A Guide to Services for Children Who Are Blind Pub. 4748

Adobe PDF Pub. 4748 (72k) Also available in Spanish, Chinese, Russian, and Arabic.

WHO ARE WE?

The New York State Office of Children and Family Services' Commission for the Blind and Visually Handicapped (CBVH) provides rehabilitation services to children and adults who are legally blind and reside in New York State.

WHO IS ELIGIBLE?

Any child who is a resident of New York State and is legally blind is eligible for services through CBVH.

Legal blindness is defined as:

• A visual acuity of 20/200 or less in the better or stronger eye with best correction, or
• A restricted field of vision of 20 degrees or less in the better or stronger eye.

CBVH funds programs for children who are under 14 years of age or, if multi-disabled, under 22 years of age. A parent or guardian can apply for services on behalf of a child who is legally blind.

WHAT SERVICES ARE AVAILABLE?

• Rehabilitation Teaching (skills of daily living)
• Orientation and Mobility (travel skills)
• Low Vision
• Social Casework
• Diagnostic Evaluations
• Adaptive Equipment

WHAT CAN THE CBVH CHILDREN'S CONSULTANT HELP WITH?

Working with the family, a CBVH Children's Consultant will help develop a plan to meet the child's needs. The plan may include services provided in the home, the community and/or private rehabilitation agencies. The consultant may provide counseling and guidance to the family, advocacy services, educational consultation and vocational coordination.

They can help with:

• Arranging for assessments
• Developing an individualized plan
• Providing counseling and guidance for families
• Providing information on legal rights, community resources, and special programs
• Providing advocacy services
• Coordinating service delivery
• Providing educational consultation
• Coordinating recreation programs
• Arranging for a smooth transfer to the adult rehabilitation program

HOW TO APPLY

If you are interested in any of the programs or services offered by CBVH and would like to receive an application, or if you require assistance in completing an application, please call the regional office located nearest to you.

New York City Office:

20 Exchange Place
2nd Floor
New York, NY 10005
(212) 825-5726
TDD: (212) 825-7367

Buffalo Office:

295 Main Street, Rm. 590
Buffalo, NY 14203
(716) 847-3516
TDD: (716) 847-3500

Syracuse Office:

2 Clinton Square
Suite 105
Syracuse, NY 13202
(315) 423-5417
TDD: (315) 423-5426

White Plains Office:

445 Hamilton Avenue
White Plains, NY 10601
(914) 993-5370
TDD: (914) 993-5327

Rochester Outstation:

259 Monroe Ave., Rm. 303
Rochester, NY 14607
(585) 238-8110
TDD: (585) 238-8104

Albany Office:

40 North Pearl, 15th Floor
Albany, NY 12210
(518) 473-1675
TDD: (518) 473-1698

Hempstead Office:

50 Clinton Street, Suite 208
Hempstead, NY 11550
(516) 564-4311
TDD: (516) 564-4325

Capital View Office Park
52 Washington Street
Rensselaer, NY 12144

Visit our website at:
www.ocfs.state.ny.us

For child care, foster care and adoption information, call:
1-800-345-KIDS

To report child abuse and neglect, call:
1-800-342-3720

For information on the Abandoned Infant Protection Act, call:
1-866-505-SAFE

For information about services for the blind, call:
1-866-871-3000
1-866-871-6000 (TDD)

State of New York

Office of Children & Family Services

Pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities Act, the New York State Office of Children and Family Services will make this material available in large print or on audiotape upon request.

Pub. 4748 (4/05)