Living with a visual impairment can feel overwhelming. Fear, sadness, and anger are common emotions people feel when they think about the potential implications of vision loss on their lives.
Many tools, strategies, and resources are available to help you remain independent, but you may not know how to access them or think you don’t need them right now.
But, even if your vision is still good enough to drive, read most things, and go about your daily routines, many conditions that cause vision loss are progressive, and your vision could become more diminished over time. As your vision decreases, you may find daily tasks more challenging, making you feel less independent.
The good news is that people with visual impairments live healthy, active, and independent lives. Using a wide range of tools and learning some adaptations allows you to continue to work, travel, cook, engage in hobbies, and enjoy your favorite things.
The roadmap below outlines the programs and services we offer. Most are donor-funded, so there is no cost to you. The best first step is to talk with a member of our staff who can provide you with information about the next steps in your vision loss journey.
Understanding Vision Loss
This informative workshop, offered at least once per month, is designed for people with a visual impairment and family members, friends, or caregivers who want to learn more about the services available for remaining independent. The workshop covers common eye diseases that cause visual impairments, the process people go through while trying to adapt to living with vision loss, the key tools, services, and resources available to help people maintain their independence, and how to connect to these resources. For more information or to register for an upcoming session, click here.
Peer Support
Vision loss can sometimes feel isolating. Meeting and talking with people who can relate to how you are feeling, knowing that you are not alone in facing these challenges, and learning how they have overcome them can be a big help.
We highly recommend attending one of our VISION groups. These gatherings, which are held frequently at locations throughout Rhode Island, allow you and your family to meet members of the IN-SIGHT staff and other people with visual impairments and their families.
Click here for our calendar of events, which includes a listing of upcoming VISION Groups.
Caregivers Connect
Facilitated by IN-SIGHT’s social worker, Caregivers Connect is a safe place for family members, friends, and caregivers to discuss the stressors, challenges, and rewards of supporting an adult who is living with a visual impairment.
The group meets once per month and primarily features an open-topic format, providing ample opportunity to share stories and seek information and support. At times, there may also be a specific topic that the group has decided they would like to focus on for a part of the meeting.
For more information about Caregivers Connect, contact Ari Spardello at aspardello@in-sight.org or (401) 941-3322.
Low Vision Evaluation
Magnification, lighting, and glare control can help you remain independent by maximizing your remaining vision. An evaluation with one of our low-vision specialists will help you determine which tools will most benefit you. Click here for more information.
Transportation
Access to reliable transportation bolsters a person’s sense of independence and aids in their ability to shop, socialize, and access community resources.
While family members and friends may be available for transportation, being familiar with and connected to other options will ensure you can always get where you need to go.
Transportation options depend on where you live in the state. Urban and suburban communities generally offer a wider variety of services than rural areas.
Read our blog post on local transportation options by clicking this link.
Assistive Technology
Advances in technology have made it possible for people with visual impairments to engage in a wide range of activities at home, school, and work. Our staff can help you evaluate which tools best meet your needs and provide comprehensive training. Click here for more information.
Activities of Daily Living
Living with a visual impairment can make doing some things more challenging but not impossible. Our staff can work with you individually or in small group workshops to learn new ways of doing things. We can teach you how to safely and confidently cook, clean, travel, do laundry, organize clothing, and do dozens of other daily tasks. Click here for more information.
Connect
If you would like to speak with a member of our Client Services team to learn more about any of our programs, or if you have a question or concern that we can address, fill out the form below, and we will contact you as soon as possible.
