Florida Division of Blind Services Marks 85 Years
The Florida Division of Blind Services is celebrating its 85th anniversary with a statewide tour and the reopening of its Career, Technology & Training Center.
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – October 1, 2026 – The Florida Department of Education's Division of Blind Services (DBS) is commemorating 85 years of operation with a statewide celebration throughout October 2026. The anniversary events honor decades of empowering Floridians who are blind or visually impaired to achieve independence and pursue careers.
The celebration includes a five-city tour across the state, beginning in Pensacola on October 2 and concluding in Fort Myers on October 29. Each event will gather clients, families, employers, and community leaders to recognize milestones and discuss the division's future.
A key event is scheduled for October 15 in Daytona Beach, coinciding with White Cane Day and the grand reopening of the Division's rebranded Career, Technology & Training Center (CTTC). The CTTC serves as a hub for vocational training and technology skills to aid the workforce integration of visually impaired individuals.
Florida Commissioner of Education Dr. Henry Mack highlighted the division's commitment to expanding opportunities. Trina Travis, Interim Director of DBS, stated that the anniversary reflects past successes and a forward look toward a future where individuals have access to opportunity, training, and support.
DBS provides vocational rehabilitation, job placement, adaptive technology training, and independent living services. Notable programs include the CTTC, the first state agency-led registered apprenticeship for blind individuals in web accessibility, the Business Enterprise Program for entrepreneurs, and the Braille and Talking Book Library. With over 538,000 Floridians experiencing vision loss, the division plays a critical role in connecting this demographic with employment opportunities and reducing disability-related unemployment.