Annual Report Introduction
The Washington State Rehabilitation Council for the Blind (SRCB) is an advisory group of volunteers appointed by the Washington State Governor to provide counsel and guidance to the Department of Services for the Blind (DSB). In Washington State, the DSB has primary responsibility to deliver Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) Services, the Business Enterprise Program (BEP), and Independent Living (IL) skills training to individuals who are Blind, Deaf-Blind or Low Vision. DSB provides services for individuals that can cross one’s entire life span.
The purpose of the SRCB is to review, evaluate, and make recommendations to DSB on its plans, policies, and activities to ensure that people in our state who are Blind, Deaf-Blind or Low Vision receive the most effective and efficient rehabilitation services possible.
In addition to providing direction to the Director of DSB on behalf of the public and customers, the SRCB also advises and reports to the Governor and makes recommendations to the State Legislature about services that impact the lives of blind people. The SRCB works closely with other state councils, agencies, and organizations to enhance the services, opportunities, and rights of Washingtonians who are Blind, Deaf-Blind or Low Vision.
The SRCB is established and authorized under the federal Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended under the 2014 Workforce Innovation Opportunity Act (WIOA). Under local Washington State law, the SRCB is authorized in statutes RCW 74.18.070 through RCW 74.18.100.
Reflecting on 2025: A Letter from the SRCB Chair
Dear RSA Interim Commissioner Christopher Pope and Governor Bob Ferguson:
I am pleased to present the 2025 Annual Report on behalf of the Washington State Rehabilitation Council for the Blind (SRCB).
This is my second year as the Vice Chair of the SRCB. Our Chair, Andy Arvidson completed his term prior to this report. Due to overall concerns about well-being, he decided not to re-apply to the council. In December of 2025 I was elected Chair of the council. I can only hope to do as well as Andy. Our Council members continue to exhibit a high degree of dedication and commitment to our work. This year we continued holding our meetings by utilizing the Zoom platform, which allows connection via either computer or phone. All meeting information was shared with consumer organizations as well as being placed on the DSB website.
We had a change of committee Chairs for 2025. I, Kris Colcock, became Chair of the Customer Satisfaction Committee and Jen Bean became Chair of the Policy Committee. This change was made as the people involved agreed that the committees were better suited to their individual strengths. As I was elected to the position of Chair for 2026, the incoming Chair for the Customer Satisfaction Committee will be Julie Harlow. She has been a long-time member of this committee and is dedicated to the current project of improving customer satisfaction for those who are Deaf-Blind.
This year, our membership committee, chaired by SRCB past Chair Julie Brannon, has filled two of the open positions on the council. There are an additional four positions currently open and the committee is working hard on filling those and planning ahead for the council appointments set to expire in 2026.
Below is a list of continuing members, the members leaving us, and the new members joining us, along with the positions they hold.
SRCB Committees continue to be a strong working and functioning force within the SRCB. The SRCB Executive committee meets monthly; all other committees have agreed to make a commitment to meet quarterly between each SRCB meeting with the exception of the policy committee which meets when policy needs are designated.
Sincerely,
Kris Colcock
Chair Elect,
Washington State Rehabilitation Council for the Blind
Get to Know our Council Members
Continuing Members
| Name and City | Representing |
|---|---|
| Christopher Zila, Spokane, WA | Section 121 Native Americans |
| Jennifer Bean, Bellingham, WA | Client Assistance Program |
| Julie Brannon, Puyallup, WA | Current or Former Recipient of VR Services |
| Julie Harlow, Graham, WA | Business, Industry, and Labor |
| Kara Thompson, Vancouver, WA | Current or Former Qualified Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor |
| Kris Colcock, Bainbridge Island, WA | Disability Advocacy Group |
| Michael MacKillop, Seattle, WA | DSB Executive Director (ex officio member) |
| Sara Logston, Vancouver, WA | Individuals who are blind or have multiple disabilities |
| Shawnda Hicks, Tacoma, WA | Parent Training and Information Center |
| William Dowling, Port Orchard, WA | State Workforce Investment Board |
New Members (Appointments pending)
| Name and City | Representing |
|---|---|
| Courtney Williams, Olympia, WA | State Independent Living Council |
| John Chang, Seattle, WA | Business, Labor, and Industry - Business Enterprise Program |
Exiting Members
| Name and City | Representing |
|---|---|
| Andy Arvidson, Anacortes, WA | Business, Labor, and Industry |
| Cathy Wilson, Tacoma, WA | Business, Labor, an Industry |
| Kristin Geary, Seatle, WA | Community Rehab Program (CRP) Provider |
| Larry Watkinson, Olympia, WA | Current or Former Recipient of VR Services |
| Rebekah "Bek" Moras, Lacey, WA | State Independent Living Council (SILC) |
Staff
| Name and City | Representing |
|---|---|
| Meredith Stannard, Seattle, WA | DSB Appointed Liaison |
| Yvonne Verbraak, Olympia, WA | SRCB Staff Assistant |
A Chance to Connect, Learn from, and Work with Each Other
The SRCB met four times during 2025. All meetings were held via the Zoom platform. Connection information was advertised ahead of time to allow interested consumers to take part regardless of where they live throughout our state. In addition to special presentations and subcommittee updates, meetings consisted of a report from the DSB Executive Director about progress towards goals outlined in the state plan and a report from the SRCB Chair about Council activities.
The agenda always offers an opportunity for public comment on subjects related to Council business including the Vocational Rehabilitation and Independent Living Programs, and issues impacting the employment or independence of Washington State citizens who are Blind, Deaf-Blind or Low Vision.
Agenda items this year included:
- SRC-B Committees continue to be a strong working and functioning force within the SRCB. We had full and functioning committees this year; new and continuing SRCB members will confirm their committee choices in early 2026.
- Elections for Chair and Vice-chair were held at the December SRCB meeting: Kris Colcock was elected Chair by acclamation; and Julie Brannon was elected Vice-chair by acclamation. Both will serve for one-year terms.
- DSB staff member reports for this year included:
- Lisa Wheeler, Assistant Director of Vocational Rehabilitation-Workforce
- Reported on the results of the Business Enterprise Program Rebuild Project that wrapped up in June
- Kelsi Phares and Eric Wharton, DSB Vocational Rehab Counselors
- Explained their role on the new Intake Team, and the work being done to significantly shrink the time for new Vocational Rehab customers to begin receiving services
- Sara Logston, Birth through 13 Program Manager
- Shared highlights from the first full year of the DSB Explorers program at DSB serving young people and their families throughout the state
- Shelby Satko, Executive Director, WA State Rehabilitation Council and President, National Coalition of State Rehabilitation Councils (NCSRC)
- Talked about the role of the NCSRC and shared resources that are available to all State Rehab Councils
- Carl Peterson, Business Relations Manager and Ashley Douthett, Business Relations Specialist
- Gave updates on integrating DSB customers more fully into the WorkSource system and the current customers participating in the Strategies for Success program
- Lisa Wheeler, Assistant Director of Vocational Rehabilitation-Workforce
Committee Accomplishments in 2025
The SRCB has four standing committees that do the work of the Council. Every member is expected to serve on a committee. This year, all new members were assigned to committees to allow for every member’s involvement. Committees have been asked to meet quarterly, before each SRCB meeting.
Executive Committee
The Executive Committee met monthly with the DSB Executive Director in 2025 except for the month of October when schedules were challenging and all agreed that no new information was available. In these meetings we covered many topics including Milestone planning, business relations and work force, preparing a statement to maintain state funding for necessary DSB programs, Business Enterprise Program, Early Explorers Program, Customer Assistance Program, quality of services deafblind individuals are receiving from DSB, and training for current and on-coming council members. It has been a very productive year and full of enthusiasm from all members.
The Executive Committee is made up of the Chair, Vice-Chair, and Chairs of all the committees plus staff liaison Meredith Standard. In 2025 the members were Chair Andy Arvidson (ending in September of 2025), Vice-Chair and Customer Satisfaction Chair Kris Colcock, Membership Chair Julie Brannon, and Policy Chair Jen Bean.
Membership and Collaboration Committee
The Membership and Collaboration Committee recruits Council members and works to maintain a strong, active and high-functioning Council.
Bylaws Responsibilities for this committee:
- Develop and update recruitment materials
- Ensure that all required positions of the Council are filled
- Design and implement a recruitment plan for Council positions
- Track Council member attendance
- Assure Council practices advance an accessible Council culture
- Assist members to identify support needed to fully participate in Council activities
- Respond to sensitive member concerns and emerging issues
- Coordinate new member orientation
- Identify how members can develop and refine leadership skills and prepare for Council member opportunities
During 2025 the Chair of the Membership Committee and the SRCB Staff Liaison worked on creating a code of conduct, as requested by the Executive Committee. They found that both the Governor’s Handbook on Boards and Councils and the SRCB Bylaws have substantial enforcement mechanisms, addressing concerns like attendance and governance. The deadline was extended since the desired goal of creating a compiled and concise document for the SRCB is a significant undertaking.
In July, the SRCB members sent a letter to WA State Legislators addressing concerns around DSB’s functioning and funding. From that correspondence, some members of the Washington Council of the Blind (WCB) were invited to talk directly with Marilyn Strickland’s office regarding DSB services and needs.
In 2025, two Council positions were vacated prior to the end of their term. Additionally, six members of the Council reached the end of their terms in September. Three of these members reapplied for an additional term and three chose not to reapply. There are two pending appointments and one pending application as the year comes to an end. This leaves two positions open for representatives from Business, Industry and Labor, and one position open for a Community Rehab Provider (CRP) representative. The Membership Committee is working hard to make sure membership positions are filled and keeping the work of the Council moving forward.
Policy and Planning Committee
This committee provides input to DSB’s internal policies and practices by identifying opportunities to engage in DSB internal workgroups; giving input on policy changes affecting DSB participants; and supporting DSB’s State Plan forums.
Throughout this fiscal year, the SRCB Policy Committee focused on self-employment. We reviewed existing DSB self-employment policies and met with the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation's (DVR) Self-Employment expert to learn about their policies and procedures. We also analyzed feedback from current and past participants who worked through the DSB self-employment process. The Client Assistant Program (CAP) Director, who is Chair of the Policy committee, shared feedback about the self-employment experience from both DVR and DSB participants who contacted CAP with issues. We met with the DSB Assistant Director of Workforce Initiatives and the DSB Business Relations Manager to share our feedback and suggestions.
We will review the new self-employment policies and procedures drafts in the next fiscal year. We expect over the next several years the SRCB will review participant data and satisfaction for self-employment cases for progress and additional feedback to DSB as necessary.
Customer Satisfaction Committee
The Customer Satisfaction Committee evaluates customer satisfaction and other DSB performance measures, makes suggestions for program improvement, coordinates opportunities for public feedback, and provides input to the SRCB Annual Report.
This committee oversees the anonymous satisfaction survey for VR customers who received services in the federal fiscal year. In 2025, the Customer Satisfaction Committee focused on the services for the Deafblind community as well as those who have both a hearing loss and a visual loss but may not identify as being part of the Deafblind culture.
Forty individuals receiving services from DSB who were identified as having both hearing and vision loss were sent a 12-question survey. Eleven of the 40 individuals responded.
Four respondents said they would be interested in participating in a listening session to share their experiences with committee members. In December of 2025, we held our first listening session that lasted 90 minutes and dug a little deeper into the questions asked.
Following are the survey results:
- How did people identify themselves?
- Deafblind (4)
- Deaf and Low Vision (1)
- Hard of Hearing and Low Vision (1)
- Blind and Hard of Hearing (2)
- Low Vision and Hard of Hearing (2)
- Low Vision (1)
- What were their reasons for connecting with DSB?
- Finding a job (6)
- Retaining a job (4)
- Career advancement (1)
- Daily living skills (4)
- Education and training (1)
- Training with technology (1)
- On-the-job training (1)
- Overall blindness skills (1)
- Did customers feel that their VRC understood all of the services available to those with hearing and vision loss?
- Yes (5)
- A little (2)
- Not sure (4)
- Did customers believe that their VRC understood that other services available to the deafblind community could help a person reach their goals?
- Yes (2)
- A little (1)
- No (1)
- Not sure (7)
- Who set up interpreter services at meetings with DSB staff?
- Customer (1)
- Customer and staff together (3)
- Someone else [not specified] (1)
- Did not apply (6)
- Did the customer currently have an open case with DSB?
- Yes (11)
- • Would the customer recommend DSB to their friends, family, or community members?
- Yes (8)
- Maybe (2)
- No (1)
- Did customers have additional comments to share?
- “My counselor was not as supportive as she should have been. I have had to send some "not so nice" emails to get her attention to set up a check-in meeting. I feel that her "I'm not involved with OTC" attitude sucked especially when I'm needing interpreters to be set up at the appropriate time. Her supervisor had to ask how often I wanted my DVR counselor to have these "check in" meetings where my counselor did not. Just so you know I had to get CAP and my DVR counselor to get involved to get what I needed for OTC.”
- “One DSB employee moved/added/deleted programs from my laptop. He explained nothing. I have been left with a mostly useless machine. I don't want him to come back and make it worse.”
- “WHEN a Deafblind person ASKS for the accommodation needed; people ought to STOP putting up barriers, that is NOT what this agency is supposed to do! Don't make it extremely difficult to receive services due to lack of accommodations! Trust us when we tell you that it’s probably a good idea to request ASL interpreters in advance instead of DSB staff PATRONIZING us about it!”
- “I truly valued their support and graciously accepted the opportunity to enroll in one or two classes each quarter, rather than overwhelming myself with three or more in a full-time session. This approach allows me to engage more deeply with my studies while maintaining a healthier balance. I completed my higher grade as well and completed my AAS degree successfully.”
We will continue to hold listening sessions in 2026 to complete the project. The initial answers show that there are areas where VRCs could use some training. There is a challenge with communication between individuals who are serving the Deafblind community. There is also evidence of positive outcomes as some expressed gratitude for accommodations to complete necessary education.
This is the first time the SRCB has participated in customer listening sessions, and we are being thoughtful and strategic as we develop the process in hopes it may be used again in the future. We need to consider communication and accommodation needs, confidentiality, and areas to focus on. We are excited about the opportunity to learn more from individuals with lived experience and expect the results will include strategies and recommendations for DSB to improve service delivery, customer satisfaction and program outcomes for individuals who are Deaf-Blind.
DSB Programs Making a Difference in Our Community
A Nationwide Emphasis on Pre-Employment Transition
DSB serves young people aged 22 and under who are Blind, Deaf-Blind, or have Low Vision.
- Pre-Employment Transition Services (Pre-ETS) help teens and young adults who are ages 14 to 22 and in high school, college, or another recognized education program and eligible for special education programs.
- The DSB Explorers Program provides services and support to children aged 13 and under and their families.
DSB supports young people ages 22 and under with vision loss by preparing them for successful futures by providing workshops, programs, and activities provide geared towards teaching age-appropriate skills of blindness, self-advocacy, orientation and mobility, and educational and career exploration.
Some specific programs and workshops offered in 2025 included:
- The 3T Academy “Transform, Transition, Thrive” supports students learning and exploration, covering not just 4-year university preparation and experiences but also 2-year college pathways, trade school programs, and credentialing programs. The program commits to showing the diversity in choice that our students have when exploring post-secondary education and training options. The 3T Academy meets virtually each month throughout the year and offers quarterly field trips to rotating locations around the state to explore the different options that students can choose from when transitioning away from high school and seeking further education in the state of Washington.
- Youth Employment Solutions 2 (YES 2) is a multi-week summer program held in Seattle, WA. It focuses on career exploration by providing experience, opportunity, career preparation, and paid internships for Washington’s young people who are Blind, Deaf-Blind or Low Vision. In addition to the internships, customers spend their off-work hours experiencing residential living in the YES residence in Seattle. Students have many opportunities to practice self-advocacy through financial and life management skills learned during the program. One student’s reflections on his experience at YES2: "Thrown into a river with Crocodiles and you still have to swim. That’s YES2."
- In 2025, the Pre-ETS Team together with the Birth through 13 Program hosted their second annual Stronger Together Conference in Vancouver, WA, bringing together 120 attendees including youth, families, vision professionals, and community organizations supporting blind, deaf-blind, and low vision individuals. Thirteen organizations participated, addressing the challenge of transition support services which are often siloed and unknown to those who need them.
The three-day event featured diverse programming including home accessibility workshops, kitchen participation activities, technology exploration, career pathway development, and adaptive sports. Youth mentors helped create the agenda, and both youth and their families participated in discussion panels covering Individual Education Plans (IEPs), parenting, higher education transitions, and job industries. An exhibitor marketplace showcased resources from Microsoft, assistive technology centers, and advocacy organizations. - Attendee feedback was overwhelmingly positive, with parents feeling less isolated, siblings celebrating newfound possibilities for their family members, and vision professionals gaining valuable insights to share with their clients and colleagues.
Read feedback from parents about how their families are benefiting from the DSB Explorers Program:
Resources and helpful recommendations received
Finding friendships and confidence with the DSB Explorers
Support and connection at all levels for the whole family
In 2025, DSB provided a variety of services to 240 youth and students with a disability.
More information about Youth and Family services on agency website
Getting People to Work and Helping Them Keep Their Jobs
Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) is for people interested in finding or maintaining employment. The comprehensive program considers the needs of each individual and provides quality services to customers rather than just placing people in jobs. The VR customer takes an active role in determining scope and goal among a wide-ranging set of services. Customers often need training in adaptive skills of blindness, computer technology for on-the-job success, career exploration and matching interests and aptitude to job types, or internships and other work experiences.
At the end of 2025, 105 customers achieved successful employment outcomes with an average hourly wage of $33.69. Forty-seven of these customers received job retention assistance to keep a job that was at risk due to their visual disability. One customer who got or kept a job is an Honorably Discharged Veteran. Seventy-one customers now have all their medical health insurance paid by their employers, as a result of employment through DSB services. Thirty-two customers are no longer relying on Public Assistance as their primary source of income. The eldest participant was 77 and needed assistance continuing their career as a mental health counselor. In 2025, DSB assisted 101 VR customers with their higher education tuition.
A few examples of employers include Chinook Enterprises, TJ Maxx, Kitchen Design Center, Amazon, Blind Institute of Technology, Yakima Valley Community College, AMH Healthcare, Community Food Co-op, Disability Empowerment Center, Oregon Commission for the Blind, WA State School for the Blind, Microsoft, WA State Department of Health, Seattle City Light, Facebook-Meta, Department of the Navy, Tumwater School District, WA State Department of Social and Health Services, Rite Aid, Skagit Regional Health, Haggen Food, Recreational Equipment Inc, WA State Department of Services for the Blind, State Farm Insurance, Boeing Employees Credit Union, University of Washington, Element Hotel, Internal Revenue Service, Whatcom County Library System, and WA State Department of Ecology.
Recently DSB has added a Business Relations Team as an integral part of the VR program. This critical team serves a dual role at the agency. They assist DSB's VR customers to prepare for and find employment in their chosen career field; and they help employers who want to create an inclusive workplace, ease their concerns of hiring people with disabilities, and support their employees who are experiencing vision loss or are Blind, Deaf-Blind or Low Vision.
In 2025, DSB in partnership with DSHS/Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR), the State's WorkSource Development Council, the Employment Security Department, and other Community Partners offered three EmployAbility Career Fairs in the past year. These took place in Seattle, Silverdale, and Yakima. In total, these events were attended by almost 600 job seekers and have allowed DSB to serve 100+ businesses and helped to expose them to hiring individuals who have visual disabilities. Many businesses have reported an interest in working with DSB in the future and have been happy with the Career Fairs.
More information about VR services on agency website
OTC Graduates are Confident, Independent, And Successful
The Orientation and Training Center (OTC) at the DSB is located in Seattle and is primarily a residential and commuting program for vocational rehabilitation customers who need intensive daily instruction in adaptive skills of blindness, employment-related experiences, and adjustment to blindness services. While all skills trained at the OTC are also available through each field office, the OTC allows for intensive daily training and practice of the necessary adaptive skills of blindness.
Students participate in a variety of classes while at the OTC including home management, computers and technology, orientation and mobility, Braille, home maintenance, careers and education exploration, and discussion on blindness seminars. OTC students also participate in other activities and “Life in Action” experiences such as snowshoeing, tandem bike riding, kayaking, rock climbing, and attending the WA State Fair in Puyallup; these activities help students build confidence in their blindness skills and put them into practice in a fun and active way. The skills students learn at the OTC enable them to be independent and successful in their homes, schools, jobs, and in their communities.
This past year the OTC completed the first “OTC on Wheels” Intensive Week during which the OTC staff packed up their training materials and visited Spokane. Six Eastern WA customers received four days of intensive training in braille, computer and access technology, home management, home economics, and orientation and mobility. This Intensive Week was a great success, with one customer opting to come to the OTC as a full-time residential student as a result. OTC staff are already planning their next OTC on Wheels Intensive Week for 2026.
DSB offers a paid internship opportunity for customers in the VR program to work with the Administrative Assistant located at the front desk in the Seattle DSB office for six months. This is a high-traffic position that offers interactions with field office staff, OTC staff and OTC students, and visitors to the office as well as completing a wide variety of administrative tasks in support of the office. Three of the customers who have filled the position since it was created have been students from the OTC, who have been encouraged by the OTC staff and their counselors to apply for the position. It’s been an invaluable chance to use and practice the knowledge and skills they gained attending the OTC.
Business Relations Manager Carl Peterson talked to a recent intern about their experience working at the front desk:
Daniel Describes His Experience as a Paid Intern
More information about the OTC on agency website
Legally Blind Individuals Learn to Be Independent Entrepreneurs
The Business Enterprise Program (BEP) provides training and opportunities for qualified blind individuals to become independent entrepreneurs, operating successful food service businesses, including delis, cafeterias, micro markets, and espresso stands, in government buildings. With a combination of online training and hands-on experience, customers complete training in all facets of food service facility operation to become BEP Licensees. They can apply to be operators of program locations, and the program will provide the essential food service equipment and provide ongoing guidance to the operator. The licensee of each location is solely responsible for the success of the business.
In June 2025 the program completed the BEP Rebuild Project which had received funding allocated by the State Legislature in 2022. Several facilities were remodeled as part of the project, as well as much needed equipment updates in additional locations, refreshed menu offerings, and creating a renewed sense of collaboration among the BEP licensees.
Another aspect of the project was changing how and when food and beverages are made available to customers given the reduced number of employees physically located in government buildings since the pandemic. In response the program has successfully launched micro markets in a couple of locations and is continuing to explore some of the many product options that exist for vending outside of snack food and drinks.
An additional accomplishment for the BEP team in 2025 was the complete restructuring of their operator training and licensing processes. This included and was part of the VR program’s self-employment process revamp and relaunch with the assistance of the Business Relations team.
Lastly, the BEP team reviewed, revised and updated all their program’s procedure documents. The BEP team at DSB is committed to finding solutions that will support the current licensees and continue to grow the program for the future.
BEP statistics for 2025:
- Median BEP vendor income for 2025 was $65,159
- 10 facilities combined had total gross sales of $2,312,035
- Sales tax collected from all facilities was $207,329
- Payroll tax from all facilities was $1,085,133
More information about BEP on agency website
Living Independently with Vision Loss
The Independent Living Program (IL) provides the skills, the tools, and the confidence individuals with recent vision loss need to live independently in their homes and communities. IL providers offer a wide range of services, including training, brief counseling, info and referrals, and supplying aids or devices. For most customers, the goal is simply to regain what was lost: the ability to call a friend on the telephone, heat up leftovers in the microwave, know what time it is to get to a doctor’s appointment on time, use a magnifier to look at pictures of a loved one, or take a walk in the fresh air.
The IL Program serves customers 18 years old to over 100 years old. Most of the customers are 55 or older and the average customer is in their mid-80s. Most customers live in their home or apartment rather than in a nursing or assisted living setting, and request services to continue doing so.
For customers 55 and younger who have recently experienced vision loss and may not believe they can continue working, the IL Program is able to introduce them to the tools and skills that allows them to then consider applying for Vocational Rehab services to pursue a career goal.
The most popular Assistive Technology devices provided throughout the year were handheld magnifiers, large print products, and adapted kitchen equipment. Over the past year the IL Program has been able to increase the number of higher tech devices available, such as phones, tablets, and digital magazines.
As 2025 came to a close, the program’s IL service providers statewide served 1,045 clients. Overall, IL service delivery to underserved minority populations has increased and more outreach work is needed but the program is moving in the right direction. The partnership with Washington Talking Book and Braille Library to deliver loaned technology devices more seamlessly to customers who need them continues to be a resounding success, although Federal budget decisions this year have cut WTBBL staffing levels to a bare minimum. The pandemic highlighted the importance of being able to live independently at home rather than transferring to a residential assisted living situation and emphasized the critical value of the Independent Living services to the health and safety of Washington State elders.
Vivian’s Success Story
Vivian is a lively, intelligent, and talkative 96-year-old, who lives alone in Yakima in a clean and comfortable house. With lots of family nearby, Vivian has a great support system and is rarely on her own. In addition to being legally blind due to macular degeneration, Vivian has been dealing with ongoing cancer-related complications for many years. In the summer of 2024 Vivian found herself briefly in the hospital, and while there, her son, Ron, learned about Independent Living (IL) Blind Services from the hospital’s social worker. Ron contacted IL services to see what help his mom could receive. She had been talking about wanting to use her appliances independently and, as a retired English teacher, was missing being able to read. After talking to both Ron and Vivian, the IL provider made an appointment to help with those goals and anything else that might give Vivian some more independence.
During their first visit together, Ron, Vivian, and her IL provider got right to work. They walked through the house, Vivian acting as tour guide, marking a few appliances with bump dots so that Vivian could use them independently. Not wanting to overdo it on the first visit, the IL provider showed Ron how to place the tactile markers for future use. Vivian was also interested in a large print calendar to keep track of important dates, like the birthdays of all her grandchildren. Before starting services, Vivian had used a standard calendar that her grandson had tried to make easier to use by going over the lines and numbers using a bold, black marker. But, when she saw the difference that the large print calendar made, she said that it was even better than what her grandson had whipped up for her. Before leaving for the day, the IL provider showed some magnifiers to Vivian and determined that a 5X handheld magnifier would help. Vivian agreed she’d practice with it.
The next appointment took a while to schedule because Vivian was entertaining her large, extended family. When they finally met again, the IL provider had two goals. The first was to check in on the magnifier, and the second was to show Vivian how to use the talking book player from the Washington Talking Book and Braille Library (WTBBL). When the IL provider asked about the magnifier, Vivian said that maybe it wasn’t strong enough. She really wanted to be able to look at pictures of her family, including some pictures that are nearly 100 years old! So, the IL provider pulled out a 7X magnifier; together, they tried looking at pictures of Vivian as a one-year-old. Vivian was thrilled to be able to see herself and the bald head she had as a baby. She told the IL provider that she couldn’t wait to show her pictures to her grandson, who was coming over later that day. After giving Vivian the magnifier, the IL provider asked her if she was ready to look at the talking book player. Vivian was very reluctant. The English teacher in her was not ready to let go of physical books, even though she could no longer read them. The IL provider gently persuaded Vivian to give it a shot. She showed Vivian how to use the machine and signed her up for the services.
The last time the IL provider visited, after sharing brownies that Vivian offered her, they started by talking about how the book player from WTBBL was working for her. Vivian said she’d been reading a book and enjoying it. She still missed holding a “real” book but was happy she could access good memoirs of current political figures. The IL provider showed Vivian some of the talking book player’s features again to be sure Vivian could use it effectively. Eventually, they fell into a conversation about life and before they knew it, an hour had passed. Vivian was ready to close her case, and the IL provider agreed it was time. As the IL provider left, Vivian said, “Oh, I’m so happy you came to see me. Thanks for all you have done for me.” And then, as is Vivian’s way, she gave the IL provider a big hug and kissed her hands.
Glen’s Success Story
Glen is a 25-year-old man living with his tight-knit family and two cats in Eastern Washington. As he began steadily losing his vision due to retinitis pigmentosa, he felt increasingly isolated, anxious, and depressed. While his parents were supportive and loving, Glen wanted to be more independent. While he initially reached out to VR services for help, he eventually decided that he was not ready to return to work. Glen wanted a job and his own apartment but could not see a future where that was possible. With that in mind, he was referred to the IL Program.
When Glen and his IL provider first met, they decided to concentrate on his independent living skills. First, they tackled meal preparation. With the help of a high contrast cutting board, a finger guide, and a palm peeler, Glen could successfully prepare fruits and vegetables on his own. Next, they worked on orientation and mobility: identifying curbs and pedestrian signals to safely cross streets, how to use escalators in the mall, and how to navigate crowds.
As Glen's skills increased, so did his confidence. However, he still hesitated at the thought of entering the workforce. Knowing this and with Glen’s permission, his IL provider introduced Glen to Rob, an employed man who also has retinitis pigmentosa. Rob had recently graduated from college with a bachelor's degree. Rob encouraged Glen’s questions and assured him that returning to work and school was an attainable goal.
After that meeting, Glen was excited about returning to school. When he met with his IL provider, Glen told her he was interested in becoming a physical therapist. He wanted to know if she thought that was possible. Glen’s IL provider responded with an enthusiastic “yes!”. She encouraged Glen to follow his dreams. The IL provider gave Glen the number for VR services and asked him to let her know how he would like to move forward.
During their next call, Glen told his IL provider that he had connected with VR services and was starting community college in the next few months. While his IL case was ending, Glen thanked his provider for everything she and the program had done for him. He said that before IL services, he had no hope for the future. Now, he had a bright path forward. Glen’s IL provider noted that “Yes, Glen learned new skills. But, most importantly, he learned to believe in himself…he rightly believes he can be successful.”
More information about Independent Living Services on agency website.
A Letter of Reflection from the Director of the Washington State Department of Services for the Blind
Dear RSA Interim Commissioner Christopher Pope and Governor Bob Ferguson:
At the close of 2025, I am honored as Executive Director of the Washington State’s Department of Services for the Blind (DSB) to join the State Rehabilitation Council – Blind in sharing agency highlights of this past year.
There were numerous collective efforts in 2025 towards improving agency processes, deepening focus on the customer experience, and growing the skills, expertise and coordination of DSB staff to better support all DSB customers – our career-seeking customers as well as our business customers.
The comprehensive statewide needs assessment for this period identified opportunities to:
- Simplify processes
- Improve customer interactions and communications
- More holistically support customers’ concurrent multiple disabilities in addition to their visual disability
- Deepen workforce partnerships and support of business customer needs
- Innovate and expand self-advocacy and career exploration services for youth and students who are blind, low vision or deafblind, and their families
Simplify rehabilitation and workflow processes to better focus on customer needs and outcomes
Our process improvement efforts this past year aligned closely with the goals set forward in the DSB-specific sections of the 2024 Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) Washington State Plan, and many are a continuation of initiatives started in 2024. In 2025, we practiced, assessed and revised business practices in a year of “Baking It In”. The intent of the reforms is to better serve all our customers, and to make the career-seeking customer experience a supportive and meaningful engagement that moves each individual more securely and consistently to achieving their career goals.
We had reorganized our business structure, creating intertwining programs to support the needs of the career-seeking customer with a disability and the business customer seeking talent and supports to develop disability-friendly workplaces. In 2025 we solidified practices and developed process maps and systems for internal provision of services among the programs. We increased business service provision by 800%.
We had also radically altered our intake, eligibility and planning processes to streamline career-seeking customer entry into services.
In 2025 we refined customer intake processes by centralizing the processing of intakes and eligibility determinations and hiring those positions at the Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor level. We are better able to standardize the customer experience at intake and eligibility and have significantly reduced time-to-plan measures (reduced by 33%).
The planning process was radically reshaped into what is called “milestone planning”. The focus of the milestone planned services is on short-term activities of what the individual is able to commit to working towards now, with new milestone plans created in three- to six- month timespans as the goals are achieved and the individual identifies the next step they are willing to commit to. These milestone plans all lead to the identified career goal, and are designed to generate more active conversation with counselor and customer on activities, achievement, next steps, and obstacles and supports needed to get through the obstacles. The intent is to create a system where the counselor and customer is more able to build the trust and relationship that is necessary to persist in the vocational rehabilitation efforts even when it is at its most difficult, and to provide flexibilities that account for adult learning and decisioning needs. Our measure for success is to gauge what percentage of those who enter services also exit with their career goal achieved. For the past four years the measure was a static (and low) 30% rate exiting with career goal. In the past year we have raised the rate to 42%. Our end goal is for 70% of those who enter services also exit with a career.
With all the new process flows, there will continue to be a need for further analysis and refinement. There was some high achievement and progress towards the vision of these process changes in 2025, and still more to go.
Strengthening the agency’s focus on improving the responsiveness, quality, and frequency of counselor/participant communications
The intent of the structural process changes described above is to increase the responsiveness and quality of communication at the earliest stages of engagement. We have reduced the time from referral to intake from two weeks to one day, and we reduced by 38% the time from intake to eligibility. We intend to get the career-seeking customer into services as rapidly as possible and have made good strides in that goal.
We have worked to update, refresh and streamline the resources and information we provide the customer in the earliest stages of the vocational rehabilitation process, and are in process of plain talking our agency vocational rehabilitation policy found in the Washington Administrative Code. We are in process as well of plain talking all our internal policies in order to ensure the guidelines and rules we operate under are understood by all in a standard and consistent way.
We have developed internal controls for understanding the depth, quality and frequency of agency counseling and guidance with customers, a critical resource for supporting the customer needs, aligning goals and working through environmental obstacles. With the change to milestone planning and shorter-term more-focused plan goals and services, more frequent and meaningful communication among counselor and customer will be essential. The centralization of the Intake process and shifted duties to administrative support is intended to result in more counselor time available for more frequent check ins to encourage, cheerlead and resolve issues that arise. We are working to create a structure that allows counselors more time to utilize their skills as counselors, and thus keeping the plan moving forward and progressing.
Focus on staff training on how to best serve WA DSB populations including individuals with multiple disabilities
The agency has worked hard to consistently identify and address all functional limitations due to disability that can prevent an individual from getting, keeping or promoting in their career. This includes addressing disabilities other than visual disabilities. Our Client Assistance Program partners have acknowledged this agency practice at a State Rehabilitation Council meeting earlier this year.
While consistently identifying functional limitations due to multiple disabilities, we recognize there are gaps in our skills and resources of how best to support individuals with multiple disabilities. We have many new staff, and many new to counseling. Our new internal training team is planning to provide training on the understanding of various disability conditions and how they might interact with visual disabilities. This is in addition to increasing knowledge of the resources that exist outside of DSB that we might partner with to best support an individual with multiple disabilities.
Our 2024 State Plan goal identified our DeafBlind customers as an underserved population, noting the challenges of coordination of services and providing services that meet the needs of individuals who identify as DeafBlind or who have concurrent hearing and visual disabilities. The State Rehabilitation Council has taken a lead role in initiating surveys and listening sessions to better understand the unique aspects of serving an individual with both hearing and visual disabilities. They have completed a survey of ten of the 34 current customers, and are scheduling listening sessions into 2026 to identify issues and make recommendations.
Concurrently, DSB staff have organized a DeafBlind Consortium, which is bringing together a wide array of service providers who interact with the DeafBlind community. In 2025 the partners shared in depth each organization’s role and scope, and developed pathways for better coordinating services. The Consortium will continue into 2026, building on the connections made in 2025.
More direct support of participants with job readiness, job placement, and communication with employers to support an individual’s success on the job, with engagement and support of each unique path towards a career
The Business Relations team was expanded in 2024 and has been “Baking It In” over 2025. As noted, there was a remarkable increase in services to businesses this past year, an 800% increase in documented services over 2024.
The Business Relations team has developed pathways for accessible job readiness trainings through the WorkSource American Jobs Center WIOA partners which had not existed before this year. The Strategies for Success six-week interactive workshop was made accessible for individuals who are blind, deafblind or low vision, and there has been enthusiastic feedback from DSB customers who attended the pilot programs. We are excited to expand this model in 2026.
The Business Relations Team developed Service Menus for the vocational rehabilitation teams to understand what services they can provide to a career-seeking customer and what stage in their vocational rehabilitation progress various services might make most sense in seamlessly preparing the customer for their job search.
The Business Relations Team has brought businesses and hiring entities into the agency to educate DSB staff and customers as to current recruitment expectations, processes and workplace cultural considerations. Internal job clubs and other workshops have been pioneered to meet the customer job readiness needs.
DSB offices have developed monthly peer support groups where customers in the job search phase mingle with peers who are employed and active in their careers to share experiences and insight.
Offices actively support customer engagement with the two consumer organizations for the peer connections that can boost the self-advocacy and self-belief that is essential in getting and keeping a career.
Advocating for inclusion of younger youth
DSB regained the ability to serve customers of all ages by securing state general funding that supports activities and services for blind youth ages birth through 13, and their families.
The Explorers Program, as the Birth through 13 program is called, has served 79 individuals in its first full year. Peer connections, education and skills building activities have been developed, such as the monthly Parent Connection Zoom sessions with a twelve-hour course provided by vision professionals and blind community members. Bringing youth together who are blind, deafblind or low vision is a critical aspect of the Explorers programming, to reduce potential isolation and to develop peer connections whether through attending sports activities, adapted self-defense classes, Family Jam overnight activities, exploring careers or learning skills.
The Explorers programming acts as a gateway to connecting youth to the Pre-Employment Transition Services and application for vocational rehabilitation services when they reach their 14th birthday.
Enhancing accessibility services that include digital and assistive technology, and training participants to ensure technology solutions work
DSB added capacity for an Accessibility Coordinator in the agency’s Information Technology Department, and they have been active in identifying and correcting internal gaps in accessibility in our communications, forms and website, as well as supporting other businesses and agencies in providing training and resources for their own ability to identify and correct accessibility issues.
This staff is active in fostering and supporting the state enterprise through active participation in Accessibility Communities of Practice and active mentoring of peer IT staff. The focus is to provide services that lead to self-sufficiency. With the addition of this position, the agency is much more accessible for all customers and staff, and the state enterprise becomes more of a career option for the agency career-seeking customers because of the increased and more consistent digital accessibility structures.
2025 has been an active year
There have been many challenges that we have faced as an agency over the past year, and so many triumphs. I am proud and grateful of the care and dedication DSB staff give to our customers – both the career-seeking customer with a disability as well as the business customer.
DSB staff carry a drive to support individuals to find new ways of interacting with an environment that is built for sighted people and can create obstacles for people who are blind, deafblind or low vision. DSB staff thrill when a customer discovers a higher sense of self-belief and confidence in managing that environment with greater independence, and when a customer’s belief in what they can do as a blind individual suddenly blooms into a new universe of possibilities once they have gained some adaptive skills of blindness. We are honored and blessed to work in a field where individuals discover daily how much more they can do than they might have thought and then discover even more possibility.
I am grateful to the active dedication and partnership we have engaged in with the State Rehabilitation Council - Blind; our federal RSA partners; the DSHS Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR); the 29 federally recognized tribes and the ten Tribal Vocational Rehabilitation partners in the region; the Washington State School for the Blind (WSSB); the Washington Talking Book and Braille Library (WTBBL); the consumer organizations National Federation of the Blind – Washington (NFBW) and the Washington Council of the Blind (WCB); the Washington State Workforce and Education Board and WIOA partners; of the community in general; of the customers past and present who have offered insight and feedback. And so many more! We as an agency recognize we can’t achieve what we need to for our customers without a broad network of support and coordination.
Having such strong community connections and such incredibly dedicated staff, I feel confident that 2026 will be another year of great achievement for our career-seeking and business customers.
Respectfully,
Michael MacKillop
Executive Director
Previous State Rehabilitation Councils for the Blind Annual Reports
All Reports are PDFs.