State Seeks Input on Vocational Rehabilitation Services for Visually Impaired or Blind Individuals

November 7, 2014

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: November 7, 2014
MEDIA CONTACT: Julie Rabinowitz, Department of Labor, 207-621-5009; cell: 557-1483

Listening sessions will be held in Bangor, Portland and Augusta

AUGUSTA?The Division for the Blind and Visually Impaired (DBVI) of the Bureau of Rehabiliation Services, part of the Maine Department of Labor, is seeking input on the vocational rehabilitation service needs of residents who are blind or visually impaired. Consumers, their families and other stakeholders are invited to participate in forums this month.

?We value citizen feedback on state services,? said Governor Paul R. LePage. ?Vocational rehabilitation is focused on helping people with disabilities obtain meaningful employment. I encourage clients and their loved ones to provide information that will help us to continue to improve our vocational rehabilitation programs and identify areas of unmet need.?

This Comprehensive Statewide Needs Assessment (CSNA) provides feedback on a comprehensive array of services for blind and visually impaired consumers living in Maine. People who cannot attend a session but would like to provide feedback may contact John McMahon, director of DBVI, at 207-623-7949 or John.M.McMahon@maine.gov.

The state will hold four public forums in November to accommodate residents in different parts of the state.

The Bangor session will be held on Monday, Nov. 17, 2014, from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. at the Bangor CareerCenter at 45 Oak St., Suite 3.

The Augusta session will be held on Wednesday, Nov. 19, 2014, from 1 to 3 p.m. at the Augusta CareerCenter at 21 Enterprise Dr., Suite 2.

Two sessions will be held in Portland. The first will be held at the Portland Public Library?s Main Branch at 5 Monument Square on Tuesday, Nov. 18, 2014, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. The second will be held at the Portland CareerCenter at 185 Lancaster St. on Friday, Nov. 21, 2014, from 1 to 3 p.m.

For those that would like to join any session by teleconference, please dial 1-877-455-0244 and use conference code: 5939748264.

For contact information for each CareerCenter, visit the CareerCenter website, www.mainecareercenter.com . Maine CareerCenters are an equal opportunity provider. Auxiliary aids and services are available upon request to individuals with disabilities.

The Maine Department of Labor?s Bureau of Rehabilitation Services works to bring about full access to employment, independence and community integration for people with disabilities. The Division for the Blind and Visually Impaired provides vocational rehabilitation, education, skill training, paths to employment and independent living skills to people who are blind or have a visual impairment.

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