“Governor Gary Locke has named Bill Palmer executive director of the Washington State Department of Services for the Blind (DSB).Palmer currently is employee services director at the Department of Licensing, but had served as acting director of the DSB in early 1999. Prior to that, he served as acting executive director of the Washington State Arts Commission, and held positions at the state departments of Social and Health Services, Ecology, Health and Personnel.Washington DSB’s goal is to promote the economic and social independence of people who are blind or visually impaired through employment, training and other opportunities.The department offers vocational rehabilitation for competitive employment, assistive technology services, help to employers in recruiting and hiring qualified blind individuals, residential training in adaptive skills, independent living services and training for older adults, food service enterprises in public buildings, and help to schools and families with blind children.Palmer joined the department in April. The position carries an annual salary of $67,500.”