The Wilberforce Trust
in this section
rehabilitation services
Our Rehabilitation Services can be secured on a commissioned or contract basis subject to availability. Please enquire as we can often tailor our service to your specific needs.
The Trust has a team of staff qualified to help people with sight loss cope with everyday life. They offer advice, information, emotional support and training programmes designed to enable individuals to build confidence and maximize their independence. It is primarily an enabling service teaching people to function for themselves again, always making best use of any remaining vision. A rehab worker will usually be able to offer help or training in three main areas following a comprehensive assessment of needs and abilities.
| Everyday Living Skills: | Self-care, meal preparation and cooking, Making drinks and snacks Laundry Cleaning; cash and handling money; shopping; use of appropriate equipment Vision enhancement techniques. Clever use of colours and contrasts; correct lighting; Use of low vision aids. |
| Mobility | Getting about safely indoors and out. Using remaining vision effectively Using sighted help; orientation and familiarization of an environment; Learning long cane skills; learning routes. Use of public transport |
| Communications | Handwriting skills; Alternative embossed language (Braille or Moon); Keyboard skills; I T skills; accessible software. |
Other Rehabilitation Services
| Visual Awareness Training | The Trust can provide accredited short courses at competitive cost giving a basic knowledge of sight problems and how to deal with people who have low vision. This training is ideal for social or health care workers, front- line retail staff or anyone interested in developing their skills or complying with Disability Discrimination legislation. |
| Computer Training | In partnership with Community Education the Trust offers computer training to visually impaired people who would like to learn IT skills whether this is with a view to employment or purely for personal development reasons. We have a small suite of computers with various access software programmes installed to accommodate all sensory and physical needs. Learners work towards individual goals and accreditation working at their own pace with dedicated support on hand. Some will later go on to join mainstream classes in their own communities, having mastered the basics here at the Trust. |
| Low Vision Clinic | An integrated low vision clinic operates from Trust premises offering a one-stop shop for people with a diagnosed eye condition whose vision remains poor even after correction with spectacles. Patients are offered a 2 x hour appointment and undergo a thorough optometry check followed by a lengthy interview with a rehab worker to address the practical aspects of living with poor sight. Optical equipment is often supplied along with comprehensive advice and information on local and national services. A follow up visit at the patient's home is offered a few weeks later to ensure that recommendations from the clinic are being utilized effectively and are of benefit to the patient. Any additional needs can then be referred on. |
| Eye Health Checks (Learning Disability) | In partnership with RNIB a project Assessment Worker is based in the Trust to facilitate eye health checks for learning disabled people. The worker prepares the individual for the testing process, accompanies them to the optometrist and subsequently writes a vision report which gives carers, family and supporters clear advice on how to best help the individual once their level of vision has been established. |