The purpose of the Training Program is to train blind consumers through the combined efforts of the Division of Client Services, Kentucky Business Enterprises, and the State Committee of Blind Vendors.

Kentucky Business Enterprises will offer a twelve-week training opportunity to blind consumers who meet the training eligibility criteria. The KBE Director will determine the number of trainees to be accepted for each training class.

A consumer will be eligible to enter the KBE Training Program after meeting each of the following criteria approved by the KBE Director:

1. An applicant shall be screened to enter the KBE vendor training program upon submission of documentation by the counselor and the eligible individual that demonstrates they have met the criteria established as follows:
2. The applicant shall:

1. Meet a visual diagnosis as defined in the federal Randolph-Sheppard Act at 20 USC 107e(1) and the definition of blindness established in 34 CFR 395.1(c);
2. Be a citizen of the United States;
3. Be certified that the consumer meets the general criteria of eligibility for vocational rehabilitation services from the department;
4. Have received a high school diploma or GED certification;
5. Have math skills at an eighth-grade level or above;
6. Have financial skills for operating a vending business;
7. Have verbal and communication skills;
8. Have public relations skills;
9. Have personal hygiene and appearance for meeting the public;
10. Be independent in performing daily living activities; and
11. Have mobility skills.

The Screening Committee shall be composed of:

1. The KBE division director or designee;
2. The chair of the State Committee of Blind Vendors or designee;
3. A KBE vendor appointed by the chair of the State Committee of Blind Vendors; and
4. The Director of Client Services or a designee.

The training/work experience will consist of a twelve-week period, two weeks of classroom instruction and ten weeks of work. A "Training Vendor" is the KBE Vendor responsible for the on-the-job training of a Trainee in a vending location during a ten-week period. KBE will maintain a list of qualified Training Vendors and coordinate the training location with the counselor and consumer.

A subcommittee will be formed from the State Committee of Blind Vendors along with agency personnel to develop an application which will be used to qualify Vendor Managers as Training Vendors. Any Vendor Manager may apply to become a Training Vendor by successfully completing the application process through KBE.

The Training Vendor(s) shall submit to the KBE Director and the Counselor a report evaluating the demonstrated progress of the Trainee at the end of each two weeks in the following areas:

The KBE Director, in consultation with the Training Vendor, shall determine if the Trainee will participate in classroom training. Further evaluation during classroom training shall determine the Trainee's eligibility for licensure.

If at any time during the training program, it becomes apparent that the Trainee is not going to complete the program successfully, the Counselor should be notified, and the Trainee removed from the program.

During the ten-week training/work experience, the Division of Client Services will pay the Training Vendor $150 per week for ten weeks. In additional, during the second five weeks of the training/work experience, the training vendor will receive a minimum wage compensation to be paid weekly to the trainee.

Kentucky Office for the Blind
P.O. Box 757    209 St. Clair Street    Frankfort, Kentucky    40602-0757     USA
Phone (Toll Free): 800-321-6668  or  877-592-5463   Phone: 502-564-4754
   Fax: 502-564-2951     TDD: 502-564-2929
Website Administrator -- blind@ky.gov
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