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Groups
& Services
COVE has many
services and groups to meet the needs of individuals dealing with
vision loss. COVE also has a monthly mailing list that contains
updated meeting information for each group. To sign up, please
call the office and ask to be added to the mailing or email list.
Services
Assistive
Technology
During AT training, clients learn to use devices to assist them
with everything from household management to fulfilling their
duties at work. These include magnification devices that help
a client see objects in greater detail, scanning units that read
printed text out loud, advanced computer software that magnifies
the screen and/or reads what’s on the screen, apps that
can be used on a smart phone or tablet, and so much more. With
assistive technology skills under their belt, clients are more
confident as they enter the competitive workforce or attend college.
Independent
Living Skills
Independent Living Skills Training consists of developing skills,
strategies, and techniques to aid those dealing with vision loss
to function independently. These skills include tasks for daily
living such as meal preparation, household management, handling
print material, shopping, travel utilizing various modes of transportation,
advocacy, and many other skills to aid in remaining independent.
Additional
skills also include dealing with the emotional aspects of vision
loss, connecting with others living with visual impairment, and
developing confidence to be a productive and active member of
their community.
Independent
Living Skills training offers something for anyone who is low
vision, has severe vision loss, or is blind. Training can consist
of one session or multiple sessions depending on the expressed
needs of the client.
Vocational
Assessment
A vocational assessment helps the client identify their current
disability and related limitations. This data helps the client
make vocational preparation and employment decisions. The client’s
skills, talents, interests, and potential characteristics are
explored in these areas: personality, medical and psychosocial
information, education and experience, transferable skills, interest
and aptitude, work preference, job search skills, and labor market
review.
Personal
Vocational Social Adjustment
Personal, Vocational, Social Adjustment (PVSA) is a specialized
service provided to persons referred by Department of Rehabilitation.
PVSA is a structured class designed to meet the unique needs of
each individual and address a variety of vocational impediments.
This service is specifically designed to address work-related
behaviors that inhibit clients’ abilities to successfully
search for a job and achieve and maintain employment. PVSA focuses
on building the “soft” or applied skills – such
as teamwork, decision-making, and communication – that will
help the client become effective employees.
The
service is generally provided on a 1:1 basis and is focused on
the needs of the individual. Training may be provided in the following
areas:
•
Appropriate interaction in the workplace
• Grooming and hygiene as related to work
• Mobility training in use of public transportation
• Work habits and attitudes such as attendance, punctuality,
phoning in if ill, returning promptly from breaks and lunch
• Personal budgeting, banking, and bill payment
Orientation
and Mobility
Orientation and Mobility is a set of concepts and techniques for
safe, efficient travel by individuals with visual impairments
in all environments and under all conditions (Jacobson, 2013).
Having
great O&M skills allows the client to feel confident when
traveling around their neighborhoods, school, and even train stations
and airports. O&M training involves not just the use of a
white cane, but also understanding traffic patterns, estimating
distance travelled on foot, directional orientation, problem solving,
and using GPS and AI devices for directions and reading signage.
Having the knowledge to safely and efficiently get from one place
to another is important for a client to gain independence.
Groups
Adjusting
to Sight Loss
These meetings allow anyone dealing with sight loss to share questions,
challenges, and triumphs with others also dealing with sight loss..
Family and friends are also welcome. Informational presentations
are also given from service organizations and local community
groups. Demonstrations and information is also shared to aid individuals
in daily living skills and to stay up to date with aids and technology
available to visually impaired persons.
Book
Club
Once a month, COVE holds a remote discussion group for book lovers.
Here, we talk about new titles and old favorites. These books
are all available on NLS. Join us to discover good reads each
month!
Men’s
Group
Are you a male? Are you having trouble dealing with vision loss
at home being the head of your household? COVE has a men’s
group for that. The COVE men’s group is a place to come
and talk to all ages of males who deal with their vision loss
in their everyday life. It’s for men only. We discuss all
range of topics that men deal with in providing for their family
and taking care of themselves.
Crafters
Creativity is unique to human kind, and just because a client
has low vision or is blind doesn’t mean that the urge to
be creative is dampened. Just like everything else, crafting with
low vision/blindness can be challenging, but there are different
methods and tricks one can apply. Knitting and crochet, mosaics
and macrame, decorative wreath weaving and terrarium building,
our creativity is boundless!
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