Virginia Rehabilitation Center for the Blind and Vision Impaired

Welcome to the Virginia Rehabilitation Center for the Blind and Vision Impaired

What's Happening at VRCBVI?

What: Breaking Barriers, Building Belief
When: Saturday, October 22, 2016, 9 AM to 4 PM
Where: VRCBVI, 401 Azalea Avenue, Richmond, VA 23227
Blind and vision impaired teens, if you've ever wondered how you could play sports, take public transportation to meet your friends at the mall, make more in the kitchen than microwave popcorn, get a part-time job, plan for college, and use the latest access technology to do your work faster, then join us at VRCBVI. We look forward to seeing you for a day of discussions, panel sessions, and hands on learning! Parents and professionals in the field of blindness, there will also be presentations and activities of interest to you! Lunch is available for just $4 per person.

To RSVP, please call 804-371-3151 not later than Tuesday, October 18, 2016.

Guiding Principles

Instructors employed by DBVI will provide the individual receiving training with information to make an informed choice about the best training options. This is carried out by the application of the following principles.

VRCBVI Updated Student Handbook

Take a look at VRCBVI’s updated Student Handbook!

VRCBVI’s strategic plan

Check out VRCBVI’s exciting newly adopted strategic plan.

VRCBVI 2016 Calendar

Want to know what’s going on at VRCBVI? Check out our 2016 calendar!

VRCBVI featured on WRIC’s News 8 "Positively Richmond" segment

VRCBVI was recently featured on WRIC’s “Positively Richmond” segment of their 5:30 pm newscast. The story explains how the goal of the Virginia Rehabilitation Center for the Blind and Vision Impaired is to teach students the skills of blindness and debunk certain misperceptions about blindness. Watch video

VRCBVI is seeking volunteers!

VRCBVI is seeking volunteers! We offer CARE tickets and lunch tickets for no cost lunch in VRCBVI's cafeteria for days worked. We are seeking positive individuals who present themselves in a professional manner, and who are able to speak clearly and be courteous. Click here if you are interested in any of these volunteer opportunities or want more information.

Please contact Brooke Rogers, Assistant Director of Administration, at (804) 371-3151, or by email.

A Message from the Director

Hi! Welcome to the Virginia Rehabilitation Center for the Blind and Vision Impaired (VRCBVI). My name is Melody Roane, and I am the Director of the Rehabilitation Center.

VRCBVI offers training in the skills of blindness to blind and vision-impaired Virginians and encourages people to develop positive attitudes about blindness.

As you enter the front lobby at VRCBVI, there is a quote on the wall that reads, “Go confidently in the direction of your dreams. Live the life you’ve imagined.” From the first contact with VRCBVI, we want students to focus on the possibilities for their lives, rather than the perceived limitations. Our staff do an excellent job of challenging people to gain competency in the skills of blindness. We also work with them on looking at what the misconceptions of blindness are that are held by the general public and by the blind themselves.

Each training program is individualized, but for people who want to gain proficiency in the skills of blindness, we generally recommend a six to nine month training program. We have found that, if people can do the six to nine month program, they are less likely to return for additional training in the future, no matter what happens with their vision or family circumstances. Read more of the Director's message.

Melody Roane, Director
Virginia Rehabilitation Center for the Blind & Vision Impaired
401 Azalea Avenue
Richmond, Virginia 23227
Phone: 804.371.3323
E-mail: Melody Roane