This class offers an overview on how to properly work with a human guide. Also included are demonstrations of a variety of canes, as well as other aids that help with orientation and mobility. Tips on how to protect your body from overhead and other obstacles will also be shared.

Cooking Without Looking - Strategies and Tools for Being Safe in the Kitchen

This class demonstrates both eating and serving techniques using proper food handling strategies as well as information about stove top and oven safety. Demonstrations also include how to pour hot and cold liquids safely and the basics of chopping fruits and vegetables.

Empowering Yourself - An Overview of Community Resources

Participants in this program will receive an overview of the ADA and how it applies to public places as well as the white cane law. Group discussions regarding consumer organizations and how they serve those with low vision or blindness around the country, within a state, and locally.

How to Stay Organized - Using Your Sense of Touch to Label

Many demonstrations are shown in this class including how to mark items such as medication bottles, clothing, shoes, household products, food, and appliances. Also covered will be how to organize items such as money, coins, and credit cards and how to label paperwork and file folders with Braille or large print.

How to Manage Diabetes When Vision Fluctuates

This class includes a discussion about living healthily with vision loss and being diabetic. Demonstrations of various medication bottles that have markings and how they can be labeled with a voice recorder. Also included will be talking food scale, weight scale, blood pressure cuff, thermometer, and glucometer demonstrations.

Adjustment to Blindness - Facts and Fiction

The purpose of this class is to dispel misconceptions about vision loss and share the truths. Terminology and vocabulary related to blindness will be covered. Discussions of abilities and what one will experience when adjusting to vision loss will be included as well as feelings, stereotypes, and limitations.

Mastering Survivor Braille - Making it Work for You

This class overviews what Braille is and how it is used. Review of the basic code, patterns, and configurations as well as demonstrations on how to read and write Braille both visually and non-visually.

Coping with Vision Loss and Secondary Disabilities

Often vision loss is coupled with other disabilities and an overview on how to manage these other disabilities will be shared. A variety of tools such as white canes will be demonstrated that will be helpful to these individuals.

What is Adaptive Technology, and What is Most Efficient?

Many devices will be used to demonstrate how adaptive technology can help those with vision impairments. Technologies covered will include the major screen readers (JAWS, Zoomtext, Magic, Guide, and Window-Eyes), Apple products, digital recorders, NLS players, and Victor Reader Streams.

How to Have Fun With Low Vision - Hobbies and Travel Tips

Included in this class is a discussion and overview of sports and blind athletic associations as well as hobbies and how they can be adapted. Large print and Braille games will be demonstrated and strategies for traveling with vision loss will be covered.

Safety Preparedness and Self-Defense

Covered in this class is how to remain safe during an emergency or natural disaster. Also covered will be an overview of county and community resources that assist those with low vision.

Understanding Deaf-Blindness

An overview of what defines deaf-blindness will occur, plus the social implications such as isolation and stigma will be covered. Information on resources for the Deaf-Blind community will be disseminated.

Family Support Workshop - Learning Side-By-Side with Loved Ones with Vision Loss

This workshop provides information on the role of family members in the process of acceptance as well as how to support loved ones while promoting independence. A discussion of the feelings of loss of a family member’s vision will also occur.

Low Vision Devices

Participants in this class will observe a demonstration of a variety of low vision and high powered hand-held magnifiers and binoculars.

• A group discussion about portable and stationary close circuit televisions will also be shared.

Real Talk: Parent Chat Workshop - Sighted Parents with Low Vision Children & Low Vision Parents of Sighted Children

One of the purposes of this workshop is to educate sighted parents about psychological, physiological, and emotional changes often found in children with low vision and the techniques for handling them. The other purpose is to educate low vision parents on strategies, methods, and techniques to handle common occurrences for sighted children such as administering medication and interacting in age appropriate activities. Families will be provided with community networking information for organizations that support families of both low vision parents and children.