North Dakota Program Information
What are the eligibility requirements?
Applicants must be 55 years old or older, have a visual impairment (such as macular degeneration, cataracts, glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, etc.), not be working or seeking work, and be living in their own home or other independent setting (not in a nursing home). Services are tailored to meet their individual needs. There is no cost for our services. There may be a small cost for assistive technology items.
What is the process for applying for services?
Call, email, or fill out our online referral form, and can determine eligibility. Once we have determined eligibility, we will schedule an in-home assessment.
What documentation is required?
We do not require specific documentation. There may be times that we need documentation from your eye doctor to provide the best services.
Available services:
- Advocacy Training and Support
- Assistive Technology Devices and Training
- Magnifiers
- Lighting
- Glare Control
- Contrast
- Communication Skills
- Telling Time
- Use of the telephone
- Financial management
- Writing and or transcribing
- Computer or tablet training
- Daily Living Skills
- Meal preparation
- Labeling and or organizing
- Clothing care
- Leisure activities
- Personal care and or grooming
- Home management tasks
- Counseling related to vision diagnosis
- Information and referral
Additional service information:
- North Dakota Assistive – phone program
- North Dakota State Library – talking books
- Eye-Link North Dakota – grant for low vision devices
- Lions Video Magnifier Program – video magnifier (CCTV).
- Contact your local Lion's Club today to inquire about their CCTV program
- North Dakota Vision Services/School for the Blind – orientation and mobility services
Program contact information:
Aimee Volk, Vision and Independent Living Services Program Manager
- Phone: 701-328-8950
- Email: alvolk@nd.gov
Statewide Program Contact:
- Phone: 1-800-755-2745
- Email: dhsvr@nd.gov
Online referral forms take 1-2 business days for processing.
North Dakota Vision Services Flyer
Client Success Story
Inspirational Fargo woman thrives despite vision loss
There is not a day that goes by that 91-year-old Marcy Peterson isn’t either writing, painting or cooking in the comfort of her own home.
“I try to learn something new every day,” she said.
Twenty years ago, she helped care for her husband as he battled the challenges of macular degeneration.
Little did she know that she would soon walk in his shoes. Life with legal blindness created obstacles, but she didn't let them stop her from remaining independent.
“I’m determined, and that’s what keeps me going,” she said. “You find a way of doing things that you never thought of before, and you have to be willing to not only look for help but to accept it.”
Simple solutions that support independence
In 2011, Marcy and her husband moved to Fargo and two years later he went into nursing home. Afraid to live alone, she connected with the Older Individuals Who are Blind Program through the Vocational Rehabilitation Program.
A vision rehabilitation specialist went to her home and showed her how simple solutions could enable her to remain independent. Together, they installed self-adhesive round bump dots on several household appliances to help Marcy identify by touch how to use each one.
“I’m able to run my stove and microwave and do my laundry because of these markers,” she said. “Most of what I do is from feeling or memory, so by doing this, it has enabled me to stay in my home.”
Through the years, VR and other partners have provided her with additional assistive devices that have contributed to her successfully remaining in her home. Marcy also purchased a video magnifier that allows her to write checks, read recipes, create crafts and author poetry.
Independence fuels writing passion
Independent living has also allowed Marcy to focus on her life-long passion, writing.
About two years ago, she joined a writing group that made an impact on her life.
With the help of her video magnifier and encouragement from her group, she wrote a poem titled “The Visit.” It was selected to be printed in the Fargo Public Library’s 2023 Northern Narratives publication.
“It was a highlight of my year,” she said. “The poem was a tribute to my husband and a story about the year he spent in a nursing home. I wrote it because I wanted to remember the things that he told me and the last thing he ever said to me.”
Marcy Peterson, a true inspiration and determined woman who plans to continue to live successfully in her home with the help of North Dakota Health and Human Services Vocational Rehabilitation Program.