Programs are as follows:

• Adjustment and Orientation to Blindness – prepares people who are visually impaired and legally for employment by developing the personal, social, and transferable work skills required for obtaining and sustaining meaningful, gainful employment. The program incorporates orientation and mobility skills, communication, adaptive technology, peer counseling, Braille, computer literacy, typing/keyboarding, and work related independent living skills.

• Braille Instruction – teaches individuals to read and write using the Braille alphabet.

• Orientation and Mobility Assessment and Training – enables a person to determine where he or she is in relation to the environment and use appropriate devices to travel in that environment. Includes assessment of a person’s skill level and individual training, i.e. cane travel, use of public transportation, use of low vision devices, and safety.

• Low Vision Aids Loaner Closet – (available to local clients only) provides a variety of commonly used low vision aids and appliances on a loan basis free of charge. Items such as monoculars, magnifiers, check and letter-writing guides, talking watches, talking clocks, closed circuit TV magnifiers, and more.

• Independent Living Skills – promotes self-reliance and independence through instruction in basic activities of daily living. Lessons include communications, cooking, money management, Braille, mobility, and safety.

• Infant and Children's Program – Serves infants and toddlers from birth to age three, who are severely visually impaired by providing professional intervention, training, education. These varieties of services help the infants successfully overcome barriers to development and build a solid foundation for achievement throughout their school years. The program also provides support to parents and family members to optimize their children's success.

• Living Independently for the Elderly (LIFE) – gives Senior citizens special assistance in learning to cope with deteriorating or lost eyesight and in dealing with the day-to-day challenges of life after vision loss. The LIFE Program includes all of the training offered in the Independent Living Skills, with special consideration for the age of the client and additional health issues that may be present.

• Senior Connection – offers people aged 55 and older who are blind the opportunity for peer counseling, social activities, and special seminars to assist them in adjusting and coping with vision loss.

• Scholarships – Two $2500 scholarships are awarded annually to people who are legally blind and pursuing higher education. Scholarships may be applied to tuition for any accredited college or trade school. For more information contact Public Relations.

Contact the Department of Human Services for information at 318-636-6147 or 318-635-6471.