Carroll Center For The Blind Inc

THE MISSION OF THE CARROLL CENTER FOR THE BLIND IS TO EMPOWER THOSE WHO ARE BLIND AND VISUALLY IMPAIRED TO ACHIEVE INDEPENDENCE AND LEAD A FULFILLING LIFE. ESTABLISHED IN 1936, THE CARROLL CENTER SERVES THE BLIND AND VISUALLY IMPAIRED PEOPLE OF ALL AGES BY PROVIDING REHABILITATION, SKILLS TRAINING, AND EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES TO ACHIEVE INDEPENDENCE, SELF-SUFFICIENCY, AND SELF-FULFILLMENT AND BY EDUCATING OUR COMMUNITIES REGARDING THE POTENTIAL OF PERSONS WHO ARE BLIND AND VISUALLY IMPAIRED. FOR OVER 80 YEARS, THE CENTER HAS PIONEERED INNOVATIVE SERVICES FOR THE BLIND AND VISUALLY IMPAIRED BY DEVELOPING METHODS FOR PEOPLE WITH LOW VISION TO LEARN THE SKILLS TO BE INDEPENDENT IN THEIR HOMES, CLASS SETTINGS, WORK PLACES, AND PREPARING THEM FOR DIVERSE OPPORTUNITIES FOR SUCCESS AND INDEPENDENT LIVING.

REHABILITATION TRAINING PROGRAMS: VISION REHABILITATION PROGRAMS ARE DESIGNED IN A RESIDENTIAL SETTING FOR ADULTS WHO HAVE HAD A SIGNIFICANT LOSS OF VISION. THESE INTENSIVE PROGRAMS PROVIDE TRAINING AND SUPPORT TO ENCOURAGE THE PHYSICAL AND EMOTIONAL ADJUSTMENTS NEEDED TO LIVE WITH BLINDNESS/LOW VISION AS WELL AS TO DEVELOP DAILY LIVING SKILLS, VOCATIONAL READINESS, AND COMPUTER PROFICIENCIES TO LIVE INDEPENDENT AND FULFILLING LIVES AND OBTAIN JOBS. SUMMER PROGRAMS ARE HELD FOR TEENAGERS AND YOUNG ADULTS TO DEVELOP THE SKILLS TO TRANSITION TO ADULTHOOD AND ACHIEVE INDEPENDENCE. 124 INDIVIDUAL CLIENTS RECEIVED 678 WEEKS OF SERVICE IN FISCAL 2023.

OTHER PROGRAM SERVICES: 1) TECHNOLOGY TRAINING PROGRAMS HELP BLIND AND VISUALLY IMPAIRED INDIVIDUALS USE TECHNOLOGY PROFICIENTLY FOR WORK, SCHOOL, AND LEISURE. IN-PERSON AND REMOTE PROGRAMS ARE AVAILABLE IN THE USE OF SPEECH OUTPUT, SCREEN NAVIGATION, BRAILLE, TABLETS, SOFTWARE APPLICATIONS, AND SMARTPHONES. 2) LOW VISION THERAPISTS WORK WITH CLIENTS TO IDENTIFY ASSISTIVE DEVICES THAT CAN HELP THEM USE THEIR REMAINING VISION AND TEACH THEM HOW TO USE THESE DEVICES AND OTHER TECHNIQUES THAT WILL ENABLE THEM TO ENJOY AN ENHANCED QUALITY OF LIFE.

EDUCATIONAL SERVICE PROGRAMS: THE CENTER PROVIDES SERVICES TO CHILDREN WHO HAVE LOW VISION OR ARE BLIND AND ATTEND PUBLIC, PRIVATE, OR CHARTER SCHOOLS IN THEIR COMMUNITY. THE CENTER'S TEACHERS WORK WITH LOCAL EDUCATORS IN PROVIDING INSTRUCTION IN BRAILLE, ADAPTIVE TECHNOLOGY TRAINING, LEARNING-MEDIA ASSESSMENTS, ALTERNATIVE MATERIALS, AND OVERALL ACCESS TO THE CURRICULUM. SUMMER AND WEEKEND PROGRAMS ARE PROVIDED TO HELP CHILDREN DEVELOP BLINDNESS SKILLS, SOCIALIZE WITH OTHERS, AND FURTHER THEIR INDEPENDENCE. 505 SCHOOL-AGED CHILDREN RECEIVED 18,685 HOURS OF SPECIALIZED INSTRUCTION IN FISCAL 2023.

COMMUNITY SERVICE PROGRAMS: THE CENTER PAIRS INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE BLIND OR VISUALLY IMPAIRED WITH CERTIFIED ORIENTATION AND MOBILITY INSTRUCTORS TO DELIVER NAVIGATIONAL SKILLS FOR SAFE AND INDEPENDENT TRAVEL IN THE HOME, WORKPLACE, COLLEGE, AND COMMUNITY. 566 INDIVIDUAL CLIENTS RECEIVED 5,196 HOURS OF SPECIALIZED INSTRUCTION IN FISCAL 2023.