Program areas at Sights for Hope
Client and patient services: services for people with qualifying visual impairments include group and one-on-one life skills education programs; caseworker support; guided transport services that increase their access to medical care, food, and other essentials; peer support groups; personal counseling; social and recreational activities; public service opportunities; functional low vision exams by a professional optometrist; and individualized consultations performed to match clients and patients with the assistive devices that best meet their needs.
Outcomes - in the 2022-2023 service year, Sights for Hope produced the following outcomes:97% of its clients improved or maintained their ability to perform daily activities96% of its clients achieved greater access to medical care96% of its clients achieved greater access to critical resources in their communities94% of its clients learned how to make better use of their existing sight95% of its clients reported a greater acceptance of their visual impairmentsprogram service accomplishments:3,134 guided transports were provided to clients - exceeding pre-pandemic levels and increased by 25% over the prior yearmore than 12,000 hours of service were provided to clients and patients - a 20%-year-over-year increase4,685 children ages 0-6 received free vision screenings - a continued progression toward pre-pandemic levels14% of children ages 0-6 who received vision screenings were found to have an undetected visual impairment of any kind and were referred for service by eye care professionals
Prevention services: Sights for Hope's screenings of children, most of whom are ages 0-6, are conducted with advanced hand-held spot vision screener that is highly accurate in the determination of conditions such as nearsightedness, farsightedness, astigmatisms, strabismus, and amblyopia. Sights for Hope's community education programs for preschool children, students, adults, and professionals promote eye health, eye safety, and inclusion of people with visual impairments.