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Services for Children

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 nearly four 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 for high school students beginning in the summer of 2006, Project STEP (Summer Transition and Employment Program). This has been expanded to include younger students in small groups and high school students in one-to-one in-home services through the STARS program (Specialized Technology and Resources for Students), focusing on daily living skills and adaptive technology training

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-Age Students in Local Schools

Orientation & Mobility Services

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.

Teacher of the Visually Impaired Services

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).

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STEP, Summer Employment and Transition Program

The Lighthouse for the Blind and the St. Louis Society for the Blind and Visually Impaired have teamed up to provide the STEP program, designed specifically for students who intend to attend college, a vocational training program, or seek competitive employment upon graduation from high school. The nine components of the Expanded Core Curriculum for students with visual impairment or blindness are promoted to a level of confident independence across the home, school, work, and community.

This 3 week residential program is housed at Webster University and is an intensive, structured training program that provides specialized instruction to youth ages 14-21 with legal blindness. The program is designed to provide prevocational skills training by emphasizing independence, expectations related to transition, organizational skills and career exploration. Application must by submitted by April 1, 2010. Learn more or apply for STEP here. The entire program is provided at no cost to parents, other than minimal spending money.

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STARS (Specialized Technology and Adaptive Resources for Students)

St. Louis Society for the Blind and Visually Impaired and The Lighthouse for the Blind have also joined together to offer STARS (Specialized Technology and Adaptive Resources for Students). The main emphasis of STARS is demonstration, evaluation and training in Adaptive Technology and Activities of Daily Living. While STARS Technology is for students of all ages, STARS ADL Groups are for those students between the ages of 6 – 15 with in-home daily living skill instruction available for students ages 16 - 20.

STARS Adaptive Technology Training
Provides opportunities to explore and learn about adaptive technology, including assistance with purchasing hardware and software which may help a student in their school work and independence. In-depth evaluations and training on one-to-one basis available at no cost. When: Technology Demonstration and Training By Appointment 1st & 3rd Saturday of each month, or after school in-home or at Society for the Blind offices. To Make Appointment please contact Sirrendrick Smith at 314-301-7363 or e-mail him at
ssmith@slsbvi.org

STARS ADL

Activities of Daily Living (Daily Living Skills) are taught either in small group setting (ages 6 – 15) or one-on-one in home (ages 16-20). Areas addressed include meal preparation and eating skills, clothes sorting and laundry, home/room organization and additional skills necessary for independence. Classes and in-home at no cost.

When:
Activities of Daily Living Groups, Ages 6 – 15
Third Saturday of Each Month
Ages 6-8 from 9-10:45
Ages 9-11 from 11-12:45
Ages 12-15 from 1-2:45

To Join A Group please contact Lisa Bielaga at 314-301-7383 or e-mail her at
Lbielaga@lhbindustries.com

Activities of Daily Living, Ages 16- 20 In-home services by appointment To Make Appointment, please contact Brenda Wendling at 314-301-7374 or e-mail her at
bwendling@slsbvi.org

Cost:
There is no cost to receive or participate in any of these classes, only your time and effort to provide assistance for your child.

To Make Appointment or Apply for Services
Technology Demonstration & Training
Sirrendrick Smith
314-301-7363
ssmith@slsbvi.org

Activities of Daily Living Groups, Ages 6 – 15
Lisa Bielaga
314-301-7383
Lbielaga@lhbindustries.com

Activities of Daily Living, Ages 16- 20
Brenda Wendling
314-301-7374
bwendling@slsbvi.org

Apply for a STARS programs here.

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