Take the first step in your path towards Independence.
Loss of vision often brings the loss of ability to do many everyday activities required for independent living and employment. As a result, the Carroll Center programs go beyond braille, white canes, and computer skills by providing classes and experiences that build self-confidence, emotional adjustment, and readiness for employment.
“The Carroll Center emboldened me to get out, to use public transportation, to move about with the white cane, and to find my way using all of my senses.”
Our Independent Living and Vocational Transition Programs provide crucial blindness skills and promote adjustment to vision loss through classes in safe travel (orientation and mobility), technology, adaptive home management and self-care, health and information management, counseling, fencing, woodworking and employment seminars. All clients will begin with a two-week evaluation to assess their current skills in these activities.
Independent living program
This 12-week program will assist students in achieving or maintaining personal independence and employment skills through a variety of classes in a campus environment.
THIS PROGRAM INCLUDES:
- Orientation and mobility skills to travel indoors and outdoors, including street crossing, public transportation, and shopping.
- Communications skills using digital recorders, braille, handwriting, computer accessible, smartphones and tablets, low vision devices, and record keeping systems to manage personal, school, and work information.
- Individual and group counseling for adjustment to vision loss.
- Manual arts in a woodshop setting to develop organization skills and a systematic approach to manual tasks.
- Daily living skills, including grooming, cooking, housekeeping, money management, and time management skills.
- Health care needs, including diabetes management, medication labeling methods, effective communication with healthcare providers and administration of medicine.
- Low vision skills (if applicable) to maximize the use of remaining vision using lighting, magnifiers, telescopes and other devices.
Vocational & College Transition Program
A 20-week program that combines work experience with independent living skill development for young adults transitioning to work and higher education.
THIS PROGRAM INCLUDES:
During the initial phase of the program, students will sharpen and reinforce their adaptive daily living, technology, Braille, smart devices, paper and electronic record keeping, and mobility skills. For students who are college-bound, the program also includes introduction/refinement of skills needed for college success including visits to college campus/disability services. In addition, students participate in vocational readiness classes on resumes, interviewing, self-advocacy, and social media networking. When they have reached a level of independence, students will engage in a part-time job in the community and manage their own transportation. GED preparation can be included during the 20 week program.
Prior to enrollment, students must participate in a two-week vocational assessment of current functional independent skills, interests and vocational potential.
Diabetic Self-Management is provided both in our rehabilitation program and in the home for diabetics with vision loss who struggle to manage their diabetes independently and provides individualized instruction in independent diabetes management.
Fencing? For individuals who are blind? …YES!
It’s one of many unique features of the rehabilitation program at the Carroll Center for the Blind. See how students learn to navigate the physical world more effectively by honing skills and sharpening senses in fencing classes at our center. Click here to learn more.
Living on Campus
The Carroll Center for the Blind is located in a suburban area just outside of Boston. A residential campus with dormitory living on-site provides a unique experience for every client and the opportunity to meet and live with other visually-impaired people. This allows them to share their stories and techniques learned and make new friends who share similar experiences as a result of vision loss.
Clients transitioning out of the family home into work and/or college settings benefit from establishing a network of peers on similar paths. Dining services provides meals, allowing clients to concentrate on training and their adjustment to blindness. Given the exceptional location of our campus, there is easy access to public transportation. Nearby retail businesses, restaurants, universities, and medical facilities also give clients easy access to cultural, recreational, and business opportunities—enabling them to apply travel skills through a variety of public transportation options.