Our programs are divided into two areas: education and training and community-based activities. Together these programs are designed to help you live a full and successful life as you adjust to changes in your vision.
Educational Programs
April through June 2024
iPhone and iPad Instruction
Remote iPhone instruction is offered in a small group setting in four-part sessions from Level One through Level Six. You will learn the basic skills for using your phone with Voiceover and gestures. Students will be scheduled either for Monday and Thursday, Tuesday and Thursday or Tuesday and Friday lessons. Lesson times, start dates, and end dates will be set directly with the instructor. Prior to instruction, you will have a pre-evaluation to ensure you are placed in the appropriate class for your skill level. There are also opportunities for you to participate in remedial instruction as a refresher to add to your current skills. Skill level will be discussed with the instructor.
Remote iPad instruction has begun. Depending on your skill level, you can learn the basics that may be more than enough for your personal needs, or you can work your way through each level from one through six to gain more knowledge and skills on how the iPad can support you in your everyday interests.
iOS VoiceOver Accessible App Workshop Series
All interested VisionLink participants are welcome to attend. No iPhone experience necessary. To participate, use the below Zoom Meeting information to join any of the App Workshops on their scheduled day and time. Note: upon request, participants can receive a phone call from the instructor to join the workshops.
Please Note: There will be a student app workshop break on June 25, 26, and 27 2024. All App Workshop classes will resume the following week. This break is only for the iPhone App workshops. All other VisionLink activities will continue as scheduled.
April 16 through May 23, 2024
- Amazon: Tuesdays at 10:00 a.m.
Shop millions of products and have virtually anything you desire shipped directly to your front door. - Participant’s choice! App Q&A: Wednesdays at 10:00 a.m.
Want to learn about different apps? Looking for a quick app overview? Have iPhone app questions? Then, this workshop is for you. - BARD Mobile Workshop: Thursdays at 10:00 a.m.
Search for, download and listen to free books and magazines.
June 4 through July 11, 2024
- Seeing AI: Tuesdays at 10:00 a.m.
Independently read mail, printed documents, product barcodes, use facial recognition, identify money and more. - Participant’s choice! App Q&A: Wednesdays at 10:00 a.m.
Want to learn about different apps? Looking for a quick app overview? Have iPhone app questions? Then, this workshop is for you. - Uber/Lyft: Thursdays at 10:00 a.m.
Schedule a ride anytime, to anywhere and for any reason you desire.
iPhone: Advanced App Workshops
VisionLink’s next round of iPhone Advanced App Workshops will be starting Monday April 1, 2024, and will run through June 7, 2024. These remote learning workshops will be held on Monday & Fridays for 1.5 hour per day.
All interested VisionLink participants are welcome to attend. Intermediate iPhone experience is recommended. Read on to explore the workshop schedule.
Please Note: Upon request, participants can receive a phone call from the instructor. Call Marsha Drenth at 267-413-7845 or Email marsha.drenth@visionlinkphl.org to connect with the instructor.
- Google News Workshop – Google News is the world’s largest news feeder service developed by Google. It presents a continuous flow of links to articles organized from thousands of publishers, magazines, blogs, and websites.
Monday April 1, 3:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Friday April 12, 10:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Monday April 15, 3:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Friday April 19, 10:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. - Call Waiting Workshop – If you have Call Waiting, it will let you know, while busy on the phone, that another call is coming your way. Helps you avoid missing important calls by allowing you to see who is calling whether you are on a mobile or land line phone.
Monday April 22, 3:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Friday April 26, 10:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Monday April 29, 3:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. - Uber Eats Workshop – Uber Eats is a food delivery service that is an offshoot of the Uber ride-share service; it is similar to Door Dash and Grubhub. You can place orders with local restaurants and chain establishments from the Uber Eats website or mobile app, and food is delivered directly to your door, usually for a small delivery fee.
Friday May 3, 10:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Monday May 6, 3:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Friday May 10, 10:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. - Widgets – Widgets are an important aspect of home screen customization; think of them as at-a-glance windows into an app’s most important data and functionality that are accessible right on your home screen.
Monday May 13, 3:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Friday May 17, 10:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. - Peacock – A streaming service that will satisfy all your entertainment wishes or just binge watching brought to you from NBC & the Universal network with tons of movies and TV shows including LIVE Sports all at your fingertips in an app on your iPhone.
Monday May 20, 3:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Friday May 24, 10:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Friday May 31, 10:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Monday June 3, 3:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Friday June 7, 10:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Orientation and Mobility
Orientation and Mobility is now providing in-person instruction. This class will teach you to travel efficiently, safely, and independently – according to the individual’s goals and ability. Lesson times, start dates, and end dates will be set directly with the instructor.
Home Management
Home management workshops are group sessions where participants can discuss strategies and learn techniques to live more independently while managing sight loss. The workshops will focus on a range of topics which will include strategies for maintaining Safety in the Home, Organization and Labeling, Assistive Technology, Medication Management, Resources for managing vision loss, and recommendations that can help with the adjustment to the Psycho-Social aspect of vision loss.
The home management workshop series is scheduled to resume in January 2024 at 1 p.m. and will be offered on the following dates. Dates are subject to change:
April 8, April 22, May 6, May 20, June 3, June 17
Computer Instruction
Computer instruction has been placed on hold. An announcement will be made once the new schedule is set. As a participant you will learn the basic skills for using a computer with JAWS or work to sharpen your advanced skills over a four-week workshop schedule. Participants who have received a call to schedule their sessions, but have not confirmed their availability, don’t hesitate to let us know if you remain interested. Please note: To participate, you need to have access to a computer at the time the class begins.
Vision Rehabilitation & Low Vision Rehabilitation Therapy
VisionLink offers both Vision Rehabilitation and Low Vision Rehabilitation Therapy to provide training in compensatory skills and assistive technology enabling a person to live a safe, productive, and independent life. Through Vision Rehabilitation and Low Vision Rehabilitation Therapy both personal and home management instruction is offered allowing an individual to stay goal-oriented and focus on building concrete skills. Instruction is individually paced helping one achieve proficiency in a particular set of skills based on their learning medium. Using a combination of one-on-one tutorials, participatory workshops, referrals, and adaptation recommendations an individual can learn, practice and master hard and soft skills allowing for independence in daily living.
Using non-visual techniques, you can develop both home and personal management skills allowing you to live more independently:
- Learn safe independent cooking and meal preparation techniques
- Learn organization and cleaning techniques-allowing for safe navigation in an organized and clean-living space
- Learn labeling techniques-allowing a better daily system to identify items in the refrigerator, pantry, and closets
- Learn basic communication Skills using Braille or Smartphone Applications
- Lighting and Contrast recommendations for Reading or Leisure hobbies
- Medication Management
- Basic Orientation and Mobility techniques
- Personal Grooming Adaptations
- Lighting and Magnification Recommendations
- Assistive Technology Device Recommendations
VisionLink participants are welcome to join us in any of the programs listed on this page.
Clients can email Lee Cannady, our Manager, Enrollment and Referral, or call us at (215) 627-0600 to participate in our Educational Programs.
New to VisionLink? Visit our Get Started page.
Community-Based Programs
Mondays
- New Participant Orientation (meets third and fourth Monday of every month) from 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.: This group requires registration in advance. The group meets four times over the course of two weeks, with a new group forming every other month.
Tuesdays
- Diabetes Information and Support Group (January 30 to April 23, 2024) from 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.: Led by Thomas Jefferson University staff and pharmacy students, this group will help you learn about ways to manage your diabetes, how this disease affects your body, and how to eat sensibly and still enjoy what you are eating.
- Peer Support Group (meets last Tuesday of every month) from 3:00 – 4:00 p.m. This group is designed for individuals experiencing sight loss in need of peer support, peer networking and information related to the field of vision loss.
Wednesdays
- Gentle Yoga (April 3 to May 22, 2024) from 10:30 – 11:30 a.m.: Get your blood flowing with this exciting program. No previous experience required and experienced Yogi’s are welcome.
- New Participant Orientation (meets second and third Wednesday of each month) from 11:30 – 12:30 p.m.: The group meets four times over the course of two weeks, with a new group forming every other month.
- Men’s Peer Support Group (meets biweekly) from 3:30 – 4:30 p.m.: Having difficulty talking with friends and family about vision loss? Join this weekly group to share your thoughts and experiences with peers, discussing issues facing men who are blind or visually impaired.
Thursdays
- Women’s Peer Support Group (meets biweekly) from 10:00 – 11:00 a.m.: Having difficulty talking with friends and family about your loss of vision? Join this weekly group and share thoughts and ideas with peers, discussing issues facing women who are blind or visually impaired.
- Intro to Opera (meets Thursday April 25) from 5:00 – 6:00 p.m.: Led by Steven Humes (Manager of Audience Development, Opera Philadelphia) and Nicole Sardella (Audio Describer), this monthly group dives into different operas and the details behind the art. April’s selection is Madame Butterfly.
- Audio Described Art Exhibition (meets fourth Thursday of every month) from 5:30 – 6:30 p.m.: Led By Aisha Khan (President & CEO of Twelve Gates) and Nicole Sardella (Audio Describer), this monthly group explore different pieces of art, the creators, and the thought process behind the work.
Fridays
- Speaker Series (meets fourth Friday of every month) from 10:00 a.m. – noon: VisionLink welcomes professionals from health and other fields to speak to our participants about topics that are important to health and wellness, finance, legal assistance, and more.
- Resource Sharing Call (meets first Friday of every month) from 2:00 – 3:30 p.m.: Join VisionLink staff to learn about new programs, resources available and special announcements. Bring any new resources you have learned about to the call as well to share with other participants.
“This is such a gift. Without vision, it’s very hard to find opportunities for joining other people in a class.”
Clients can email Lee Cannady, our Manager, Enrollment and Referral, or call us at (215) 627-0600 ext. 824 to participate in our Community Programs.
New to VisionLink? Visit our Get Started page.
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