*Orientation and Adjustment
to Blindness - prepares people who are visually impaired
and legally blind for employment by developing the personal,
social and transferable work skills required for obtaining
and sustaining meaningful, gainful employment. The program
normally takes 6-9 months to complete. Students learn orientation
and mobility or cane travel, computer skills, independent
living skills. They also gain job readiness skills learning
customer support and sales support training. Clients are
referred to this program through the Louisiana Rehabilitation
Services.
This is a comprehensive program for adults wanting to enter
the workforce or to continue working after vision loss.
The
program incorporates orientation and mobility skills for
ease of travel using cane and other assistive low vision
devices. Individuals will gain the confidence to access
public transportation and navigate unfamiliar surroundings
in a safe manner. Outings to restaurants, recreational facilities
and other public areas provide a comfort level for the individual
to independently seek other outlets that may be of specific
interest to that person.
Communication skills are taught throughout the course to
include computer skills, typing/keyboarding and competence
in reading and writing using the Braille alphabet.
Assistive technology assessments are conducted to determine
which devices best fit the individual client's needs for
assimilating into the environment and workplace. Training
is conducted until mastery of these devices is accomplished.
Instructions in independent living skills teach self-reliance
and independence in handling daily living tasks such as
cooking, money management, cleaning, laundry, home mobility,
safety and use of home assistive devices.
Peer counseling is a constant in the program; providing
guidance and experience to the individual from those who
have gone before them.
Braille Instruction teaches individuals to read and write
using the Braille alphabet. Instruction in Grade 2 Braille
provides proficiency levels for communication at home, work,
school and leisure. Client's will learn to use the slate
and stylus, the Braille writer and other Braille machines.
The ability to read and write Braille re-opens a world of
words and information that has been lost to many individuals
due to vision impairment. The ability to communicate and
learn is an experience that can be part of your life again.
This is a service that is open to the public and you do
not have to have a sighting disorder to receive training.
*Orientation and Mobility Assessment and Training
- enables a person to determine where he or she is in relation
to the environment and how to use appropriate devices to
travel in that environment. This segment 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. Training also includes outings with
a sighted guide to access commercial businesses for daily
necessities and recreation. Individuals gain the confidence
to escape the confines of their once limited safe environment
and explore everything of interest that is available to
them.
*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.
New technology has made available many new devices to assist
with the daily tasks we face each day. These devices will
be tailored to individual needs and training will be conducted
to provide expertise.
This training builds independence and confidence to live
life on your terms with new skills for self-reliance.
*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
segment with special consideration for the age of the client
and additional health issues that may be present.
The
program incorporates orientation and mobility skills for
ease of travel using cane and other assistive low vision
devices. Individuals will gain the confidence to access
public transportation and navigate unfamiliar surroundings
in a safe manner. Outings to restaurants, recreational facilities
and other public areas provide a comfort level for the individual
to independently seek other outlets that may be of specific
interest to that person. 