Adult Programs
Adult Programs are designed to enable blind
and visually impaired individuals to regain independent living skills,
allowing them to maintain meaningful roles in their family, community, work
and/or school.
All classes are available in English,
Spanish and Creole. Instruction and training at work and in the home is
also provided to ensure practical skill use in everyday situations.
Clients meet with a counselor or social
worker and are orientated within a small group class to discuss available
classes and services. We emphasize using one's own life experiences to
regain skills using remaining vision and other senses. Social workers act
as advocates and information providers and teach the skill of
self-advocacy.
Contact a case manager
Click here to learn about the Transition Program for
students
ages 14-22.
Independent Living Program
The Independent Living program is for individuals who are not employed and
intend to remain in their homes. These clients have the opportunity to
receive orientation and mobility training and personal management
instruction. They can also receive basic computer training, participate in
our social group activities, receive low vision services, as well as
counseling services. Our independent living program consist of two age
groups; Independent Living Adult Program (age 54 and under) and
Independent Living Older Blind (Age 55 and over). In 2015, the two
Independent Living Programs served 158 clients were served with a 6,305
hours of service.
Orientation and Mobility
O&M services allow the individual gain
better spatial awareness and travel independence. Our instructors provide
thorough training for:
-
Cane skills
-
Moving safely within the home and stores
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Effective use of public transportation
i.e.: Busses, metro-rail
Proper training from our
university-trained, certified instructors builds confidence and
independence for an individual maneuvering in a sighted-world.
For more information, please contact
Orientation and Mobility
Personal Management
Personal management instruction aims for individuals of
all ages to remain independent. Personal Management offers:
- Home skills, kitchen safety, basic meal preparation,
all taught from on-site facilities including working washers and dryers,
stove-top ranges, ovens, and cooking utensils
- Grocery shopping, organization of one's home,
personal affairs, and other tasks that must often be re-learned are
taught by our personal management instructors
- Make-up and grooming, personal hygiene, clothing
selection and other similar skills restore a sense of personal style and
identity
- Money identification, telephone dialing,
phone/internet shopping and banking, and the use of talking clocks and
calculators return control over finances and daily schedules
- Writing guides, check writing templates, Braille and
various labeling techniques provide options for handling the many
reading and writing tasks associated with a busy schedule. Use of the
Talking Books program introduces one avenue of enjoying leisure time.
For more information, please contact
Raquel Van Der Biest.
Computer and Technology Training
-
Growing advances in technology allow an visually
impaired individual to lead a more independent life, therefore it is
necessary to have the proper training to learn, and in many cases
re-learn the skills needed to utilize what is available.
-
Miami Lighthouse has computers adapted to provide
either enlarged images or speech output of the information on the
screen, and can be used for basic word-processing and e-mail. We are
also equipped with computers using JAWS (Java Application with Sound)
software, a program that reads allowed virtually every keystroke on
the computer, allowing the user to listen to emails and other
documents, and navigate computer programs as a sighted person might.
-
Small talking note-takers make it possible to remember
appointments, and get quick access to telephone numbers and personal
information.
-
Learning to use computers with speech or large print
access offers blind and visually impaired individuals an avenue for
which further employment and education are made possible
Other special equipment such as Braille note-takers and
laptop devices also enable greater flexibility on a daily working basis.
Similar to a PDA, these devices allow the user web access, access to a
calendar, contacts, notes, documents and much more. Learning to use this
puts the world literally at your fingertips.
For more information please contact
Bill
Rivera.
Vocational Rehabilitation
The Vocational Rehabilitation program is for clients that are either
working or want to go back to work. The program provides comprehensive
training in self-help skills, computer/adaptive technology and job
readiness; other services provided through the program include orientation
and mobility, low vision services, personal and home management. In 2015,
154 clients were served with 11,123 hours of service.
Job Readiness Program
Miami Lighthouse helps analyze a blind or visually
impaired individual's skills and interests to assist in the search for
employment. Increasing one's personal independence allows for greater
opportunities in the work environment.
- Participants develop a career plan geared towards
achieving sustainable employment.
- Training provides individuals with skills needed to
enter, remain in or return to suitable employment.
- Participants acquire skills such as effective resume
writing, job searching techniques and interview skills are practiced
with expert coaches.
For more information please contact
Carol Brady-Simmons.
Job Placement Program
Employers -
click here to
view our Job Readiness Brochure.
Unemployed blind or visually impaired candidates who are
seeking employment complete the Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) program
offered at Miami Lighthouse for the Blind. Our goal is to obtain or
continue employment and educational activities for individuals as full
participants in the community.
During their training at Miami Lighthouse, clients learn
computer skills adapted to their vision impairment. VR clients also
receive high-quality training in adaptive computer access using auditory
screen reading and large print magnification devices as well as Braille
reading/writing and the use of electronic book readers and electronic
Personal Digital Assistance access. In addition to work readiness skills,
social skills and basic communication are part of the program currently
offered. A Job Developer provides additional assistance with skills
assessment, interview skills, job opening searches, and preparation for
specific job opportunities to help visually impaired individuals obtain
competitive jobs in Miami-Dade or Monroe counties. The Job Developer also
searches for appropriate job fairs and prepares blind or visually impaired
job candidates to participate in these events.
For more information please contact
Carol Brady-Simmons.
The Job Readiness Program at Miami Lighthouse for the
Blind and Visually Impaired is partially underwritten by funding from The
Able Trust and the Florida Division of Blind Services.
Miami Lighthouse GED Program - Adult Basic Education (ABE)
GED Program - Adult Basic Education, in partnership with
Miami-Dade County Public Schools, provides blind and visually impaired
adults with the education needed to obtain their GED. Thanks to Miami-Dade County Public Schools
-Million Dollar Community Literacy Challenge, - Adult Basic Education (ABE)
is now offered as an innovative program that is designed to help someone
gain the education they need to complete their GED.
Miami Lighthouse is offering the innovative program in a
collaborative community partnership with Miami-Dade County Public Schools.
The program stresses basic education for adults and the opportunity to
pursue their GED. In addition to Adult Basic Education, students have the
opportunity to study English as a Second Language for those students whose
first language is Spanish or Creole. Students attend class four days a week, with
registration on a rolling basis so the program can be joined at any time
during the year. In 2015, 62 clients were served in these programs with
12,569 hours of service.
For more information please contact
Michelle Fischer.
Diabetes Education
Loss of vision increases the challenge of managing and
understanding diabetes, a complex condition that often leads to vision
loss.
Talking devices that enable independent monitoring of blood sugar levels
and special insulin delivery devices can help you manage your condition.
Miami Lighthouse also provides information about meal plans, exercise, and
personal health care.
For more information on
Adult Programs, please call.
Florida Client Assistance Program (CAP)
Miami Lighthouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired in compliance with
the State of Florida is providing our clients with information regarding
the Federal CAP program. The following information will provide you with
contact information and the summary of services given by the CAP program.
Disability Rights Florida
2728 Centerview Drive
Suite 102
Tallahassee, FL 32301
Telephone: Voice 850-488-9071 / (800) 342-0823 / TDD (800) 346-4127
Fax: 850-488-8640
CAP assists anyone with a disability that is interested in applying for
and receiving services from rehabilitation programs, projects or
facilities funded under the Rehabilitation Act. CAP helps individuals
understand and deal effectively with programs established to provide these
services, such as Florida's Division of Vocational Rehabilitation, the
Division of Blind Services and Centers for Independent Living. CAP can
investigate, negotiate and pursue administrative, legal and other remedies
to ensure that client rights are protected.
Internet Location:
http://www.disabilityrightsflorida.org/contact/select_form
Independent Living Older Blind Program – July 2025
Independent Living Adult Program Survey Result – July 2025
Vocational Rehabilitation Clients Satisfaction Survey Results - November 2024
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