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Community outreach and assistance to hearing and vision impaired BVRS
clients and Pittsburgh area residents is at the heart of this program.
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Information and Referral
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 An
Information and Referral Specialist informs callers about BVRS programs and
services. Referrals to BVRS may be made by members of the medical community,
family members, friends, or by the potential client himself. Information and
Referral Specialists may be reached by calling BVRS at 412-368-4400 or PA
Toll Free 800-706-5050. Emails may be sent to
Info&ref@pghvis.org
Print a referral form.
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Case Management |
Case managers work with clients and their families to develop service
plans. They describe BVRS programs, costs, and options, and also offer
information about community services and resources. |
Supportive Services
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The Supportive Services team assists vision-impaired individuals continue to
live independently in the community. Team members provide limited transportation
and volunteer services that include reading mail, serving as escorts to the
store or bank, and helping with small daily chores.
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Preschool Vision Screening
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 Every
year about 12,000 preschool-aged children are screened in nursery schools
and daycare centers for deviations in normal vision by one full-time and
five part-time BVRS staff members with the help of 800 trained community
volunteers. When problems are detected, parents are alerted so they may make
follow up appointments with eye doctors.
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Children's
Education Program
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BVRS staff members who are blind or vision impaired travel with their guide
dogs to talk to children in Allegheny County schools about what their lives
are like without sight. Students are invited to ask questions. The goal is
to educate children and expose them to the talents and abilities of people
with vision loss. This program is open year round to preschoolers through
high school students. |
Community Lecture Series
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BVRS
professionals and community partners share their expertise about vision loss
and vision rehabilitation through community lectures on topics such as
macular degeneration, preschool vision screening, and vision loss and
diabetes. Dates and times of any upcoming lectures can be found under
Special Events.
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Speaker's
Bureau
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Program specialists and public relations professionals are available to
speak about vision loss and BVRS programs and services.
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Disability Awareness Training for
Employers
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This professional training covers a variety of topics that are helpful to
employers who are interested in hiring people with vision loss or keeping
valuable employees who are experiencing vision loss. Topics include
disability etiquette, assistive technology, accommodations, ADA Title I
Employment, job site accommodations, and the supported employment concept.
Disability Awareness Training is available to businesses and employers. |
Agency Tours
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Tours of BVRS’ Rehabilitation Training Center in Homestead provide an
excellent opportunity to observe agency programs. Call 412-368-4400 to
schedule a tour. |
For more information on
Community Services, please call our Information and
Referral Department at 412-368-4400 or 1-800-706-5050 (within Pennsylvania).
Or
Contact info&ref@pghvis.org
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