Promising Practices

A promising practice has:

• Results that are measurable 
• Been implemented and had a positive outcome 
• A positive impact on the individuals served or the staff who provide services 
• Met the criteria for assessment 

Process

• Data collection 
• Allowing digital signatures 
• Steps for ordering aids and devices 

Strategic

• Providing shorter, instructional appointments with less content 
• Meeting regularly with contractors to improve communication 
• Do intake over the phone and instructional appointments in person 

Programmatic

• Using a set curriculum for group instruction 
• Using consistent practices for recruiting, training, and ongoing training for peer support leaders 
• Using a consistent procedure to provide loaner or trial equipment for consumers

The promising practice is...

• Relevant to the goals and objectives of the OIB program 
• Based on common sense and sound practice 
• Completed or near completion (in terms of documentation and data collection)
• Well-executed with met goals 
• Reaching the target audience 
• Having a positive outcome for the majority of the target audience 
• Receiving positive feedback from collaborating partners (if applicable)
• With the potential to be replicable/generalizable to other locations 
• With the potential to be implemented and sustained over time 
• Able to be evaluated with data

The Aging Eyes Initiative, through Minnesota's State Services for the Blind, is a network of providers collaborating to offer information, resources, and referrals for low vision needs. Partners include social workers, audiologists, occupational therapists, agencies focused on aging, and more. They receive kits of essential supplies to distribute during assessments. Individuals needing intensive training and vision rehabilitation are referred to Minnesota’s State Services to access comprehensive OIB services. 

Data: On average, 800 consumers are served annually. The program has 400 active partners. 

Agency Cost: The initial program started through a $60,000 grant and is now covered by OIB funding. 

Important Takeaway: Implementing more procedures in the partner training program helps to ensure partners are committed to providing assistance.

Introductory Group Class for Orientation and Mobility

The Chicago Lighthouse for the Blind offers program participants, including OIB consumers an introductory group lesson in orientation and mobility (O&M). The group is made up of five to seven consumers that meet for one 2-hour session. Topics presented include use of the long cane, human guide, transportation options, and resources. The class is led by a Certified Orientation and Mobility Instructor with assistance from O&M Interns. Each consumer is measured for and issued a long white cane and shown how to use basic cane techniques. During the last third of the class, each consumer receives brief one-on-one instruction to practice using the techniques for traveling within the building. The remaining group members get a chance to talk amongst themselves and discuss transportation options. At the end of the class, each participant is signed up for additional O&M training and other services that the Lighthouse offers. After the completion of the class, a follow-up email with all the information discussed in the class including links and additional resources is sent to the consumer.

See the lesson plan for more details. (White Cane Class Itinerary)

The Chicago Lighthouse for the Blind supplies the white canes and covers the cost of salaries for staff.

This program has proven to be beneficial to both the consumers involved and the Staff. The class allows the consumers to interact, support, and learn from each other, while learning about the benefits and easing uncertainty about use of the long cane.  The organization benefits by increasing the number of consumers served, introducing basic cane and mobility skills, and helping consumers learn about resources sooner.  The class structure has allowed the organization to reduce the waitlist. Providing the classes allows staff to immediately begin individualized instruction since consumers already have basic knowledge and expectation of outcomes for O&M service.

For more information, please visit Orientation & Mobility - The Chicago Lighthouse.

Idaho Commission for the Blind instructors create personalized audio lessons, voice memos, and individual plans for each participant as needed. Additionally, staff members have produced pre-recorded lessons that are universally applicable and shared among clients. Recordings help support skills between lessons, provide reminders for steps of a task, and provide homework lessons to support training. Our team also makes audio recordings compatible with iPhones and various digital devices for easy sharing. Learn more: Creating MP3 Files with Voice Memo on iOS

Data: Case notes are used to compile qualitative data. Staff find improved homework completion rates between lessons and can identify someone not genuinely invested in their instruction. It makes direct instruction staff more proficient. All current direct service staff utilize this system to support instruction.

Agency Cost: The local NLS program provides free cartridges to instructors. ICBVI purchased one lightning adapter for each staff member at $8 - $10 each. 

Important Takeaway: Staff must know how to teach the NLS player well and need to know how to create recordings before implementing this type of program. This type of program could be much more helpful for times that people cannot get out of the home or live in a rural community.

Retreat training is a unique format for delivering services aimed at helping OIB consumers adjust to vision loss through a short-term residential training program. Participants benefit from specialized expertise helping them to build skills and learn about adaptive technologies. The retreat environment, along with peer support, allows individuals to practice new skills which increases confidence and know they are not alone in the adjustment process. Retreats offer introductory skill attainment, with many programs providing follow-up, individualized services. Our team has interviewed several current retreat programs, highlighting the key program similarities and differences. 

Duration: Programs are typically 1 week, ranging from 3 to 4 days of direct instruction, with a day to travel to and from the retreat location. 

Cost: All consumer costs are covered (i.e., lodging, food, activities, transportation) through OIB funding, grants, or donations. 

Key program training components: orientation and mobility training, daily living skills, assistive technology instruction, low vision skills, adjustment to blindness, recreation and leisure activities, and guest speakers.

Lodging: Hotels, resorts, retreat centers, campgrounds, and other community facilities. 

Requirements: Each participant must be a current OIB consumer of the state in which the program is offered. Programs do not accept participants from outside of their state. 

Unique differences: Several programs offer a plus one, allowing the OIB consumer to bring a family member to the retreat. These programs also cover plus one costs and provide specific programming and training for family members separate from OIB consumer training sessions.

Data: Each program listed below uses a similar formula and curriculum topics for their retreat training program. Participant feedback is collected at the end of each retreat program.

Programs Interviewed:

A Shore Thing, New Jersey

Adventures in Vision Loss, Wisconsin

Senior Retreat, New York

Senior Retreat, Virginia

Silver Retreat, New Hampshire

TLC Senior Retreat, Louisiana 

Mentors are clients who come with different experiences, backgrounds, and skill sets. They express interest in volunteering for California’s Society for the Blind as a Mentor. Mentors demonstrate the ability to learn and practice good listening and empathy skills, share their story, be a role model, demonstrate non-visual skill building, structured discovery principles, strategizing, and problem-solving skills. Learn more about their program here: Senior IMPACT Program

Data: The Senior IMPACT Program has 14 active mentors. 

Agency Cost: Staff time is used to support the mentor program. 

Important Takeaway: Providing consistent training and monthly participation requirements for mentors is important for maintaining consistency and efficacy. 

Future In Sight in New Hampshire offers program participants, including OIB consumers, transportation to essential appointments, grocery shopping, and Future In Sight events and activities FREE of charge through their volunteer driver program. 

2024 Data: 85 volunteer drivers, 3,305 volunteer hours, 2,799 one-way rides provided, 108 clients utilized the program, and 54,823 miles driven

Agency Cost: Future In Sight provides mileage reimbursement to volunteer drivers and pays for Ride Scheduler software to manage and fulfill ride requests. OIB consumers are not charged for rides. 

Important Takeaway: The Ride Scheduler software cost is invaluable to our team, allowing for a streamlined process. We highly recommend using software to other agencies considering creating a volunteer driver program. 

This course is designed to provide information on the best practices for programs serving older individuals who are blind. These best practices are for policymakers, service providers, and administrators, to guide them in providing quality services through OIB programs. Click on the link below to access our FREE course. 

Best Practices in the Administration of the OIB Program