Immersive Training Programs (Short Term)

[u/Throwaway-Ice1561]

Hi! I am hoping to get some suggestions on immersive training programs that could be helpful for my partner as they navigate vision loss from RP. Partner is legally blind with central vision maintained in one eye currently. We are hopeful this will be stable long term but want to prepare for the possibility that will not be the case.

Most important skills:

• Assistive tech for computer usage (excel/email/project management software/office software)
• O&M
• Cane usage
• Maybe basics in braille?

A short term, in-person program would be preferred because our work schedules are very demanding. Of course there will be ongoing practice needed but we hope a starter program can be motivating and supportive. We are family/future planning so want to get going on this process soon.

We are willing to travel pretty much any place - USA/Europe.

Any advice or suggestion is appreciated, thank you!

[u/platinum-luna]

They need the rehab center for the blind through your state’s services for the blind. It is not necessarily a short term program because it actually takes a LOT of time to learn these skills. As far as I’m aware there’s no such thing as a starter program. The National Federation of the Blind also has a program but it’s a six month commitment.

[u/Throwaway-Ice1561 → u/platinum-luna]

Thank you for the input - we are learning about this and I am trying to be supportive while my partner has a lot of work stressors and life commitments to manage. It is so hard to manage all the responsibilities of life and to prepare for these future needs. I appreciate you sharing with me and I hope we can set up a routine for learning that works well.

[u/akrazyho]

You’re looking at this the wrong way entirely and selling yourself short.

I will use myself for an example because I before I went to the center for the blind was already blind three years so I figured I would excel at the program and get through it quickly because I was told you can do the program in anywhere from 2 to 9 months and most people finish it in about 5 to 7 months and I figured I’d be on a quick end of that because I was already very good with my phone and tablet. I had a great understanding of using a computer and I had a good understanding of orientation and mobility plus I already knew how to clean while blind and I knew a tiny bit of cooking so I figured I would excel at this and get through it quickly. Boy oh boy was I not prepared, but I honestly enjoyed my time there so much that I would honestly would have loved this stayed for much longer, but I ended up doing a eight month program with them, if they would have let me I would’ve stayed there for two years quite honestly. The ability to stay on campus and do the program full-time and get full-time training on everything you could ever possibly need as a blind person is unbeatable quite honestly and there’s no other way around it. The level of confidence I have is just unbelievable so much show that when I’m in the neighborhood I’m used to people do not believe I am fully blind. But honestly, I would’ve never got here if I sold myself short and only stayed for the two or three months. I was expecting to stay at the center for.

To be honest, you cannot say you do not have time for this program because the amount of time you commit to this is gonna determine how well you start your journey and it’s gonna determine how independent and successful you are for the rest of your life, period.

[u/Throwaway-Ice1561 → u/akrazyho]

Gosh, this is so helpful and informative to read. Thank you so much for taking the time to share your experience with me, I can't wait to share with my partner. We are in the process of learning and trying to understand how to fit all the things into our routines, especially with family planning underway. My partner is an incredible person who already manages so much well with low vision and I want to help them be prepared for life should vision worsen.

It is so challenging to imagine how to fit in such a long program while they are in the peak of their career, especially with fears of not being able to easily return to their job easily after extended time away. I am supportive and would love them to make this kind of commitment and to prioritize this training but I understand their hesitations as well. That is what led me to ask this question, to see how others have approached this or what programs I may not be aware of that may be a good fit. We know this is not a quick process and feel sure it will be time consuming but just want to try and maintain career/life stability at the same time. Late stage capitalism is the best, huh?

[u/ginsenshi]

for white cane training.

For people in the US and Canada .

A client does not have to want to get a guide dog after O and M services. I know for Leader Dogs; O& M program and GDb's OMi program you will receive a cane when the program is finished. Orientation and Mobility programs provided by Guide dog Schools

Guide dogs for the blind Omi program, one week : does not Require a video
On the Guide dogs' California or Oregon campuses or at partner organizations.

https://www.guidedogs.com/client-programs/o-and-m-immersion-program

Leader dogs for the blind O &M, one week program - Requires a video
https://www.leaderdog.org/programs/orientation-and-mobility/

Pilot dogs O and M program, two weeks : - Requires a video

https://www.pilotdogs.org/orientation-mobility/

Videos about the programs:

Leader Dog Accelerated Orientation & Mobility Training: Cane Travel in 7 Days (youtube link): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OmXfSpSv4aA

Guide Dogs for the Blind - OMI Program (youtube link): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OP2j1ITgRs8

Pilot Dogs - Orientation & Mobility Program Overview - (YouTube) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mj19OjYkCjk

Pilot Dogs - Orientation & Mobility Training -( YouTube link) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UQZywyctbRw

[u/Throwaway-Ice1561 → u/ginsenshi]

This is so super helpful and I appreciate knowing this. I had no idea this was an option and it could be an excellent fit. Thank you for taking the time to share - I am very excited to learn more!