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. 95 INDIVIDUAL CLIENTS RECEIVED 735 WEEKS OF SERVICE IN FISCAL 2022.

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. 486 SCHOOL-AGED CHILDREN RECEIVED 15,940 HOURS OF SPECIALIZED INSTRUCTION IN FISCAL 2022.

OTHER PROGRAM SERVICES: 1) TECHNOLOGY TRAINING PROGRAMS INCLUDE A FULL SPECTRUM OF INSTRUCTION-FROM NOVICE TO EXPERT-TO HELP PREPARE PEOPLE WHO ARE BLIND OR VISUALLY IMPAIRED OF ALL AGES TO USE TECHNOLOGY PROFICIENTLY. 2) COMMUNITY-BASED INSTRUCTORS TEACH SAFE TRAVEL SKILLS TO INDIVIDUALS OF ALL AGES IN THEIR HOMES, COMMUNITIES, JOBSITES, AND ON PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION AND COLLEGE CAMPUSES. 3) LOW VISION THERAPISTS PROVIDE OUTPATIENT ASSESSMENTS AND TRAINING TO SUPPORT THE USE OF REMAINING VISION WITH MAGNIFICATION, LIGHTING, AND DISTANCE-VIEWING DEVICES.