ILS allows for the blind and visually impaired to continue living their lives as independent as possible prior to loosing their vision. These classes provide cooking, cleaning, money and clothing identification, labeling and personal hygiene, laundry, shopping, and transportation. These classes are held on a weekly basis with different topics held each week.
Group and individual counseling offers alleviation of depression, isolation, frustration, family issues, feelings of helplessness and hopelessness, the ability to interact socially.
We have a full time Marriage Family Therapist here at the center to help those who need and would benefit from counseling.
Our center provides Assistive Technology Training to help individuals incorporate themselves into the work environment. We offer training in Braille, computers, note taking devices, visual aids and GPS devices. Assistive Technology Training helps the blind and visually impaired perform their daily tasks and jobs such as web browsing, email, document reading and writing, spreadsheets and data bases etc.
Open ILS classes are available for any blind or visually impaired individual who is not currently enrolled in an active ILS class and would like to participate and learn cooking and independent living skills. This enables clients to work in groups and learn from one another as well as from our ILS instructors. Many of our clients have graduated from ILS and have moved on to volunteer their time to help new clients during our open ILS classes.
Our center offers men and women’s support groups where people can get together and discuss issues related to their lives as blind or visually impaired individuals. Group sessions help cope with their disability as well as family and personal issues that arise from being blind or visually impaired.
This class is offered to clients who are dealing with sudden loss of sight or who are in denial of their disability. Our instructors help our clients understand, cope and adjust to their new lives and the outside world.
Valley center for the Blind works with the State Department of Rehabilitation in Fresno. We can put you in touch with special programs and training, from orientation and mobility to the latest in Assistive Technology equipment for the visually impaired and Guide Dog School.
Our center also has an in house store where you can purchase anything and everything for the blind and visually impaired.
Call for details at: (559) 222-4447.or write to us at info@valleycenterfortheblind.org