Department of Health and Social Services Division for the Visually Impaired Joint Finance Committee Hearing Fiscal Year 2014 Robert L. Doyle, III Division Director Tuesday, February 19, 2013

Delaware Health and Social Services Overview Leading Causes of Blindness in Delaware Macular Degeneration (33%) Glaucoma (8%) Diabetes Related Vision Loss (8%) Visual Categories of Qualified Consumers 69% Legally Blind 26% Severally Visually Impaired 4% Totally Blind 3,143 Identified Blind/Visually Impaired Delawareans on the Registry Youngest is 3 months old Oldest is over 100 years old

Delaware Health and Social Services Overview DVI employs 114 individuals 29% of our total employment base are blind/visually impaired individuals. Revenues/Funding Sources: State General Fund Appropriations - $3.19 million Various Federal Grants - $2.03 million Other Appropriated Funds (Donations, DIB & BEP) - $2.84 million

Overview DVI Provides a Continuum of Services from Birth to Death Programs include:

Delaware Health and Social Services Overview DVI Provides a Continuum of Services from Birth to Death Programs continued:

Delaware Health and Social Services Challenges Increasing the awareness of employers (public and private) to the abilities of blind/visually impaired workers and overcoming attitudinal dispositions about hiring individuals the consumers we serve. Identifying blind and visually impaired Delawareans who are unknown to DVI. Increasing awareness of the medical professionals to register patients with the division for inclusion on the blind registry. Technology accessibility Sharp decline in DIB sales that has had a detrimental impact the operation

Delaware Health and Social Services Program Highlights Education Program In FY 12, 272 students were served by teachers for the visually impaired and county resource room staff.

Delaware Health and Social Services Program Highlights Instructional Materials Center & Prison Braille Program. FY 12 Braille pages 20,293 Large print pages 36,442

Delaware Health and Social Services Program Highlights Independent Living Services Provides: Adaptive skills training and techniques (IL Skills Training) Low Vision Services Sensitivity/Vision Simulation training Certified Vision Rehabilitation Therapists at DVI Implemented group training sessions and AT labs to augment one on one training

Delaware Health and Social Services Program Highlights Vocational Rehabilitation Program 325% Increase

Delaware Health and Social Services Program Highlights Delaware Industries for the Blind Employment options for the blind and visually impaired through Delaware Industries for the Blind require various skill levels: Leadership/Supervisory Customer Service Representatives Production of Promotional Products Janitorial Services Engraving Embroidery Marketing/Sales Call Center Services Successfully passed their ISO-9001 Surveillance Audit for recertification Expanded partnership with OMB State Mail to reduce postage and shipping costs

Delaware Health and Social Services Program Highlights Business Enterprise Program Provides entrepreneurial opportunities for the blind and visually impaired: Doubled the number of licensed business owners in recent years Partnering with DOT to provide food service at DMV locations via mobile carts Cafeteria Operation Management FFY12 Sales $766.5K Vending Machine Operations FFY12 Sales $1.08 Million

Delaware Health and Social Services Trends

Delaware Health and Social Services Trends Higher demand for K12 Vision Related Services Strong consumer demand for training in devices (such as IMACS, IPODS, IPHONES etc). These products are very friendly to consumers with visual impairment. More interest and awareness of the State’s Selective Placement process for hiring visually impaired consumers. Agencies reaching out to DVI to test new computer systems to ensure applications are compatible with screen reading and magnification software.

Delaware Health and Social Services Other Efficiencies Staffing  Prioritizing direct service positions  Increase use of contracts/community rehabilitation providers for some services  Expanded use of networking technologies  Pooling resources with other divisions to decrease outreach costs

Delaware Health and Social Services Thank You! Utilizing education, outreach, training and technology, DVI works to strengthen the capacity of our agency, our consumers and the community so that those who are blind and visually impaired may become and/or remain, employed, independent and self- sufficient.