WBRC Settling in to New Space



Image: T-365 Floorplan Layout



WBRC is settling into the newly constructed 36,960 square foot T-365 building located at the VAPAHCS Menlo Park campus.  The 27 bed facility is intended to be a temporary location while the permanent Polytrauma and Blind Rehabilitation Center is constructed at the VAPAHCS Palo Alto campus.  Constructed of 52 modular sections, the one story design incorporates increased office and treatment spaces as well as some new features specially included for our unique needs. 

New Features:

·         Graphic Arts and Technology Lab

·         Research Lab

·         Ceramics Lab

·         Home Maintenance Training Classroom

·         Recreation Therapy Kitchen

·         Talking Book Library

·         Keyboard Typing Lab

·         Additional Optometry Exam Room

·         Dedicated CNVR Treatment Rooms

·         Staff Break Room

·         Additional Conference Room

·         Dog Run

Improved Features:

·         Larger Student Rooms

·         Four Student Rooms designed for diverse medical needs

·         Three Television viewing areas

·         New Disklavier Piano

·         Accessible Raised Bed Gardening Area

·         Expanded Nursing Station

·         Medication Room

·         Nursing Report Room

·         Additional Computer Access Training Rooms

·         Added Offices in Mobility, CNVR, & Recreation Therapy

·         Added Optometry and Mobility waiting areas

·         Increased Storage for Prosthetics

·         Indoor Glare Assessment Area

·         Additional Clean Utility Room

CLICK HERE to learn more about the Palo Alto construction plans

WBRC's Return to Menlo Park - A Look Back

WBRC continues to unpack and organize from our move to our new location in Menlo Park December 2nd through 6th of 2011.  Many people are unaware that WBRC originated in Menlo Park and that in a way we are returning to our roots.  Following is a look back at our prior Menlo Park days.

The following information and photographs have been gathered from 'Flight to Freedom 1967-1992: A history of the first 25 years of the Western Blind Rehabilitation Center United States Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center Palo Alto, California' edited by L. Eugene Apple, Ph.D. and Gregory L. Goodrich, Ph.D.

Photo: L.E. 'Gene' Apple, first Chief of the WBRC, with nurses
and volunteer Marie Dunlap (second from right) in front of the entrance
to building 209 (the original Menlo Park location of the WBRC). 

The Western Blind Rehabilitation Center began operation as a regional comprehensive rehabilitation facility in July of 1967 at the Menlo Park Campus of the Veterans Administration Palo Alto Health Care System.  The Center opened in building 209 as part of a three story building.  The WBRC occupied 20,000 square feet of this building and had 20 beds for inpatient care. 

WBRC was the second comprehensive rehabilitation center for blinded veterans established by the Veteran's Administration.  It had 5 skill areas for training which were Orientation and Mobility, Manual Skills, Braille, Written Communications, and Counseling.  An Activities of Daily Living and a Low Vision program were added shortly afterwards.

Photo: An early WBRC picnic at the Menlo Park Division.  Gene Apple,
WBRC Chief is sitting down to eat in the forground.  Also shown, standing
at the extreme right of the picture is Jim Doyle, WBRC Assistant Chief.

In January 1972 the WBRC moved to building 205 in Menlo Park after the 1971 San Fernando earthquake and resulting new VA earthquake building standards condemn building 209.  It was anticipated that this building would be phased out within a few years because of further revision to building codes.

Photo: The WBRC Visual Skills Department Staff shortly after the move
to Building 48 in 1977.  Clockwise from left Dee Quillman, Chief of Visual Skills,
with instructors Neil Greiner, Nancy Darling, Helen Shaw, and Gail Webb.

During the mid 1970's the WBRC staff were sent to the VA Medical Center in San Diego to inspect space being made available to Blind Rehabilitation.  Plans were made to move equipment and patients to San Diego.  Projected costs determined this approach unfeasible and planning was begun for a new freestanding building on the Palo Alto Division grounds.  The WBRC moved to the newly constructed building 48 in Palo Alto in 1977.

WBRC has Officially Moved



Photo: The 'Flight to Freedom' sculpture located in the WBRC entry area



We are happy to announce that the WBRC (Western Blind Rehabilitation Center) has officially moved into our new location at the Menlo Park Division of VAPAHCS (Veterans Affairs Palo Alto Heath Care System). 

The newly constructed Menlo Park structure is made up of 52 modular sections arranged on one level and covers 42,000 square feet.  It will provide the WBRC with much needed increased training, office, and storage space while the permanent Rehabilitation Center at the Palo Alto Division is constructed. 

Please see below for information regarding our new mailing address and phone number.

Mailing Address

Western Blind Rehabilitation Center (124)

795 Willow Road

Building T-365

Menlo Park, California 94025

Main number

650-614-9952

Nursing Station Extensions

52-24623

52-24823

CLICK HERE to learn more about the plans for the New Rehabilitation Center at Palo Alto

WBRC Moving to Menlo Park Starting Friday

Photo: Moving box with 'Moving Day' written on side, marker, and tape

The Western Blind Rehabilitation Center (WBRC) is moving to a new building on the VA Menlo Park Campus between 12/2 – 12/6.  During this time WBRC staff access to email and phone messages will be limited.

The WBRC blog will post information about the new mailing address and phone number for our new Menlo Park location once it is available.

Thank you.

WBRC Receives Move Dates



Photo: Cardboard Box with words 'Moving Day' written on
side, sharpie marker, and packing tape.


WBRC received news of the dates for our move to our new site at the Menlo Park VA Hospital Campus.  The planned dates for the move are from December 2nd to December 6th.  WBRC will be moving into a newly constructed 42,000 square foot facility.

The move to the Menlo Park location will be temporary while a new Polytrauma and Blind Rehabilitation Center is built on the Palo Alto VA Hospital Campus.  The anticipated start date of that construction is May 2012 with anticipated completion in March 2014.

CLICK HERE to learn more about our New Menlo Park Location

CLICK HERE to learn more about the plans for the New Rehabilitation Center at Palo Alto

CLICK HERE to read the News Release regarding the contract to build the New Rehabilitation Center at Palo Alto 

WBRC Staff 'Walk Through' New Menlo Park Building

Photo: Exterior view of new WBRC building and outdoor Recreation
Therapy area including golf putting green and horseshoe pits.

Wednesday September 14th - A small group of WBRC staff completed a walk through of the Menlo Park temporary WBRC building.  The current WBRC building on the Palo Alto Campus is scheduled to be demolished, and a new state of the art facility will be built over the same site which will house a significantly larger WBRC facility and a new Polytruama facility.

Photo: WBRC staff review building plans prior to walk through.

The temporary Menlo Park structure is made up of 52 modular sections arranged on one level and covers 42,000 square feet.  It will provide the WBRC with much needed increased training, office, and storage space while the permanent Palo Alto location is constructed.

Photo: WBRC Staff tour the basic shop area.

Currently construction consists of mostly finishing work with painting, trim, and flooring being installed.  The construction is expected to be completed near the end of 2011 with the WBRC move pending shortly after final inspection and approval of the site. 

Temporary WBRC Construction Update

Exterior view of the temporary WBRC building construction
at the VA Hospital Menlo Park, CA campus.

The construction of the temporary WBRC building at the Menlo Park VA Hospital campus is coming along; with the exterior of the building almost complete.  The temporary facility, made up of over 50 modular segments, will house the WBRC temporarily while the new WBRC and Polytrauma building is constructed at the Palo Alto VA campus.  The temporary WBRC at Menlo Park will have 28 beds, with increased square footage and additional storage, offices, and training space.  The temporary WBRC is expected to be completed and operational in the Fall of 2011.


Rendering of the floor plan for the temporary WBRC Building.