Outlook Enrichment

TO POSITIVELY IMPACT EVERYONE WHO IS BLIND OR VISUALLY IMPAIRED. WE ACHIEVE THIS THROUGH ENRICHMENT PROGRAMS GEARED TOWARD HELPING THOSE WE SERVE ACHIEVE INCREASED PERSONAL INDEPENDENCE AND EMPLOYABILITY.

ADAPTIVE TECHNOLOGY TRAINING - THIS SERVICE PROVIDES INDIVIDUALS AND THEIR SUPPORT SYSTEMS: INFORMATION ON TECHNOLOGY OPTIONS, ASSESSMENTS, INDIVIDUALIZED ONE ON ONE TRAINING TWICE WEEKLY, AND SMALL GROUP CLASS SESSIONS. MONTHLY EDUCATIONAL SESSION WERE PROVIDED TO INFORM INDIVIDUALS AND SERVICE PROVIDERS ABOUT NEW TECHNOLOGY, APPLICATIONS, AND PHYSICAL MODIFICATION TO MEET DISABILITY NEEDS. IN 2021 1,443 HOURS WERE PROVIDED TO CONSUMERS PARTICIPATING IN THE ADAPTIVE TECHNOLOGY PROGRAM. MOST OF THESE HOURS FOCUSED ON TELECOMMUNICATION ACCESS AND UNDERSTANDING THE CAPABILITYES THE IPHONE/ANDROID DEVICES AND APPLICATIONS.

COMMUNITY EDUCATION - 3,993 HOURS OF COMMUNITY EDUCATION WERE PROVIDED THROUGHOUT THE YEAR THESE INCLUDED BOTH INTERNAL AND EXTERNAL EDUCATIONAL SESSIONS, BLINDNESS IMMERSION ACTIVITIES AND TEAM BUILDING, TOURS, MEDIA, AND PUBLICITY.

RECREATION PROGRAMS-RECREATION OPPORTUNITIES FOR INDIVIDUALS OF ALL AGES WHO ARE BLIND OR VISUALLY IMPAIRED. PARTICIPANTS ENGAGE IN PROGRAMING TO IMPROVE HEALTHY STYLES, BUILD CONFIDENCE, AND BUILD RELATIONSHIPS. PROGRAM ACTIVITIES INCLUDE MONTHLY ACTIVITIES, LIKE DOWNHILL SKIING, GOLFING, ROCK WALL CLIMBING. ADDITIONALLY, WEEKLY RECURRING FITNESS ACTIVITIES, AND SOCIAL/CULTURE OUTINGS ARE ALSO PROVIDED TO ELIMINATE BARRIERS THAT OTHERWISE MAY PRESENT AN ACCESS BARRIER TO ACTIVITIES IN THE COMMUNITY. VIRTUAL LEISURE ACTIVITIES INCLUDE AUDIO BOOK CLUBS, GAME NIGHTS, AND SOCIAL OPPORTUNITIES FOR YOUTH AND TO ENGAGE WITH OTHERS THEIR OWN AGE. 1,625 TOTAL HOURS OF SERVICE WERE PROVIDED THROUGH OUR RECREATION PROGRAMS; SERVICES WERE PROVIDED TO 154 VISUALLY IMPAIRED.

CULTURAL ENGAGEMENT ACTIVITIES INCLUDED AUDIO DESCRIPTION SERVICES FOR THEATRICAL PRODUCTIONS, AUDIO-DESCRIBED TOURS OF LOCAL VENUES SUCH AS THE JOSLYN CASTLE AND THE BOTANICAL GARDENS, AS WELL AS A MONTHLY AUDIOBOOK CLUB TOTAL HOURS OF CULTURAL AND AUDIO DESCRIPTION 126.INDEPENDENT LIVING SERVICES INCLUDED MONTHLY ZOOM WORKSHOPS ON INDEPENDENT DAILY LIVING TASKS SUCH AS SAFE COOKING SKILLS AND HOME ORGANIZATION FOR 71 HOURS.SUPPORT GROUPS AND EMOTIONAL WELL BEING SERVICES FOUR 8-12 WEEK SESSIONS EQUALING 157.23 HOURS WERE HELD OVER THE COURSE OF 2021. ON AVERAGE FIVE TO SEVEN PARTICIPANTS REGULARLY ENGAGED IN THE SUPPORT GROUP ACTIVITIES. ADDITIONAL 32 HOURS OF INDIVIDUALIZED ONE-ON-ONE SESSIONS WERE PROVIDED IN ADJUSTMENT SERVICES. OTHER PROGRAMS CONSIST OF: ASSOCIATE DEVELOPMENT, BRAILLE SERVICES, AND VOCATIONAL/WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT.