Programs


Daily Living Skills PDF Print E-mail

Certified Vision Rehabilitation Therapists (CVRT) teach people with blindness or visual impairments and their families how to perform daily

tasks that have become difficult because of vision loss. Adaptive

equipment may be used or an alternate method to perform the task may be taught. Common areas of instruction are meal preparation, check writing, using a computer, medication identification and practical use of magnifiers.

Most lessons take place in the client’s home and are based on the interests and needs of the client with the goal of improving independence.

 
Low Vision Clinic PDF Print E-mail

The term "low vision" refers to loss of vision which cannot be corrected by medical or surgical procedures. Although medication and/or surgery may help, damage to parts of the eye may cause visual loss resulting in low vision. Conventional eyeglasses do not help. Low vision is determined by acuity, the amount of detail an individual sees or by visual field, the size of area an individual can see. Approximately 88% of people classified as legally blind have some useful vision, but have low vision.

The purpose of the Low Vision Clinic at ABVI is to help people carry out every day tasks made difficult or impossible by low vision. The optical aids used are not like regular eye glasses. Each device is used for a special purpose. Most low vision aids are reading glasses, magnifiers on a fixed stand, hand-held magnifiers, and pocket magnifiers.

Low Vision Services include: Screening to obtain background information, examination by a certified low vision optometrist, prescription or optical devices, recommendations regarding non-optical devices, and in-home follow-up.

 
Counseling PDF Print E-mail

Visual impairment is a disability that affects not only the individual, but entire families and social networks. Often, visually impaired people feel isolated and dependent, and loved ones may need help understanding their feelings of loss. Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired staff members help people express feelings, adjust to vision loss and make plans for the future. They also educate family members and help them take maximum advantage of community resources for the visually impaired. And if in-depth counseling is required, ABVI makes appropriate referrals to other agencies.

 
Peer Support Groups PDF Print E-mail

Location and Meetings:

"The purpose of support groups is to provide education, encouragement and emotional support for adults
who are experiencing vision decline or loss of sight."

Allegan County
Allegan United Methodist Church Fellowship Hall
409 Trowbridge
Allegan, MI
Second Monday of the month at 10:30 am
Map (Allegan)

Mecosta County
Mecosta County Senior Center
12954 - 80th Ave.
Mecosta, MI
Fourth Wednesday of the month at 1:00 pm
Map (Mecosta)

Barry County
Commission on Aging
32 W. Woodlawn
Hastings, MI
Second Wednesday of the month at 1:30 pm
Map (Barry)

Montcalm County
Commission on Aging
613 N. State Street
Stanton, MI
Fourth Wednesday of the month at 10:00 am
Map (Montcalm)

Ionia County
Ionia Commission on Aging
115 Hudson Street
Ionia, MI
Fourth Wednesday of the month at 9:30 am
Map (Ionia)


Muskegon County
Muskegon Public Schools Administrative Offices
The Hackley Bldg. 3rd Floor
349 West Webster Ave.
Muskegon, MI
Third Wednesday of the month at 10:00 am
Map (Muskegon)

Kent County
ABVI Offices
456 Cherry SE
Grand Rapids, MI 
First Monday of the month at 9:45 am
Map (Kent)

Newaygo County
Hesperia Library Community Room
80 South Division
Hesperia, MI
Second and Fourth Mondays at 1:00 pm
Map (Newaygo)

Mason/Oceana Counties
Ludington Senior Center
308 South Rowe
Ludington, MI
Third Monday of the month at 1:30 pm
Map (Mason/Oceana/Lake)
Ottawa County
First Presbyterian Church
508 Franklin Ave.
Grand Haven, MI
Second Tuesday of the month at 9:30 am
Map (Ottawa - Grand Haven)

Fourteenth Street Christian Reformed Church
14 West 14th Street
Holland, MI
Last Tuesday March, April, May, June, September,
October, and November at 9:30 am
Map (Ottawa - Holland)

Royal Park Place
500 Parkside Dr
Zeeland, MI
Third Tuesday of the month at 1:30 pm
Map (Ottawa - Zeeland)
Blind Parents Teleconference
Weekly on Tuesdays at 10:00 am
Call ABVI for details.
Map (Kent)

Successful Teens Exploring Positive Skills (Steps)
Grandville High School
4700 Canal Avenue, SW
Grandville, MI
First & Third Mondays of the month at 3:30 pm
Contact Michelle Cameron for more information
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Map (STEPS)

Spanish Language Support Group
Conference Call
Third Wednesday of the Month at 1:30 pm
Contact Rosemary Ramos for additional information
at (616) 458-1187 or toll free (800) 466-8084, extension 314.
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Active Adults Group
ABVI Offices
456 Cherry SE
Grand Rapids, MI
Fridays at 12:30 pm
Map (Kent)
Celebrate Independence Workshops
ABVI Offices
456 Cherry, SE
Grand Rapids, MI
First Friday of March, June, September, and December
Map (Kent)
For additional information contact:
John McElheron
Social Worker
800-466-8084 ext 331
616-458-1187 ext 331
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