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A&O wins bid to complete a Statewide Needs Assessment for the NYS Commission for the Blind

Dec 7th 2020

The New York State Office of Children & Family Services (OCFS) has selected A&O to conduct a comprehensive statewide needs assessment  for The New York State Commission for the Blind (NYSCB). NYSCB provides vocational and rehabilitation services to more than 4,500 consumers with blindness and visual impairment through seven district offices located throughout New York State. The assessment will include quantitative analysis of the state's case management data system, fiscal modeling and forecasting, as well as surveys, focus groups and interviews - all developed to meet 508 compliance and accessibility standards. The inquiries are designed to:  

  • assess factors related to successful case closures, i.e., demographics, secondary disabilities and functional limitations, and the combination/s of services received;
  • gain the perspectives of district office staff regarding system outcomes, service barriers and successful collaborations;
  • examine how the use of braille impacted success in school, college, and/or vocational training;
  • assess proficiency and level of experience with braille among  teachers of the visually impaired and vision rehabilitation therapists;
  • and complete fiscal forecasting to gain an improved understanding of students who are eligible or potentially eligible for services.

A&O will present the analysis, findings, and recommendations in a white paper to be incorporated into the annual plan for the Federal Rehabilitation Services Administration.