Description
Blindskills, Inc., an Oregon-based nonprofit corporation since 1983, distributes information to visually impaired people and their families. It provides this service in many ways. In the past year, Blindskills, Inc. assisted over 1400 individuals who contacted its staff via the toll-free number, which can be reached from anywhere in the U.S. or Canada. It maintains a Web site with links to organizations and services for visually impaired people. Blindskills publishes a quarterly magazine written by visually impaired people for visually impaired people, available in large print, cassette, braille or disk. Its content includes information on adapting to life with low vision, techniques of daily living, career interviews, recreation and sports, technology tips and reviews, and descriptions of new products and services designed for visually impaired people. Other publications include: Job Hunting Resources For People With Vision Impairments, a handbook for visually impaired people who are seeking employment; Connie's Kitchen, a cookbook which includes many tips for low vision or blind cooks; "Where Do I Go From Here," a free cassette for people who are just beginning to lose vision. The tape includes a companion piece, in print for family or friends, which gives suggestions for assisting someone with low vision. Carol McCarl a blind staff member of Blindskills, Inc. provides blindness awareness presentations at conferences, schools, service clubs, etc. They can provide one-on-one or group training on certain software applications and e-mail management. Blindskills sponsors a monthly LOCAL support group FOR THOSE who are experiencing vision loss. Staff members can provide assistance to others interested in starting such support groups in their communities. People at Blindskills, Inc. will assist visually impaired people of all ages to obtain the information, services, and products they can use to adapt to living with vision loss.
