Sight & Hearing Meeting/Tour November 2011

On the heels of a successful Lions Rose Day on October 29, Freeport Lions and guests had an opportunity to learn, first-hand, where Rose Day donations go.  The Center for Sight & Hearing, Rockford IL http://www.rockfordcenter.org/  hosted a dinner meeting and tour on November 8, 2011. CSH President, Diane Jones, said they employ a staff of 22 with doctorates, masters and bachelors degrees; all professionals with high desires and passions to improve lives of visually and hearing impaired people of all ages. She told of many heartwarming success stories, especially for children who may have heard their own footsteps, or saw shapes and faces clearly, for the very first time.

The CSH Computer Lab currently has 18 to 19 students from northern Illinois and southern Wisconsin, and communities as far East as Crystal Lake and West to Freeport and Carroll County . Lab goals:

• Provide instruction to people who have vision loss and who are seeking employment or are employed and needing additional technology skills
• Teach impaired people to use verbal-to-text and text-to-verbal computer software; verbal command program global positioning systems (GPS), and verbal command telephones.
• Train visually impaired persons to use a number of different software programs such as “OpenBook” scanning and reading software, “Jaws” screen reading software, and “Dragon Naturally Speaking” verbally-activated software for those who cannot use a keyboard.
• Help people learn how to use email, perform Internet searches, and use word processing, spreadsheet and presentation software products.
• Assist with converting Braille to voice for business and personal uses.
• Provide off-site training throughout northern Illinois and southern Wisconsin in public libraries and schools if no computer is available in a person’s home.

Assistive Technology Specialist, Hina Altaf, briefs Betty Tormohlen, Rick Eastman, Paul Tormohlen, Dennis Zimmerman, Darla VanBuskirk and other Freeport Lions in the CSH Computer Lab.

 

The Center also provides impaired people with Home Training Services using teleconferencing and sign language when necessary. The Center's “Simple Solutions Center” has a multitude of products available for visually and hearing impaired people such as amplification/listening devices and phones; writing products, check writing guides and letter templates; magnification screens, closed circuit TVs, and handheld magnifiers; talking products such as timepieces and alarm clocks; and large print calendars and playing cards.

CSH President Jones conducted a tour of the Kitchen Training Facility, illustrating how they match people with comfort areas so they can learn how to identify switches, control knobs, etc. Raised surfaces, audible notification, bright colors, and contrast between light/dark are some of the methods utilized. Floor and countertop surface variations between smooth and rough denote nearness to hazards such as a range top. Large print or even Braille labels can be used to fit the degree of the impaired person's needs.

The Center graciously receives donations and gifts from various organizations. A particular one they are proud of is a wood relief by Blackhawk Woodcarvers that took 2 years to complete. Each square was carved by individual artists, assembled by the group, and then donated to the Center.

The Freeport Lions Club thanks Diane Jones and The Center for Sight & Hearing for their dedication and perseverance in enriching the lives of those less fortunate.

L-R, Rich Montgomery, Rick Eastman, Nick Thomas, Dennis Zimmerman, Bert Kersten, Roland Caruso, Darla VanBuskirk, Joe Serafini, Andi Montgomery, Brian Burke, Paul Rampanthal, Betty Tormohlen, Paul Tormohlen, Diane Jones, Center for Sight & Hearing President, Anita Caruso, Nancy Serafini