Individuals
who have limited vision or are blind have continually demonstrated that
given proper training and services, they can successfully work and live
independently in their communities. The Lighthouse is dedicated to
helping each person attain that goal. We deliver all services either at
our Fort Lauderdale facility or at clients’ homes.
Our classes include:
Orientation and Mobility
Teaches skills of safe and independent travel - at
home, on the job and out in the community.
Activities of Daily Living
Teaches the many skills related to managing safely
at home. Students learn medication management and to use check and signature guides, "talking"
watches and calculators, talking books and tape recorders, magnifiers,
new ways of organizing, cooking safely, and much more.
Computer Education
Teaches the use of the latest computer technology,
with adaptations including speech output, large print displays,
scanners, braille printers and specialized laptop note-taking devices
which help make workplaces and schools more fully accessible.
Besides the basic business applications, students
are offered courses in the Internet and e-mail.
Lighthouse on the Move
For elders, group and individual instruction is
provided at various locations throughout Broward County, such as senior
centers and adult living communities. Classes are designed for people
with vision impairment who are unable to come to the Lighthouse of
Broward's main facility. These individuals still have to address personal needs and
goals through specific training in "Orientation and Mobility" and
"Activities of Daily Living." Group and peer counseling is also
provided.
Lifetime Learners
For adults who have completed training in the
rehabilitation program or "Lighthouse on the Move." Monthly meetings led
by Lighthouse of Broward professionals and volunteers offer brief
refresher courses in skills, introduce new assistive devices or
technology, bring in speakers on interesting topics and provide
opportunities for social interaction and leisure activities.
For more information, contact
Barbara Krantz,
Information/Volunteer Coordinator at (954) 463-4217.
Young children with visual impairments face special challenges as they
develop and grow. Special early intervention services can give a child
the help he or she needs to lead a successful, self-sufficient life.
This program also gives parents and caregivers the tools they need to
help a child reach critical developmental stages that are normally
achieved through visual interaction with the world. Early intervention
services are offered at the Lighthouse, or in the child's own natural
environment -- for instance the child's home, daycare, or at another
therapy provider's location.
These programs give special attention to the unmet
needs of visually impaired children, as well as the opportunity to
interact with successful visually impaired adults who serve as role
models. The Lighthouse also serves an important function for parents,
helping them to become more aware of the true potential of a visually
impaired child, while offering the opportunity to meet other parents for
support, advocacy and solutions to shared problems.
In summer camp, play is an opportunity to learn.
Through writing a play, horseback riding, swimming, field trips and
other fun activities, as well as short classroom sessions, children
learn safe travel skills, age appropriate cooking and self-care
techniques, Braille, use of computers, and polite social interaction and
self-advocacy.
During the school year, specially planned groups on
Saturdays or vacation days also support learning age-appropriate safe
outdoor travel, Braille or use of magnifiers and other low vision
devices to read and write efficiently, computers and other high-tech
assistive devices, cooking and self-care techniques, and recreational
activities that provide the opportunity to interact with other children
and successful visually impaired adults who serve as role models.
This program for planning
post-high school life is now year-round on certain weekends and after
school, plus the 5-week, intensive summer program. College preparation
and/or job readiness skills are emphasized in group classes and field
trips. Skills taught include: safe outdoor travel, cooking and self-care techniques, braille or use of magnifiers and other low vision devices to read and
write efficiently, use of computers and other high-tech assistive
devices, polite social interaction and self-advocacy, resume-writing,
networking and interviewing, guidance in understanding vocational
interests and values, and actual on-the-job experiences. Adults who are
blind or visually impaired are role models. Fun recreational activities
are also included.
The Lighthouse of Broward has partnered with Nova Southeastern
University School of Optometry (http://optometry.nova.edu/)
to provide low vision evaluations and prescribe special magnifying
devices to enable people with vision impairments to use remaining vision
as efficiently and effectively as possible.
For more information, or to make an appointment, please call
954-463-4217
The Florida Reading & Vision Center offers its clients a wide range
of products designed to make life easier for shoppers with visual
impairment.
People of all ages, who are blind or visually impaired, can find
talking watches, microwaves and scales, starting at $20, as well as
sophisticated autofocus telescopic viewing systems or talking cell
phones with price tags topping $2,000. Talking GPS systems help with
independent mobility, while portable handheld video magnifiers that read
menus, price tags and labels make shopping and dining out possible. More
than 100 different products and software programs are available at the
store.
Shop owner, Lesa Kretschmer, who has been in the low vision retail
industry for more than 15 years, says her Lighthouse of Broward store is
the only one of its kind in Fort Lauderdale. She also offers in-home
demonstrations of the higher-tech equipment.
Leasing space inside the Lighthouse of Broward, according to
Kretschmer, was the most logical way to serve her clients most
efficiently.
“When clients come to the store, they are also exposed to all of the
services the Lighthouse has to offer,” she said.
Lighthouse Executive Director Elly du Pré, DPA agrees, adding, “We
are thrilled to have the Vision Center on site at our facility. Our
clients now have easy access to all of the latest technology to help
them live more independently. It’s a natural partnership.”
