Specialized Supports
The primary goal of the Sight Center’s Specialized Support Services is to promote and enhance independence for people without sight or who are losing their vision.
Sometimes it is difficult to ask for help, but our services are here to make day-to-day life for someone with vision impairment easier and more enjoyable.
Services like transportation, assistance with bill-paying, mail-reading, grocery shopping, and participation in the Sight Center’s support group help provide a greater quality of life for those with vision loss.
Qualifications for services include visual acuity and other factors depending on the specific service. To inquire, please call (814)455-0995.
Transportation
“Door-through-door” escorted transportation services are provided to and from medical or dental appointments, the grocery store, and other essential locations for qualified participants. Appointments for transportation are made by contacting the Center’s transportation scheduler, who works hard to meet the needs of all Sight Center clients in a timely fashion.
Life Skills Education
Our professional staff provide practical, hands-on training in daily living skills. We offer instruction in personal and home maintenance, nutrition, consumer awareness, and the use of specially adapted equipment for people with visual impairments.
Talking Books
This program, offered by the Library of Congress through the Carnegie Library in Pittsburgh, offers thousands of books and magazines in Braille, large print, and digital formats to eligible visually impaired and/or physically disabled individuals. The Sight Center will assist any qualified individual interested in getting enrolled.
Counseling and Support
A variety of social, recreational, and supportive group activities are offered year-round through the Sight Center’s Wednesday Club. The Wednesday Club is a group of adults who are blind or severely visually impaired. The Club meets on the first and third Wednesdays of every month for discussion and sharing of ideas and life-skill techniques. Support is offered through speakers, staff, and peer interaction. Topics have included household management, low vision helpful hints, directory assistance, appliance marking, nutrition, and accessing community resources. Transportation to and from Club can be provided, although participants are encouraged to explore other means such as the EMTA LIFT service.
In addition to the Wednesday Club support group, one-on-one counseling is available. We introduce independence issues, define resources and alternatives and promote self-advocacy.
Information and Referral
It is the goal of this agency to be among your primary resources for information and support with issues related to vision and vision loss. If you or someone you know are not seeing as well as you used to, or as well as you need to, please give us a call. If the Sight Center cannot provide the services you need, we will happily connect you with those who can. Our office is open Monday – Friday from 8:00 am – 4:30 pm, (814) 455-0995.