Wichita, Kan. – Kansans who are blind or visually impaired will have greater access to services to support independent living and employment as a result of funding from Kansas Department of Social and Rehabilitation Services (SRS). Now qualified Kansans age 55 and older who are visually impaired can at no charge, gain access to services to help make independent living and employment possible.
A free no-obligation educational event featuring low vision rehabilitation experts who will offer tips and covered training options for those living with vision loss takes place from 10 AM to 12 noon on February 7 at Envision, 610 N. Main St. in downtown Wichita. The program called FOCUS, brought to you by Envision, covers the cost of vision rehabilitation services including orientation and mobility, occupational therapy, adaptive aids and training in the use of assistive technology.
Envision is one of three Kansas agencies chosen to provide these services. The 25 counties served through the state grant by Envision include: Sedgwick, Atchison, Brown, Clay, Cloud, Dickinson, Doniphan, Jackson, Jefferson, Ellsworth, Geary, Jewell, Lincoln, Marshall, Mitchell, Nemaha, Osage, Ottawa, Pottawatomie, Republic, Riley, Saline, Shawnee, Wabaunsee, and Washington. “Each and every county of the State will be covered by a qualified service provider,” Michael Donnelly, Director of Kansas Rehabilitation Services (KRS), said. “As a result, persons needing services will be able to access them in the same communities and regions where they choose to live, work and raise their families.”
This initiative addresses two important issues – immediate access to services coupled with significant plans to expand and improve expertise statewide. “These organizations are ready to begin providing services immediately, and we encourage referrals and applications,” he said. “At the same time, significant capacity-building will occur through training of additional staff in the specialized skills needed to serve this population. This dual approach addresses current needs and builds a strong statewide service network for the future.” For example, Donnelly said the State would realize a substantial gain in the number of Certified Orientation and Mobility Specialists (COMS).
Orientation and mobility training empowers an individual who is blind or visually impaired to travel independently and safely within a variety of environments, including at home, in the work place or throughout the community. The contracts will also result in an increase in the number of qualified Braille/communications instructors, and independent living specialists with the knowledge and skills related to serving persons who are blind or visually impaired.
For more information on FOCUS or to reserve your space, please contact Lori Morton at (316) 440-1511, or via email at
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In addition to the services available through these contracts, people who are blind or visually impaired and interested in employment may receive services through the state’s vocational rehabilitation (VR) program.
To learn more about VR services or to apply, interested persons should contact their local SRS Service Center. A county-by-county listing of VR contact persons may also be found at the following SRS website: http://www.srs.ks.gov/services/Pages/MapVR.aspx
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