Historically the Society has provided services to adults who are newly blind or visually impaired. However, in more recent years the Board of Directors has expanded the mission to also address the needs of those who are blind or visually impaired and do not have adequate services or opportunities, including children.

It is with this commitment that, in 1997, the Society began offering Orientation & Mobility Services to school-age students in area school districts. What began as one professional staff person providing services part-time to students in rural school districts 50 miles south of St. Louis, soon grew into one full-time position serving students in both Missouri and Illinois. As the Society learned of additional needs and of students not able to receive the education and training needed by children at a young age, the program grew to four nearly full-time staff and has served students in over 30 area school districts.

Understanding that for young children to grow into independent adults there is much more that needs to be learned about the skills of daily living than can be taught in the school program, the Society partnered with The Lighthouse for the Blind to offer a summer program beginning in the summer of 2006. For those who are sighted, so much learning is done visually, but for the child who is blind too much of the world is “out of sight, out of mind”. Society children’s services help each person reach out to their world to better understand and learn about all life has to offer.

SERVICES TO SCHOOL DISTRICTS

Learning about one’s immediate environment and getting around independently is very difficult when one does not have the benefit of being able to see. Society Certified Orientation and Mobility Specialists help students navigate the processes of learning body concepts, orientation of oneself within a given setting, and being able to move freely within an environment or from place to place. Direct instruction on use of the white cane to travel is taught to children of all ages in order to allow the student to independently get around their school, home, and other settings. How to cross busy streets, intersections, use of stop lights and when to cross and use of public transportation (including busses and Metrolink) is paramount for self-esteem and independence.

Society teachers provide direct instruction to students attending public school. Such instruction includes learning Braille, Nemith Code (Braille math), abacus for math and the use of remaining vision. Additional evaluations and consultation is given to regular classroom teachers to help them address the blind student’s needs as well as adapting academic material into a format best suited for each student (braille or large print).

SUMMER CAMP PROGRAM

Project STEP (Summer Transition and Employment Program) was the first program of its kind offered by the Society, partially funded by the St. Louis Lighthouse for the Blind, for high school students who will go to college or into the competitive work force. The focus of the program is for intensive lessons in adaptive technology (speech and large print screen computer programs), meal preparation and exposure to work settings and other professionals who are blind. Programs address additional needs students must learn as they transition into adulthood, such as ironing, cleaning, cooking, money management and so much more. Click to apply for Project STEP here.

STARS (Specialized Technology and Adaptive Resources for Students)

St. Louis Society for the Blind and Visually Impaired and The Lighthouse for the Blind have again joined together to offer a new program, STARS (Special Technology and Adaptive Resources for Students). The main emphasis of STARS will be demonstration, evaluation and training in Adaptive Technology and Activities of Daily Living. While STARS Technology is for students of all ages, STARS ADL is mainly for those students between the ages of 6 – 13.

Who:
Students who are blind and visually impaired between he ages of 6 – 20.

What:
Opportunities to explore and learn about adaptive technology for students and who are blind or visually impaired and their parents. Training and in-depth evaluations also available. Appointments are for one-on-one with student (and parent) and a teaching professional.

When:
By appointment: 1st & 3rd Saturday of each month: 9:00 - 11:00 AM, 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM Mondays and Thursdays: 4:30 - 7:00 PM (times are flexible depending on needs of students and parents).

Where:
St. Louis Society for the Blind and Visually Impaired, 8770 Manchester Rd.

Cost:
Only Your time and effort to provide assistance for your child.

To Make Appointment
Contact Brenda Wendling at 314-968-9000 or 314-301-7374 or e-mail her at: bwendling@slsbvi.org or apply for the STARS programs here.

STARS ADL (Activities of Daily Living)

Who:
Students who are blind and visually impaired between the ages of 6 – 13. Parent involvement is emphasized, although not required.

What:
Small group lessons in a variety of areas important for daily living, including kitchen/cooking/eating skills, household/bedroom organization and management, hygiene/self-care. Classes are approximately 2 hours in length with expectations to practice skills between classes. Classes are taught by a professionally trained person and assistant.

When:
By application and acceptance into class 3rd Saturday of each month, 8:45 – 10:45 or 11:00 – 1:00 PM (no classes in June, July or August)

Where:
St. Louis Society for the Blind and Visually Impaired, 8770 Manchester Rd.

Cost:
Only Your time and effort to provide assistance for your child.

To Apply for Participation
Contact Brenda Wendling at 314-968-9000 or 314-301-7374 or e-mail her at: bwendling@slsbvi.org or apply for the STARS programs here.

The STARS Program is a joint project of The Lighthouse for the Blind and St. Louis Society for the Blind and Visually Impaired

The Society serves more than 1,200 individuals annually through a variety of services. The majority of those receiving services are older adults experiencing vision loss due to Macular Degeneration, Cataracts, Glaucoma and Diabetic Retinopathy, with many having a combination of these eye diseases. Over 250 different vision aids and 100 daily living aids are available for demonstration and purchase.