| KY Office for the Blind | |||
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| KY Office for the Blind | |||
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LOSING YOUR VISION DOESN'T HAVE TO MEAN LOSING YOUR INDEPENDENCE
Whether your eyesight is failing because of a progressive disease or was lost in an unexpected accident, visual impairment is a disturbing and frightening prospect. You may wonder how your life will be different. You may need to learn new ways of doing everyday tasks.You may wonder whether you can keep your existing job, continue to run your company, or keep advancing within your profession. You may be concerned that you will become more dependent upon family and friends than you want to be.
YOU ARE NOT ALONE
More than 47,000 Kentuckians have visual problems that affect their lives at work, at home and in the community. They include people your age, from your part of the state, with similar needs and questions.
THE KENTUCKY OFFICE FOR THE BLIND CAN HELP
Each year, the Kentucky Office for the Blind provides assistance to thousands of individuals with visual disabilities, helping them keep the jobs they have, or gain new ones; helping them learn new household and daily living skills; and helping them receive the medical services and technical equipment they need.
Although the services provided vary depending upon individual needs, all of the Office's efforts share one common goal: To help provide you with opportunities that will enable you to keep your existing job, or find a new job.
SERVlCES TO MEET YOUR NEEDS
The Kentucky Office for the Blind provides a wide range of services:
• medical evaluation and assistance;
• personal counseling and independent living skills development;
• vocational evaluation, training and job placement;
• job retention services; and
• technical equipment and visual devices.
ARE YOU ELIGIBLE?
If your visual disability substantially limits you in the workplace or makes it difficult for you to perform basic household tasks, you probably qualify for Office for the Blind services. If needed, the Office will assist you with medical, vocational and educational evaluations to assess your eligibility and to determine which services will benefit you.
A PLAN DESIGNED TO MEET YOUR INDIVIDUAL NEEDS
Individual needs vary widely, depending upon individual goals, as well as the severity of vision loss. When you become a Office for the Blind client, you will work with an individual counselor and other staff members to create a personal rehabilitation program. This program will be in written form, so both you and your counselor understand the goals and can evaluate progress. The program helps you move to a specific vocational goal such as keeping your existing job, gaining a new job, homemaking or self-employment.
WILL I HAVE TO LEAVE MY COMMUNITY TO RECEIVE SERVICES?
The Kentucky Office for the Blind is a statewide network so, in many cases, the services you need are available in or near your home community. Some specialized training is offered only at specific Office for the Blind facilities. Transportation assistance is available.
IS THERE A CHARGE FOR THE SERVICES?
Clients may pay for any services provided by the Kentucky Office for the Blind, but are not required to do so.
A CLOSER LOOK AT SERVICES
Client Services Program
Wherever you live in Kentucky, there is a Office for the Blind regional office near
you. The counselor at your local office will help you prepare for and obtain employment.
The staff also includes independent living specialists who can provide training in daily
living skills in your home. Your counselor will help you obtain services you need from
other Office for the Blind facilities and programs, such as job training and reader
services. The vocational rehabilitation offices are supported by both federal and state
funding.
Region 1
Bowling Green: 800-222-1215, 502-746-7479
Elizabethtown: 800-760-6891, 502-766-5126
Louisville: 800-346-2l l 5, 502-327-6010
Owensboro: 800-334-6929, 502-687-7306
Paducah: 800-334-6945, 502-575-7315
Region 2
Ashland: 800-334-6881, 606-920-2000
Florence: 800-334-6895, 606-371-3380
Lexington: 800-291-8424, 606-246-2111
Prestonsburg: 606-886-2730
Somerset: 800-895-3863, 606-677-4042
The Charles McDowell Center, Louisville
800-346-2115
502-327-6010
This modern facility offers individualized training in state-of-the-art speech and Braille
communication devices, as well as new computer technologies that can assist you in daily
living, combined with alternative housekeeping, cooking and community travel skills.
Specialists at the McDowell Center help Kentuckians with visual impairments to function
independently, to choose exciting and rewarding careers, and to live full lives. Personal
attention and residential rooms provide a family atmosphere, while the dormitory setting
and cafeteria-style meals provide the feel of community.
Volunteer Recording Units
Lexington
Room #2, Alumni Gym Bldg
University of Kentucky
Lexington, KY 40506
606-257-6602 or 800-306-3472
Fax: 606-323-1967
Jo Stewart, Coordinator
Paducah
220 N 8th St, Suite E
Paducah, KY 42001
270-575-7315 or 888-896-0438
Fax: 270-575-7987
Linda Townzen, Coordinator
If you cannot read printed materials, you can obtain cassette recordings of academic and
vocational materials through the Volunteer Recording Units. For a small fee, you can have
specific books and materials recorded; unlimited subscription rates also are available.
The Paducah recording unit provides services to individuals who live west of Frankfort, as
well as to elementary and secondary schools statewide. The Lexington unit serves the
eastern part of the state, University of Kentucky students and provides professional and
technical recordings statewide.
Kentucky Business Enterprises Program
800-321-6668
502-564-4754
The Kentucky Business Enterprises Program is one of the leading United States vending and
food services programs operated by people who are blind. The program trains and places
individuals as self-employed operators of snack bars, cafeterias and automated vending
facilities in public and private buildings across Kentucky.
Kentucky Assistive Technology Service
Network
Charles W. McDowell Center
8412 Westport Road
Louisville, Kentucky 40242
502-327-0022 or 800-327-5287
Fax: 502-327-9974
TDD: 502-327-9855
Chase Forrester, Director
This statewide network of organizations and individuals enhances the availability of
assistive technology services and devices. The KATS Network is a consumer-driven,
collaborative system that strives to improve the quality and productivity of life for
people of any age and disability. Network services include information dissemination,
referral for assistive technology services, consultations on appropriate technologies,
training, technical assistance, and loan of devices. In addition to the Coordinating
Center in Frankfort, there are four Assistive Technology Resource Centers that serve the
state: Bluegrass
Technology Center in Lexington, EnTECH in Louisville, and Western Kentucky
AT Consortium in Murray.
YOUR VISION MAY BE LIMITED, BUT YOUR FUTURE IS NOT
Across Kentucky, individuals with visual impairments lead productive and satisfying lives. They maintain and manage their own residences. They support themselves through jobs and careers they find interesting and fulfilling. They make important contributions to their communities and enjoy the satisfaction that comes from knowing they are in control of their own destinies.
Living with limited vision doesn't mean living a limited life.
Find out for yourself.
Call the Kentucky Office for the Blind
today.
Voice: 800-321-6668 or 502-564-4754
TDD: 502-564-2929
Fax: 502-564-2951
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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This page was last updated on August 11, 2004