The Center provides concentrated skill development, instruction, and training in ways to adapt to life with a vision loss while maintaining a safe environment and participation in enriching community and family activities.

Assessment

Generally, the first phase of involvement at the Center is called “Assessment”, a period that may last from three to five days and includes daily one-hour classes in all five areas of instruction:

• Activities of Daily Living
• Braille
• Assistive Technology
• Manual Skills
• Orientation & Mobility

During this time, clients are given the opportunity to discuss their needs, experience, and goals with the instructors in each of the above areas so that a more accurate and individually tailored plan for future services may be developed. Those sponsored by the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation will need to develop an Individual Plan of Employment with your Counselor. The results of the assessment at the Center will be a very important part of that Plan.

Instruction and Training

Based on the recommendations made during the Assessment period, clients may take classes in some or all of the instructional areas in order to achieve lifestyle and other goals. A schedule of classes will be developed that supports learning the desired skills and abilities. Generally, these classes are one hour each and will continue until the skills are learned adequately and to client satisfaction. The emphasis of the staff is on providing the tools that are essential to live as independent and fulfilling a lifestyle as possible. In essence, instructors and clients form a team to promote learning, growth, and self-reliance.

Instruction and skill development are supported by a computer lab with up to five (5) workstations, a Braille area with various ways in which to produce materials, a well-equipped wood shop, a Low Vision room with a full range of devices on display and available for demonstration, and an area in which tactile maps and other items can be made and reviewed while learning how to walk safely in a variety of settings. A classroom designed to simulate a typical dining/living room has two adjoining training kitchens and laundry facilities for use in teaching activities of daily living. The computer lab is available for use outside of class time, and practice during the evenings and on weekends is encouraged.

Services include regular class instruction in:

• Activities of Daily Living – personal and home management such as nutrition, meal preparation, financial and other record keeping, organizing, clothing selection and upkeep, safety, cleaning, shopping, and labeling.
• Braille – reading as well as writing in this useful “language” that consists of raised dots in special patterns that form words, numbers, and contractions.
• Assistive Technology – including various forms of assistive technology such as computer talking and screen enlargement programs, voice recorders, use of scanning and reading systems, and other items that provide opportunities to participate fully in our changing world.
• Manual Skills – planning, designing, and creating objects out of wood and other materials.
• Orientation and Mobility – safe methods for traveling in-home as well as in residential and business areas.

The Center is licensed by the Municipality of Anchorage as a “Quasi-Institution” and receives inspections by several agencies annually, including the Fire Department, to insure the safety and well-being of clients and staff. Because of that, all clients coming to the Center must have a copy of the results of a tuberculosis test performed within the past year. For those residing at the Center, the results of a physical examination conducted within the past year that includes testing for communicable diseases such as tuberculosis are required. For the convenience of all clients, the Center can arrange to have a physical exam conducted locally for a minimal charge.