Adaptability for Life LLC

Are you or do you know someone with vision loss? This course will help you understand what legal blindness means, and the many different ways it can impact a person

In addition, you will learn practical solutions and have new skills.

This course is good for 4HR CE Cultural Competence approved through Oregon Health Authority - OHA & NASW-OR. It is also approved as of July 31, 2024 for Ethics CE by CRCC (National Comission on Rehabilitation Counselors Certification) This calss is avalaible 24/7 and has good reviews. 

https://adaptabilityforlife.thinkific.com/pages/diversity-legal-blindness-course

Why take this course?  Have you felt awkward when you see a person struggling to read print or walking with a white cane?  Wondering how to communicate or meet their needs for information. Just consider how this lack of information, on both sides can mess with good communication and may even cost you money in complaints or lost clients! 

This does not need to be this way. You can learn enough in interesting & practical cultural competence class to be aware of the issues. You can feel more comfortable around those with vision loss or other disabilities.  You will know how to interact and provide information with your usual competent professionalism, empathy & support.

More people than you know are struggling with progressive vision loss and legal blindness. They may not know how or what to ask for, yet they really could use some support. 

Imagine if you were told you are going blind, or have macular degeneration. Beginning to struggle to function, and worrying about the future. All the while missing visual cues that help us feel accepted & everyday tasks are suddenly too hard.  They need a healthcare community that believes they can remain safe and independent in their homes, and workplaces.

However, when they encounter an unaware healthcare provider with misassumptions and inaccessible forms they doubt how well they will be treated. But depending on the level of advocacy skills, or fear of rejection, may not want to tell you so. They need you to know how to make forms accessible without fuss, and that you understand that they CAN remain independent & empowered regardless of the severity of their vision loss. 

• You will learn:
• How to assess what size font works best
• How to ask questions that empower the client
• How loss of clarity or field of view differ in functional limitations and needs.
• Easy & low cost ways to make forms accessible
• Skills to safely assist around your office
• Resources to improve function & independence 

Custom group classes available, call or email deb@adaptabilityforlife.com for more information.

Includes: Signature Guide and Font Assessment Tool Downloads

If you are wondering how big this population of significant vision loss is? The striking 10% of all Americans over 40 and 23% of those over 85, is pretty common, though not all are "legally blind". They may just have a diagnosis of going blind or significant difficulty seeing. see the following link to research project by a cooperative agreement with CDC's Vision Health Initiative (VHI), NORC at the University of Chicago is leading a 4-year effort to develop the national Vision and Eye Health Surveillance System (VEHSS). for more information.

https://www.norc.org/Research/Projects/Pages/vision-and-eye-health-surveillance-system.aspx

About 100K in OR are listed "legally blind" by 2016 Census. (nfb) According to the Perkins School for the Blind only 2-8% use a white cane, and only 10K dog guide teams. So how will you know? And what if they do tell you, how do you assess the reality of their needs and impacts.

Oregon Health Authority (OHA) Approved Cultural Competency Continuing Ed. CCCE for all licensed Health Care Professionals 

Oregon NASW preapproval for cultural competency/clinical Hours for social workers

National CRCC preapproved for 4HR Ethics CE.

Objective 1: Upon completion of this CE opportunity, participants shall be able to describe the term "legal blindness" based on federal laws and list at least three types of diversity in both degree and different types of needs for accommodation in order to meet emotional challenges,  access the environment, consider transit challenges, need for non-verbal cues, or printed materials that impact this populations' ability to fully participate in healthcare decisions and treatment.

Objective 2: Upon completion of this CE opportunity, health care professional may learn be able to consider the subtle signs of narrow field loss in their patients and be able to use culturally appropriate questions to determine what would help the patient feel supported and able to ask for supports in the professional’s office to improve safety and trust. 

Objective 3

Upon completion of this CE opportunity, participants should be able to tactfully ask questions and probe for needs in a kind and respectful manner so that they may problem solve ways to provide a relationship based in trust and respect for both patient and provider.

Objective 4

Upon completion of this CE opportunity, participants should be able to access ways to provide accommodation through technology and tools and be aware that resources exist and give access to patient's printed information to meet informed consent rules in an equitable manner per federal and state laws.

https://adaptabilityforlife.thinkific.com/pages/diversity-legal-blindness-course