2011 was a year filled with many accomplishments and successes for the Iowa Department for the Blind and the clients we serve. Here are some highlights . . . .
-- Expanding our digital materials
This past year, the Library converted all their magazines to a digital format, and the magazines are now circulated on cartridges. To accomplish this ground-breaking achievement, Library staff had to design and program a new multi-featured magazine application that communicates with our library circulation and tracking programs.
-- Reaching out to blind and visually impaired Iowans across the state
In the past calendar year, Rehabilitation Teachers have conducted 20 community-based trainings and two senior orientations, serving 124 individuals. Beyond these outreach efforts, teachers in the Independent Living program have served approximately 1036 older blind individuals across the state.
-- Achieving employment goals in a struggling economy
During 2011, Vocational Rehabilitation Counselors and Job Placement Specialists have helped many blind or visually impaired Iowans achieve employment. Some of the jobs our clients have acquired are as follows:
Administrative Assistant, Assistant Chief Of Operations, Cashier, Computer Programmer, Customer. Service Representative, Debt Recovery Manager, ESL Teacher, Food Server/Prep, Janitor, Lawyer, Machinist, Marriage and Family Therapist, Massage Therapist, Music Professor , Office Clerk, Pastor, Retail Salesperson, Seed Tech, Stock Clerk/Courtesy Clerk, Substance Abuse Counselor, Veterinary Technician
-- Educating future doctors
This past year, the Orientation Center established an educational partnership with Des Moines University that gives 4th-year medical students the option of doing a two-week rotation in the Center. Twenty-eight future doctors have participated thus far and those doctors in training had the opportunity to learn first-hand about blindness and the alternative skills that blind people use every day.
-- Blind vendors have a profitable year
2011 was a very good year for blind or visually impaired business owners that operate vending services through the Business Enterprises Program. The average income for vendors was $47,522.
-- Blind Iowans tell their stories
Also in 2011, IDB began a “History of Blindness in Iowa” project were we completed over 60 oral history interviews, developed a website, and launched a traveling exhibit to be installed in public libraries across Iowa. The project’s website provides access to the histories, related historical documents and images, and more information about the lives of blind Iowans, and the people and events that impacted them. For a complete schedule of the traveling exhibit and more info on the History of Blindness in Iowa project, visit site at www.iowablindhistory.org.
