Washington State Department of Services for the Blind

The Washington State Department of Services for the Blind (DSB) is a state rehabilitation agency that offers assistance to persons who are blind or visually impaired. We also provide various services for employers interested in accommodating or hiring workers with vision loss.

Customers and staff participating in a white water rafting blind challenge activity Group of blind customers hanging out in the park DSB staff member working with two elderly women

Our Mission

Inclusion, Independence, and Economic Vitality for People with Visual Disabilities.

Read the full mission statement.

News

Lou Oma Durand announces release of DSB Strategic Plan

Our aim is to focus our efforts on the most important high-level objectives that also support the Governor’s statewide priorities, while keeping the future success of our customers as our primary direction.

We have submitted the following plan to the Office of Financial Management as the foundation for our biennial budget request.  We seek to match resources to our strategic priorities. Link to the plan.

As you know, strategic planning is a dynamic and evolving process.   DSB staff will be implementing our Strategic Plan in ways specific to their programs.  Staff will develop program work plans and individual performance plans to support our top level strategies.  As we move forward we will have the continuous opportunity to evaluate our results and make changes when appropriate.

Lou Oma Durand

Spring 2008 Newsletter from the Director

”Spring forward.”  It’s that time of year again and it seems that describes what we’re doing at DSB, with a number of new staff, and lot’s of new activities.  A special welcome to the staff who have recently joined us!  They bring a wealth of expertise, creativity and enthusiasm to our cause.  I know we will accomplish much together........See the entire text: News from the Director - Spring 2008.

Student Rock climbing at an outing A man typing and listening to a speech program in our agency computer lab.

Calendar of Events

Link to Calendar

News

 

VisionAWARE.org Annouces New Sports and Recreation Resources

Looking for fun and games this summer? VisionAWARE has expanded and updated its resources for sports and recreational activities for people who are blind or have low vision. To learn more visit thier website at: www.visionware.org/sports_groups.

 

Just In Time for Summer!

Looking for fun and games this summer? VisionAWARE has expanded and updated its resources for sports and recreational activities for people who are blind or have low vision.We invite you to visit our site and check out our expanded sports and recreation section to learn more about adaptations for staying active, along with a wide range of recreational activities and products, such as beep baseball, bowling, chess, cycling, golf, goalball, horseback riding, horseshoes, hunting, judo, sailing and cruises, scuba, and skiing (waterskiing, downhill, and cross-country).

 

DSB Partners with Group Health Cooperative

Group Health Cooperative partners with the Washington State Department of Services for the Blind to keep all Washingtonians working and leaving no citizen behind

Read the full press release

Vision Gender Gap Mirrors National Trend

State Gender gap mirrors national trend on women experiencing blindness and low vision at higher rate than men.

Read the full press release

Man working on a high contrast computer Man working on a table saw

Successful Employment Outcomes

The Department of Services for the Blind is proud to announce our best year ever for successful placements for our participants. For 2006-2007 DSB announces 157 participants were successfully employed in occupations of their choice. Participants met the challenge, developed their confidence through a strong partnership with DSB, and are well on their way to a career of their choice.

Past Placements

State Rehabilitation Council

Visit the State Rehabilitation Council

Man pointing at an eye chart

Questions often asked about DSB Services

Voter Registration Information

For your convenience, DSB is providing the following link to information on Voter Registration. Register to Vote.

Woman answering an office phone

Contact Us

Call DSB Toll Free For Info: 1-800-552-7103

If you have a vision loss, or know someone who does, contact the DSB office nearest you to determine eligibility for services. If you are an employer interested in hiring visually impaired workers, call our nearest office. Our services are free and available to all qualifying Washingtonians and employers.