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"To empower people with vision loss to realize their full potential, and to shape the community's vision of that potential.”
Our programs and services are designed to empower our clients to move beyond limitations.
Fact
Seven out of every 10 people who come to Cleveland Sight Center are senior citizens, age 55 or older. Whatever your age, the help you will receive from Cleveland Sight Center will be specifically for you.
For more information on Services for Seniors, call 216-791-8118, ext. 4674. Email Senior Services Department
Statewide Resources for Seniors
Vision Resources and Services for Older Ohioans brochure (PDF)
The Vision Resources brochure on this page is in PDF and requires Adobe Acrobat Reader. If you are having difficulty viewing the PDFs on this page, please click on the Adobe Acrobat Reader link below to download this software for free.
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REHABILITATION FOR SENIORS
Rehabilitation & Mobility
Our skilled staff teach you how to get around and function safely in your home, work, school and community. This training allows you to function as independently as you are able to and whenever possible, to resume activities that you may have given up due to vision loss.
Rehabilitation training involves providing training and techniques to help you improve your daily living skills, mobility, and increase your independence. This training often takes place in your home or in another setting in your community.
Orientation and Mobility training will help you learn to get around safely on your own, including in your home, your school, your place of employment and how to use public transportation. This may include learning how to use a white cane.
For more information on rehabilitation and mobility training, call 216-791-8118, ext. 8746. Email Rehabilitation & Mobility Training
Community Based Low Vision Assessments
These are low vision assessments performed in a client's residence, school or place of employment. For more information on rehabilitation and mobility training, call 216-791-8118, ext. 8746. Email Community Based Low Vision Assessments
EnVision Independence Vision Rehabilitation Program at Villa Serena in Mayfield Heights
This community-based program, designed specifically for senior citizens, simulates in-home vision rehabilitation training using a class-like setting. There is no cost for the classes, which are being funded through a grant from The Kelvin and Eleanor Smith Foundation. Senior citizens who are blind as well as those who are visually impaired due to macular degeneration, glaucoma, and other eye diseases, are encouraged to participate. The program is open to those seniors who have not previously taken advantage of Cleveland Sight Center in-home rehabilitation services.
View larger screen format of the EnVision Independence video
Classes are taught by licensed social workers and rehabilitative professionals, including rehabilitative specialists who are blind. Group counseling and mobility skills (techniques to navigate the physical environment within and outside of the home), are included in the program. Each EnVision Independence session lasts seven weeks, with classes taking place in an efficiency apartment, which is furnished with special adaptive equipment and low vision aids. Participants each receive a customized recommendation for specific low vision/vision rehabilitation aids that could benefit them, and have the option to request in-home follow up.
Assistive technology training complements the daily living skills training. Cleveland Sight Center staff use video desktop magnifiers, large text and other software programs designed to enable individuals with vision loss to communicate effectively using the latest computer technology.
Class participant David B. commented regarding how much the program has benefited him, and that despite his macular degeneration, he is now able to once again enjoy reading the Bible and watching football on television with the use of adaptive aids he learned about, and obtained through, Cleveland Sight Center. Mr. Bliss stated, “It’s the little things that are helping me to live a better quality of life.” He admitted that at first he was doubtful that anyone could help him, however, now praises the expertise and understanding demonstrated by Cleveland Sight Center staff members. Participant Aloise S. commented that she has learned a great deal from the program, saying that “More people should participate; the staff is wonderful, knowledgeable and patient.”
“The change in a client’s confidence and outlook on life once they have completed their vision rehabilitation is remarkable,” says Peggy Keating, Director of Senior and Outreach Services at Cleveland Sight Center. “We hope to continue to expand this program to other communities throughout Northeast Ohio.”
EnVision Independence East
(at Villa Serena in Mayfield Heights)
Program Details:
- New session begins on Thursday, September 17, 2009
- Classes meet on Thursdays from 9:00 am to 1:30 pm and Fridays from 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm
- Session ends on Thursday, October 29, 2009 with Family Day
The Tri-City Consortium On Aging and the city of Mayfield Heights are working closely with Cleveland Sight Center on this program . Highland Heights, Lyndhurst, South Euclid and Mayfield Heights residents interested in enrolling in EnVision Independence may contact Debi Welsby at Cleveland Sight Center at 216-658-4674.
Image from BigStockPhoto © Orla