Florida Program Information
What are the eligibility requirements?
To be eligible for services, you must have a bilateral vision impairment that constitutes the need for independent living training, service/s needed that can be provided by the program.
What is the process for applying for services?
An online application is required for services. Apply online at http://aware.dbs.fldoe.org/ApplyForServices. After submitting an application for services, the individual will be contacted by phone to complete an intake screening.
What documentation is required?
- Eye Report preferred at intake but is required within 12 months.
- Required to provide citizenship status. Eligibility is based on immigration status.
What questions will you be asked when you first call?
- Demographic information
- Eye medical diagnosis
- Service needs
- Other (Based on your district)
Contact the DBS Office Nearest You
Northwest Florida
DBS Regional Office:
Florida Division of Blind Services
600 University Office Blvd., Bldg. 17
Pensacola, FL 32504
850-484-5122
Serving Counties: Escambia, Okaloosa, Santa Rosa, Walton
DBS Regional Office:
Florida Division of Blind Services
2505 W. 15th Street, Suite B
Panama City, FL 32401
850-872-4181
Serving Counties: Gulf, Jackson, Holmes, Washington, Bay, Calhoun
Partnering Agency:
Independence for the Blind of West Florida
3107 N. Davis Hwy.
Pensacola, FL 32503
850-477-2663
850-497-4025
DBS Regional Office:
Florida Division of Blind Services
3900 Commonwealth Boulevard Suite 351, Douglas Building
Tallahassee, FL 32399
850-245-0370
1-800-672-7038
Serving Counties: Franklin, Gadsden, Hamilton, Jefferson, Suwannee, Wakulla, Leon, Liberty, Madison, LaFayette, Taylor
Partner Agency:
Lighthouse of the Big Bend
3071 Highland Oaks Terrace
Tallahassee, FL 32301
850-942-3658
850-942-4518
North Florida
DBS Regional Office:
Florida Division of Blind Services
1809 Art Museum Dr. Suite 201
Jacksonville, FL 32207
904-348-2730
1-800-226-6356
Serving Counties: Baker, Duval, St. Johns, Clay, Nassau
Partnering Agency:
Florida State College at Jacksonville
101 West State, Room A-2140
Jacksonville, FL 32202
904-633-8220
904-632-5107
www.fscj.edu/community/vision-education-rehabilitation-center
DBS Regional Office:
Florida Division of Blind Services
3620 NW 43rd Street, Suite C
Gainesville, FL 32606-8100
352-955-2075
1-800-443-0908
Serving Counties: Alachua, Columbia, Gilchrist, Marion, Bradford, Dixie, Levy, Union
Partnering Agency:
Elder Care of Alachua County
5701 NW 34th Street
Gainesville, FL 32653
352-365-9040
352-265-9041
http://eldercare.ufhealth.org/
Florida Center for the Blind
1411 NE 22nd Avenue
Ocala, FL 34470
352-873-4700
352-873-4751
Central Florida
DBS Regional Office:
Florida Division of Blind Services
1185 Dunn Avenue
Daytona Beach, FL 32114
386-254-3800
1-800-329-3801
Serving Counties: Flagler, Putnam, Volusia
DBS Regional Office:
Florida Division of Blind Services
1970 Michigan Ave., Building A-2
Cocoa, FL 32922
321-634-3680
Serving Counties: Brevard
Partnering Agency:
Center of Visually Impaired
1187 Dunn Avenue
Daytona Beach, FL 32114
386-253-8879
386-253-9178
DBS Regional Office:
Florida Division of Blind Services
400 W. Robinson St., Suite S1026
Orlando, FL 32801-1784
407-245-0700
1-866-841-0928
Serving Counties: Lake, Osceola, Seminole, Orange, Sumter
Partner Agencies:
Lighthouse Central Florida
215 East New Hampshire Street
Orlando, FL 32084
407-898-2483
407-895-5255
http://www.lighthousecentralflorida.org/
New Vision for Independence
Sumter Community College, Lake Hall, RM 140
9501 US Hwy 441
Leesburg, FL 34788-8751
352-435-5040
DBS Regional Office:
Florida Division of Blind Services
1313 N. Tampa St., Suite 106
Tampa, FL 33602
813-871-7190
1-800-757-7190
Serving Counties: Hillsborough, Pinellas
Partner Agencies:
Lighthouse for the Blind and Low Vision
1106 West Platt Street
Tampa, FL 33606
813-251-2407
813-254-4305
Lighthouse of Pinellas
6925 112th Circle North, Suite 103
Largo, FL 33773
727-544-4433
DBS Regional Office:
Florida Division of Blind Services
402 S. Kentucky Ave. Suite 340
Lakeland, FL 33801
863-499-2385
1-877-728-7738
Serving Counties: Citrus, Polk, Hernando, Hardee, Pasco
Partner Agencies:
Lighthouse for the Blind and Low Vision (Winter Haven)
206 Ave D NW
Winter Haven, FL 33881
863-299-3633
Lighthouse for the Visually Impaired and Blind
9130 Ridge Road
New Port Richey, FL 34654-5034
727-815-0303
727-815-0203
South Florida
DBS Regional Offices:
Florida Division of Blind Services
5256 Summerlin Commons Way, Suite 201
Ft. Myers, FL 33907
239-278-7130
1-800-219-0180
Serving Counties: Collier, Hendry, Glades, Lee, Charlotte
Partnering Agencies:
Lighthouse of Southwest Florida
35 West Mariana Ave. North
Ft. Myers, FL 33903
239-997-7797
239-997-8462
http://www.lighthouseswfl.org/
Lighthouse of Collier
2685 Horseshoe Drive South, Suite 211
Naples, FL 34104
239-430-3934
239-430-9213
DBS Regional Offices:
Florida Division of Blind Services
600 8th Ave. W., Suite 401
Palmetto, FL 34221
941-721-2914
1-800-500-6412
Serving Counties: DeSoto, Manatee, Highlands, Sarasota
Partnering Agency:
Lighthouse Vision Loss Education Center
7318 North Tamiami Trail
Sarasota, FL 34243
941-359-1404
DBS Regional Office:
Florida Division of Blind Services
400 N. Congress Avenue, Suite 305
West Palm Beach, FL 33401
561-681-2548
1-866-225-0794
Serving Counties: Indian River, Okeechobee, Palm Beach, Martin, St. Lucie
Partner Agencies:
Lighthouse for the Blind of the Palm Beaches
1710 Tiffany Drive East
West Palm Beach, FL 33407
561-586-5600
561-845-8022
Florida Outreach Center for the Blind
2315 South Congress Ave.
Palm Springs, FL 33406
561-642-0005
DBS Regional Office:
Florida Division of Blind Services
401 N.W. 2nd Ave., Suite S-712
Miami, FL 33128
305-377-5339
1-888-529-1830
Serving Counties: Miami, Dade, Monroe
Partner Agencies:
Miami Lighthouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired
601 SW 8th Ave.
Miami, FL 33130
305-856-2288
305-285-6967
http://www.miamilighthouse.org/
Braille and Talking Books Library
421 Platt Street
Daytona Beach, FL 32114-2803
386-239-6000
1-800-226-6075
386-239-6069
State Office
325 West Gaines St. Room 1114, Turlington Building
Tallahassee, FL 32399-0400
850-245-0300
1-800-342-1828
850-245-0363