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The Public Education component of
Blind and Vision Rehabilitation Services of Pittsburgh provides an important link between the agency and our community. It uses it
numerous resources to promote public awareness of the programs and services
available to people with vision impairment, and to educate the community about
the abilities of people with disabilities.
Increasing public knowledge and awareness of agency services
also aids in locating people with vision impairments, which facilitates the
referral process.
The Public Education department provides presentations on
community related topics through its Speaker Bureau and also provides staff
in-service training through its professional training staff.
Blind
and Vision Rehabilitation Services's Public Education Programs
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| Answers
in Sight |
A community outreach presentation geared towards
senior citizens. The presentation addresses vision loss in the elderly and
how (without intervention) it can lead to isolation, dependence,
depression and increased need for services. The
presentation provides brief information about the types of vision loss and
the types of services in the community available to assist in providing
independence and safety. The intent of the presentation is to
provide a link for older individuals experiencing a vision loss with
information on available services in the community.
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Children's Education Program
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This program is available for presentation to schools in Allegheny County. The
program presented by Blind and Vision Rehabilitation Services of Pittsburgh staff that is blind or
visually impaired, helps
children to appreciate the abilities of people with vision disabilities. Staff members talk to the children about what
their lives are like without sight and then invite questions from the children. The
program is available throughout the year.
Age range: preschool through high school.
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Community Lecture
Series
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Blind
&
Vision Rehabilitation Services of Pittsburgh professionals and related
community partners share their expertise about vision loss and vision
rehabilitation in a community lecture series. Topics have included:
Macular Degeneration -- Hype or Hope, Preschool Vision Screening, and
Diabetes and Vision Loss. Dates and times of upcoming lectures can be
found under Special Events. |
| Disability Awareness Training
For Employers |
Disability Awareness training is available to
businesses and employers. The professional training in this program covers
a variety of topics that are helpful to employers who are interested in
hiring people with visual disabilities or interested in retaining
valuable employees experiencing vision loss. Some topics include:
disability etiquette, assistive technology, accommodations, ADA Title I
Employment, job site accommodations and the supported employment concept.
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| Disability Awareness Training
For Professionals |
This program provides simulator experiences to
assist professionals working with persons who are visually impaired and
provides an understanding of some of the difficulties encountered when
performing simple visual tasks. Other topics discussed in this
workshop include: disability etiquette, sighted guide techniques, types of
vision loss and visual statistics, and services for persons who are blind
and visually impaired. |
| Facility Tours |
Tours of the
Homestead sites are available upon request and provide an
excellent opportunity to observe agency program activities. |
| Literature |
Printed information is available upon
request. Current items include a bi-yearly newsletter, agency
brochures, brochures on eye diseases, and a Braille alphabet card. A
number of these items are also available in alternative media upon
request. |
For more information on public education services please contact the Public
Education Office at 412-368-4400
or toll free in
Pennsylvania at 1-800-706-5050.
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