Children’s Services at ABVI-Goodwill

At ABVI-Goodwill, we recognize there are many questions and concerns that arise when a child of any age is dealing with a visual impairment. We understand the issues of the child and their family and want to help.

ABVI-Goodwill is the convenient single source for a wide variety of vision rehabilitation services. This includes programs and services for children who are blind or visually impaired.

ABVI-Goodwill provides a variety of programs and services that directly effect and benefit a child, as well as support the entire family. From birth through their teenage years, we are here to do all we can to make growing up with a visual impairment as successful as possible.

Early intervention and Pre-school: ABVI-Goodwill staff can provide instruction on beginning techniques which are the foundations for building essential skills for the future. These include but are not limited to: visual stimulation, tracking and scanning, spatial concepts, auditory development, reaching, crawling and walking. Certified Orientation and Mobility Specialists are available to work with a child at home, daycare, pre-school or any other specified natural environment.

Recreation Programs: Year round recreational and socially based programs are offered to children, infant to age fourteen. These programs and events are geared towards the individual children or the entire family. These programs may include: multiple-day skill building programs, one time family oriented events, collaborations with area agencies etc.

Low Vision Center: The low vision center provides noninvasive evaluations for people with vision loss. During a child's exam, various tests are conducted to evaluate visual function and to determine what types of optical aids can be prescribed to maximize residual vision. The doctors who specialize in low vision are able to recommend electronic and non-electronic devices which will allow a child to be as successful as possible with tasks at school, home or in the community.

Direct Service: ABVI-Goodwill has professional staff available to assess and provide individualized service to children in the following skill areas: orientation and mobility, rehabilitation teaching and counseling. These services provide instruction on safe travel, instruction on adaptive daily living tasks and assistance with issues related to living with a visual impairment.

Pre-vocational Services: When a child reaches 14 years of age, they move into transition services. These programs and services emphasize skills related to life during and after high school. These include: interest inventories, college exploration, appropriate social skills, career exploration and work experiences. Transition services are provided both on an individual basis as well as group activities.

Deafblind Services: Deafblindness or dual sensory loss is the loss of both hearing and vision to a degree at which a person's functional abilities are impacted. ABVI-Goodwill is available for consultation services for children who are deafblind.

Community Resource and Education: ABVI-Goodwill provides resource information and education both on a formal and informal basis. This would include: resource information to parents and other professionals, training opportunities for others involved in a child's activities and referrals to other organizations.

For further information on any services to children through ABVI-Goodwill please contact Sarah Favro at (585) 232-1111.