VHIPS Mission Statement

To provide a place of Compassion, Understanding, Education and Personal Growth for any person who is visually impaired while providing independent life and job skills training

Over one million Americans aged 40 and over are currently blind and 2.4 million are visually impaired. There are over 5000 severely vision impaired people in Stanislaus County alone. They range from young children to those in their nineties.  But there are many more people affected including their families, care takers and our community at large. Blindness and vision impairment also has a huge impact on our local and national economy. These numbers are expected to double over the next 30 years as the baby boomer generation ages.  They start turning age 60 in 2006.

OUR RESPONSIBILITY "Healthy vision is a shared responsibility among the government, health care providers, community leaders and the public." U. S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Tommy G. Thomson

Close your eyes and imagine that you are blind and had to live that way from now on.  What have you lost?

	Your independence and mobility – freedom to come and go as you please!
	Your skills that depend on your eyesight – Reading, driving, caring for yourself, and maybe even your livelihood.
	Your self confidence – your self esteem and a downward spiral.
	Your place in society – you are now different than those around you ...

Would you know what to do? 

There are answers at the Visually Impaired Persons Support Center from others who have gone through the same experience.  The VIPS center at 14th and G Streets downtown Modesto provides FREE to all participants the following:

	Monthly support group meetings.
	Assisted living skills training.
	Mobility and orientation skills training.
	Computer skills training and use of visual aids.
	Compassion, understanding, education and personal growth.

We offer a variety of services targeted as special groups.

KIDS ARE VIPS
This program provides instruction in daily living skills, Braille, computers and electronic note takers, peer support, advocacy, & career exploration for all individuals under age 18.

INDEPENDENT LIVING SKILLS
Educates clients in the alternative techniques that the visually impaired use in their daily activities. Skills taught include cooking, organization, home management and writing.

BRAILLE INSTRUCTION
This program provides instruction in Literary, Nemeth, and Computer Braille codes.

COMPUTER TRAINING
Provides instruction using assistive technology. Students will develop skills in JAWS, Microsoft Word, Excel, Power-point, Access e-mail, Navigating the internet, Scanning.

BRAILLE-NOTE/VOICE-NOTE
This program provides instruction in the use of these electronic note takers. Participants will learn how to use the word processor, address book and planner. Participants must bring their own note takers.

SUPPORT GROUPS FOR VISUALLY IMPAIRED, FAMILY AND FRIENDS
This program offers ideas and suggestions for ways to minimize frustrations encountered every day by those who have lost vision and provide support for both family and friends.

 

Services Provided FREE for All Ages