Enhanced Services for Ohioans Who are Blind or Have Low Vision

 

OOD’s Bureau of Services for the Visually Impaired (BSVI) offers vocational rehabilitation (VR) services to individuals in Ohio who are blind or have low vision, supporting them in achieving meaningful employment or personal independence. Recognizing the challenges that low vision or blindness can pose on the path to employment, BSVI provides tailored assistance through VR/BSVI counselors. To bridge the gap for participants engaged in education, job searching, or workplace tasks, BSVI has introduced two new initiatives: 

 

AIRA (Access to Information Remote Assistance): AIRA allows individuals with limited vision to connect to a remote agent via a cell phone. Through the phone's camera, the remote agent can provide visual interpreting, aiding with tasks like thermostat adjustments, navigation in unfamiliar areas, document reading, or online job applications. Eligible participants receiving BSVI services can now access up to 60 minutes of AIRA assistance per month while they have an open case with OOD. 

 

Vispero Products (JAWS, ZoomText, and Fusion): Vispero is a company specializing in software for individuals with blindness or low vision to access computers. JAWS is a screen reader that reads on-screen text aloud and enables cursor control through keyboard commands. ZoomText offers screen magnification and customization of print size, color, cursor shape, and screen background for enhanced visual access. Fusion combines magnification and screen reading features for those gradually losing their vision. Eligible BSVI participants gain access to JAWS, ZoomText, or Fusion for use on computers for educational or work-related tasks through three-year annual licenses, allowing activation on up to three computers at once. 

 

To learn more about how BSVI services can help people who are blind or have low vision, visit the BSVI webpage.