REHABILITATION TEACHING

The Rehabilitation Teaching Program is aimed at providing people who are blind or visually impaired with knowledge and skills to enable them to live independently.

Adjustment: Provide information about eye condition(s) and any related disabilities; teach techniques to increase functional independence; counsel toward acceptance of visual loss; introduce support services.

Education: Cause of vision loss described; future expectations; awareness of medications and visual aids.

Independent living skills training: Teach skills and techniques to enable a person to function independently despite his or her visual loss; identify alternative methods for daily living.

Awareness: Discuss disability issues; identify rights and legislation of people with disabilities.

Information and referral: Services including training centers, newsletters, support groups; vocational Rehabilitation and employment-related services; Social Security benefits; library for the blind services; volunteer assistance programs; recreational and/or social groups; assistive devices and technology.

Environmental adaptation: Use of appropriate lighting or color contrasts;

labeling appliances with large print, Braille or tactile markings; labeling of cooking or cleaning supplies, and household products.

Orientation and mobility skills: Teach techniques for safe independent travel including: sighted guide, instruction in the purpose and use of a white cane.

Maintain independence: The Rehabilitation Teaching Program is aimed at providing people who are blind or visually impaired with knowledge and skills to enable them to live independently. Services are tailored to each person's needs and provided one-on-one; either in the home or at the WCB office in Madison. This service is free to any legally blind state resident.

The Wisconsin Council of the Blind (WCB) is a private, not-for-profit agency. Its mission is to promote the dignity and independence of people in Wisconsin who are blind and visually impaired by providing services, advocating legislation and educating the general public.

For more information on the Service contact.