Target demographics: people with vision impairment or blindness attain independence and community integration.
Direct beneficiaries per year: 833 people
Geographic areas served: Maine
Programs: The Low Vision Clinic - assists with adaptive tools and training. Staff recommend lighting and glare solutions at home or in the workplace. Qualifying consumers receive further training in adaptive techniques and learn about devices (writing guides, magnifiers, video magnifiers, talking pill bottles, etc.) and new technologies that will help them resume daily activities safely and independently.
The Rehabilitation Center has everything from a model apartment to learn independent living skills to a technology center where participants learn how to integrate technology in preparation for work and in the workplace. This is an innovative and exciting joint project of the Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA), the State of Maine’s Division for the Blind and Visually Impaired (DBVI), and The Iris Network. Our program was developed with full involvement from the community, consumer groups, and vision rehabilitation professionals. The program is designed to deliver vision rehabilitation to working-age and young adults transitioning from school settings. Our focus is on empowerment, and our goal is full integration into the community.
Our clients can reside in a home with support staff located less than a mile from The Iris Network’s main campus. The residence is within easy walking distance, but transportation can be provided as needed.
The Rehabilitation Center offers an individualized, intensive vocational development program, driven by technology. The program is a collaborative effort between staff, the consumer, and their VR counselor. Program components include the following: low vision therapy, orientation and mobility, state-of-the-art access technology, daily living skills, manual arts, braille, vocational development, clinical counseling, and peer support.
Community-based Rehabilitation Services – A Certified Vision Rehabilitation Therapist (CVRT) will go to a consumer’s home to support them in remaining independent.
The goal of Rehabilitation Services is to evaluate what is needed, based on vision loss to allow the individual to continue to carry on functions necessary to maintain the level of independence desired. An individualized program may include assistance with learning adaptive methods in all areas of communications including large print, audio, and Braille. CVRT’s provide instruction in accessing calendars, check registers, address books, low vision/contrast materials, recording devices, guides for writing checks, addressing envelopes, writing correspondence, etc. Adaptive kitchen skills are taught to promote independence and safety in using a stove/oven and in all aspects of meal preparation such as using knives, measuring, pouring, reading recipes, timing foods, and labeling kitchen supplies. Consumers are also taught adaptions for doing household chores, labeling of clothing, identifying medication, time telling, and how to care for themselves and others. Consumers also receive assistance in adjusting their leisure and recreational pursuits and are provided resources and information on recreational opportunities such as adaptive knitting or crocheting, hand and machine sewing, cribbage, bingo, woodworking, descriptive videos, talking books, etc. Sometimes in conjunction with the Low Vision Clinic and sometimes as a separate component, CVRT’s can demonstrate a variety of video magnifiers.
Iris Park Apartments-supportive housing in a Level 1 assisted living facility in a warm, caring community offering: Affordable housing designed specifically for persons with vision impairment or blindness;30 independent-living apartments with either 1 or 2 bedrooms; Accessible common indoor and outdoor areas to enhance community; Support services available and provided by The Iris Network professionals.
