What is North Dakota Vision Services/School for the Blind (NDVS/SB)?
NDVS/SB, a publicly funded agency, is a statewide comprehensive resource whose mission is to work cooperatively with related agencies in providing a full range of services to all state residents who are blind or visually impaired, including those with multiple disabilities. With center-based programming in Grand Forks and outreach offices in Bismarck, Fargo, Jamestown, Minot, and Dickinson, NDVS/SB provides statewide leadership to ensure that the specialized needs of persons of all ages who are blind or visually impaired are met. NDVS/SB accomplishes this mission in conjunction with rehabilitation professionals, educators, parents and others who work with individuals who are blind or visually impaired.
Where is NDVS/SB located?
We are located at 500 Stanford Road, Grand Forks, North Dakota.
- From I-29, take the Hwy 2/Gateway Drive Exit
- Go east on Gateway Drive
- Turn south on Stanford Road
- Turn east on 6th Avenue North (for one-half block)
- Take the first right into the parking lot
We also have regional offices located in Fargo, Bismarck, Jamestown, Minot, and Dickinson.
Do you have to be blind to qualify for services?
No, we also serve individuals who have low vision or other vision impairments.
Who is eligible to receive services?
North Dakota residents of all ages who are blind or visually impaired are eligible for services. Whether you are an infant, a young child, a K-12 student, or an adult of any age, NDVS/SB can provide services to you. Nonresidents may receive services if the individual or an agency of their home state pays the cost of the services as determined by the Superintendent of Public Instruction.
How do I receive services from NDVS/SB?
A request for services can be made by the individual, a family member, or an IEP team member by contacting your Regional Coordinator and filling out a request-for-service form. (See below to find the Regional Coordinator for your community.) Your Regional Coordinator will contact you with a date for an on-site visit and explain the plan of action, which may include: Observations, Evaluations, Interviews, and Consultations.
Who is my Regional Coordinator?
You can identify your Regional Coordinator by 1) calling our office or 2) checking our Regional Map.
What are the costs of services provided by NDVS/SB?
Many vision-specific services can be provided at no cost to a North Dakota resident who is blind or visually impaired. Referring sources such as Workforce Safety & Insurance, Vocational Rehabilitation, or the Veterans Administration may pay for some services for their clients. Nonresidents of the state pay the cost of the services, as determined by the Superintendent of Public Instruction. Please contact our office for specific information relating to your individual needs.
What benefits or advantages will I gain from attending or receiving services from NDVS/SB?
- You will receive individualized instruction from instructors who are certified and/or specialize in specific areas such as braille, assistive technology, daily living skills, career development, and orientation/mobility.
- Participation in center-based programs provides the opportunity to build supportive connections with other individuals experiencing vision-related challenges.
- NDVS/SB is North Dakota's resource center for vision-related adaptive aids and equipment; you have the opportunity to try a variety of items and techniques to determine what suits you best.
How can I find out what kind of low vision aids are available for my vision loss?
To help you with the often difficult first step in selecting low vision aids, our Store carries a sampling of products that may meet your needs. You may call us to make an appointment to view the items on display or to place a phone order. Also, we can mail you our catalog or catalogs from national vendors that specialize in low vision aids. Our online catalog is also available on our website.
Do you sell low vision aids?
- We sell a small number of inexpensive low vision aids through our Store. Please see the Store section of our website for a listing of the various categories of low vision items sold at NDVS/SB.
- We have a demonstration center where you can try a variety of low vision aids (CCTVs, magnifiers, etc.). If you find something that works for you, we can provide the information you need to order that product from the vendor.
- If you would like a demonstration of the low vision aids, please call in advance for an appointment.
What if I need something in braille?
If you're looking for braille reading material, our Vision Resource Center (VRC) has a collection of braille books for all ages, on a wide range of subjects, fiction or nonfiction. Our VRC staff will be happy to help you find something to fit your interests.
If you have print materials that you'd like to have transcribed into braille, our Braille Access Center is able to provide that service. You'll find complete information under Braille Access Center.
What is Short-Term Programming?
Short-Term Programs (STPs) are available at North Dakota Vision Services/School for the Blind (NDVS/SB) with instruction focused on the Expanded Core Curriculum (ECC). The ECC is a vital curriculum that connects academic learning with essential life skills, helping students with low vision or blindness prepare for successful, independent lives. Our programs, which typically run for 3 to 5 days, allow students to spend time periodically at NDVS/SB or a determined site to enhance skills and receive instruction in the ECC.
Our STPs are designed for designated age groups including elementary, middle school, and high school. Lessons are taught based on input from parents/guardians and teachers by submitting goals, utilizing various checklists, and incorporating informal assessment techniques in the specific areas for instruction. The daily schedule also has time devoted for personal development/adjustment, homework, and social activities.
What does a day entail while attending a Short-Term Program as a student?
Students follow a structured daily schedule, divided into blocks similar to a typical school day. However, instead of regular academic classes, students focus on the Expanded Core Curriculum (ECC). The ECC is a specialized set of vision-related skills designed for students who are blind or have low vision, bridging the gap between academics and daily life functioning. Each day, students have the opportunity to work one-on-one with instructors in various areas, such as daily living skills, technology, braille, and orientation and mobility. There is also time dedicated to working on specific skills, completing homework, and participating in a social skills class. In the evenings, students can take part in recreational activities, such as swimming, watching movies, or exploring the local community. All meals are provided on campus.
- Where You Will Stay: Students stay at the school in Grand Forks in the suites on our campus. Each student may have a roommate, and they share a bathroom with their suitemates. The maximum number of students per suite is four. Bedding and linens are provided.
- Independent Living Program: For students in grades 10-12, we offer an independent living program. Students stay in one of our apartments on campus, where they take on the responsibility of managing their weekly grocery list, shopping, preparing meals, and cleaning up afterward. While they are given supervision and support, this program offers an excellent opportunity to experience life as a college student or young adult.
- Contact Information: To arrange attendance for a student program, please contact Cindy Williams, Director of Student Programming, at (701) 795-2704 or via email at ckwilla@nd.gov. For more information on our student STPs, visit Center Base - Short Term Programs for K-12 | North Dakota Vision Services.
What does a day entail while attending a Short-Term Program as an adult?
Adult clients work on different areas of the Expanded Core Curriculum, including daily living skills, technology, orientation and mobility, braille, recreation and leisure, vocational, and adjustment to vision loss. Adult clients determine which classes that they want to attend during the week and what goals that they would like to work on. The classes are all one-on-one. All meals are provided family style. The evenings are spent either relaxing or doing group activities, such as games or outings in the community, depending on what the group decides on for the week.
- Where You Will Stay: Each adult has their own bedroom; however, they may share a bathroom with one other individual. The maximum number of adults accepted per week is six.
- Contact Information: Arrangements to attend an adult short term programming week can be made by contacting Amy Osvold for people living in Western North Dakota at (701) 857-7635 or Pam Haus for people living in Eastern North Dakota at (701) 795-2719.
What does a home visit from a regional coordinator look like?
- For infants: An initial visit might include a Functional Vision Assessment (FVA) or screening to determine the need for services. If the child’s vision is impacting their development, a certified Teacher of Student with Visual Impairments (TSVI) will become part of the child’s IFSP team. The TSVI will work with the family and Early Interventionist to provide strategies to support the child’s individual developmental needs impacted by their vision loss. For example, if the child is blind, a Little Room might be set up to encourage movement to help develop body awareness, object permanence, and spatial awareness of objects.
- For 3-5: For students who do not qualify for preschool services, they are still eligible for home-based services by a certified Teacher of Students with Visual Impairments (TSVI). The TSVI will work with the family and provide strategies in the areas impacted by the child’s vision loss.
- 5+: Once a child is school age, the local Teacher of Students with Visual Impairments (TSVI) often become the student’s case manager or the child’s primary teacher. Local TSVIs can contact NDVS/SB for support in areas of the Expanded Core Curriculum. If the local school does not have a TSVI, then NDVS/SB becomes a primary source of support for the child. Each child’s needs vary, and services are limited to NDVS/SB Outreach Guidelines. This can range from monitoring 1 to 4 times a year, consultation 1 to 2 times a month, or intermittent direct where the frequency is determined by need and circumstances.
Who do regional coordinators collaborate with?
Early interventionists, PT, OT, Speech, families, special education units, the student’s local school, and other medical providers if applicable.
What does a visit from a vision rehabilitation specialist look like for adult clients?
The initial home visit for an adult client is a time for the client to get to know the staff person and vice versa. As the individual's cause of vision loss is not always explained, time may be spent helping the client to understand their disease. The staff person may also assess what the individual is functionally able to see. This may include testing their ability to read print, lighting conditions, and other functional areas of vision. Adult services, whether center-based or home-based, are client-driven; therefore, all goals are set by the individuals. We provide daily living skills, orientation and mobility, recreation/leisure, technology, adjustment to vision loss, and braille services in a client's home or greater community, such as at a place of work. The frequency of services depends on the individual and their goal. Once a goal is met, follow-up services are conducted based on what the individual and instructor together deem necessary.
How does NDVS/SB work with Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) to help you reach your employment goals?
Individuals who have a vocational goal work primarily with a vocational rehabilitation counselor and a vision rehabilitation specialist. Based on the individual needs, VR may contract with NDVS/SB for consultations, evaluations, and instruction. The amount and type of services is determined through a partnership between the individual, VR, and NDVS/SB.
If an individual is not sure they are ready for employment, they can contact NDVS/SB, and we can help them with initial skills acquisition and to help make contact with VR when they are ready.
NDVS/SB and VR work very closely to ensure that needs are met. It is very much a team approach.