Washington State Department of Services for the Blind

What Washington State Department of Services for the Blind does

The Washington State Department of Services for the Blind (DSB) is a Washington State government agency, headquartered in Tacoma, that delivers vocational rehabilitation, independent living, youth transition, and assistive technology services to state residents who are blind, Deaf-Blind, or low vision. Operating through six regional offices and 86 employees, the agency administers programs including vocational rehabilitation (VR), Pre-Employment Transition Services (Pre-ETS) for students, Older Blind Independent Living, and the federally-licensed Business Enterprise Program, which grants vending facility priority on federal property to qualifying vendors who are blind. DSB also operates the Explorers youth program, registered apprenticeship pathways, and a White Cane Safety Day observance in partnership with the Governor's Office.

DSB's service delivery model is grounded in individualized case management by trained vocational rehabilitation counselors, supplemented by contracted community partners (Northwest Career & Technical Academy, Junior Blind of America, Lighthouse for the Blind, Washington State School for the Blind). Technical capabilities are primarily human-delivered counseling and training rather than automated systems; assistive technology instruction is provided as a service to clients but is not developed in-house. The Business Enterprise Program involves licensing and oversight of vending facility operators on federal and state property under the federal Randolph-Sheppard Act framework.

The agency's funding model is public-sector rather than commercial: revenues derive from federal grants administered by the U.S. Department of Education's Rehabilitation Services Administration (Vocational Rehabilitation, Pre-ETS, Older Blind) and matching state appropriations. The federal share carries the majority weight — 78.7% on the primary VR line for FFY2026 — with Washington state general funds providing the required match. Customer relationships are non-commercial and non-transactional; there are no pricing models, contracts, or sales cycles in the conventional sense.

Name

Washington State Department of Services for the Blind

Legal name

Washington State Department of Services for the Blind

Website

https://dsb.wa.gov

Company type

Public

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Washington State agency delivering vocational rehabilitation, independent living, youth transition, and assistive technology services to residents who are blind, Deaf-Blind, or low vision across six regional offices, funded by federal Rehabilitation Services Administration grants and state appropriations.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Vocational Rehabilitation and Disability Services

NAICS

Vocational Rehabilitation Services (624310), Services for the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities (624120)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Interagency Coordination & Case Management (VR, DD, Medicaid Waivers) (EDAKANAM)

akta.pro secondary industries

Disability Services & Independent Living Support (BPAGAEAG), Assistive Technology (AT) & AAC Services (EDAJAKAF), Assistive Technology & AAC for Young Children (EDACAFAL)

Keywords

• Vocational rehabilitation services
• Blindness skills training
• Assistive technology services
• Independent living services
• Youth transition programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Seattle

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices6 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Others, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Vocational Rehabilitation Program Funding: Government-funded program receiving 78.7% federal funding ($12,937,647 for FFY 2026) from U.S. Department of Education, with 21.3% state match ($3,501,549). Services are provided free to eligible individuals.
2. Pre-Employment Transition Services (Pre-ETS): Fully federally funded program at 100% ($1,940,647 for FFY 2026) providing pre-employment services to students with disabilities aged 14-22.
3. Older Blind Services: Program for adults 55+ receiving 90% federal funding ($672,568 for FFY 2026) with 10% state match ($74,730).
4. Independent Living Program Funding: Program receiving 90% federal funding ($681,945 for FFY 2023) from U.S. Department of Education with 10% state funding ($75,772). Services are provided free to qualifying individuals.
5. Business Enterprise Program: Program enabling legally blind adults to operate vending and food service businesses at government facilities under the Randolph-Sheppard Act. Vendors operate independent businesses generating their own revenue.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

The Washington State Department of Services for the Blind (DSB) is a state government agency that provides free vocational rehabilitation, independent living, blindness skills training, and assistive technology services to individuals who are Blind, Deaf-Blind, or Low Vision across Washington State. Services span the full life cycle from early childhood (Explorers Program) through youth transition (Pre-ETS, YES, 3T Academy), adult employment support (Vocational Rehabilitation, Business Enterprise Program), and independent living services for older adults.

Product overview

Washington State Department of Services for the Blind (DSB) is a government agency providing a comprehensive portfolio of services rather than a unified software product. The core offerings include Vocational Rehabilitation Services for employment support, an Independent Living Services Program for daily living skills, and a Training Center for Blindness Skills (OTC) for intensive skills training. The agency provides Aids and Devices including assistive technology and equipment. Youth programs include the DSB Explorers Program for children under 13, YES Programs (YES1 and YES2) for teen career preparation with paid internships, and 3T Academy for college readiness. Pre-Employment Transition Services prepare students for careers, while the Business Enterprise Program supports self-employment through vending and food service business ownership. Assistive Technology Services provide technology assessment and training. These services work together to support individuals who are Blind, Deaf-Blind, or Low Vision across all life stages from early childhood through adulthood.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Vocational Rehabilitation Services Comprehensive career support services including career counseling, job placement assistance, training, and assistive technology for individuals who are Blind, Deaf-Blind, or Low Vision seeking employment in Washington State.
• Independent Living Services Program Free program providing skills training for daily living, assistive technology, orientation and mobility training, and emotional adjustment support for individuals aged 24+ with visual disabilities who are not employed or in school.
• Training Center for Blindness Skills (OTC) Intensive residential training program in Seattle teaching blindness and low vision skills including home economics, orientation and mobility, Braille, computer/accessibility technology, and employment preparation.
• Aids and Devices Free assistive technology devices and training for individuals with visual disabilities, including magnifiers, talking watches, canes, large-print materials, adaptive phones/calculators, tactile markers, kitchen devices, and smart speakers.
• DSB Explorers Program Family-centered program providing experiences, activities, and support for children under age 13 who are Blind, Deaf-Blind, or Low Vision, including parent connections, family meet & greets, and community building.
• YES Programs (Youth Employment Solutions) Youth Employment Solutions 1 and 2 (YES1 and YES2) — residential summer programs providing career preparation, paid internships, job skills training, and independent living skills for blind and visually disabled teens and young adults.
• 3T Academy College readiness program for students ages 16-21 consisting of an eight-month virtual afterschool component and a two-week residential program at Eastern Washington University, covering academic mindset, transition skills, and career readiness.
• Pre-Employment Transition Services (Pre-ETS) Career readiness services for students with disabilities aged 14-22, providing job exploration counseling, work-based learning experiences, post-secondary counseling, and self-advocacy training.
• Business Enterprise Program (BEP) Self-employment program enabling legally blind adults to operate vending, food service, and micro-market businesses through training, licensing, equipment provision, and ongoing business support under the Randolph-Sheppard Act.
• Assistive Technology Services Assessment, acquisition, customization, repair, and training services for assistive technology devices including screen readers (JAWS), magnification software, Braille readers, and adaptive equipment for employment and daily living.

Quantifiable outcome

• Services provided free to eligible individuals with no co-pays or fees
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers12 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Washington State School for the Blind (WSSB)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDSB partners with WSSB on youth programs, workshops, and the Learning Independence for Today and Tomorrow (LIFTT) program. WSSB hosts the YES1 residential program for students ages 14-16. Collaboration includes joint program development and service delivery for students with visual disabilities.
• PAVE - Partnerships for Action | Voices for EmpowermentminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPAVE provides support, training, information, and resources to empower individuals, youth, and families impacted by disabilities. PAVE serves as an additional resource referral for families served by DSB.
• National Federation of the Blind of Washington (NFBW) - Parents GroupminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNFBW sponsors a Parents Group to support both parents of blind children and blind parents. DSB refers families to this peer support network.
• SEA Discovery CenterminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMarine Explorers program partnership where SEA Discovery Center hosts DSB Explorers and families for marine science activities, promoting orientation and mobility skills in different environments while learning about careers in science and conservation.
• King County MetrocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNeighborhood Pop-Up partnership at DSB Seattle Office to assist customers with ORCA card services, Regional Reduced Fare Permit applications, adding fare products, and transit guidance. Partnership brings Metro representatives directly to DSB customers.
• Seattle Lighthouse for the BlindminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPast employer hosting YES2 summer internships for visually disabled youth. Provides work experience opportunities as part of DSB's youth employment program.
• MicrosoftminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPast employer hosting YES2 summer internships. Provides work experience opportunities for visually disabled youth as part of DSB's career preparation program.
• WorkSource WashingtoncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with statewide WorkSource system for job placement, career fairs, and workforce development services. DSB participates in WorkSource events and training to help customers access competitive employment opportunities.
• Financial Beginnings WashingtonminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNonprofit partnership for youth financial literacy workshops. DSB Youth Services specialists assist in facilitating the Financial Reality Fair workshop using the 'Bite of Reality' app for budget education.
• Western Washington University - Disability Support CenterminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for 3T Academy college readiness program held at Eastern Washington University. WWU's disability support staff participate in panel discussions about the college experience for visually disabled students.
• Washington State Tribal Vocational Rehabilitation ProgramscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDSB maintains collaborative relationships with Tribal VR programs across Washington State to coordinate services for Native American individuals with visual disabilities and ensure culturally appropriate support.
• Association of Programs for Rural Independent Living (APRIL)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDSB Youth Services staff attend APRIL conferences which include youth tracks focused on leadership, self-advocacy, disability, and intersectionality. DSB youth participants aged 16-21 are invited to participate.
• Northwest Association for Blind Athletes (NWABA)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner for youth wellness activities. NWABA staff facilitate wellness exercise routines during DSB youth programming to promote physical health and activity.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Others

• American Printing House for the Blind (APH): National nonprofit producer of accessible educational materials and assistive products for blind individuals. An ecosystem supplier to DSB's training and aids-and-devices programs rather than a service competitor.
• National Federation of the Blind (NFB): National advocacy and peer support organization for blind individuals. Does not provide direct VR services but influences federal Rehabilitation Act policy, partners with state agencies like DSB on parent/peer networks, and shapes the political environment for VR funding.
• U.S. Department of Education - Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA): Federal oversight body that administers the VR grants that fund DSB and all sister state agencies. Not a competitor but the principal funding intermediary and regulator that sets eligibility, performance, and reporting standards DSB operates under.

Direct peers

• New York State Office for People With Developmental Disabilities / Commission for the Blind: New York's state agency providing vocational rehabilitation and independent living services for blind individuals. Operates under the same federal-state funding model and serves a comparable set of customer segments to DSB.
• California Department of Rehabilitation (DOR) - Blind and Visually Impaired Services: California's state VR agency that includes specialized services for individuals who are blind, deaf-blind, or low vision. Funded by the same federal VR program and providing comparable vocational rehabilitation, training, and assistive technology services.
• Texas Health and Human Services Commission - Blind Children's Vocational Discovery and Development Program / Division for Blind Services: Texas state agency providing vocational rehabilitation and independent living services to blind individuals—the direct functional equivalent of DSB in another state. Both agencies administer federal VR funding and operate the Older Blind program under the same Rehabilitation Act authority.
• Florida Division of Blind Services (DBS): Florida's state agency providing vocational rehabilitation, independent living, and the Business Enterprise Program for blind residents. Functionally parallel to DSB with the same Randolph-Sheppard vending program and federal VR funding structure.

Emerging players

• Hadley Institute for the Blind and Visually Impaired: National nonprofit providing distance education and braille/literacy resources to blind adults. Reaches the same population as DSB's Independent Living Program via virtual delivery, complementing rather than competing with state VR services.
• Lighthouse for the Blind of Washington (Seattle Lighthouse): Regional nonprofit serving blind and low-vision individuals in the Pacific Northwest. Overlaps with DSB's service territory and population, particularly in employment and skills training, but operates as a contracted CRP employer host rather than a VR case services provider.

Broad incumbents

• Perkins School for the Blind: National nonprofit serving blind and deafblind individuals through education, rehabilitation, and assistive technology services. Overlaps with DSB on the youth transition and independence-living side, though Perkins operates as a private school rather than a state VR agency.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@washingtondsb631?si=GHefRXzjsIwTJt53
• Facebookfacebook.com/DSBWashington
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/washington-state-department-of-services-for-the-blind

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Washington State Department of Services for the Blind