disabilities. This year's theme is "My disability is one part of who I am."

The history of National Disability Employment Awareness Month traces back to 1945, when Congress enacted a law declaring the first week in October each year "National Employ the Physically Handicapped Week." In 1962, the word "physically" was removed to acknowledge the employment needs and contributions of individuals with all types of disabilities. In 1988, Congress expanded the week to a month and changed the name to National Disability Employment Awareness Month.

Reflecting this year's theme, throughout the month, DSB will be engaging in activities to educate the community on disability employment issues and its commitment to an inclusive work culture. These efforts include hosting Open Houses in Lacey, Seattle, Tacoma, and Vancouver; promoting White Cane Safety Day proclamations at city council meetings; and participating in the Spokane Tribe of Indians Disability Access and Employment Fair, the Access Tri-Cities: 2nd Annual "Building Bridges and Breaking Down Barriers" Job Fair, and the Access Spokane Expo. More information and event times can be found at www.dsb.wa.gov.

"This year's theme encapsulates the important message that people with disabilities are just that — people," said Jennifer Sheehy, acting assistant secretary of labor for disability employment policy. "And like all people, we are the sum of many parts, including our work experiences. Disability is an important perspective we bring to the table, but, of course, it's not the only one."

Employers and employees in all industries can learn more about National Disability Employment Awareness Month by visiting the Washington State Department of Services for the Blind at www.dsb.wa.gov or the U.S. Department of Labor at www.dol.gov/ndeam.

Opportunity for blind and visually impaired youth to share their stories

Through the Light: Profiles in Blindness

Jack Straw Cultural Center is this year’s recipient of the newly created Washington Stories Fund, which supports projects that record and share with the broader community the little-known stories of people or groups whose contributions add to the cultural richness and health of Washington state communities.  

Through the Light: Profiles in Blindness will provide opportunities for blind and visually impaired youth and adults to collect, record, and distribute their rarely heard stories to the broader public.

In this project, visually impaired youth will interview visually impaired adults about their professions, the hurdles they faced, and the successes they have achieved. Blind adults, in turn, will talk with youth about issues that concern them, including assumptions about blindness, and the resulting behaviors of blind and sighted people towards each other.  Project participants will also have opportunities to interact with the general public through a series of conversations at Seattle Public libraries.  Stories will be shared via a webpage with content recorded and produced during the project.

Jack Straw Cultural Center is currently seeking interested blind and visually impaired youth to participate in this project. If interested, please contact Daniel Guenther, engineer, at danielguenther1@hotmail.com, or call Jack Straw Cultural Center at 206-634-0919.

For more information on the Jack Straw Cultural Center, visit www.jackstraw.org.

DSB Issues RFQQ Announcement

The Department of Services for the Blind (DSB) is initiating a Request for Qualifications and Quotation (RFQQ) to solicit proposals from firms interested in entering into a two-year Lease Agreement to lease student housing for the Youth Employment Solutions (YES) II Program. The Consultant will serve as the Landlord and provide the housing to accommodate the students enrolled in the YES II Program. The Agency will serve as the Tenant.

Proposals are due February 2, 2015. Interested vendors should download the complete RFQQ or get more information about working with the State of Washington.

President Proclaims October as National Disability Employment Awareness Month, 2014

National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM) is a nation-wide campaign raising awareness about disability employment issues and celebrating the contributions of America's workers with disabilities. The theme for 2014 is "Expect. Employ. Empower."

Read the full Presidential Proclamation

State Representative speaks to students

One of the highlights of the summer was a talk by WashingtonState Representative Cyrus Habib who spoke with more than 40 blind and visually-impaired high school students. The students were participating in the Department of Services for the Blind’s Youth Employment Services (YES) program in Seattle.

Read more about Rep. Habib's talk.

Blind Ambition: Longview man who lost vision creates card game to learn Braille

Richard Slayton is developing two-sided game cards that combine Braille symbols and their meanings to help people learn to communicate with Braille.

The Physician Connection newsletter, The Focal Point is available online. 

RFP Announcement -

The Washington State, Department of Services for the Blind (DSB), is initiating a Request for Proposals (RFP) to solicit proposals from firms interested in participating on a project to develop and lead an agency-wide, structured, guided, and comprehensive strategic planning process. Interested vendors should download the complete RFP or get more information about working with the State of Washington.

News

The new Orientation and Training Center Update is here! (06/01/14)

Summer Youth Programs are taking registrations! (05/27/14)

Vitasys-ezSite Maintenance of Bellevue, Washington has been awarded the contract # 490000006A1 for website maintenance and support. (05/19/14)

May 15 is Global Accessibility Awareness Day! (03/15/14)

The Washington State Department of Service for the Blind is initiating this Request for Proposals from firms interested in conducting website maintenance and support. (03/31/14)

The Section 503 Final Rule introduced a hiring goal for federal contractors that seven percent of their workforce be qualified individuals with disabilities. This goal – which is applied at the job group level and ranges across all aspects of an organization – went into effect on March 24, 2014. (03/24/14)