The independent living services for older individuals who are blind program supports services to assist individuals aged 55 or older whose severe visual impairment makes competitive employment extremely difficult to obtain, but for whom independent living goals are feasible. Funds are used to provide independent living services, conduct activities that will improve or expand services for these individuals and conduct activities to improve public understanding of the barriers faced by these individuals. Services are designed to help persons served under this program adjust to their blindness by increasing their ability to care for their individual needs.  In order to access training and other services under this program, eligible participants may be provided transportation while engaged in the program.  Independent living services may also include travel training (orientation and mobility) and assistance in identifying ongoing transportation service providers in the local community.  The size of funding for this program is currently slightly over $30,000,000 annually.  Grant recipients are the designated state units serving individuals who are blind in each state.

The statutory language pertaining to transportation provisions within this program is found within the following citation(s):

29 U.S.C.A. § 796k

http://www.ed.gov/programs/rsailob/index.html