Loss of vision often brings the loss of ability to do many of the everyday activities required for living independently. And so the Carroll Center goes beyond Braille, white canes and memorizing room layouts. Our independent living program provides adjustment to blindness through classes in safe travel (orientation and mobility), adaptive home management and self care, health and information management. adaptive communications and technology, counseling and resource seminars.
Our Comprehensive Vision Rehabilitation Program is designed for newly-blinded adults or those who have had a significant loss in vision. This intensive program provides training and support to make the physical and emotional adjustments to living with blindness.
All students will begin with a two-week evaluation to assess their current skills in activities of daily living, travel ability, use of remaining vision, information management, personal health care, and adjustment to vision loss. Those who are planning to return to work will also be assessed in vocational development, including Standard Vocational Testing, functional skills assessment, review of work history, work experience and educational background, understanding of disability benefits and social security services, and exploration of vocational options.
Following the Evaluation, will be an individualized INDEPENDENT LIVING PROGRAM. This 8 to 12 week course will assist students in achieving or maintaining personal independence through a multiplicity of skills in a campus environment:
- Individual and Group Counseling for adjustment to vision loss
- Orientation and Mobility skills to travel indoors and outdoors, including street crossing, public transportation, and shopping
- Communications Skills, using digital recorders, Braille, handwriting, computers, personal data assistants, low vision devices, and record keeping systems to manage personal, school, and work information
- Manual arts in a woodshop setting to develop organization skills and a systematic approach to manual tasks
- Daily living skills, including grooming, cooking, housekeeping, money management, and time management skills
- Health care needs, including diabetes management, labeling, organization, and administration of medicine
- Low Vision skills to maximize the use of remaining vision using lighting, magnifiers, telescopes and other devices
VOCATIONAL TRANSITION PROGRAM: A twenty-four week program that combines work experience with independent living skills for young adults. Students will participate in vocational development activities that will help in clarifying their vocational needs and goals as they gain work experience. One to three-days a week students will work in the community. Prior to enrollment, students must participate in a two-week vocational assessment of current functional independent skills, interests and vocational potential. The Carroll Center’s five-acre Newton campus, home to our rehabilitation programs, features a state-of-the-art technology center and an English Tudor dormitory. Public transportation and nearby retail businesses, universities and medical facilities give students easy access to cultural, recreational and business opportunities and enables them to apply travel skills through a variety of public transportation options.
Living at Raeder Hall
A residential campus with dormitory living on site provides a unique experience for every client and the opportunity to meet and live with other vision-impaired people, to benefit from sharing personal experiences and techniques learned, to feel less isolated and make new friends. Meals and transportation are handled by the Carroll Center to allow concentration on training and adjustment to blindness. Clients will have an option in their program to live in an apartment with continued training and support before they make the transition to home.
Independence for Elders
A rapidly changing world tests all seniors, and vision loss makes life that much more difficult. We offer a variety of services in the home, in the community and at the Center. Our ESSENTIAL SKILLS PROGRAM for those 55 years and older provides intensive training to enable them to meet those challenges quickly and successfully and help them understand the extent of their visual impairment. Training in daily living skills, health management, alternative communication methods, low vision options as well as safe travel and counseling support enable them to realize that they can live successful lives with their vision loss.