Vision impaired persons

Button TextButton TextButton TextButton TextButton TextButton Text

Stephen Chair personBernadette co-chairpersonJohn C0-chairperson

   The Officers




  • Third Wednesday of the month
  • 6:30-8:30 pm
  • Conference Rooms B & C
  • Sturdy Hospital

Dates

Tips for Positive Communication

Introduce yourself and anyone else who might be present when speaking with a person with a vision impairment.
Use a normal voice level when speaking; remember a vision impaired person has sight problems, not a hearing loss.
Speak directly to the vision impaired person and address him or her by name.
Do not hesitate to use such words as look or see; people with vision impairments use these terms also.
When walking with a visually impaired person, allow him or her to take your arm just above the elbow.  Walk in a natural manner and pace.
A guide dog is trained as a working animal and should not be petted or spoken to without the permission of the handler.  A general rule of thumb is that the dog is working while in harness.
When offering a seat to a vision impaired person, place the person's hand on the back or arm of the seat.  This gives the person a frame of reference to seat himself or herself.
Do not hesitate to ask a person what adaptations, if any, are required in the working world.  The person is the "expert" about his or her particular needs.
Tell a friend:
  • We are a self help support group for the visually impaired and blind in the Attleboro area. We provide information and resources that may benefit you or a loved one.
  • The purpose of the organization is to exchange among visually impaired individuals and to offer assistance in overcoming obstacles dealing with all types of blindness
  • Our Mission is to offer support supply information and friendship.  We hand out a packet to any new members with information on what is available for the blind and visually impaired individual

Group Picture

 Group Picture
 Meeting
Paul Lacroix decided to start a self help support group for the blind and vision impaired.  He got together with Janice Lancore on the idea.  They both decided to ask the Mass Commission for the blind for assistance.  Bob Roberts who was their councilor liked the idea and offered them his assistance. Paul and Janice went down to the Sturdy Hospital to see if they could get a room.  The Hospital told    them they could have it but they would have to get someone to back them up. They went to Bob Roberts and ask him to write a letter and saying that they will back them up.

Eye Problems

  
  • Cataracts - a clouding of the eye’s lens that diminishes vision.
  • Diabetic retinopathy - small blood vessels that nourish the eye’s light-sensitive retina weaken and change. Visual symptoms depend on where the blood vessel changes are taking place in your eye’s retina.
  • Glaucoma - fluid that does not properly drain causes pressure within the eye that can damage the optic nerve and lead to vision loss. Glaucoma affects side vision before central vision is affected.
  • Macular degeneration - damage to the part of the retina (back of the eye) responsible for central vision and the ability to see detail. The dry form is caused by the thinning of the tissues of the macula; the wet form occurs when abnormal blood vessels at the back of the eye hemorrhage.
  • Optic atrophy - a degeneration of the optic nerve, the fibers that transmit electrical information from the retina to the brain where it is translated into vision, that leads to loss of clarity or changes in the field of vision, or both.
  • RetinitisPigmentosa - a hereditary eye disorder causing gradual destruction of the retina. Sight loss is usually gradual but progressive







Meeting

  Steve at work
 
 Links
ADA
 ZoomText
Eye Care Center
 APH
Apple Access
 APL
BWA
 BVA
Reading Devices
766
Gatra
 Hot Braille
MAB
 MCB
Perkins for the blind
 The Carroll Center
DVS
 White cane Laws
Maxi Aids
 Eye Disease Glossary

 Paul Founder