Guest post by CNIB: Vision loss
Par Family Councils Ontario
Did you know?
Every 10 minutes someone in Canada begins to lose their vision.
Today, approximately half a million Canadians are estimated to be living with significant sight loss that impacts their quality of life. In Ontario, roughly 187,000 people are living with blindness or partial sight.
The four most common eye diseases causing vision loss in Canada are age-related macular degeneration (AMD), diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma and cataracts. If left untreated, most people with these diseases are at risk of blindness or significant vision loss.
The Impact of Vision Loss
Affecting almost every aspect of a person’s daily life, vision loss is a significant factor in overall health, wellness and economic participation.
Research shows that in comparison to their sighted peers, people who are blind or partially sighted experience:
- Twice the risk of falls
- Three times the risk of clinical depression
- Earlier admission to long-term care facilities (three years, on average)
- Lower incomes (with approximately 50 per cent earning $20,000 or less annually)
- Lower employment rates (35 per cent) compared to people with other disabilities (49 per cent) and Ontarians overall (61 per cent)
About CNIB Ontario
CNIB Ontario consists of three pillars:
- Vision Loss Rehabilitation Ontario is funded by the Government of Ontario through Ontario’s Local Health Integration Networks and through the Ministry of Children and Youth Service.
- The CNIB Foundation provides programs and services that address the social and emotional needs of people dealing with sight loss; it is entirely dependent on charitable funding.
- CNIB Deafblind Community Services are funded primarily by the Government of Ontario. Deafblindness is a combined loss of hearing and vision to such an extent that neither the hearing nor vision can be used as a means of accessing information to participate and be included in the community.
1. Vision Loss Rehabilitation Ontario
Learn how our services can help
What services are available?
In Ontario, vision loss rehabilitation therapy is available through Vision Loss Rehabilitation Ontario (VLRO). VLRO is a health services organization that provides training that enables people who are blind or partially sighted to develop or restore key daily living skills, enhancing their independence, safety and mobility. Our certified specialists work closely with ophthalmologists, optometrists and other health care professionals, providing essential care on a referral basis in homes and communities across Ontario.
Who is eligible?
Vision Loss Rehabilitation Ontario's programs are available at no cost to Ontarians who have experienced a loss of vision – whether they are children or teens, adults or seniors, whether they’ve been completely blind all their lives or have recently experienced a loss of vision.
Who can refer?
Ophthalmologists, optometrists and other healthcare professionals refer people with vision loss for this therapy as a part of their overall care plan.
Vision Loss Rehabilitation Ontario Services
Vision Loss Rehabilitation Ontario's certified specialists create personalized plans to meet each person's needs and goals.
Low Vision Services. For a person with low vision, learning to use the sight they have left can be life-changing. People will receive:
- A functional vision assessment designed for people with low vision
- Information about their diagnosis and how it affects their vision in easy-to-understand language
- One-on-one instruction on techniques for making the most of their remaining eyesight, such as how to use lighting and contrast to their benefit, and how to use sight-enhancing devices, such as specialty magnifiers
Essential skills for daily living. Building the skills needed to live safely and independently with vision loss is essential. This may include:
- Learning safe methods of pouring a cup of coffee, preparing a meal and using household appliances
- Discovering simple techniques for labelling medications, identifying money, using the phone and organizing household items
- Learning how to use large-print, braille and audio products, and adaptive technology as a part of day-to-day life
- Finding community programs, financial subsidies and other helpful resources available locally
Travel and mobility instruction. Learning to travel independently with vision loss also is an essential skill. This may include:
- Using guiding techniques: a comfortable way to walk with a sighted person, the ability to use remaining vision and other senses to travel
- Using a white cane and other mobility tools
- Finding and crossing intersections
- Riding public transit with confidence to reach community resources like the grocery store, bank or shopping mall
- Navigating new environments like a workplace or school campus
Assistive technology services. Most people with vision loss need help discovering the world of assistive technology products – from accessible audio book players, to video magnifiers, to computer screen readers and other items that can help make life with vision loss easier. Assistive devices are offered in Ontario by the Ontario Assistive Devices Program. Certified specialists:
- Provide an assessment and recommendations on assistive technologies to meet individual, specific needs
- Demonstrate how to use assistive technologies, to help make the process as easy as possible
- Help people with vision loss get the tools they need for the workplace or school
- Identify the financial supports available for the purchase of assistive products Ontario Assistive Devices Program
Are there services for children and families?
Vision Loss Rehab Ontario's services help children who are blind or partially sighted gain the skills they need to grow into successful, confident adults. Programs focus on:
- Giving children the support they need, like braille preparation, tactile learning sessions and peer programs
- Providing parents with educational materials, access to local resources, and workshops on raising a child who is blind or partially-sighted
- Pre-school children are eligible to receive services through Ontario's Blind and Low Vision Program.
For more information about Vision Loss Rehabilitation Ontario, contact 1-844-887-8572 or info@vlrehab.ca.
2. The CNIB Foundation
Celebrating 100 years in 2018, the CNIB Foundation is a non-profit organization driven to change what it is to be blind today. Entirely dependent on charitable funding, The CNIB Foundation offers programs that complement and enhance our rehab services by addressing the social and emotional needs of people with sight loss and building their confidence and self-advocacy skills to ensure they receive the accommodations they need to succeed. We deliver innovative programs and powerful advocacy that enable Canadians impacted by blindness to live the lives they choose. Our work as a blind foundation is powered by a network of volunteers, donors and partners in communities across Ontario.
The CNIB Foundation provides an opportunity for limitless possibilities, providing you with the knowledge, skills, and confidence to smash barriers in pursuit of the life you choose. Our programs are designed to address the needs of people of all ages across five areas:
- Live. "Live" programs provide the support and services to enhance your daily living skills, realize your goals, and seize your future with confidence.
- Play. Whether you're thinking of trying yoga or learning how to paint, "Play" programs foster an active and healthy lifestyle and give you the opportunity to connect with others.
- Learn. CNIB's "Learn" programs focus on education, skills training, and literacy to empower you to achieve your goals by fostering social skills and independence.
- Work. CNIB's "Work" programs provide you with the skills and resources to attain your career ambitions, thrive academically at every age, and hone your abilities as an entrepreneur or mentor.
- Tech. Unleashing the power of technology lets you lead an independent life. Our "Technology" programs level the playing field, providing skills and training that focus on the accessible, available, and affordable technology.
3. CNIB Deafblind Community Services
CNIB Deafblind Community Services is one of Ontario’s leading providers of specialized support and emergency services for people who are Deafblind. Funded by the Government of Ontario, our intervenor services and literacy programs enable people who are Deafblind to maximize their independence and engagement with the world around them.
What is Deafblindness?
Deafblindness is a distinct disability. It is a combined loss of hearing and vision to such an extent that neither the hearing nor vision can be used as a means of accessing information to participate and be included in the community.
When you think of the word “Deafblind”, you probably imagine a world of total darkness and a complete lack of sound. If it happened to you, how would you communicate? How would you access information? How would you get around?
In fact, most people who are Deafblind usually have some degree of vision and/or hearing. They can have a high quality of life. They can get an education. They can be employed. And they can form rewarding relationships. But they need help to do it.
CNIB is one of a number of organizations that provides programming to empower people who are Deafblind to live as independently as possible in their environment, including in the broader community
We offer several programs and services to the Deafblind community. These include Intervenor Services (including Emergency Intervenor Services) and our Literacy Program.
Approximately 65,000 Canadians are Deafblind. Less than six per cent of individuals who are Deafblind are employed.
Visit us at cnib.ca for more information.
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