Narrative: a. 1.

(a) Input of State Rehabilitation Council

The Florida Division of Blind Services (FDBS) collaborates with the Florida Rehabilitation Council for the Blind (FRCB) in serving individuals with visual impairments. The FRCB is an integral part of helping FDBS improve services and achieve its goals by reviewing, analyzing, and advising on policy decisions. The FRCB functions to create a positive impact on the fairness, efficiency and accessibility of services through the evaluation of consumer feedback and FDBS’ performance.

The Council welcomed 10 newly appointed members in May 2021. As of November 2021, the Council has seven active voting members and twelve vacancies. Robert L. Doyle, director of FDBS, serves as an ex-officio member of the Council. Vacant seats include representatives from advocacy groups, business/industry, State Educational Agency, State Workforce Investment Board, and the Independent Living Council. The Council continues to encourage appointees to apply and monitors the action by the Governor’s office to encourage timely appointments and reappointments. Recruitment of new applicants focuses on individuals who are passionate, dedicated and interested in improving the lives of Floridians with visual impairments.

The Council held four business meetings during 2020: February 6-7 (Tallahassee), May 27 (teleconference), July 23 (virtual Microsoft Teams meeting) and October 29 (virtual Microsoft Teams meeting). The Council held four virtual business meetings during 2021 (February 25, May 27, July 29 and October 28). The FRCB is required to hold a public forum at least twice a year; there was a total of seven public forums for 2020 and 2021. The public forums give consumers around the state an opportunity to provide input that encourages optimal services. The Council continues to focus on increasing awareness during public forums through collaboration with FDBS and stakeholders in each host district.

The Council oversees the development and implementation of the Client Satisfaction Survey (CSS). The FRCB contracts with Dr. Minna Jia, director of the Florida State University Survey Foundry (FSUSF), to conduct the CSS. Dr. Jia provided the Council with quarterly reports and a written annual report for 2020-2021. The Council also played an essential role in completing the Comprehensive Statewide Needs Assessment (CSNA) facilitated by San Diego State University.

The Council and the Blind Services Foundation of Florida provided feedback to the FDBS via quarterly and special meetings. The FDBS values our stakeholders’ time and their review and evaluation of FDBS services/projects. The Council offered the following recommendations:

1) Work on increasing the options for apprenticeship programs and job readiness programs.

Response: The plan addresses this in Section (o) and states, “FDBS plans to increase participation in apprenticeships by working with businesses/employers to encourage sponsorship of registered apprenticeship programs and marketing programs to youth/adults seeking vocational training experiences to increase on-the-job training opportunities. A credentialed apprenticeship program is under development. The agency-sponsored apprenticeship will lead to an industry certification for a Web Accessibility Specialist.”

2) Utilize the Talent Acquisition Portal (TAP) and other methods to help more clients become employed.

Response: FDBS’ strategic plan reflects activities designed to utilize technologies, such as the TAP. FDBS is also committed to identifying new employers for career opportunities. The FDBS Statewide Business Consultant and Employment Placement Specialists are agency leads for driving this measure.

3) Identify issues with consequences for Community Rehabilitation Providers (CRPs) to ensure they do not affect their ability to serve clients.

Response: The plan addresses this in Section (o) and states, “FDBS strengthened its monitoring process by revising onsite auditing procedures/protocols that reflect the new contract requirements. Contract managers receive monthly reports from CRPs that demonstrate program success and progress toward meeting deliverables.”

4) Identify ways to continue to advertise and make JAWS Software available to FDBS clients.

Response: The plan addresses this in Section (o) and states, “FDBS finalized a license agreement with Vispero to provide access to assistive technology (AT) in 2019. This agreement makes FDBS the first in the nation to provide statewide access to AT. The license allows FDBS to supply clients and workforce partners with JAWS, ZoomText, and Fusion.”

5) Identify how FDBS can adequately screen clients to ensure they are seeking legitimate vocational outcomes so that resources are adequately utilized.

Response: Upon referral to FDBS for services, applicants complete an intake screening to determine eligibility for VR services. Once the counselor verifies eligibility, applicants move to clients. Clients undergo vocational evaluations to determine suitability for employment. If the client is determined ineligible for VR/employment program, they are referred to an appropriate program(example; IL/OB).

6) Work with LWDBs to serve as meaningful partners by ensuring they have accessible technologies to support clients and FDBS has a membership on each of the local boards.

Response: FDBS continues to build relationships with local workforce partners. As part of each of our Memorandum of Understanding (MOUs), we plan for office space and technology that can be provided by FDBS. FDBS also agrees and is encouraging local membership on the workforce boards.