VISIONS’ multi-cultural and multi-lingual staff provides vision rehabilitation services for individuals of all ages who are experiencing vision loss throughout New York City.
All services are provided at no cost.

VISION REHABILITATION THERAPY
Vision Rehabilitation Therapists (CVRT) provide age appropriate instruction and guidance in adaptive independent living skills, to help people who are blind and visually impaired to safely and confidently carry out daily activities. Vision Rehabilitation Therapy combines adaptive rehabilitation and youth and adult education in the following areas: home management, personal management, communication skills, including Braille and Keyboarding, activities of daily living, leisure activities, and indoor travel skills.

ORIENTATION & MOBILITY
Orientation and Mobility Specialists (COMS) teach the use of remaining senses to determine position and orient yourself within the environment, as well as techniques for safe travel from one place to another, both indoors and outdoors. Training might include use of a prescribed long red and white cane and learning to use any remaining vision more effectively. Goals might include getting around in your building or home, your immediate neighborhood, to shopping areas, to medical appointments, or your local Senior Center.

LOW VISION SERVICES
Low vision services may help you to use your remaining vision by prescribing optical aids, equipment, and devices. Magnifiers and monoculars, for example, can help you read the newspaper, see labels in the grocery store, or focus on distant street signs. Low vision providers are licensed by New York State, and are approved by optometrists and ophthalmologists.

OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY
Occupational Therapists (OT) help people who have conditions that are mentally, physically, developmentally or emotionally disabling to improve their basic motor functions and reasoning abilities. OT’s seek to increase people’s ability to perform tasks in their daily living and working environments. VISIONS has integrated an OT into the rehabilitation department for over 30 years. Collaboration between vision rehabilitation professionals and Occupational Therapists enables individuals with blindness or low vision and other disabilities to achieve their maximum level of independent functioning.

SOCIAL SERVICES
The Social Service Department is, in most cases, the “intake” or initial contact for people seeking services. Licensed social workers (LMSW) can help you work through some of your concerns, confusion or frustrations regarding vision loss, as well as help you to understand the various entitlements and benefits. Social workers are specially trained to provide emotional support to help you in the adjustment to vision loss. You may also want to share your feelings with other people facing similar challenges in a peer support group, offered at VISIONS at Selis Manor.

HOW TO GET STARTED
To request services, VISIONS simply requires a call or fax name, address, and telephone number. A current medical eye report clearly stating the acuity and any field restrictions is required to start services.

Contact: Diana Cruz
212-625-1616, ext. 134
dcruz@visionsvcb.org