Bureau of Blindness and Visual Services BBVS
Department of Labor and Industry DLI
Bureau of Blindness and Visually Impaired Services BBVS
The mission of the Bureau is to assist Pennsylvanians who are blind or visually impaired gain the skills necessary to live and work independently in their communities.
The Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) program helps individuals prepare for or retain employment. Services offered can include but are not limited to:
Counseling and guidance
Vocational evaluation
Blindness skills training
Mobility (travel) instruction
Instruction on performing daily living activities
Vocational and college training
Occupational tools and equipment
Job placement services
Services are based on an individual's employment needs and choices, and some or all of these services may be needed. VR counselors work directly with the individual to determine an employment goal and what services are needed to reach that goal.
BBVS can assist people with visual impairments in several different ways:
Finding Employment
The Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) program helps individuals prepare for or retain employment. Services offered can include but are not limited to:
Counseling and guidance
Vocational evaluation
Blindness skills training
Mobility (travel) instruction
Instruction on performing daily living activities
Vocational and college training
Occupational tools and equipment
Job placement services
Services are based on an individual's employment needs and choices, and some or all of these services may be needed. VR counselors work directly with the individual to determine an employment goal and what services are needed to reach that goal.
Setting up a Business
The Randolph-Sheppard Business Enterprise Program (BEP) assists persons who are blind to operate their own food service businesses in commercial, industrial, or governmental locations. Food services can range from a vending machine route to the management of a large cafeteria.
BEP can also assist interested persons with entrepreneurial business ventures other than food service. These businesses might include:
specialty product sales
franchise operations
gift shops
kiosks
Independent Living Skills
BBVS can assist adults to become more self-sufficient and independent in their homes and communities. Available services include:
Advocacy and counseling
Information and referral
Blindness skills training
Mobility (travel) instruction
Instruction on performing daily living activities
Purchasing assistive equipment
Specialized Children Services
BBVS assists children with visual impairments to ensure they reach their maximum educational and vocational potential. Available services include:
Advocacy for educational services
Guidance and counseling for children and their families;
Community orientation and mobility (travel) instruction
Children's summer programs
Adaptive equipment
BBVS services are provided throughout Pennsylvania by professional staff in District Offices located in the following cities
Philadelphia
Wilkes-Barre
Harrisburg
Altoona
Pittsburgh
Erie
The BBVS Office Directory will help you find a BBVS district office near you. You may refer yourself to OVR at the CWDS website.
Please note: You do not need to visit an office to receive services since our staff will be happy to make an appointment to come to your community or home and to apply for services!