Dept of Education Vision Outreach Service
The Vision Outreach Service
- VOS is through the Department of Education but does not have an age or school restriction.
- Technical assistance to other agencies related to working with people who are visually impaired.
- Client-specific technical assistance on assistive technology.
- Adaptive equipment for use in home, school, community, or job setting.
- Training related to:
- Independent Living
- Braille
- Assistive Technology
- Orientation and Mobility (O&M)
- Traveling Safely
- Magnification and other Adaptive Equipment.
- In order to receive Vision Outreach Services, one of the following qualification factors must be present:
- Visual acuity of 20/50 or less in the better eye with the best possible correction
- A visual field of 20 degrees or less.
- Evidence of progressive vision loss that may affect future ability to learn.
- Evidence of blindness due to an active disease process.
- Visual acuity may not be measurable, but the individual is functionally blind.
- The Vision Outreach Service administers the talking book program for the State of Wyoming. The Department of Education oversees the Montgomery Trust for the Blind. The trust purchases assistive technology for blind and visually impaired persons and provides training to them to help them increase their independence. The Vision Outreach Service also provides consulting services to school districts for their visually impaired students. They also run two diagnostic clinics per year through the deaf and blind grant for school students, so that their needs can be better served.
- edu.wyoming.gov/vision-outreach-services
- American Federation for the Blind
- Utah State Library for the Blind
- The Utah State Library for the Blind and Disabled provides books and magazines to Wyoming residents. Applications for service and equipment are handled through consultants of the Wyoming Vision Outreach Services. To apply for service, or if your equipment needs service, please get in touch with one of these offices:
- Wyoming Department of Education: Vision Outreach Service
- 231 West 6th Street (NWC Frisby Bldg.), Powell, WY 82435
- (307) 754-2147
- jennifer.dalessandro@wyo.gov
- SERVICE AREA: Northwest Wyoming includes Park, Big Horn, Hot Springs, Washakie, Johnson, Campbell, and Sheridan Counties.
- edu.wyoming.gov/for-district-leadership/special-programs/vision-outreach-services
- Wyoming Department of Education: Vision Outreach Services
- 215 Lincoln Street, Lander, WY 82520, WY 82520
- (307) 857-9268
- SERVICE AREA: Southwest Wyoming includes Sweetwater, Lincoln, Teton, Uinta, Fremont, and Sublette Counties.
- wde-vision-outreach@wyo.gov
- See their website for much more information:
Services for Adults
- Advocacy:
- Support adults in the development of advocacy skills and link them to advocacy resources.
- Assistive Products:
- Provide assistive devices based on the assessed needs of clients.
- Computer Training/Assistive Technology:
- Provide some computer and assistive technology training.
- Library Services:
- Coordinate the National Library Services Program in Wyoming.
- Travel/Orientation and Mobility:
- Provide O&M instruction.
Services for Children
- Assessment:
- The Wyoming Next Step Diagnostic Clinic provides infants and youth who have disabilities with medical evaluations and educational assessments during a one-day clinic. The clinic is held two times each year in Lander, Wyoming. The staff includes doctors, teachers, therapists, and other professionals who help to diagnose, answer questions, and offer recommendations for children with special needs.
- Braille and Reading Instruction:
- Provides instruction in reading and writing braille, keyboarding, and use of adaptive technology for educators working with children who have visual impairments.
- Daily Living Skills/Independent Living Skills Training:
- Provides instruction in independent living and adaptive techniques for educators working with children who have visual impairments.
- Education Services:
- Provides consultative support to educational agencies.
- Information and Referral:
- Disseminates information, including best practices in the field of visual impairments, and referral services to other agencies.
- Library Services:
- The Loan Library provides videos and books on deaf-blindness, visual impairments, braille, life skills, communication, adjusting to the loss of vision, eye conditions, mobility, and much more. Materials are available to agencies, educators, families, or clients in Wyoming as part of the Wyoming Deaf-Blind Project.
- Recreation Services:
- Holds a statewide gathering, takes place two times per year, and is a unique opportunity for children who have visual impairments, their families, and teachers to get together for a day of fun, learning, and sharing. The day is typically filled with recreation, games, educational opportunities, and time for discussion.
- Summer/Day Camps and After-school Programs:
- The Lions of Wyoming holds a Summer School for the Visually Impaired is held at the Allen H. Stewart Lions Camp on Casper Mountain. Separate weeklong sessions are held for youth and adults. The following classes are offered: computers, adaptive daily living, braille, music, orientation and mobility, issues of visual impairment, and craft and hobby classes. In addition, Summer School provides a wonderful opportunity to meet other individuals who have visual impairments and develop a higher level of independence.
- Travel/Orientation and Mobility:
- Provide training and consultative support to Orientation and Mobility Specialists working with children.
Services for Professionals
- Consultation/Technical Program Assistance:
- Offers consultation services to educators and service providers.