Clients whose vision cannot be helped with surgery, eyeglasses, or medication can greatly benefit from outpatient services at our Low Vision Clinic. A specially trained optometrist, who has completed a residency in Low Vision, examines the patient to determine his remaining eyesight. The doctor then prescribes a number of optical aids to enhance the patient’s vision.  Aids vary from simple hand-held magnifiers to higher tech video magnifiers such as the stationary and portable closed circuit TVs and the Jordy II, a head worn video magnifier. An Occupational Therapist (OT), who is also a Certified Low Vision Therapist, then follows the doctor’s prescribed treatment plan. The OT teaches the patient how to use the prescribed aids so he may more easily read, enjoy hobbies, watch television, write checks, maintain his home, and perform other activities he enjoys.

This comprehensive, immersion rehabilitation program teaches clients who are vision impaired and deaf-blind how to live independently in their homes and the community. Clients may commute or live in our residence while learning daily living techniques that include money identification, personal grooming, dining, safe cooking, housekeeping, as well as how to participate in community activities and enjoy recreational offerings. Clients learn Orientation and Mobility, including evaluation and training in sighted guide, the use of a prescription cane, sensory awareness, shopping, and public transportation. Clients develop communication skills in basic Braille, telephone use, record keeping, and audio equipment. Instruction in touch-typing will benefit the beginner who wants to proceed to computer training. Individual and group counseling is integral to this program. Clients also benefit from an active leisure time activity and fitness program, a diabetic education program, a nutritionist, dietician, and a registered nurse.

The highest quality training available in the use of adapted computers, software, and other electronic devices is offered through the Computer Access Technology Center. Our students include teenagers, mid-career professionals, senior citizens, and U.S. Military Veterans. Training is offered in basic computer literacy and word processing, instruction in assembling equipment, installing and updating software, system maintenance, and trouble-shooting. Training on business applications or custom software can also be provided. Workstations are equipped with a wide variety of technology including speech output, screen magnification, Braille displays, and optical character recognition systems. Instructors also teach electronic note taking devices, accessible personal data assistants (PDAs), and split-screen closed circuit TVs (CCTVs). Students either commute or stay in our residence. In-home or workplace instruction and training can also be arranged. Many of our students have never touched a keyboard, but after successfully completing courses, they are ready to compete in the educational and employment arenas, or enjoy computers for personal use.

The College Prep Program is designed to help vision-impaired high school juniors and seniors prepare for transition to college.

The Career and Community Adjustment Program helps high school students transition into work and independent living. Students participate in job readiness classes, job shadowing, and community work experiences half the day. The remaining time is spent learning independence skill-building in the Personal Adjustment to Blindness Training Program. Group and individual counseling is an integral part of this program.

Summer Personal Adjustment to Blindness Training offers students age 16 to 21 the full PABT program for five weeks. Students learn communication techniques, orientation and mobility, safe cooking, shopping, clothing maintenance, grooming, and housekeeping.

In this residential program at BVRS, students receive Computer Access Technology Services (CATS) instruction for half a day and spend the remainder of the day learning guide dog training (DOGS) from an instructor provided by the Guide Dog Foundation for the Blind, Inc., of Smithtown, NY. This national program was established by the Guide Dog Foundation to accommodate U.S. military veterans who wanted training in both programs, but it is open to all students. Guide dog training can also be combined with other BVRS residential services such as Personal Adjustment to Blindness Training and Vocational Services.

This program combines the agency’s best features to help the expanding senior population adjust, adapt, and continue to live independently with vision loss. Clients benefit from personalized needs assessment and education in areas such as mobility, daily living activities, communications, and basic computer skills. Services are provided in the client’s home, in their community, or at BVRS.