Lighthouse for the Blind & Low Vision

Adjustment training: provides instruction to Blind or visually impaired individuals in daily living activities. 202 older adults and adults under the age of 55 received living independent training that enabled them to remain safe and independent in their own home. Additionally, over 2,500 individuals received information or referral, attended or participated in an event, tour or speaking engagement, or visited our on-site store.

Vocational services: provides vocational evaluations, job placements, and computer training to Blind or visually impaired individuals who are seeking to become employed in competitive employment. 160 adults received training to prepare for college or employment. 18 adults with additional disabilties received help seeking employment and training on the job. 678 individuals around the state of Florida received technology assistance for college and employment. 208 visually impaired veterans received technology assistance in their home to use the computer or ipad.

Service contracts: provided rehabilitation technology to individuals who are seeking to become employed.

Expenses 265,784 early intervention helps to develop skills for school readiness, improve self-sufficiency, and maximize physical, emotional, mental and social development. 60 children, from birth to 5 years, received training at home, preschool or a childcare center to prepare them with skills needed for kindergarten. Expenses 52,003 Low vision aids and appliances provides a direct source for community members and clients to purchase adaptive aids that will help enable them to function independently. Expenses 488,431 the transition program assists Blind and visually impaired youth to be ready to work, go to college or attend a technical school upon completion of high school. 55 teens received training in career exploration, technology, independent living and employment skills to prepare for college or work upon graduation from high school. Expenses 12,566 the mental health counselor program was created to support other programs by offering individual and group therapy to assist individuals in their adjustment to vision loss. the counselor, whom is visually impaired, provides assistance to individuals in moving forward in their personal journey. Adjustment training success story: meet calvin snyder for years, calvin worked 55-60-hour weeks at adler tank rentals in auburndale. His world changed on may 7th when he had difficulty breathing and his wife took him to the hospital. Calvin was diagnosed with severe covid. Prior to covid, calvin did not see a doctor and took no medication. After covid, he was left with heart, lung and neurological problems. Then the covid affected his eyes. After seeing ophthalmologists in winter haven, he was sent to sebring and then bascom palmer eye institute in miami. He lost all vision in his right eye and after laser surgery, he has limited vision in his left eye. His doctor referred him to the Lighthouse in winter haven. At the Lighthouse, he met his vision rehabilitation teacher, fabian. Fabian reassured him that blindness is not limiting. Fabian taught him how to do everything he needed to do to live independently. Now calvin can manage in his kitchen and even clean his house. Our orientation and mobility instructor, mark, worked with him to ensure that he can walk safely around his neighborhood. Calvin went from being devastated by the effects of covid to being able to live independently and is immensely greatful for the skills fabian and mark taught him.