CONTRACT / GRANT SOLICITATIONS

DOR's services for the Blind and Visually Impaired administers grants to private, nonprofit agencies that provide direct independent living services to visually impaired individuals age 55 and older. Core services funded by these grants include orientation & mobility, activities of daily living, adjustment counseling, advocacy, adaptive equipment/assistive technology and transportation.

DOR provides an opportunity for qualified DOR consumers, who are legally blind, to become independent food service professionals under the Business Enterprise Program (BEP). The DOR BEP provides its consumers with training in the operation of cafeterias, vending stands, convenience stores, and vending machine locations with the ultimate goal of the consumers becoming independent food service professionals in California. The DOR establishes service contracts for equipment maintenance, service and/or repairs to support the BEP program's cafeterias, vending stands, convenience stores and vending machine locations. The support ensures minimum interruption to business operations and food service to the customers.

Collaborative Services is responsible for coordination of the Department's efforts with state and local education agencies, local mental health agencies and the Department of Developmental Services. Services are structured to assist DOR consumers achieve their employment goals. DOR contracts with local cooperative/case service programs, including; Mental Health Agencies, Secondary Education Agencies, Adult Schools, Regional Occupational Centers and Programs, Community Colleges, State Universities, Regional Centers, and Traumatic Brain Injury Service Agencies and Programs to provide related training, assistive technology, supported employment, and job placement support for eligible individuals.

Contract Handbook for Case Service/Cooperative Agreements (Contract Manual):
Case Services/Cooperative Agreements Contract Handbook (Effective: February 2015)
Case Services/Cooperative Agreements Contract Handbook (Effective: February 2015) (MS Word)

The DOR works with consumers to develop an individualized plan for employment, which identifies the vocational rehabilitation services necessary to achieve the consumer's specific employment outcome. Depending on the needs of the consumer, the vocational rehabilitation services may include a driving evaluation, loan of a state-owned modified vehicle as a transportation service, installation and repair of adaptive equipment on a privately-owned vehicle as a rehabilitation technology service, and training on the modified vehicle or equipment provided.

The specifications for vehicle modification services are identified in the DOR Specifications for Adaptive Driving Equipment (SADE) and the discussion and interpretation section of the SADE.

The Independent Living Section of DOR is one part of California's independent living network, which includes  28 independent living centers (ILCs)  and the  State Independent Living Council (SILC) . The network is dedicated to the ideal that communities become fully accessible and integrated so that all persons with disabilities can live, work, shop and play where they choose, without barriers. DOR administers the program in California and provides technical assistance and financial support for the independent living centers. In addition, DOR administers the California Assistive Technology System which is funded by a federal grant through the Federal Administration for Community Living. In order for the DOR to implement the required services, the DOR contracts with the California Foundation for Independent Living Centers to provide AT services statewide to assist individuals with disabilities to live independently and participate in the community.

The Community Resources Development Section of DOR conducts extensive needs assessments across 13 districts and Blind Field Services to determine gaps in the local services that consumers need to be successful in employment preparation and placement.