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New York State Commission for the Blind (NYSCB) Vocational Rehabilitation Services

NYSCB, which is part of the Office for Child and Family Services, provides independent living, educational and job search services and supports that help legally blind individuals fully integrate into society and find employment.

ELIGIBILITY

In order to receive vocational rehabilitation services through NYSCB you must work with a NYSCB Counselor to determine eligibility based on the following criteria:

  • You must be legally blind

  • You have been medically diagnosed with one or more physical or mental impairments

  • The disability interferes with employment 

  • You must be able to benefit from vocational rehabilitation services

  • You need NYSCB services to get and keep a job
     

Legal blindness is defined as:

  • A visual acuity of 20/200 or less or a restricted fi eld of vision of 20 degrees in the better or stronger eye with best correction

SERVICES AVAILABLE

If you meet the eligibility requirements, you will work with NYSCB to develop a plan to develop an Individualized Plan for Employment (IPE). The IPE outlines your work goal, the steps involved and the services you will need to achieve that goal. NYSCB can pay for certain services; particularly those that are job training and college/vocational school related. They may include:

  • Assessments to determine service and vocational training needs

  • Vocational assessment, career counseling, guidance, planning and referral

  • Job search and on-the-job training

  • Low vision exams and devices

  • Assistive technology and low-tech solutions

  • Rehabilitation teaching

  • Orientation and Mobility training (O&M)

  • Maintenance, transportation, interpreter and reader services

  • Braille instruction

  • Deafblind services

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Other services are available through the NYSCB. Click here to see a full list.

District Offices

Buffalo

Ellicott Square Building 295 Main Street, Room 545, Buffalo, NY 14203 | Phone: 716-931-3500
Outstations: Rochester: 585-238-8110 | Jamestown: 716-664-6660 | Dundee: 607 243-7596

Syracuse

The Atrium 1000 S Salina Street Suite 105 Syracuse, NY 13202 | Phone: 315-423-5417

Outstation: Utica: 315-793-5458

Albany

40 North Pearl 15th Floor Albany, NY 12210-2329 | Phone: 518-473-1675

Outstation: Saranac Lake: 518-359-7936

White Plains

445 Hamilton Avenue, 5th Floor, Room 503, White Plains, NY 10601 | Phone: 914-993-5370

Outstation: New Windsor: 845-567-1054

Manhattan

80 Maiden Land, 23rd Floor, New York, NY 10038 | Phone: 212-825-5710

Hempstead

50 Clinton Street, Suite 208, Hempstead, NY 11550 | Phone: 516-564-4311

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