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Welcome to the Idaho Commission for the Blind and Visually Impaired (ICBVI) website.

ICBVI is a state agency which has been serving Idahoans since 1967. The agency assists blind and visually impaired persons to achieve independence by providing education, developing work skills, increasing self-confidence and helping them remain employed or prepare for employment.

What is Blindness?

A person is considered legally blind when the best corrected visual acuity is 20/200 in the better eye or the person's visual field is 20 degrees or less. The amount of remaining vision is not the determiner of success. With proper instruction, a blind or visually impaired person can perform most any task by employing alternative techniques. ICBVI provides services for persons who are legally blind, functionally blind or in danger of blindness.

ICBVI MISSION STATEMENT:

Our mission is to empower persons who are blind or visually impaired by providing vocational rehabilitation, skills training, and educational opportunities to achieve self-fulfillment through quality employment and independent living.

SERVICES for Adults, Seniors or Youth? (Please click on the title headings for additional information).

Vocational Rehabilitation

VR Services

VR Services may help you if you are experiencing a vision problem that is preventing you from getting a job or may be the cause of you losing a job. Our program is designed to assist you in making informed choices concerning your career so that you can become or stay successfully employed.

School-to-Work Transition (for ages 15+)

In order to help blind and visually impaired young people to become self-sufficient adults, we offer specialized programs which emphasize preparing students in the transition process from secondary to post secondary or work experience. Beginning at the age of 15, a VR Counselor can begin working with a student.

Assessment and Training Center

The ATC in Boise provides intensive instruction in skills needed for a blind or visually impaired person to participate fully in the mainstream of society. The Center's goal is to provide training which will allow the individual to perform any task, on the job or at home, as well as his/her sighted peers. Instruction is available in the following areas: activities of daily living, Braille and communications, industrial arts, keyboard and computer, and orientation and mobility/cane travel.

Business Enterprise Program

This program makes it possible for blind individuals to be financially independent and earn a living through the management and operation of small businesses located in public buildings.

Independent Living Services

ICBVI provides specially designed services for people of all ages who are experiencing vision loss. These services may include home counseling, instruction in alternative techniques, peer support groups and various low vision services.

Sight Restoration Services

To preserve, stabilize or restore vision, ICBVI, along with other state agencies, often can provide financial assistance for medical costs to qualified individuals.

Low Vision Clinic

A low vision evaluation may be performed by an optometrist at the ICBVI Low Vision Clinic or by an instructor in the home. A variety of devices will be tried to assist individuals to make the most of their remaining vision.

The ICBVI Store

There are ICBVI Stores located in Boise and all regional offices, which stock many items, including magnifiers and talking, large print and Braille devices.

Braille Services

ICBVI consults with businesses and individuals needing materials transcribed into Braille. We help choose an appropriate resource to do this, through volunteers, projects with private and public agencies, as well as through our own facilities.

Accessibility Statement:
This website was created using the web coding standards of the W3C and the State of Idaho policies regarding web content. This website can be viewed with compliant browsers as it was created with Microsoft Web Expression Software.