Consumer Handbook

Spring 2005

CABELL-WAYNE ASSOCIATION OF THE BLIND MISSION AND VISION STATEMENTS

OUR MISSION: Cabell-Wayne Association of the Blind is committed to promoting and advocating the economic, educational, and social welfare of the blind and visually impaired of all ages so that they can maintain a lifestyle comparable to other members of society.

OUR VISION: CWAB will be seen nationally as a model for organizations and agencies that help blind and visually impaired persons achieve maximum independence. CWAB will be know for timely and appropriate state-of-the-art responses to the changing needs of consumers throughout the Tri-State area and beyond.

INTRODUCTION

Cabell-Wayne Association of the Blind, Inc., (CWAB) is a non-profit service organization dedicated to promoting the economic, educational and social welfare of blind and visually impaired residents of Cabell and Wayne counties, of West Virginia and to providing needed equipment, adaptive aids and services to ensure that the blind and visually impaired are on an equal footing with other segments of society.

THE HISTORY OF CWAB

CWAB was organized on October 9, 1975, when the charter was filed with the state of West Virginia by Charles Harris of Huntington, the founder of CWAB.

The preamble to the bylaws reads in part, "We the blind of Cabell and Wayne counties bind ourselves to the cause of exploring, expanding and exploiting our abilities as free and equal citizens.....We are the blind speaking for ourselves, relying upon each other for the accomplishment of those goals defined for ourselves by ourselves."

As it grew, CWAB began to offer social programs and held fund-raisers so it could provide specialized prescription eyeglasses to needy children and adults.

As more blind and visually impaired residents in the two counties became members, it became apparent that a vital component was missing-integrated services for that population that would be available through a single source. For that, additional funding was needed.

The means to expand became available in 1979 on the death of retired U.S. Postal Service worker C.J. Teubert of Huntington. In his will, Teubert directed that the bulk of his estate, with a value of $3 million, be used to "relieve the hardships resulting from blindness." After several years of litigation over the validity of the handwritten will, the James H. And Alice Teubert Charitable Trust was formed in 1987; it began awarding grants to area agencies in 1988.

In April, 1989, following a detailed needs assessment performed by Marshall University’s School of Medicine, the Services Division component of CWAB was activated when the Teubert Trust provided initial start-up funding.

ASSOCIATION MEMBERSHIP

Cabell and Wayne county residents over age 18 with vision of 20/200 or worse in the better eye may become CWAB Association voting members if they wish. You do not have to be an association member to receive services. Dues are $2 per year.

CWAB’S SERVICES DIVISION

Organized as a separate branch of CWAB, the Services Division has offices near downtown Huntington providing a staff of trained professionals, each skilled in specific program areas to assist the blind and visually impaired.

The facility includes a fully functional training kitchen as well as a 1200 square-foot activities room which serves as a meeting place for the organization, class area, and other social functions.

The Services Division’s mission of serving the blind and visually impaired continues in a variety of ways, all geared toward promoting independence and self-reliance.

HOW TO RECEIVE SERVICES

To receive service, a person must:

1. Be a resident of Cabell or Wayne county.

2. Have central visual acuity of 20/100 or worse in the better eye after correction; or visual field restriction of no more than 20 degrees in the better eye; or have a half field or greater vision loss in both eyes;

Once those items are verified, a person then becomes a client, or consumer, of CWAB’s Services Division and is eligible for all required services.

REHABILITATION

A Vision Rehabilitation Therapist is available to instruct persons with vision impairments in the use of compensatory skills that will enable them to live safe, productive and independent lives. Specific areas of instruction can include:

1. Communication skills (reading, writing).

2. Personal management (grooming, clothing organization)

3. Home management (organization and labeling, budgeting and record keeping)

4. Activities of daily living (food preparation, cleaning, money identification, telling time, telephone use).

5. Leisure and recreation (hobbies, crafts).

6. Medical management (assessment and instruction of adaptive medical equipment).

7. Psycho-social aspects of blindness and low vision. Low vision aids such as hand-held magnifiers, large print items and talking devices are available at no cost to the consumer.

SUPPORT GROUPS

Peer support groups provide a vital link for news, information, social activities, and friendship between individuals with the same interests. Transportation is provided free to any CWAB consumer. Support groups regularly meet in CWAB’s activities room with many taking the opportunity to take special trips to area places of interest. Volunteers are always welcome to assist with arrangements such as snacks, crafts, or being a sighted guide.

TRANSPORTATION

Cabell-Wayne Association of the Blind offers consumers a full-time transportation service that utilizes three custom-built 13-passenger shuttle busses and two eight-passenger vans. CWAB Consumers are offered free transportation by priority:

1. Emergency eye or medical appointments;

2. To and from employment;

3. CWAB activities;

4. Legal or income needs;

5. Routine eye or medical appointments;

6. Other requests.

As an alternative, consumers receive $60 per year in taxi tickets. Passes for TTA busses and Dial-A-Ride vans are also available.

RECREATION

Many group and social activities are planned at CWAB. Some events such as dances, parties, picnics, plays, and concerts are planned throughout the year. Ongoing activities include bowling, bingo, crafts, Tai Chi, and YMCA exercising. CWAB offers transportation to each of these activities.

IN-HOME SERVICES

The goal of In-Home Services is to provide needed assistance to our consumers, allowing them to live as independently as possible. Assistance with mail reading, correspondence, banking, shopping, minor mending, organization, and notary service are all offered thorough In-Home Services with an appointment.

ORIENTATION AND MOBILITY

Maneuverability is THE most frustrating issue for the blind and visually impaired. Navigating schools, the grocery store, city sidewalks, the local mall and even city busses can be a major task - or even impossible for individuals with limited or no vision. Tools and proven techniques are offered to blind and visually impaired individuals to develop or reestablish skills which will allow you to navigate, maneuver, and even conquer those obstacles which keep you from fully utilizing your potential. Orientation and Mobility is your key to the world!

ADAPTIVE TECHNOLOGY

Using computers can be quite rewarding with the right technology. Combining screen readers, and screen text enhancements, computer use for the blind and visually impaired becomes relatively simple. A "CCTV" is another tool which can be used to magnify book, newspaper, and magazine print to the size of a regular television screen allowing individuals with limited vision the ability to enjoy reading again. Adaptive technology can bring you back to the world, and the world to you!

COMPUTER INSTRUCTION

Proper training is definitely the key to taking advantage of today’s rapidly changing computer technology. Sighted users use mouse clicks to achieve their goals - blind and visually impaired trainees must utilize keyboard keystroke combinations and enhancement software to read and enlarge screen text. The computer student can learn to complete a variety of tasks sighted computer users take for granted, such as word processing or e-mail. Limited vision should not limit your technical training!

MEDIA MARKETING

Media and Marketing publishes a monthly organizational news magazine, the "Guide Page Magazine - which is distributed freely in a variety of formats to suit the vision needs of its readers - large print, audio tape, audio CD, braille, and computer disk. Each issue is also available on the organizational website - This program is also responsible for support groups, media outreach, and staff attended public speaking appointments.

SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM

CWAB has instituted an annual scholarship program designed to make the community aware of the organization and its missions by:

1. Publicly encouraging blind individuals to pursue a college education.

2. Easing the financial burden of blind students to assist in the attainment of their educational goals.

3. Generating community awareness of CWAB and its Services Division through the process of seeking applications and making announcements when a scholarship is awarded.

4. Reporting to the community on the achievements of blind individuals who received scholarships.

To be eligible for a scholarship, the candidate must be declared legally blind by an eye doctor, a resident of Cabell or Wayne county, currently enrolled in an institution of higher education or a high school senior who has been accepted at an institution of higher education, or be pursuing a post-graduate degree. For more information or to obtain a scholarship application, call the Services Division office at 522-6991.

EYE GLASS PROGRAM

Cabell-Wayne Association of the Blind Services Division will pay for one(1) eye exam and one (1) pair of glasses every two (2) year for eligible adult consumers. Approval must be made in advance with the Services Division office who will in turn make arrangements with area ophthalmologists.

CWAB also offers a Children’s Eye Glass program. Through this program children of Cabell or Wayne counties who financially qualify can get one eye exam and one pair of glasses per year. Referrals are accepted from the local schools and/or anyone seeing the child’s need. A financial need survey form and verification of income must be provided to the Services Division office. Upon approval, arrangements are made with an area eye doctor. For more information, contact the Services Division office at 522-6991.

VOLUNTEERING

Consumers, family members, and the general public are utilized throughout the Services Division as volunteers. To learn more, call the Services Division at 522-6991.

TEUBERT PREP

Teubert Prep is a recreation program designed to provide blind and visually impaired children in Cabell and Wayne counties, and their families, various recreational activities and special events. These include: camping, bowling, shows and concerts, horseback riding, swimming, skiing, pizza parties, ice skating, roller skating, amusement parks, movies, goalball, Halloween parties, and Easter parties with a beeping Easter egg hunt. Also available to the families is a parents share group that meets once a month. Discussions of ideas, problems, and solutions to meet the needs of their children are addressed.

Contacting Cabell-Wayne Association of the Blind

For more information about CWAB, membership, or services, please contact us. We’ll be glad to serve you.

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