RSB provides training and latest technology to help Missouri's visually impaired
lead more active and productive lives

JEFFERSON CITY Mo. — While the challenges of being deafblind are difficult to manage, Scott Dollar and Missouri's Rehabilitation Services for the Blind are determined those challenges will not prevent the St. Joseph, Mo. resident from obtaining skills that will help him gain greater independence.

Born with a severe hearing impairment, Dollar lost 99 percent of his vision at age 12. Until just over a year ago he’s exclusively used tactile sign language to communicate. Sign language however could not address all his needs, so he turned to RSB for help.

“In many ways it has been tough losing my sight,” said Dollar. “Being deafblind is not just deaf plus blind. It's not like one plus one equals two. It is more like one plus one equals ten. I feel bad when I can't do the things I used to do or see the things that I used to see. Then I remind myself that I have to think positive. I may have lost my sight but not my vision.”

To move him closer to achieving his goals of establishing a career and becoming more independent and socially active RSB has provided Dollar with training locally and arranged training from the Helen Keller National Center for Deaf-Blind Youths and Adults in Sands Point, New York. The training has helped improve his skills in activities of daily living, orientation and mobility, communication and computer technology. Scott Dollar is among the first in the nation trained to use the new DeafBlind Communicator. The device translates typed messages into Braille.

“The deafblind communicator is like a miracle,” said Dollar. “It's like communicating with anyone else through text messaging. I also can use this equipment in everyday life to keep up with the news through the internet. I think it can help people learn that I am a person first, who just happens to be deaf and blind. This equipment helps me feel connected.”

“When Scott came to us he had limited opportunities to learn marketable work skills and needed to expand his communication, mobility and self-care skills,” said RSB Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor Carly Elms. “He's done very well in the areas of orientation and mobility, communication, adaptive technology and social integration. Since his return from HKNC we have been working with the local center for independent living (MERIL) to develop an employment program.”

Dollar and RSB are researching employment opportunities in the field of adaptive technology training.

“My personal goal is to provide services that will empower Scott to maximize his independence, employment, economic self-sufficiency and inclusion into the mainstream of society,” Elms said.

Services to assist Missouri's visually impaired have been available since 1945 when the Bureau for the Blind was created. In 1993 the Bureau for the Blind became Rehabilitation Services for the Blind, with a continued mission of helping the blind and visually impaired attain personal and vocational success through the following programs:

RSB has eight offices located throughout the state. Missourians who feel they could benefit from RSB services can get information on eligibility requirements by calling 800-592-6004, or writing to: Rehabilitation Services for the Blind, P.O. Box 2320, Jefferson City, Mo. 65102.