ICBVI

What ICBVI does

Idaho Commission for the Blind & Visually Impaired (ICBVI) is a state government agency established in 1967 under Idaho Statute 67-5403, designated as the sole state entity responsible for vocational rehabilitation and independent living services for Idahoans who are blind or visually impaired. Operating from a Boise headquarters at 341 W. Washington St. with five additional regional offices (Coeur d'Alene, Idaho Falls, Lewiston, Pocatello, Twin Falls), ICBVI delivers a continuum of services through ten primary programs: Vocational Rehabilitation, the residential Assessment and Training Center (ATC), the Business Enterprise Program (BEP) for blind entrepreneurs under the Randolph-Sheppard Act, Independent Living Rehabilitation Services, a Low Vision Clinic, Sight Restoration medical funding, Services to Businesses, ICBVI Stores (350+ low vision aid products), Transition and Youth Services (Pre-ETS and summer programs), and Peer Support Groups. Services are provided at no cost to eligible individuals and are funded through Idaho state appropriations and federal Rehabilitation Services Administration grants.

The business model is non-commercial: ICBVI does not sell services to end users (the fee structure for clients is "Other — free services for eligible individuals"), and revenue mechanics run through state and federal appropriations plus vending facility income accruing to licensed blind vendors, not the agency. The customer base spans four primary personas — adults seeking employment (primary segment), students and youth ages 14-22, individuals seeking independent living, and Idaho businesses — served through direct in-person counseling, residential training at the ATC (9-12 week terms with dormitory), retail storefronts, and partnership referrals. Distribution is fully in-person across the six offices plus the residential ATC, with content marketing via the icbvi.idaho.gov website and a YouTube channel (@ICBVI) used to publicize services and collect testimonials.

The agency's competitive positioning rests on its statutorily protected regulatory monopoly as the State Licensing Agency under the Randolph-Sheppard Act, nearly six decades of specialized rehabilitation expertise, and an integrated referral network with WIOA workforce partners (Idaho Department of Labor, IDVR, Idaho CTE) and over a dozen disability advocacy organizations. No private equity, M&A activity, or external equity capital is involved, and operating geographies are statutorily confined to Idaho.

Name

ICBVI

Legal name

Idaho Commission for the Blind & Visually Impaired

Website

https://icbvi.idaho.gov

Company type

Private

Founded year

1967

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

The Idaho Commission for the Blind & Visually Impaired (ICBVI) is a 1967-established state government agency operating six regional offices across Idaho to provide free vocational rehabilitation, independent living, youth transition, and low-vision clinical services to blind and visually impaired Idahoans, funded by state appropriations and federal grants.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Vocational Rehabilitation Services

NAICS

Services for the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities (62412), Services for the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities (624120), Educational Support Services (611710)

SIC

Services-Specialty Outpatient Facilities, Nec (8093), Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Computer Access & Alternative Input (Switch, Eye Gaze, Head/Mouse, Keyboards) (EDAKAIAD)

akta.pro secondary industries

Assistive Technology (AT) & AAC Services (EDAJAKAF), Accessibility & Assistive Technology IT Support (EDALAMAJ)

Keywords

• Vocational rehabilitation services
• Independent living services
• Low vision aids
• Assistive technology training
• Business enterprise program

Headquarters

HQ city

Boise

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices6 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Government Appropriations: ICBVI is a state government agency funded through Idaho state appropriations and federal grants, including funds from the Rehabilitation Services Administration. Services are provided at no cost to eligible individuals who meet eligibility requirements.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Idaho Commission for the Blind & Visually Impaired (ICBVI) is a state government agency that provides vocational rehabilitation, independent living skills training, low vision clinical services, assistive technology training, and a Randolph-Sheppard Business Enterprise Program to blind and visually impaired Idahoans. Services are delivered through six regional offices, a residential Assessment and Training Center, a Low Vision Clinic, and retail stores selling low vision aids.

Product overview

ICBVI operates as a unified service organization offering vocational rehabilitation and independent living programs for blind and visually impaired Idahoans. The core offerings include the Vocational Rehabilitation Program for employment support, the Assessment and Training Center (ATC) as a residential training facility, the Business Enterprise Program (BEP) for entrepreneurship through vending facility operations, Independent Living Rehabilitation Services for home-based skills training, the Low Vision Clinic for vision evaluation and aids, Sight Restoration services for medical procedures, Services to Businesses for employer partnerships, ICBVI Stores for low vision products, Transition and Youth Services including Pre-ETS and summer programs, and Peer Support Groups. These programs work together to provide a continuum of care from early intervention through employment and independent living.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Vocational Rehabilitation Program

Quantifiable outcome

• 114 facilities operated by licensed blind vendors statewide
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

16 partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Boise Bench Lions ClubminorOthers · 16 April 2026Community service organization that donated $1,750 to support student-built wooden planter boxes as part of ICBVI's industrial arts program, helping students develop woodworking skills and confidence.
• American Printing House for the BlindminorOthersPartner organization that empowers people who are blind or low vision by providing accessible and innovative products, materials, and services for lifelong success. ICBVI refers clients to access their resources.
• Disability Action Center – NW (DAC-NW)minorOthersServes North Idaho, focusing on empowering people with disabilities to live independently through advocacy, peer mentoring, skills training, and community education.
• Disability Rights IdahominorOthersIdaho's designated Protection and Advocacy System for people with disabilities, dedicated to educating, advocating, investigating, and litigating to protect and advance the rights of Idahoans with disabilities.
• Idaho Assistive Technology ProjectminorOthersProvides support for individuals with disabilities and older persons in their personal selection of assistive technology as they live, work, and play in their communities.
• Idaho Commission for Libraries – Talking Book ServiceminorOthersProvides a free, convenient audiobook library service for Idahoans who are unable to read standard print due to low vision, blindness, or physical, perceptual, or reading disability.
• Idaho Educational Services for the Deaf and Blind (IESDB)minorOthersProvides supplemental educational services, early intervention/education, consultation, and transition support to families and local school districts throughout Idaho.
• LIFE, A Center for Independent LivingminorOthersServes Eastern Idaho by supporting individuals with disabilities in achieving and maintaining independence through advocacy, skills training, peer support, and assistance with accessing community resources.
• Living Independence Network Corporation (LINC)minorOthersA nonprofit Center for Independent Living dedicated to promoting independent living for individuals with disabilities in southwestern Idaho, offering advocacy, skills training, peer support, and assistance with benefits or housing.
• National Braille PressminorOthersEmpowers the blind and visually impaired with programs, materials, and technology supporting braille literacy and learning through touch.
• National Federation of the Blind of IdahominorOthersState affiliate of the oldest and largest nationwide organization of blind Americans, defending the rights of blind people and providing information and support to families.
• NFB-NEWSLINEminorOthersA free audio news service for anyone who is blind, low-vision, deafblind, or otherwise print-disabled offering access to more than 500 publications, emergency weather alerts, and job listings.
• National Library Service for the Blind and Physically HandicappedminorOthersFree braille and talking book library service for people with temporary or permanent low vision, blindness, or physical, perceptual, or reading disability through a national network of cooperating libraries.
• Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) PartnerscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWIOA establishes the Workforce Development System providing funding to support training and employment services. ICBVI works with Idaho Department of Labor, Idaho Division of Career and Technical Education (CTE), and Idaho Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (IDVR) as WIOA partners to serve Idaho students, job seekers, and businesses.
• Idaho Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (IDVR)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWIOA partner agency providing vocational rehabilitation services. ICBVI coordinates with IDVR for job listings and shares resources for serving Idahoans with disabilities.
• Idaho Department of LaborcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWIOA partner providing workforce development services. ICBVI connects clients with IDOL for employment services and job placement assistance.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• State Services for the Blind (Minnesota): Minnesota's state agency for the blind and visually impaired — a direct peer state VR agency offering the same continuum of vocational rehabilitation, independent living, AT training, and Randolph-Sheppard business enterprise programs as ICBVI. Structurally identical model, providing a comparable benchmark.
• Washington State Department of Services for the Blind: Washington's designated state agency for blind/visually impaired residents, providing vocational rehabilitation, independent living, AT training, and the Randolph-Sheppard Business Enterprise Program. Most direct functional peer to ICBVI in the Pacific Northwest.
• Oregon Commission for the Blind: Oregon's state agency delivering vocational rehabilitation, independent living services, and AT training to blind/visually impaired Oregonians. Direct regional peer to ICBVI with same statutory framework and service categories.

Broad incumbents

• National Federation of the Blind: National advocacy and service organization for blind Americans, providing direct programs in information/referral, scholarship, and assistive technology that complement state vocational rehabilitation agencies like ICBVI. Operates the Idaho state affiliate (NFB of Idaho), a documented ICBVI referral partner.
• Lighthouse Guild: National nonprofit operating vision rehabilitation, behavioral health, and AT training services for people with vision loss. Operates a low vision clinic and rehabilitation programs paralleling ICBVI's Low Vision Clinic and Vocational Rehabilitation Program, though serving a broader multi-state catchment.

Others

• American Printing House for the Blind: Federally chartered nonprofit providing accessible educational and daily-living products (Braille, large print, tactile graphics) for people who are blind or visually impaired. Listed as a documented ICBVI referral partner, supplying much of the product catalog sold through the ICBVI Stores.

Regional players

• Idaho Assistive Technology Project: Idaho's state AT project providing support for individuals with disabilities and older persons in selecting assistive technology for living, work, and community participation. Direct overlap with ICBVI's AT training and computer literacy programs; documented referral partner.
• Living Independence Network Corporation (LINC): Southwestern Idaho Center for Independent Living dedicated to independent living for individuals with disabilities, offering advocacy, skills training, peer support, and benefits/housing assistance. Documented ICBVI referral partner with overlapping IL scope.
• Disability Action Center – NW: North Idaho Center for Independent Living providing advocacy, peer mentoring, skills training, and community education for people with disabilities. Listed as an ICBVI referral partner; operates overlapping independent living services in a subset of ICBVI's territory.
• Idaho Educational Services for the Deaf and Blind (IESDB): Idaho agency providing supplemental educational services, early intervention/education, consultation, and transition support to families and local school districts serving students with sensory disabilities. Overlaps with ICBVI's Pre-ETS transition services for students ages 14-22.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses3 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/@ICBVI
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/icbvi

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about ICBVI