Society for the Blind was founded in 1954 and today serves 27 counties in northern California. Our primary programming teaches individuals with vision loss how to carry out activities of daily living, provides training in professional/employment related skills, and offers support and guidance to adjust to living without eyesight. Core Blindness Skills focus on four primary areas: Orientation and Mobility (Cane Travel); Independent Living Skills; Adaptive Technology; and Braille Literacy. Classes are structured for youth, working age adults (20-54) and seniors 55+.
Programming for seniors is offered as a monthly 8-day onsite retreat at our main teaching facility in Sacramento and we also offer in-home trainings for seniors living in outlying and rural areas. We operate a full-time Low Vision Clinic on site and we have a satellite office in Roseville. The clinics are staffed by two Ophthalmologists and three Optometrists with special training in low vision eye care. Patients are those with Cataracts, Glaucoma, Age-related Macular Degeneration, Diabetic Retinopathy and other congenital and degenerative eye diseases. Appointments typically run 1 ½ to 2 hours for diagnosis and review of optical solutions for those with some functional vision. The clinic staff includes two Occupational Therapists who works with patients who have some functional vision, teaching them techniques to use their remaining vision safely and effectively and providing training on assistive devices such as hand held magnifiers. Special programs and services include Community Outreach and Education programs, Support Groups and Access News, a telephone reader program. An on-site retail store offers products geared to the needs of the blind or visually impaired.
We look forward to getting to know other LeadingAge members and working with them to ensure our older adults, especially those with vision loss, have the resources and accommodations they need to stay active and engaged.
