Lilac Services for the Blind

Each of Lilac Blind's clients has different needs depending on their vision, personal goals, support systems, location, and health. The Independent Living (IL) Program teaches blind and low-vision clients to function safely in their surroundings and use adaptive devices for alternative ways to accomplish daily living activities. Our vision rehab therapists and specialists help clients develop individualized goals to achieve the level of independence they want for maintaining or regaining skills and activities that are affected by their loss of vision. They receive adaptive devices and optical aids, such as magnifiers, big-button phones, talking watches, and high-contrast writing tablets. All are seen on a regular basis until the personalized training goals have been met, which is typically two months.

Under the IL program, clients can take advantage of these services:

• Low-vision assessments -- establishing personal goals to achieve desired level of independence and safety through training and use of adaptive devices; determination of most useful optical aids; maximizing the use of residual vision through magnification and use of color contrasts
• Activities of daily living -- training in the use of provided adaptive devices and optical aids; guidance in the management of home, health, and finances, which includes cooking, cleaning, grooming, online bill paying, money identification, meds management, blood pressure monitoring, nutrition, and more
• Orientation & mobility -- training in using a white cane if needed; making productive use of residual  vision; using public transportation, crossing streets, navigating  residence, neighborhood, and public places such as workplaces, stores, medical facilities, and common areas
• Communications -- familiarity with adaptive programs that are available on their phone or computer, as well as specialized software and alternative computer techniques such as screen readers and magnification; phone dialing; handwriting; and Braille in order to stay current in communication, recreation/leisure, and educational and vocational skills
• Peer support groups -- addressing changing dynamics within families and social groups, and how to effectively deal with personal issues regarding adjustment to vision loss

The mission of Lilac Services for the Blind is to provide people who are blind or have low vision with the training and adaptive devices that will allow them to live satisfying lives by restoring, maintaining, or increasing their independence. Our services and support are a gateway to freedom and independence for more than 1,300 individuals each year in 14 counties of Eastern and Central Washington. Our purpose is to provide the training, adaptive devices, and encouragement needed to enable people to reach their potential level of independence. Our experienced vision rehab therapists, orientation & mobility specialists, other specialists, and staff continually update our training, knowledge and services in order to meet the needs of our blind and low-vision clients.