Virginia Department for the Blind and Vision Impaired (DBVI)

03/15/2026

Make sure to be weather aware as we go into tomorrow's storm threat. Follow your local news for the latest in your area.

03/12/2026

Counting down to next month's DeafBlind Awareness Expo!

Discover the latest technology, tools, and services that help individuals who are DeafBlind live more independently at home, in the community, and at work.
📅 Date: Saturday, April 18, 2026
🕙 Time: 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM
📍 Location: Wayne Hill Baptist Church, 877 Ladd Road, Waynesboro, VA 22890
This event is open to anyone who is DeafBlind, Deaf, Hard of Hearing, or Blind, as well as family members and the public.

Questions? Contact Charity Reid-Davis at (540) 324-2411 or Charity.Reid-Davis@dbvi.virginia.gov

03/12/2026

And that’s a wrap! The three-day training with our Orientation & Mobility instructors finished after receiving to s of great information to better serve individuals who are deadblind. Thank you to Amy Parker, Associate Professor and Coordinator of the DeafBlind Orientation and Mobility Program at Portland State University in Oregon. She provided the O&M instructors training on cane skills, basic protactle communication, travel apps and more.

03/11/2026

DBVI Orientation & Mobility staff are in Richmond this week for training on how to better serve individuals who are deafblind. Training started in the classroom and then moved outside in the community.

03/10/2026

DEADLINE EXTENDED: RSVP today for this year's Audible Egg Hunt held in Abingdon on March 21st from 11am - 1pm at Pleasant View United Methodist Church. This event is held for children with vision impairments and their family/ siblings.

Join us for an egg hunt and prizes, face painting, crafts, pizza and more!

RSVP to Lisa Fields by this Friday, March 13th at Lisa.Fields@dbvi.virginia.gov.

03/07/2026

This week DBVI celebrated its first graduate through the CVS Career Skills Lab. This program it’s the only one of its kind nationwide offered through an agency that serves individuals who are blind. Its focus is producing credentialed individuals ready to meet the employment needs in customer service. DBVI was honored to have the Deputy Secretary of HHR with us to celebrate the occasion and encourage not only the graduate, but also other program participants.

03/05/2026

This afternoon at VSDB Day, students heard from staff at Virginia Industries for the Blind about the services they provide. They also learned about DeafBlind services offered by DBVI. Virginia School for the Deaf and the Blind

03/05/2026

DBVI staff showed how to use an Active Learning Environment aide. This tool helps teach infants how to explore and interact with the world without using their sight. It encourages learning through curiosity and play. Virginia School for the Deaf and the Blind

03/05/2026

DBVI students and staff are taking part in VSDB Day at the Virginia School for the Deaf and Blind. This is a chance for students and parents to learn about DBVI programs and meet one-on-one with a DBVI vocational rehabilitation counselor. The day is off to a great start! Virginia School for the Deaf and the Blind

02/25/2026

Are you a family looking to learn more about Pre-Employment Transition Services?

This page from our friends at the National Technical Assistance Center on Transition is a great place to start and breaks down what Pre-ETS are and how they support students with disabilities in preparing for work.
RAISE Center

Pre-Employment Transition Services Both vocational rehabilitation agencies and schools are required by law to provide certain transition services and supports to improve post-school outcomes of students with disabilities. The Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) amends the Rehabilitation....

02/25/2026

It is with heavy hearts that DBVI has heard of the passing of long-time employee Debbie Helms. Her work and dedication to the individuals she served in the Roanoke area will be remembered.

02/24/2026

This is all about self-determination. Learn how autonomy, competence, and relatedness can help you make choices, build confidence, and connect with others. Explore the CAR (Competence, Autonomy, Relatedness) tool.

Explore self-determination through the lenses of three human psychological needs: competence, autonomy, and relatedness.