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Programs
and services |
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| Blind and Low Vision Services of North
Georgia offers a variety of programs and services to its clients: |
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| Low vision clinic |
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| An optometrist, who specializes in low
vision, provides comprehensive low vision evaluations. The optometrist also prescribes
appropriate optical devices, such as magnifiers or telescopic lenses. The goal of the
clinic is to assist individuals in making the best use of their remaining vision. |
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Monthly low vision clinics are
held at the agency's main office, in Smyrna.
Outreach low vision clinics are held, as needed, in
Rome, Dalton, LaFayette, Newnan and Ellijay.
New sites are added where and when a
need exists.
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| Vision rehabilitation |
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| An adaptive device
is useless if an individual doesn't know how to use it properly, so
follow-up training is essential.
Blind and Low Vision Services provides
certified professionals to work with clients in 28 counties in Northwest
Georgia. Teachers have their master's degree in either vision rehabilitation
or in orientation and mobility; frequently, they have degrees in both
fields.
These instructors visit clients in their homes or on
the job to make sure clients can use their optical devices and to evaluate
the client for any other rehabilitation training needs. Instructors assess
environmental factors, such as lighting and furniture layout, and mobility,
as well. |
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| Instructors provide
training in two areas: |
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| Independent Living
Skills These are adaptive skills and techniques to help clients carry
out their daily living activities. Teachers help clients identify their needs and set
program goals. Teachers help clients with |
—communication (reading and
writing)
—personal care
—home management
—kitchen safety
—computer technology
—job skills
—leisure activities |
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| Orientation and
Mobility Teachers help
clients evaluate their travel needs and teach them techniques and adaptations to gain
self-confidence and skill for independent travel. Instruction in the use
of the
long cane is provided within the local community and includes the use of
public transportation. |
| Note: Clients must demonstrate good
orientation skills and proficient cane travel before they can acquire a guide dog. |
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| Employment assistance |
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| Blind and Low Vision Services works with
state and federal agencies to help its clients prepare for and/or find jobs. We work with |
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| Vocational
Evaluations Blind and Low Vision
Services now provides vocational evaluations. A vocational evaluation or
career assessment is a useful tool to help someone determine career options
that are right for him or her using a detailed examination of an
individual's education, work history, interests, likes and dislikes, and
transferable skills.
This service is provided by a certified vocational
evaluator and is done at the agency's Smyrna office and in the community, as
well. |
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| Adaptive aids |
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| Clients can purchase
adaptive aids, such as talking clocks, check-writing
guides, bold-line tablets, and white canes from Blind and Low Vision
Services. These aids can be ordered directly from supplying companies, as
well. |
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| Computer Access
Program |
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| Blind and Low Vision Services assists
interested clients in the use of computer technology and adaptive software, using
either synthetic voice output or
screen magnification systems. Computer training
classes are held in either the computer lab in Smyrna or in satellite
locations within the 28-county service area.
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| Media center |
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| Blind and Low Vision Services loans media
materials to clients. These materials come from generous
donations by civic clubs and corporations, and include audio tapes of best-selling books, descriptive videos
of movies, music cassettes, and audio tapes of children's books. |
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| Public education |
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| As part of Blind and Low Vision Services'
public education program to
inform the public about the abilities and needs of people with vision loss,
the agency offers speakers and in-service training on
eye health, vision loss and vision rehabilitation. These speakers offer their services
to schools, professional and community organizations, church groups, senior service
organizations, assisted-living facilities, and other social service providers.
These services are free. |
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Home | Facts about low vision | Programs and services
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