Vision Rehabilitation Services
THE PURPOSE
The purpose of LWSB Vision Rehabilitation Services is to help a person maximize visual proficiency for employment and independent living. We provide clinic services and training services for residential clients who are visually impaired. Also, non-residential client services are available on an hourly basis.
CLINIC SERVICES
The Director of Clinic Services is an ophthalmologist. The doctor performs a visual examination, assesses the visual disability, and recommends specific low vision aids.
TRAINING SERVICES
Training on low vision aids recommended by the Director of Clinic Services is provided by Low Vision Assistants. The low vision aids and techniques that will maximize proficient use of remaining vision are used in vision rehabilitation classroom exercises to improve handwriting skills, and to increase reading speed and comprehension. Low vision aids are also placed in other training areas for use while at the Center.
The Assistive Technology Learning Center is an extension of the Vision Rehabilitation Services with training in personal computer programs for screen magnification.
The Vision Rehabilitation Coordinator assures that the training program is individualized for each person's goal, whether independent living or employment. The Coordinator communicates with referral counselors about results of examinations, assessments, and low vision aids recommended for training. The information is kept in each person’s file for future reorder of aids or other use.
MULTI-DISCIPLINARY SERVICES
A residential client’s rehabilitation plan also includes personal adjustment services and/or vocational training available at LWSB. The Center offers fully comprehensive rehabilitation services for adults who are blind or visually impaired, and the Vision Rehabilitation Services and Assistive Technology Learning Center are components of the overall services. The comprehensive services include counseling for the psycho-social adjustment to blindness, skills training in independent living skills, prevocational training, and/or vocational training.
NON-RESIDENTIAL CLIENT SERVICES
People in the surrounding localities are served by appointment. Referrals are made by an ophthalmologist, other professional, an individual, or self. The Low Vision Assistants provide an assessment for the most appropriate vision aid, or the referring professional recommends a particular vision aid. Training on techniques and use of a low vision aid is available on an hourly basis in the classroom. A loan program allows the client to use a low vision aid at home or work before a recommendation is made to purchase.
EXTENSIVE SELECTION OF LOW VISION AIDS
A large inventory of low vision aids is available for examination, training, and loan. These aids can magnify, filter, or increase the usable field of vision.
- Electronic vision aids
- Optical aids
- Non-optical aids
COST FOR SERVICES
The cost of vision rehabilitation services for residential clients is included in the personal adjustment services fee.
Non-residential clients may explore our wide selection of low vision aids at no charge.
A fee is charged on an hourly basis for training on low vision aids, and a fee is charged for a clinic examination by the ophthalmologist.
VISION REHABILITATION STAFF
The Vision Rehabilitation Services team consists of a consulting ophthalmologist, who is Director of the Clinic Services, the Vision Rehabilitation Coordinator, and Low Vision Assistants.
THE CAMPUS AT LWSB
The facility for our Vision Rehabilitation Services is located within the campus grounds of Lions World Services for the Blind in Little Rock, Arkansas. LWSB is a non-profit rehabilitation center established in 1947.
While enrolled in rehabilitation training at LWSB, trainees reside in our 100-person capacity dormitories. The LWSB campus is primarily located in a city block area. A tree-filled courtyard is surrounded by brick buildings for residential living, training and administration. LWSB serves people from all 50 states and other countries.
Lions World Services for the Blind was started in 1939 as a program to locate vending stands for employment of people who were blind or visually impaired. The facility was expanded into a comprehensive rehabilitation center for adults in 1947, and was originally known as Arkansas Enterprises for the Blind. The name was officially changed in 1989 to Lions World Services for the Blind, to better reflect the nature and scope of services.
