Services to the Blind and Visually Impaired

A variety of services for eligible individuals

The Bureau of Services to the Blind and Visually Impaired (BSBVI) provides a variety of services to eligible individuals, whose vision is not correctable by general eye care.

The Bureau helps individuals with vision disabilities make decisions about their future employment through evaluation and testing tailored to the participant’s needs. The program also offers counseling and training to help individuals learn to maneuver safely with confidence.

Other services may include:

Assistance with job seeking.
Assistive technology tools.
Assistance with job site modification.
Transition services for high school students.
Independent living program for persons over 55.

For those unable to work, the Bureau helps them with home management and daily living skills, mobility training, communications skills, low vision exams and aids and other services.

Man behind counter wearing cafe uniform smiles

Business Enterprises of Nevada (BEN)

The Bureau also offers a program for individuals interested in owning their own business, called the Business Enterprise of Nevada (BEN) program.

Federal and State laws provide a priority right for individuals who are legally blind to operate food, beverage, and vending in federal, state and local public buildings. After qualifying with the Nevada Bureau of Services to the Blind and Visually Impaired, individuals receive training and on-the-job experience in managing and operating snack bars, cafeterias, vending machine routes and other businesses located in public buildings. Currently, there are sites throughout Nevada operated by licensed operators who are blind.

Bylaws of The Nevada Committee of Blind Vendors:
Wordopens a new window | PDFopens a new window

the Nevada committee of blind vendors meeting minutes

Helpful Links For Operators

For more information about the BEN program, please contact one of our offices at:

Southern Nevada

702-486-5230

Northern Nevada

775-687-6870

low vision clinic

The monthly Low Vision Clinic at Vocational Rehabilitation is operated under the supervision of a fully licensed Optometrist who has had special training in low vision. They conduct interviews and solicit pertinent visual, medical and functional information of individuals with low vision to identify their history of vision loss, background information and the individual’s needs and goal(s) to determine how their low vision is affecting activities in the workplace and activities of daily living. They then conduct eye exams and testing to verify the diagnosis of the level of vision remaining and how efficiently the individual is using their vision.

Mary Zeniou a BSB Counselor stands in a blazer smiling

Exams may include: Exterior and internal eye examinations, Visual and Central acuity (includes lighting analysis) and visual field testing, objective and subjective tests, tests of eye coordination and muscle function, color vision tests and Glaucoma tests to determine which techniques and what devices are appropriate for the level of vision and what will be most effective for the individual’s needs and goal(s).

As appropriate and as authorized by the Rehabilitation Counselor, the clinician will prescribe low vision aids, visual rehabilitation techniques, or specialized training to help improve visual functioning. Examples include, but are not limited to, adaptive equipment such as: Adaptive computer equipment, adaptive tools, low vision aids, mobility aids, custom lighting, closed circuit television systems, electronic reading systems, filters, independent living devices, large print, magnifiers, prescription eyewear, and special optical lenses.

These services are provided at no cost to eligible Vocational Rehabilitation/Services to the Blind and Visually Impaired/Older Blind clients.

If you or a loved one is interested in these services, please contact a-bland@detr.nv.govopens a new window

Blindconnect, a Southern Nevada nonprofit established in 1998, has a mission to enhance opportunities for Nevadans affected by vision loss. Blindness is frightening. It is isolating. It is life-altering. But, the visually impaired don’t have to face those challenges alone. Visit Blindconnect.orgopens a new window to learn more.

nevada talking book services

Finding your next great read is easier than ever with the new NLS Catalog! The catalog is designed for easy use on both desktop computers and mobile devices. It has advanced search options and direct links to BARD from catalog listings for quick downloads. Nevada Talking Book Services opens a new window

communication access services (CAS)

Nevada’s Communication Access Programs opens a new window are funded by telephone users through a small monthly surcharge on phone lines in the state (NRS 427A.797). Funds are collected by the Public Utilities Commission and administered through ADSD.

community based services

The following services are available free of charge through our community partners:

Telecommunications Equipment and Assistive Technology
Access to Services
Language Acquisition

relay Nevada

This service enables people with speech and hearing disabilities to use specialized telecommunications equipment to access the phone system. This service is provided by T-Mobile.

To use the Relay Nevada Service, dial 7-1-1.

For more information visit Relay Nevada opens a new window

interpreter/CART website

ADSD is required by NRS 656A to maintain a registry of individuals engaged in the practice of interpreting and captioning. Nevada State Interpreter Registry opens a new window

A womans hands using a digital magnifier screen

Contact Us

Rehabilitation Manager

Marshal Hernandez

775-823-8109

m-hernandez@detr.nv.gov

Nevada Relay

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