Skip to the main content of the page

Oregon Commission for the Blind

​GENERAL QUESTIONS

Q: Who can use the Oregon Commission for the Blind services?

A: This answer is different for each of our programs:

Vocational Rehabilitation Services are free to Oregonians age 14 or older who want to obtain or retain employment and are either legally blind or have a condition that will likely lead to legal blindness within two years or less.

Independent Living services are free to Oregonians over the age of 55 who experience vision loss.

Q: How do I know if I'm considered legally blind?

A: To be considered legally blind you must be diagnosed by a qualified physician and have a medical condition that is:
  • Congenital or organic in nature, and
  • Results in loss of sight to the extent that the person’s central visual acuity does not exceed 20/200 in the better eye with best correction, or
  • Central visual acuity exceeds 20/200 but is accompanied by limitation of the visual field to such a degree that its widest diameter subtends an angle of no greater than 20 degrees. 
Blindness would be determined through eye reports from an ophthalmologist or optometrist. These reports are reviewed by the agency’s eye consultant who confirms legal blindness.

VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION PROCESS

Q: How long will the vocational rehabilitation process take? When will I start a job?

A: It can take clients from as little as a few months to several years to find the right job. Contributing factors include: interests, job readiness, and abilities.

Q: What kind of job could I do?

A: Our clients have obtained jobs in a wide variety of positions such as:
Attorney
Tech Support
Produce Clerk
Data Entry
Teacher
Food Services Manager (OCB Business Enterprise Program)
 
Q: What equipment can I get?

A: Equipment needs vary on a case-by-case basis. Typically OCB will provide the adaptive equipment needed to complete essential job duties.

Q: While I go through the vocational rehabilitation process what are my responsibilities?

A: The entire vocational rehabilitation process is about you obtaining employment, so you must be actively involved in every step of the process. Find more information here:
Wooden blocks sitting on a table in a pretty garden; they spell "FAQ"