Blindness Awareness Month
Every October, World Blindness Awareness Month shines a spotlight on the blind and visually impaired community, raising awareness about the challenges of living without sight. The World Health Organization (WHO) notes that “everyone, if they live long enough, will experience at least one eye disease or disorder in their lifetime.”
The Sight Center is commemorating the occasion with a month-long campaign that will bring attention to blindness, celebrate independence, dispel misconceptions, and promote services for people who live with little or no sight.
Services We Offer
The Sight Center provides a unique blend of programs and services that help people of all ages work, learn, play, and live independently with permanent vision loss.
Low Vision Clinics
A clinical low vision evaluation is an important first step in that process. In addition to the low vision clinic in our main Toledo facility, monthly satellite clinics have been established in the following areas with more locations being considered:
- Defiance – at Defiance Optometric Group, serving people in and around Defiance County.
- Findlay – at Spectrum Eye Care, serving people in and around Hancock County.
- Fremont – at New Hope Vineyard Church, serving people in and around Sandusky County. Special thanks to Sandusky County Communities Foundation for a start-up grant.
Learn More About Our Community Clinics
Orientation & Mobility
Many people with vision loss face fear and discomfort regarding their safety. Without the ability to rely on visual cues, they may feel hesitant to navigate their homes or explore their communities.
Orientation and mobility specialists are trained professionals who provide guidance to help those who are blind or have low vision move safely and confidently in their environment, whether at home, work, or in the community.
If visual cues are no longer available to help you avoid obstacles, an orientation and mobility specialist can teach you how to gather information about your surroundings through various techniques. These may include utilizing any remaining vision, working with a human guide, or employing tools like a white cane or a guide dog.
Assistive Technology
The rapid advancement of computer technology has greatly expanded opportunities for blind and visually impaired people. While Braille remains essential for many, computers with text-to-speech capabilities are opening new avenues for communication, including web browsing and email. Additionally, large screens and high-contrast color settings on computers make reading easier for those with visual impairments.
As the only agency in Northwest Ohio dedicated exclusively to “empowering independence and enriching the lives of people who are blind or visually impaired,” The Sight Center is committed to offering training in computer hardware, software, and other assistive technologies. We strive to be at the forefront of accessible technology, helping our clients experience the world through innovative and user-friendly solutions.
Shared Experiences
For more than a century, The Sight Center has empowered countless people to achieve independence. While each story is unique, they all demonstrate that with the right skills and support, anything is possible. Explore the inspiring journeys of some of the people who have walked through our doors.
Sisters
Sara Patnode Soper and Stacy Patnode Bassett have been a part of The Sight Center their entire life- since they were six months old. The sisters share the earliest memories and share about who they are today.
Andrea Marley
Andrea Marley is a Certified Vision Rehabilitation Therapist at The Sight Center. Andrea shares her experience with receiving services herself as a teen and college student.
Sister Linda Pelagio
Sister Linda Pelagio has an extensive history with The Sight Center. She first received services in the 1980s. She is now a member of our Board of Trustees. Sister Linda share her first experience with The Sight Center.
Donate
The Sight Center has been empowering independence and enriching the lives of people who are blind or visually impaired since 1923. You can help us continuing our mission. Donate Now
Further Resources
- Request a presentation
- Follow The Sight Center on Facebook
- Share your story about blindness