Center for Vision Loss Announces Plans to Extend its Reactivation

By Agency Team |
The Center for Vision Loss logo of the side of a van

The Center for Vision Loss will begin to extend its reactivation on June 29 as restrictions related to the global COVID-19 pandemic will be eased throughout its entire service area.

The agency closed its campuses and suspended nearly all its operations in March due to state-mandated shutdowns in Pennsylvania’s Lehigh, Northampton, and Monroe counties. All three counties will be assigned to the state’s “green” regulatory phase as of June 26.

The agency began to emerge from its shutdown on June 1 when its guided transport service was offered again for clients’ routine medical appointments. Key elements of its extended reactivation are as follows:

  • Both of its campuses will be open to employees and open to others by appointment only as of June 29. Both campuses will be closed on Friday, July 3, in observation of Independence Day.
  • Agency clients, patients, and the general public can begin to visit its Lehigh Valley store and low vision care center by appointment as of July 7. Clients in Monroe County can begin to visit its low vision care center as of July 2.
  • Clients with vision visual impairments can begin to see their caseworkers by appointment at agency offices as of June 29.

All client programs and activities in July, except for parts of the agency’s Camp I CAN! summer program for kids, will be held by videoconference or phone. Those programs and activities are as listed below.

Life Skills Classes

  • Wednesday, July 1, 11 a.m.: Intermediate Braille; conducted by phone
  • Thursday, July 2, 12:30 p.m.: Tech Talk; conducted by videoconference
  • Monday, July 6, 11 a.m.: Grilling Tips and Tricks; conducted by phone
  • Tuesday, July 7, 1 p.m.: Spotlight On Independence; conducted by videoconference
  • Wednesday, July 8, 11 a.m.: Intermediate Braille; conducted by phone
  • Thursday, July 9, 12:30 p.m.: Tech Talk; conducted by videoconference
  • Wednesday, July 15, 11 a.m.: Intermediate Braille; conducted by phone
  • Thursday, July 16, 12:30 p.m.: Tech Talk; conducted by videoconference
  • Monday, July 20, 1 p.m.: Exploring Confidence and Self-Esteem; conducted by phone
  • Wednesday, July 22, 11 a.m.: Intermediate Braille; conducted by phone
  • Wednesday, July 29, 11 a.m.: Intermediate Braille; conducted by phone

Support Group Meetings

  • Thursday, July 2, 11 a.m.: Open Support Group; conducted by phone
  • Monday, July 6, 10 a.m.: Monroe Client Support Group; conducted by videoconference
  • Thursday, July 9, 10 a.m.: Men’s Group; conducted by videoconference
  • Monday, July 13, 11 a.m.: Spanish-Speaking Client Group; conducted by videoconference
  • Tuesday, July 14, 11 a.m.: Women’s Chat Group; conducted by phone
  • Friday, July 31, 11 a.m.: Monroe NuVisions Group; conducted by videoconference

Activities

  • Wednesday, July 15, 1 p.m.: Get Up and Move Exercise Session; conducted by phone
  • Thursday, July 16, 12:30 p.m.: Crafter’s Corner Activity; conducted by videoconference

Interested clients are encouraged to call 610.433.6018 in the Lehigh Valley and 570.992.7787 in Monroe County and leave a message to request additional information.

The Center for Vision Loss empowers people with visual impairments to seize their independence and advances healthy eyesight. With operations in Pennsylvania’s Lehigh Valley and Monroe County, it combines a service tradition motivated by Helen Keller’s advocacy in 1928 with contemporary practices and state-of-the-art technologies. Its services for people with visual impairments promote the accomplishment of daily tasks, increased access to medical services and food supplies, enhanced personal wellness, and extended self-sufficiency. Its free vision screenings for children stimulate success in school and its community education programs advocate for eye health and safety. All agency services are provided at little or no cost, and more than 80% of its clients with visual impairments are from low-income households.

The Center for Vision Loss is an independent member of the Pennsylvania Association for the Blind (PAB) and is affiliated with the VisionServe Alliance, a network of nearly 120 North American agencies that serve people with visual impairments.