Frequently Asked Questions

1. What services do you provide?
2. What are the guidelines to qualify for services?
3. What are the charges for the services provided?
4. How can I make a referral for another person to receive services?
5. Do I need to make arrangements to come to the office for each appointment?
6. Does your agency pay for eyeglasses?
7. What happens if I disagree with the decisions made by my counselor?
8. Where can I find Braille greeting cards?
9. Where can I find a large print phone book?

 

What special services do you provide?

• Rehabilitation teaching in the home or intensive training at the Nebraska Center for the Blind in Lincoln
  • independent travel using a white cane
  • braille
  • home management
  • apartment living
  • adaptive technology for computer access
  • woodworking
  • public transportation
  • community access
• Assistance in securing or maintaining employment
• Career counseling and guidance
• Transition services (ages 14 to 26)
• Many other specialized programs are also available
  

Each program is developed to meet the personal needs of our clients. Services also include assistance in obtaining items that aid with regular daily activities such as talking clocks, magnifiers, white canes, cane tips, etc.

What are the guidelines to qualify for services?

To qualify for NCBVI services the individual must have sight which is so defective as to seriously limit his or her ability to engage in the ordinary vocations and daily activities of life.  The individual must be a United States citizen or a legal alien physically present in Nebraska.  The individual must require services to achieve their vocational or independent living goals. 

Services are available regardless of race, color, religion, creed, sex, age, marital status, national origin, and any other class of individuals protected from discrimination under state law.

If you or someone you know is experiencing significant vision loss, contact us at one of our five offices for an assessment of your eligibility.  Here is the link for our office contact information.  http://www.ncbvi.ne.gov/contact.html

What are the charges for the services provided?

Services provided by NCBVI are free of charge, funded by educational grants at all levels of government as well as private donations.

How can I make a referral for another person to receive services?

You may request services for another person by either filling out the online form
or by calling us toll free at 1-877-809-2419. The information is given to a counselor, and the counselor will call to make arrangements to meet with the individual who was referred. The counselor will generally call within 2 weeks.

Do I need to make arrangements to come to the office for each appointment?

No, if you prefer, your counselor will come to your home.

Does your agency pay for eyeglasses?

(Lion's Weblink and Number). NCBVI does not provide eyeglasses. However, the local chapter of the Lion's Club does offer financial assistance to receive proper eyeglasses and eye care for preventable blindness. The Lion's Club also takes donations of old eyeglasses, drop boxes can be found at most eye doctor's offices. In some communities, some retail stores may have drop boxes for used eyeglasses.

What happens if I disagree with a decision made by my counselor?

The Client Assistance Program (CAP) is a neutral agency available to help you with any questions or concerns regarding your services with NCBVI. CAP will work with you to help answer any of your questions and help resolve your concerns by talking with you and your counselor. You can contact CAP at 800-742-7594 or (402) 471-3656 and ask for Victoria Rasmussen.

Where can I find Braille greeting cards?

The Library of Congress has created a list of organizations

that create Braille greeting cards. Hallmark and American Greeting cards sell Braille greeting cards that are available in most retail stores.

Where can I find a large print phone book?

Large print phone books are not available for the visually impaired. However, a counselor can help you fill out a Directory Assistance Telephone Exemption which allows you to call the operator for a phone number or direct dial free of charge.

 

Nebraska Center for the Blind has been approved by the National Blindness Professional Certification Board (NBPCB). This approval is granted only to those Centers that meet strict standards for high quality services, uphold a positive philosophy of blindness and high expectations, adhere to Structured Discovery instructional methodology, and are dedicated to assuring genuine Informed Choice for all consumers. The Nebraska Commission for the Blind and Visually Impaired adheres to these standards of quality assurance in every area of its service delivery.