Senior Services for the Blind

Purpose
This program assists Minnesotans who are blind, visually impaired, or DeafBlind regain or maintain their personal independence, which refers to being self-sufficient in activities of daily living: independence in one's home, family, community, and world. These include functions such as personal care, meal preparation, leisure and recreation, money and household management, travel, literacy, and communication.

Customers and Services
Primary customers are persons age 55 and older who are blind, visually impaired, or DeafBlind and are not seeking employment but want to maintain their personal independence. Services are provided by State Services for the Blind (SSB) rehabilitation counselors who have skills in low vision assessment/services.

Services, provided according to customer needs, include: informational services, consisting of information provided through the SSB website, telephone contacts, informational packets available at most community sites where seniors gather, and at community sessions conducted by SSB staff; staff-delivered services, consisting of assessment, recommendations, and training provided directly by SSB staff, and may include training in alternative techniques and the use of low-vision aids; and intensive services, consisting of more-extensive products and services provided by SSB staff in collaboration with external vendors.

Measures - Reporting period is state fiscal year (SFY), July 1 - June 30

Funding Source and Expenditure (in thousands)

Statutory Authority 
-- Minn. Stat., Chap. 248; Minn. Rules, Chap. 3325; Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended; U.S. Code, Title 29, Chap. 16

Contact Information
Richard Strong, Director
Phone: 651.649.5475 or toll-free: 800.652.9000; Fax: 651.649.5927; TTY: 888.665.3276

This information current as of January 2010.