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Envision Dallas tells Garland seniors about free assistive-technology and home-based vision services
Summary
Edwin Castile of Envision Dallas described low-vision specialists, in-home orientation and mobility training, assistive-technology classes and grant-funded programs (including the 'Serving Our Seniors' SOS grant) that make many services available at no cost to Dallas County seniors.
Edwin Castile, representing Envision Dallas (formerly the Dallas Lighthouse for the Blind), presented the organization's vision-rehabilitation programs and outreach for senior citizens in the region.
Castile described a comprehensive-care model that begins with a low-vision specialist who conducts an assessment and refers clients to occupational therapists, assistive-technology trainers and orientation-and-mobility instructors for white-cane training. He said many services, including in-home training and assistive-technology instruction, "can be provided at no cost, to our clients and on our senior population," and cited grant funding and contracted work for the Texas Workforce Commission as primary revenue sources.
Castile also highlighted the low public awareness of available technology training, noting a recent report he referenced that about 1% of the aging population in Texas know where to get assistive-technology training. He invited the commission to refer seniors to Envision Dallas and discussed possible collaborations for delivering classes at local senior centers.
