CFDA Number: 84.177
Program Type: Formula Grants
Program Description
RSA makes IL-OIB grants to States under Title VII, Chapter II of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended by Title IV of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act, to support services for individuals age 55 or older whose severe visual impairment makes competitive employment difficult to obtain but for whom independent living goals are feasible.
Eligibility
State VR agencies serving individuals who are blind may apply for the formula grant award.
Types of Projects
Funds are used to provide independent living services to older individuals who are blind, to conduct activities that will improve or expand services for these individuals, and to conduct activities to improve public understanding of the problems facing these individuals. For example, services are provided to help persons served under this program adjust to their blindness by increasing their ability to care for their independent living needs (e.g., meal preparation, housekeeping, grooming, orientation and mobility), and to use assistive technology.
Additional Information
Grantees are State VR agencies for persons who are blind and visually impaired or, in States that do not have a separate agency for persons who are blind, grantees are State VR agencies that serve all individuals with disabilities.
Formula grants for the IL-OIB program are current-funded. However, the Rehabilitation Act contains a provision allowing all Title VII grantees to carry over unobligated funds for an additional fiscal year. States participating in the IL-OIB program must match every $9 of federal funds with $1 in nonfederal cash or in-kind resources in the year for which the federal funds are appropriated. Grantees must obtain approval from the Secretary of an application that meets the requirements of section 752(h) of the Rehabilitation Act and 34 C.F.R. §§ 367.30 and 367.31 of the implementing regulations.