South Dakota Rehabilitation Center for the Blind

If you have a visual impairment, SDRCB may be able to help. Staff members are trained to teach skills that help people lead a full productive life--regardless of how much one does or does not see. Upon completion of training, individuals usually return to their community and use these new skills in their home, school or job.

Eligibility Requirements:

Individuals who have a vision loss that is creating difficulty for them at home, school, or work are eligible for services at SDRCB. The majority of individuals served are, referred by a rehabilitation counselor or rehabilitation teacher at an SBVI District Office.

Services Available:

• Assessment and Training in Skills of Blindness:
  Computers (including speech and Braille output)
  Travel (use of white cane)
  Communications (including Braille)
  Home Management (including cooking)
  Manual Arts (use of hand and power tools to build confidence in using the skills of blindness)
  Training Apartments
  Diabetic Education (diet management, adaptive devices and more)
  Low Vision Services (adaptive devices, exams, worksite assessments and low vision evaluations)

PREVENTION OF BLINDNESS:

SBVI also has a limited prevention of blindness program. This program is managed through the Rehab. Center for the Blind. Vision screening machines are available to check out on a short term loan basis. These machines can be checked out by schools, service clubs, or organizations who want to perform vision screenings. Since these are only vision screenings (not eye exams) a follow up card is sent to individuals whose screening results indicate they may benefit from having their eyes tested by an optometrist or ophthalmologist.

For more information on checking out a loaner machine contact the SD Rehabilitation Center for the Blind at (605) 367-5260

For more details on the programs and services available at SDRC, you can download and read the
SDRC Handbook. This document is in the Adobe PDF Format, and you need the Adobe Acrobat Reader to read it.

Contact Information:

Any SBVI Office, or

Name/Title: Dawn Backer, Rehabilitation Manager
Address: 2900 West 11th Street, Suite 101
Sioux Falls, SD 57104
Phone/Fax: (605) 367-5260 or 1-800-658-5441 / (605) 367-5263
E-mail: dawn.backer@state.sd.us