Independent Living

Course ID: DPF-111

Audience
Students enrolled in the Hadley School for Professional Studies

Course Description
Adjusting to vision loss is a process. Initially, clients or family members who have just learned that they are losing vision may be filled with doubts. But those uncertainties can be replaced with a growing sense of optimism as they learn different ways to complete the everyday tasks that were once performed with vision. This course suggests a variety of ways to do just that. The techniques, adapted aids, and resources described in this course can help your clients or family members reach their goal of living more independently. As its title implies, the content of this course is drawn from many activities across the day. The course provides information they can use to carry out the many tasks of daily living in a competent, more independent way.

Available in
print

Organization
7 lessons (Lesson 6 is optional for students who live outside the United States)

Credit
3 CEUs

Prerequisites
none

Overview
Students who are U.S. residents are required to submit seven assignments to their instructor. Students who live outside the U.S. need only submit six assignments.

Grading
letter grades

Maximum Completion Time
3 ½ months

Supplementary Materials Include
The shipment includes sock tuckers, a wire-loop threader, tactile markers, egg rings, signature writing guide, and envelope writing guide, as well as the cassette or large print version of the booklet “Social Security: If You Are Blind, How We Can Help.”

Objectives and Content

The goal of this course is to help you in assisting blind or visually impaired people live more independently.

Lesson 1 describes how to safely and competently move through familiar environments. After completing this lesson, you will be able to help your family member or client

Gather sensory information about the environment
Modify the environment
Move safely through familiar environments

Lesson 2 presents various tips for managing personal needs. After completing this lesson, you will be able to help your family member or client

Use personal care items
Coordinate a wardrobe
Launder clothes
Mend clothes

Lesson 3 suggests food handling techniques. After completing this lesson, you will be able to help your family member or client

Organize the kitchen
repare meals
Share meals with other people

Lesson 4 explains how to efficiently manage time and money. After completing this lesson, you will be able to help your family member or client

Keep track of time
Establish reliable recordkeeping techniques
Handle money matters efficiently
Use low-tech ways to stay in touch
Use high-tech ways to communicate

Lesson 5 suggests a number of housekeeping techniques. After completing this lesson, you will be able to help your family member or client

Handle common housekeeping chores
Clean the kitchen
Clean the bathroom
Undertake a thorough spring cleaning

Lesson 6 addresses the needs of blind or visually impaired individuals who live in the United States. Specifically, it identifies resources that they can access. After completing this lesson, you will be able to help your family member or client

Establish rehabilitation needs and goals
Access government programs and services
Identify which national organizations might best serve his or her needs

Lesson 7 describes recreational activities that blind or visually impaired people enjoy. After completing this lesson, you will be able to help your family member or client

Sample lifelong learning activities
Enjoy entertainment opportunities
Participate in indoor sports
Participate in outdoor sports activities
Explore travel options

The Resource List is organized by topic, namely Aids and Appliance Suppliers; Lifelong Learning; Entertainment; Sports; Travel; Government; Organizations; and Assistive Technology. It includes the most current addresses and telephone numbers of the organizations mentioned in this course, as well as e-mail addresses and websites, if available.

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