Frequently Asked Questions:
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What skills does it take to get a person to be independent who is Blind or Visually Impaired?
The foundation to independence is getting around on your own. Being able to get from point "A" to point "B" ,safely and efficiently. This training for the Blind or Visually Impaired community, is called "Orientation and Mobility training". A person who can not safely travel on their own has to learn to walk with a long cane in order to safely navigate obstacles and drop offs, or even walk a straight line! A person who is newly Blind or Visually Impaired, is often afraid to leave the home. Afraid to step into their front yard, much less walk down the street without the help of another person. With Orientation and Mobility training (provided by a Certified Orientation and Mobility Specialist) a person learn to travel in their homes, communities and in the even travel via bus, train or plane. The sky is the limit with training! Other skills are also necessary such as computer training, the training on how to cook, clean and organize the home. It just really depends on what the individual's goals are. Once we figure that our together, we can develop a specialized plan to meet that person's needs!
What ages you serve?
Our clients span the ages of early infancy- senior adults. All people with visual impairments who are having difficulty with moving around because of their sight loss benefit from our training! It is just a matter of figuring out what their needs are through the assessment process and then developing a plan for the individual.
My father or mother has gone Blind. Can you help them become independent?
Yes, yes, and yes! We are currently a Dallas Based business, but with the help of this funding that we are seeking, we would like to be able to offer on-line videos that will show basic skills being taught in order to offer resources to the individual, family and friends. Currently, there is not a comprehensive website out there with "how to videos" to help folks access information, resources and training. We want to be "that resource"!!!!
How much does it cost to train a person in how to be independent who is Blind or Visually Impaired?
The average cost of training in the area of Orientation and Mobility skills is $ 7500 per individual but can cost up to $ 10,000 when the person has compounding impairments that affect their learning. The good news is that once they receive the training, its really a skill that is hard to forget....if you use it! If you put the cane in the closet and never take it out, well...additional training is often needed down the road. Technology training, independent living training such as learning to cook, clean and organize are all separate skills and require additional training hours. It is based on individual need and assessment that happens prior to the training starting so that a "road map" of training needs can be prescribed.
