Guide: Adaptive Living Skills

 
 

Another facet of transportation is learning how to correctly navigate from point A to point B. This includes white cane training, orientation and mobility (O&M) training, occupational therapy, guide dogs, and more. In addition, other adaptive living skills are great additions to the training received with low vision rehabilitation that will further enhance independence.

  • An occupational therapist (OT) specializing in low vision provide in-home training and safety and ease of mobility modifications to your home. Ask your doctor or visit the POB Low Vision Learning Center to learn more.
  • Orientation and mobility (O&M) training specialists teach techniques for safe foot travel. Contact your County Disability office.
  • VisionAware (visionaware.org) provides adaptive daily living techniques on their website.
  • Guide dogs are both a great mobility resource and a “best friend” companion.
  • Each jurisdiction/state has its own independent living skill training center. These centers teach adaptive techniques for daily activities.
 
 

Enrichment Audio Resource Services, Inc. (E.A.R.S)
Phone: 800-843-6816 Website: www.earsforeyes.info

Audio adaptive daily living skills lessons including cooking, personal care, and in-home adjustments.

Guide Dog Foundation for the Blind
Phone: 800-548-4337 Website: www.guidedog.org

Provide two week on-campus training programs with matched guide dogs and legally blind partners.

Guide Dogs of America
Phone: 800-459-4843 Website: www.guidedogsofamerica.org

Provide guide dog partners, guide dog training, and post-graduate support services, free of charge.

Hadley
Phone: 847-446-8111 Phone: 800-323-4238 Website: www.hadley.edu

Free accredited education programs, discussion groups and instructional videos for blind or visually impaired individuals and their families.

NFB White Cane Training
Phone: 410-659-9314 Website: www.nfb.org/programs-services/free-white-cane-program

Free White Cane and Cane Travel training program.

Visionaware
Phone: 800-232-5463 Website: www.visionaware.org

Daily-living adjustments, an online community, and other ways to ease the adjustment of vision loss.

 

Columbia Lighthouse for the Blind (CLB)
Phone: 202-454-6400 Phone: 301-589-0894 Website: www.clb.org

Assistive technology, adaptive living skills, and more for area blind and visually impaired residents.

MetroReady Travel Training
Phone: 202-962-2703 Website: www.wmata.com/rider-guide/new-riders/Travel-Training.cfm

Free comprehensive individual/group travel training for MetroAccess customers. Call for an appointment.

 

DC Center for Independent Living (DCCIL)
Phone: 202-388-0033 Website: dccil.org

Referrals, peer counseling and independent living training services to DC residents with disabilities.

DC Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA)
Phone: 202-730-1700 Website: dds.dc.gov/service/vocational-rehabilitation-services

 

Independence Now (Montgomery & Prince George’s Counties)
Phone: 301-277-2839 Website: www.innow.org

Independent living skill training, peer counseling, referral, advocacy and more for eligible residents.

Maryland Department of Rehabilitation Services (DORS)
Phone: 301-306-3600 Website: dors.maryland.gov/resources/Pages/IL.aspx

Independent Living Council for those not looking to go back to work, but need assistance.
Office for Blindness & Vision Services: 410-554-9277
MD Independent Living Council: 240-599-7965

 

Virginia Dept. for the Blind and Visually Impaired (DBVI) Regional Office
Phone: 703-359-1100 (800-622-2155) Website: www.vdbvi.org/orient_mobile.htm