4421 AGNES STREET
CORPUS CHRISTI, TX 78405
361-883-6553 PHONE
888-255-8011 TOLL-FREE
361-883-1041 FAX
CORPUS CHRISTI, TX 78405
361-883-6553 PHONE
888-255-8011 TOLL-FREE
361-883-1041 FAX
South Texas Lighthouse for the Blind offers life-changing rehabilitative services to both its employees and others in the community who are blind or visually impaired, including consumers of the Department of Assistive and Rehabilitative Services – Division for Blind Services (DARS-DBS). Our training provides students the opportunity to take classes locally and close to home so they do not have to go out of town to learn new skills. Our Adaptive Technology classes can open up a brand new world for someone with a visual impairment by teaching them how to use a computer. Orientation and Mobility (O&M) classes allow those who have a visual impairment to become more independent and explore the communities in which they live, work, and travel.
Vision loss does not have to be a roadblock to modern technology. Advances in adaptive software have opened the doors for people who are blind or visually impaired to use computers for work, school, and leisure. The Adaptive Technology Department at South Texas Lighthouse for the Blind offers a variety of adaptive software classes for those with low vision to complete blindness.
The first step in learning how to use a computer is knowing how to type. Talking Typing Teacher uses digitized human speech to narrate the entire program. The software features complete interaction with both sound and full-color animations. Lessons consist of verbal and displayed instructions and fun practice drills. Lessons teach and reinforce typing, with careful emphasis on posture and correct typing habits. Constant positive and encouraging reinforcers throughout the entire curriculum make learning fun and exciting. Learning to type has never been easier!
With the new ZoomText 9.1, seeing and hearing everything on your computer is clearer than ever. ZoomText’s xFont magnification displays high-definition text that you'll recognize effortlessly. This innovative software can magnify anything on your screen up to 36 times! With the NeoSpeech synthesizers, applications and documents are read aloud by friendly, human-sounding voices - right through your computer's speakers. And with ZoomText’s productivity tools, finding what you’re looking for is quick and easy.
JAWS for Windows is a powerful accessibility solution that reads information on your screen using synthesized speech. JAWS provides many useful commands that make it easier to use programs, edit documents, and read Web pages. With a refreshable Braille display, JAWS can also provide Braille output in addition to, or instead of, speech. An array of versatile features and customizable options lets you tailor JAWS for your individual needs and preferences. JAWS is ideal for those who have complete vision loss or who have very limited vision.
Now computer users who need low vision aids due to macular degeneration, retinitis pigmentosa, or other causes of low vision can take control of Web and software application pages. No longer will you struggle with type that is too small to see and images with indecipherable details. MAGic screen magnification software not only increases the size of what you see on a monitor, but MAGic with Speech also speaks aloud screen contents. MAGic makes school research on the Web less challenging for those with vision loss. It smoothes the way for work projects that involve report writing, spreadsheets, and working with common office-related software. MAGic even makes leisure Web browsing, letter writing, blogging, chatting, and other everyday activities that involve the computer more fun.
Microsoft Office 2007, including Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint, is essential for any student or professional to know. You can learn how to use all of these programs easily with the skills you have developed in the adaptive software classes.
Internet Explorer is a series of graphical web browsers developed by Microsoft and included as part of the Microsoft Windows line of operating systems. It is the most widely used web browser. Internet Explorer can be used with adaptive software to allow you to access the Internet and check your e-mail.
OpenBook™ converts printed documents or graphic-based text into an electronic text format on your PC using quality speech and the latest optical character recognition technology. You can choose between two leading text-to-speech software synthesizers, RealSpeak™ Solo (natural, human-sounding voices) or Eloquence (efficient synthesized speech that often is preferred for editing and document skimming).
Through Hadley School for the Blind, you can earn your High School diploma and/or participate in Adult Continuing Education classes. The program features academic courses and electives for students who seek to earn a high school diploma. Students can earn high school credit, which is easily transferred to your local schools, or earn a diploma through Hadley.
Hadley School for the Blind also features a long list of continuing education classes. Classes include, but are not limited to:
- Art History: Art of Ancient Egypt
- English Composition
- Mathematics
- Life Science
- American Government
- Braille
- Business Communications
- Self-Esteem and Adjusting with Blindness
- Basic Conversational Spanish
For more information on these adaptive technology classes, please contact Teresa Curtiss at 361.883.6553, ext. 172 or drop her an e-mail at teresac@stlb.net.
Orientation and Mobility Training (O&M) is the educational process that prepares an individual with little to no vision to travel safely and independently in familiar and unfamiliar environments. O&M training is an essential component of helping people who are blind or visually impaired to overcome barriers to independence by giving them the skills and confidence needed to do everyday tasks like traveling to and from work, school, the grocery store or anywhere they desire to go.
During training O&M students learn the proper use of the long white cane for indoor and outdoor travel. This includes street crossing and the use of public transportation. Students also learn essential skills for social settings such as traveling in restaurants, shopping malls, grocery stores, and other high traffic and crowded areas.
Students participating in the O&M program develop more than just travel skills. Their self-esteem and confidence increase dramatically as they learn how to accomplish everyday tasks that once seemed impossible. As confidence grows, so too will the desire to try new things in vocational and social settings, and as a result, increase independence and add to their quality of life.For more information about O&M training, please contact Lee Jones at 361.883.6553, ext. 103 or drop him an e-mail at leej@stlb.net.