February VIST Meeting Announced for Palo Alto

Image: VIST Logo

Veterans, Family Members, and Caregivers: 

The Visual Impairment Services Team (VIST) is pleased to announce the date for the February support group meeting for low vision, blind, and visually impaired veterans.  The group will be held at the Palo Alto VAPAHCS Hospital, Bldg. 7 Trailer C from 10:00-11:00am.

The next Palo Alto VIST group meeting will be held on:

Thursday February 21^st 

The group is both informational and supportive in nature and all are welcome to attend. Each month will be a different presentation to support the community of veterans with sight-loss. Family members and Caregivers are also encouraged to come.

Question Contacts are:  

Patrick Finan, MSW

Coordinator, Visual Impairment Services Team (VIST)
VA Palo Alto HCS
(650) 852-3467
patrick.finan@va.gov 

Elizabeth Jessen,

Poly Trauma VIST Coordinator/Health Science Specialist
VA Palo Alto HCS
(650) 493-5000 ext. 63431
elizabeth.jessen@va.gov 

The remaining 2013 VIST Support Group Meeting dates are as follows (3^rd Thursday of every month):

February 21
March 21
April 18
May 16
June 20
July 18
August 15
September 19
October 17
November 21
December 19  

CLICK HERE to learn more about VIST Services

WBRC Launches 'iProgram'

Photo: An Apple iPad 4 and iPhone 4

The WBRC has launched the ‘iProgram’.  Although the iPad and iPhone have been taught previously as a specialty Computer Access Training (CATS) program, the ‘iProgram’ is a departure from the traditional CATS structure.  The length of the program has been changed from an average of 4 week admission to a 2 week admission to better meet the needs of our Veterans.  The new 'iProgram' is an intensive program similar to the basic program.  The Veteran receives one on one instruction for 6 periods a day with 3 different instructors.  Another new component of the program is the Technology Lab, which is taught an additional period during the day in a group setting.  It covers advanced skills outside the basic skills parameters.  Up to three participants are brought in at a time to work on either the iPad or the iPhone.  Many Veterans report enjoying the camaraderie and skill reinforcement experienced by working together outside of the schedule class periods. 

The iPad and iPhone both have built-in accessibility software to magnify or provide verbal output to allow access for the visually impaired or blind population.  The iPhone and iPad each act as a portable computer and offer many of the same functions users enjoy on their desktop or laptop computer.  Once the basic core competencies have been met for issuance, treatment is individualized for each Veteran based on need and skill level.  During the basic program, the Veteran will often master basic skills of the Phone (iPhone only), Contacts (address book), Calendar, Notes, Mail, Siri and Safari (Internet).  In the technology lab, the Veteran may master advanced skills using iCloud, iTunes, Camera and Photos.  An advanced iProgram is also available for Veterans who would like to return to continue to learn advance functions of the device.  If you are a veteran or active duty service member with vision loss interested in participating in the iProgram please contact your VIST to request a referral.

The Western Blind Rehabilitation Center (WBRC) is a 27-bed residential facility located at the Menlo Park Division of the VA Palo Alto Health Care System. Approximately two hundred veterans and active duty service members of all ages participate in the program each year. More than three quarters have usable vision for which specialized treatment is provided. Adjusting to and managing visual impairment is the major objective of the program. If you are in the area and are interested in a site visit, please call (650) 614-9952 to make arrangements.

CLICK HERE to learn more about the WBRC

Resource: Woodworking for the Blind Free Membership

Photo: Curls of wood shavings, a woodworking tool, and piece of wood [via]

Woodworking for the Blind, Inc. now provides free digital MP3 compact disk recordings of current woodworking publications exclusively for the use of blind and visually impaired woodworkers.  Voice recordings of Fine Woodworking magazine, Woodwork magazine, Woodsmith magazine, Woodworking magazine, American Woodworker magazine and Woodcraft magazine are recorded as CDs in MP3 format shortly after the current issues become available. All recordings include the text of woodworking articles on techniques and design, how-to-build-it articles, tips, tool reviews, shop methods, finishing advice, woodworker profiles and other general features. Recordings include descriptions of the many photos and illustrations that accompany the magazine articles. Occasionally, recordings of woodworking books also are issued.

Recordings can be sent only to members. Membership is free and open to all print-disabled persons who are blind, visually impaired or physically handicapped to read normal printed material as a result of such disability.

For further information or for a Membership Application send an e-mail to: 
woodworkingfortheblind@comcast.net

CLICK HERE to visit the Woodworking for the Blind Website