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8770 Manchester Rd. St. Louis, MO 63144 / 314-968-9000
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Services for Adults

 
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Individual Services

two women sitting together  

Social Work Services
(Counseling and Community Referral)

As well as conducting intake and referral interviews with individuals to help identify what services from the Society may be helpful, individual counseling related to adjustment to vision loss may be provided. Two support groups are also offered, one for older adults and one for younger adults, with both focusing on meeting the needs of more recently blind or visually impaired persons. Additional referrals and help in filling out necessary forms for other community support services are also provided, including referral for Wolfner Library for the Blind, Mind's Eye Information Service, free telephone directory assistance, religious resources, and the State Rehabilitation Services for the Blind.
 
woman pouring water  

Vision Rehabilitation Therapy
(Rehabilitation Teaching, Independent Living Skills)

Individuals are taught independent living skills on a one-to-one basis, including cooking methods, housekeeping skills and other activities related to adapting appliances and household items for independent use. Techniques for identifying money, clothes and food items are taught, as well as marking appliances for easiest use by the individual.

 
man at mailbox  

Orientation and Mobility
(Safe and Independent Travel)

Orientation and safe travel within a persons home, including adaptation of the home for maximum and safest movement are taught. Traveling independently in the neighborhood or community are also taught, including the use of the white cane and public transportation. Some individuals utilize a white support cane if getting around with a cane is necessary.

 
low vision specialist and client  

Low Vision Clinic and Services

Staffed by an Optometrist and two specially trained professional staff, the Low Vision Clinic provides full functional vision assessments to determine if there are prescriptive or non-prescriptive vision aids which may help a person best utilize the remaining sight they have. This exam compliments the persons primary eye doctor's medical exam by looking at how the visual functioning may be enhanced.

If an exam by the Society's doctor is not indicated or desired, other Low Vision staff can assist a person with identifying and training in the use of non-prescriptive aids, such as magnifiers, lighting and lamps, computers and other devices which enlarge regular print onto larger screens.

Appointments are required for both services.

 
woman reading Braille  

Braille and Communication Skills

For individuals wanting to learn braille for reading and/or writing, all levels of braille are taught. Some individuals prefer braille only for identifying items (clothes, food, etc...) while others want to learn it as a complete communication system. When indicated or desired, the use of a slate and stylus are also taught.

See your name in Braille:

 
man learning screen reader  

Adaptive Computer Technology
(Speech and Large Print Programs, Internet and E-Mail)

In addition to magnifiers and other vision devices, a number of computer programs are available for demonstration. Some items serve as complete reading machines whereby printed words can be scanned and read aloud by a voice program, while other programs enlarge material onto computer screens. Various speech synthesized voices can be demonstrated as well as programs that enlarge what comes from within a computer. Screen reader software enables a computer to “talk” and say everything which is visually seen on the screen. Appointments needed for demonstration and ongoing training.

 

Group Services and Activities

support group meeting  

Support Groups

Individual counseling may be provided to an individual to help them adjust to their recent loss of vision, and where helpful will include any family member. Support groups meet in eight-week sessions and are throughout the calendar year. Support groups give the opportunity for peer support and to learn from others facing the same life situation. Transportation assistance is made available for those participating in support groups.

 
recreation group meeting  

Leisure Activity and Recreation Groups
(Older Adult Group, Young Adult Group)

Two times per month group activities are held at the Society's office. These groups, which provide socialization and support, will do such activities as exercises, cooking, arts & crafts and have guest speakers. Spouses are allowed to attend as they desire. A younger adult group has a monthly outing to various venues in the metro area.

Additional activities include making available free tickets to the Saint Louis Symphony, Saint Louis Cardinals, and the summer outdoor MUNY Opera. The Saint Louis Public Library also sponsors with the Society monthly DVS Movies of the Month, free full length movies shown at two library locations and free of charge. Nominal transportation donation is requested of those the Society provides transportation for.

 
man learning to cook  

Adaptive Cooking Classes

In small group settings individuals learn adaptive techniques to help the person continue cooking, whether it be full meals, snacks, or other items. Some transportation assistance is offered.

 
arts and crafts class  

Arts & Crafts Classes

Special interest classes are held throughout the year offering a wide variety of options. Examples of such classes include pottery, gardening, picture frame making , and much more. A nominal fee for supplies is requested, transportation is the responsibility of the individual attending these classes.

 
two women reading  

Family Education

Four times a year an evening program is focused on the family member in order to help them understand more fully the person’s vision loss and impact on daily activities. How the other person’s vision loss impacts the family member is also discussed. Those attending may be spouses or adult children of a parent losing their vision.

 
man using CCTV  

Vision and Independent Living Aids

The Society carries over 250 different vision and independent living aids. All strengths of magnifiers are available with or without lights, some are hands free while others are hand held. In addition, monocular and telescopic aids are available for near and distance viewing. Larger and more expensive aids, are available for demonstration and sale and include lamps and CCTV’s. Appointments needed for vision aids.

A number of other independent living aids are available to assist with writing, cooking, money management, telling time, playing cards, address books, calendars, thermostats, and other items.

 

Descriptive Video Service Movies (DVS)


In conjunction with the St. Louis Public Library two times a month at different library branches DVS movies are shown. DVS movies are audio described with a voice describing what is happening in the movie, including the movie set, gestures and other visual aspects when there is no talking by the actors. The St. Louis Public Library provides the movies with the Society providing, for a $5 fee, transportation. Reservations required for transportation assistance.

To Make A Referral for Services


If you, or someone you know, could benefit from any of the services of Saint Louis Society for the Blind and Visually Impaired, please call us at 314-968-9000 or click Make A Referral.

 

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