ANNUAL REPORT OF THE
NYS OFFICE OF CHILDREN AND FAMILY SERVICES
COMMISSION FOR THE BLIND’S
IMPLEMENTATION OF THE EXECUTIVE BOARD’S RECOMMENDATIONS
May 2017 2
INTRODUCTION
The Executive Board of the New York State Commission for the Blind (NYSCB or “Commission”) was established by the New York State Legislature in 2007 to examine deficiencies in services provided to legally blind or visually impaired New Yorkers by NYSCB and others, and to make recommendations to improve services, where needed. The members of the Executive Board are appointed by the Governor and State Legislature.
The report is submitted in satisfaction of NYSCB’s obligation, pursuant to the Unconsolidated Laws §8701-c, to issue an annual report to the Governor, Temporary President of the Senate, Speaker of the Assembly, Senate Finance Committee and Assembly Ways and Means Committee, which contains an evaluation of the current status of any Executive Board recommendations implemented by NYSCB and their impact on services and programs for blind and visually impaired New Yorkers.
This response provides an update on recommendations contained in the previous Executive Board Reports in the areas of the Randolph-Sheppard Business Enterprise Program (BEP), Children’s Programs and Transition, Staff Training, Accessibility, Cultural Competence, and the Needs Assessment Process.
According to the legislation that established the Executive Board in 2007 ”The Executive Board shall make a report with recommendations on these matters to the Governor and the Temporary President of the Senate and the Speaker of the Assembly on or before January 1, 2009. On or before January first of each year, the Commission shall issue an annual report to the Governor, Temporary President of the Senate, Speaker of the Assembly, Senate Finance Committee and Assembly Ways and Means committee which shall include, but not be limited to an evaluation of the current status of any Executive Board recommendations implemented by the Commission and their impact on services and programs for blind and visually impaired persons.”
The last report written by the Executive Board addressed only two programs of NYSCB; the Business Enterprise Program and Children’s services. The remaining recommendations were directed to other NYS Agencies ie SED, SOFA and DOH, as well as requests to the Legislature. The legislation that established the Executive Board specified updates on the current status of recommendations so we choose to review prior reports for recommendations to NYSCB in order to provide those updates. 3
BUSINESS ENTERPRISE PROGRAM
In their previous reports the Executive Board has called for increased business opportunities within the Business Enterprise Program (BEP). NYSCB is actively exploring opportunities on SUNY campuses and in public authorities
Board Recommendation (2015): The Commission should seriously explore whether other (Business Opportunity) options might be available, including reaching out to the private sector, so that it is better able to take advantage of new opportunities as they become available.
1. All parties involved with the Business Enterprise Program should continue to work together to discover additional business opportunities for blind vendors in the areas identified in the law.
2. The Program should be marketed to legally blind constituents so that people can enter training in preparation for the new opportunities that are coming.
NYSCB Response: NYSCB is working collaboratively with the State Committee of Blind Vendors (SCBV) to devise strategies to identify new opportunities in both the public and private sectors and the NYSCB State Rehabilitation Council and SCBV to encourage legally blind consumers to join the Program.
CHILDREN AND TRANSITION
In previous reports the Board identified deficiencies in the currently available services and programs to children and recommended improvements that they feel are consistent with the fiscal resources of State, local, public and private not for profit services for blind and visually impaired persons.
Board Recommendation (2015): Orientation and mobility training should be provided to all blind students in both school and community settings with time frames that are age appropriate.
NYSCB Response: The Commission for the Blind offers youth services that include orientation and mobility training and vision rehabilitation services in the community and school breaks. All children receiving services from the NYSCB children’s programs are encouraged to participate summer camp, work experiences, volunteer experiences and college programs, with funding and support from NYSCB. 4
STAFF TRAINING
The initial 2009 Executive Board Report commented on in-service training provided to NYSCB staff. Below is an update on NYSCB training initiatives.
Board Recommendation (2009): Vocational rehabilitation counselors who work with blind or low-vision clients should be afforded training opportunities that focus on this population. Counselors who also work with clients who have other disabilities in addition to blindness and/or limited vision should also be afforded additional training opportunities to work with such clients.
NYSCB Response: The Commission for the Blind gathers all NYSCB counseling, supervisory, managerial and administrative staff bi-annually for training. The Vision Rehabilitation and Employment Institute is held in the Spring and draws roughly 125 participants from NYSCB and its contracted agencies. The Institute features various training opportunities such as ethics issues in rehabilitation and job development and includes a keynote address, workshops and networking opportunities.
The Counselor Meeting and Training is held in the fall. This year, the meeting and training focused on changes and challenges that will occur as a result of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA).
ACCESSIBILITY
Accessibility refers to the design of products, devices, services, or environments for people with disabilities. The concept of accessible design ensures both "direct access" (i.e. unassisted) and in this instance, "indirect access" meaning compatibility with a person's assistive technology (for example, computer screen readers). Board Recommendation (2009): NYSCB should conduct an internal review to assure that all of its documents – including informational pieces, applications for service, applications for employment and all reports whether internal or external – are fully accessible to people who are blind or visually impaired.
NYSCB Response: NYSCB continues to take steps to provide all documents in an accessible format to people who are blind or visually impaired. Additionally, at the intake interview we provide all NYSCB consumers with information on acquiring alternative format documents for key benefits and services from the NYS Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance (OTDA), the NYS Department of Health, and the NYC Human Resources Administration (HRA). At NYSCB’s suggestion, the New York State Preferred Source Program for People who are Blind has developed new services to assist other NYS agencies in improving accessibility to people who are blind or visually impaired. The wide array of services includes website and document review and editing for accessibility, Transcription, Contract Management, and Administrative Support, all of which are performed by people who are legally blind. 5
NEEDS ASSESSMENT
Board Recommendation (2009): NYSCB must review, and if necessary revise, its needs assessment program and methodology to gather data on the current needs of blind and deaf-blind New Yorkers, as well as individuals who are blind with additional disabilities.
NYSCB Response: NYSCB has begun planning for the next triennial needs assessment to be conducted in 2017 and have hired a contractor to conduct the assessment. The needs assessment will focus on the rehabilitation needs of our consumers and will focus on WIOA target populations including those with the most significant disabilities, minorities, individuals who have traditionally been unserved or underserved, individuals who have been served through other components of the statewide workforce development system, and youth and students with disabilities. The process will assess the need to establish, develop any new, or improve existing community rehabilitation programs within the State. It will also include an assessment of the needs for transition career services and pre-employment services.