Low Vision Skills: Putting It All Together
Adults 55 and older, in addition to adult clients being served by the California Department of Rehabilitation, are invited to participate in a virtual course geared towards learning about their changes in vision. Participants will learn practical ways to maximize successful, independent living skills in work, school and daily living environments.
The virtual portion of the course is six classes over three weeks: a 2.5-hour introductory class with a Low Vision Optometrist, Social Worker, and two Certified Low Vision Therapists, followed by five, 2.5-hour classes which will include practical skills taught by the Certified Low Vision Therapists. Included in the course: a pre-course assessment one week prior to the start of the course, ongoing low vision skills office hours during the course, one in-person half-day group lesson, and one individualized lesson for a total of eight lessons.
It is a comprehensive skills training course introducing participants to foundational low vision concepts, skills and current technologies for maximizing successful, independent daily living skills. After the six virtual classes, participants can expect to feel more confident in using their vision and making changes in their environment for independent daily living skills. Class seven is a half-day, in-person Group Adaptive Devices and Strategies Demonstration at a location to be determined after the six virtual classes. Thereafter; participants are eligible for class eight, an individualized Low Vision Therapy lesson.
The six virtual classes will be taught via Zoom video (independent Zoom video skills are required for all virtual classes), best viewed on a large screen tablet, laptop, or computer only (phone is not recommended) at the following dates and times (Pacific Time):
October 28 through November 1, 2024 (by Zoom video):
Course Introduction and Pre-Course Assessment
Monday, November 4 – Week 1 (Virtual via Zoom video):
Class #1 – 9:45 am to 12:15 pm; Class #2 – 12:45 pm to 3:15 pm
Office hours support time available between Weeks 1 and 2
Monday, November 11 – Week 2 (Virtual via Zoom video):
Class #3 – 9:45 am to 12:15 pm; Class #4 – 12:45 to 3:15 pm
Office hours support time available between Weeks 2 and 3
Monday, November 18 – Week 3 (Virtual via Zoom video):
Class #5 – 9:45 am to 12:15 pm Class #6 – 12:45 to 3:15 pm
Office hours support time available between Weeks 3 and 4
Location and Date to be determined – Week 4 (In-person Class #7):
Group Adaptive Devices and Strategies Demonstration – 10:00 am to 3:00 pm (including one-hour break for provided lunch and peer interaction)
By Tuesday, November 26 (In-person Class #8):
Individualized follow-up low vision skills lesson tailored to the unique needs of each participant
If you are not with the California Department of Rehabilitation, and if you are age 55 and older, living in the counties of San Francisco, San Mateo, Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, Sonoma, Napa, Colusa, Lake, Mendocino, Humboldt, Del Norte and Trinity, there may be partial scholarship funding for training and course materials. For adults working with the California Department of Rehabilitation, please contact your Rehabilitation Counselor directly to discuss participation and referral.
RSVP by October 21. If you’re interested in this course, please contact an Intake Coordinator by email at intake@lighthouse-sf.org to determine your course eligibility. Ideally anyone interested in the course will have a Low Vision Evaluation completed within the last year. When registration is full, any appropriate Low Vision course referrals will then be placed on our waitlist (next dates TBA).