Vista Center For The Blind and Visually Impaired

When someone is slowly losing sight, losing faith in one’s ability to function independently becomes a real fear. By conducting evaluations, which result in recommendations and education to enhance the use of remaining vision, Vista Center’s specially trained Low Vision Optometrists provide devices, services and support that alleviate fear and restore hope.

Low Vision Clinic - The individual’s functional vision will be evaluated by our Low Vision Optometrist who will recommend adaptive equipment to assist in daily life activities. These adaptive aids can assist with reading, writing, watching television, seeing street signs, and many other daily activities.

Lighting Evaluations & Contrast Training - Our Occupational Therapist will provide an evaluation to determine the best lighting for your home environment and for completing a task. The use of contrast in your home will also be demonstrated to make daily tasks easier.

Low Vision Aids & Devices Training - Appropriate magnifying devices and electronic equipment are demonstrated and recommended to allow the client to maximize the use of remaining vision.

Low Vision Expo event provides speakers from the ophthalmology community, technology expertise and the opportunity to visit with a variety of vendors demonstrating the latest in assistive technology and community resources.

Vista Center’s Technology Program is leading the way in bringing technology that was once only available to the sighted community to those who are blind or visually impaired. Our Access Technology Specialists provide basic to advanced customized training to enrich, simplify, transform, and open up new worlds to our clients.

Technology Lab Days - The Tech Lab is a free one-on-one session designed to demonstrate a variety of devices and help with selecting the best option in a supportive setting.

Technology User Group - These free meetings are scheduled once a month in our Palo Alto office. Learn from speakers from assistive technology companies and be in the know about what is new.

Assistive Technology Training - This is a one-on-one training session at our Palo Alto office with our Technology Specialist to learn exactly what you need to know. Topics include using your personal computer with the latest assistive software including ZoomText, Magic, JAWS, MS Office with Assistive Technology and Internet Explorer with Assistive Technology. Individual instruction on the latest Apple IOS and Android devices is also available.

Concierge Training in Your Home - We offer individualized instruction in your home, including a personalized assessment of your training needs and equipment, one-on-one instruction on your personal computer using assistive technology soft- ware, and teaching you how to use other devices effectively. We will help you to select applications that suit your needs and offer training on them. Follow-up services are offered to verify that you have mastered the skills you need.

Technology for Youth - Offering opportunities for youths to learn the latest assistive technology and applications, especially those being used in the classroom.

VIPTUC (Visually Impaired Persons Technology Users Conference) is for those interested in learning about cutting edge technologies being incorporated in a variety of products, especially the latest smart phones, and how that technology
is being made accessible to those who are blind or visually impaired.

Blind and visually impaired young people are no different from their sighted peers in their desire for opportunities to engage with others and make a difference in the world. The Children and Youth Services Program provides them with the tools, strategies, confidence, and courage to build the future that they dream of and that is possible.

Family & Youth Activities - Planned events are scheduled throughout the year for a family day of fun! Enjoy amusement parks, visiting the zoo, going fishing, kayaking, ice skating and a whole lot more!

When I Grow Up - Offers the opportunity for a blind or visually impaired youth to "see” their future possibilities by getting to know blind and visually impaired adults who have succeeded in a sighted world.

Teens Together Plus is a monthly support group for our blind and visually impaired youth who are between the ages of 15 and 22 years old. It is an excellent opportunity to connect with peers, build social skills, receive emotional support, and share information about technology and other areas of interest related to blindness.

Braille Challenge is a celebration of braille literacy in the form of a contest among blind school children. The contestants are public and private school students in grades one through twelve. Winners participate in the National Braille Challenge sponsored by the Braille Institute.

Instruction in Schools - Teachers of the Visually Impaired are directly involved in the education and rehabilitation of blind children. We contract with numerous school districts to provide their blind education and rehabilitation services. Our services include Orientation and Mobility, Activities of Daily Living, Technology for Youths, Teachers of the Visually Impaired, and Assessment Services.

Pre-School Vision Screening is done by trained volunteers in Santa Cruz County.

Vista Center is committed to communicating our mission and how we can help all individuals in our service area who are experiencing vision loss, through a comprehensive community outreach program.

Community Outreach includes presentations and educational events targeted to specific groups including:

• Medical referral sources, including MDs, ODs and medical groups
• Community centers and civic organizations
• Health fairs
• Senior residences
• Vista Center open house events and Low Vision Expos
• Corporate employee presentations

Classroom Outreach & Education - Our teachers provide education and outreach at K-12 schools to educate students about what vision loss is, how they can help someone who has vision loss and what they should do to take care of their own eye health. Students are offered the opportunity to become volunteers to help someone who is blind.

Paratransit, Public Transit and Intersection Consulting - Municipal traffic departments and public transportation agencies contract with Vista Center to formally analyze street intersections for pedestrian safety and to make suggestions as to how they can be modified. We also analyze bus and train embarkation points and advise how they may be improved.

Our Orientation& Mobility staff participates on county paratransit agency advisory boards to monitor trends and suggest service improvements.

Professional Staff Inservices are offered to cover a variety of topics including, An Insight into Vision Loss, The Sighted Guide Experience, Essential Communication Strategies, and Strategies for Coping with Significant Vision Loss. If your staff works with or assists individuals who are blind or visually impaired, we can provide the training that is needed to promote a safe and respectful environment.