1. NAME OF PROGRAM: Independent Living Services (ILS) for Blind & Visually Handicapped

2. PURPOSE OF PROGRAM: The mission of North Carolina Services for the Blind (NCDSB) is to empower individuals who are blind or visually impaired to achieve their maximum potential through services provided by competent and caring professionals. The ILS program is designed to aid in the adjustment to vision loss with services including individual and family counseling, information and referral, support groups, recreational opportunities, instruction in home management, personal care and safe travel skills following vision loss.

3. APPLICATION PROCEDURES: The Social Worker for the Blind completes the applications and assessments, usually in the home setting. The Social Worker for the Blind is in Cabarrus County Wednesday through Friday of each week and is housed as the Cabarrus County Department of Social Services. The Social Worker for the Blind accepts referrals from anyone in the community, including physicians, human services agencies, etc. and can be reached directly at 704-920-1467.

4. ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS: ILS services eligibility requires an individual to have either:

1. Legal Blindness – Visual acuity of 20/200 or less, best corrected, or a field of vision in the better eye to such a degree that its widest diameter subtends an angle no greater than 20 degrees; or
   
   
2. Visual Impairment as noted below; or
   
   
1. Visual acuity of 20/100 or less with best correction with a progressive eye condition or a 30 degree field limitation; or
2. Best corrected central vision acuity of 20/70 or less in the better eye.
   
   
3. Persons with one or both of the following conditions:
   
   
1. The presence of chronic, progressive pathology.
2. Visual acuity better than 20/70 without progressive eye pathology, but which nevertheless results in a functional handicap.
   
   
4. Some cases require prior approval from the Chief of Independent Living Services before services can be provided.

5. OTHER PROGRAM DETAILS: NCDSB offers many other services including, but not limited to, Supported Employment Services, Employment Services/Vocational Rehabilitation and Education Services. For further details on these programs, please contact the Charlotte district office at 1-800-422-1895. For Medical Eye care, please contact the Cabarrus County Department of Social Services.

6. DATE OF INFORMATION: June 13, 2001