SIGHTS FOR HOPE

The agency’s Low Vision Care services include functional exams by an optometrist who specializes in helping people with severe vision loss and a variety of assistive devices for purchase. Both of its locations also have a store with devices that assist people with visual impairments conduct daily activities.

The agency has provided its guided transport services for its clients with vision loss since the 1970s. This service provide access to medical care, groceries, and agency services that counteract isolation and improve quality of life. Approximately 65% of the agency's clients are ages 65 and up, and approximately 85% are from low-income households.

The guided transport services are “door-through-door,” which means that the agency's specially-trained drivers guide clients from their homes and into their destinations. When it is necessary, drivers provide additional assistance – such as helping to read paperwork or carrying bags into clients’ homes.

Sights for Hope's life skills education services are provided in group and one-on-one sessions and empower people with visual impairments to increase their self-sufficiency.

Rehabilitative Skills: Clients learn how to use their existing vision most effectively and how to apply specific functional techniques. All sessions are presented by vision rehabilitation therapist (VRT) certified nationally.

Orientation and Mobility (O&M) Skills: Clients learn how to understand their surroundings and how to navigate between familiar locations. All sessions are presented O&M specialist who are ACVREP-certified.

Technology Skills: Clients explore present-day and emerging technologies that improve their quality of life.

Elemental Skills: Clients learn critical non-physical skills of daily life.

Youth and Family Programs: Include the Camp I CAN! summer program for ages 7-13; youth transitions for ages 14-17; Mom and Me in Motion for ages 0-2; and Preschool Playtime for ages 3-7 and families.

Sights for Hope's community education programs for preschool children, students, adults, and professionals promote eye health, eye safety, and inclusion of people with visual impairments. Its C. Well Bunny Goes to School presentation introduces preschool children to basic concepts about eye health and safety. During some of his adventures, C. Well is joined by friends Dr. Optical and Miss Illusion. The Low Vision Road Show shows audiences the specialized services that are available to people affected by vision loss. The Eyes in the Library presentation encourages students to discover the similarities and differences between human and animal eyes. The Doing Things Differently presentation helps professionals interact effectively in their workplaces with visually impaired patients, customers, and clients.

Sights for Hope conducts thousands of free vision screenings for children ages 0-6 and refers hundreds of children for additional care by medical professionals. When a child finds their vision improved, they literally are able to see a new world of possibilities. Screeners use the state-of-the-art Spot vision screening equipment by Welch Allyn, a camera-like device which uses a non-invasive laser to take a reading of the child’s visual acuity. The equipment is extremely accurate in determining eye conditions including near and farsightedness; astigmatism; strabismus; and amblyopia, a condition that can lead to blindness if not detected and treated early enough in a child’s life.

Sights for Hope's Focused Futures program leverages several partnerships to provide free eye exams and glasses to children ages 0-6 in families in need. Additional information can be found at SightsforHope.org/FocusedFutures.

The agency offers a variety of peer support groups for its clients with permanent vision loss. Support Groups give clients opportunities to express needs and concerns, participate in problem solving, and share resources in environments of openness, respect, encouragement, and trust.

Sights for Hope's socialization and recreation activities help clients with vision loss remain active, execute skills and techniques that they have learned, connect with those who face similar challenges, and avoid the harmful effects of isolation.

Activities include Lions Clubs created to provide Sights for Hope clients from the Lehigh Valley and Monroe County to give back to their respective communities. Additional information is avaialble at SightsforHope.org/LionsClubs.

Sights for Hope's caseworkers guide clients with vision loss to services that meet their goals, monitor client progress, arrange for one-on-one instruction, make referrals, and provide counseling as necessary.
Caseworkers also conduct home visits, during which they can help clients read mail, write checks, manage finances, complete forms, and perform basic home repairs to ensure safety.