Participants can email VisionLink’s  Participant Navigator at levone.cannady@visionlinkphl.org to register for any of these programs.

Educational Programming

Please call 215-627-0600 and dial extension 827 to sign up for Educational groups.

iPhone Instruction

Remote iPhone Instruction is offered in a small group setting in four-week sessions. 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. Before instruction, you will have a pre-evaluation to ensure you are placed in the appropriate class for your skill level.

iOS VoiceOver Accessible App Workshops

A variety of iPhone App Workshops will be offered throughout the year in a small group setting. All interested VisionLink participants are welcome to attend. No iPhone experience is necessary, just an interest in using an iPhone with apps that can help you navigate through life.

Please Note: There will be a student app workshop break the week of Nov. 22, 23, and 24, 2022. All App Workshop classes will resume the following week. This break is only for the iPhone App workshops. All other Vision Link activities will continue as scheduled.

• Camera & Pictures APP: Tuesdays at 10:30 a.m., Wednesdays at 12:30 a.m., and Fridays at 10:30 a.m. from Jan. 3 to Feb. 3
  • Learn to use the camera to take pictures, find family pictures you have already taken, and use the camera to give you information about your environment.
• Newsline: Tuesdays at 12:30 a.m. from Jan. 3 to Jan. 31
  • Read magazines and newspapers for free from all over the world!
• Participant’s choice! App Q&A: Bi-weekly on Wednesdays at 11:30 a.m. from Jan. 4 to Feb. 1
  • Want to learn about different apps? Looking for a quick app overview? Have iPhone app questions? Then, this workshop is for you. 
• Instacart: Thursdays at 12:30 a.m. from Jan. 5 to Feb. 2
  • Have groceries from supermarkets, drugstores, and convenience stores in your area delivered right to your front door!
• Weather: Fridays at 2:30 p.m. from Jan. 6 to Feb. 3
  • Learn to use the iPhone weather application to know what is happening on any given day, the next day, or seven days in the future. Check the weather in different parts of the country and around the world if you have family that lives there or if you are about to travel to a different location.
• Maps and GPS: Mondays at 12:30 p.m. from Jan. 9 to Jan. 30
  • Learn to use the built-in iPhone Maps and GPS to always learn where you are and get directions no matter how you get around.

Have questions? Please call VisionLink Access Technology Instructor Andrew Godwin at 215-627-0600 and dial extension 816 or email him at andrew.godwin@visionlinkphl.org.

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 your individual goals and ability. Lesson times, start dates, and end dates will be set directly with the instructor. We are currently ensuring that those participants who initially expressed an interest in the program over the last two years will be contacted.  Meanwhile, you are welcome to add your name to the waitlist.

Home Management

Home management workshops are group sessions where participants will discuss strategies and learn techniques to live more independently. Each workshop will focus on a specific topic area of home management. We are currently ensuring that those participants who initially expressed an interest in the program over the last two years will be contacted. We will let you know as soon as we can accept new participants for this program. Meanwhile, you are welcome to add your name to the waiting list.

Computer Instruction

Computer instruction teaches the basic skills for using a computer with JAWS or works to sharpen skills in the advanced class. When the class begins, we will ensure that those participants who initially expressed an interest in the program over the last two years will be contacted. We will let you know as soon as we can accept new participants for this program. Meanwhile, you are welcome to add your name to the waiting list. Please note: You need to have access to a computer at the time the class begins.

January to March Educational Program Calendar

Monday, January 2, 2023 (CLOSED)

Tuesday, January 3, 2023

8:30 – 10:00 a.m.       

• iPhone Level 1/Level 2
• iPad Level 1/Level 2
• Orientation and Mobility

10:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.     

• iPhone Level 3
• Workshop: iPhone Cameras & Pictures APP
• Orientation and Mobility

12:30 – 2:00 p.m.       

• Workshop: Newsline
• iPad Level 3/Level 4
• Orientation and Mobility

2:30 – 4:00 p.m.         

• iPhone Level 1/Level 2
• Orientation and Mobility

Wednesday, January 4

10:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.     

• iPhone Level 3
• Orientation and Mobility

12:30 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.       

• Workshop: Participants Choice – APP Q&A
• Workshop: iPhone Cameras and Picture APP
• iPad Level 3/Level 4
• Orientation and Mobility

2:30 – 4:00 p.m.

• iPhone Level 1/Level 2
• Orientation and Mobility

Thursday, January 5

8:30 – 10:00 a.m.       

• iPhone Level 1/Level 2
• iPad Level 1/Level 2
• Orientation and Mobility

10:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.     

• iPhone Level 3
• Orientation and Mobility

12:30 – 2:00 p.m.       

• Workshop: Instacart
• iPad Level 3/Level 4
• Orientation and Mobility

2:30 – 4:00 p.m.         

• iPhone Level 1/Level 2
• Orientation and Mobility

Friday, January 6

8:30 – 10:00 a.m.       

• iPad Level 1/Level 2
• Orientation and Mobility

10:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.     

• iPhone Level 3
• Workshop: iPhone Cameras & Pictures APP
• Orientation and Mobility

12:30 – 2:00 p.m.       

• iPad Level 3/Level 4
• Orientation and Mobility

2:30 – 4:00 p.m.         

• iPhone Level 1/Level 2
• Workshop: iPhone Weather APP
• Orientation and Mobility

Monday, January 9

8:30 – 10:00 a.m.       

• iPhone Level 2
• Orientation and Mobility

10:30 – 12:00 noon   

• Workshop: Podcasts APP
• Orientation and Mobility

12:30 – 2:00 p.m.       

• Workshop: Maps and GPS APP
• Orientation and Mobility

2:30 – 4:00 p.m.         

• iPhone Level 3
• Orientation and Mobility

Tuesday, January 10

8:30 – 10:00 a.m.       

• iPhone Level 1/Level 2
• iPad Level 1/Level 2
• Orientation and Mobility

10:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.     

• iPhone Level 3
• Workshop: iPhone Cameras & Pictures APP
• Orientation and Mobility

12:30 – 2:00 p.m.       

• Workshop: Newsline
• iPad Level 3/Level 4
• Orientation and Mobility

2:30 – 4:00 p.m.         

• iPhone Level 1/Level 2
• Orientation and Mobility

Wednesday, January 11

10:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.     

• iPhone Level 3
• Orientation and Mobility

12:30 – 2:00 p.m.       

• Workshop: Participants Choice: APP Q&A
• Workshop: iPhone Cameras and Picture APP
• Orientation and Mobility

2:30 – 4:00 p.m.         

• iPhone Level 1/Level 2
• Orientation and Mobility

Thursday, January 12

8:30 – 10:00 a.m.       

• iPhone Level 1/Level 2
• iPad Level 1/Level 2
• Orientation and Mobility

10:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.     

• iPhone Level 3
• Orientation and Mobility

12:30 – 2:00 p.m.       

• Workshop: Instacart
• iPad Level 3/Level 4
• Orientation and Mobility

2:30 – 4:00 p.m.         

• iPhone Level 1/Level 2
• Orientation and Mobility

Friday, January 13

8:30 – 10:00 a.m.       

• iPad Level 1/Level 2
• Orientation and Mobility

10:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.     

• iPhone Level 3
• Workshop: iPhone Cameras & Pictures APP
• Orientation and Mobility

12:30 – 2:00 p.m.       

• iPad Level 3/Level 4
• Orientation and Mobility

2:30 – 4:00 p.m.         

• iPhone Level 1/Level 2
• Workshop: iPhone Weather APP
• Orientation and Mobility

Monday, January 16, 2023 (CLOSED)

Tuesday, January 17, 2023

8:30 – 10:00 a.m.       

• iPhone Level 1/Level 2
• iPad Level 1/Level 2
• Orientation and Mobility

10:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.     

• iPhone Level 3
• Workshop: iPhone Cameras & Pictures APP
• Orientation and Mobility

12:30 – 2:00 p.m.       

• Workshop: Newsline
• iPad Level 3/Level 4
• Orientation and Mobility

2:30 – 4:00 p.m.         

• iPhone Level 1/Level 2
• Orientation and Mobility

5:00 – 7:00 p.m.         

• Home Management (Housekeeping Skills)

Wednesday, January 18

10:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.     

• iPhone Level 3
• Orientation and Mobility

12:30 – 2:00 p.m.       

• Workshop: Participants Choice – APP Q&A
• Workshop: iPhone Cameras and Picture APP
• iPad Level 3/Level 4
• Orientation and Mobility

2:30 – 4:00 p.m.         

• iPhone Level 1/Level 2
• Orientation and Mobility

5:00 – 7:00 p.m.         

• Home Management (Medicine Management)

Thursday, January 19

8:30 – 10:00 a.m.       

• iPhone Level 1/Level 2
• iPad Level 1/Level 2
• Orientation and Mobility

10:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.     

• iPhone Level 3
• Orientation and Mobility

12:30 – 2:00 p.m.       

• Workshop: Instacart
• iPad Level 3/Level 4
• Orientation and Mobility

2:30 – 4:00 p.m.         

• iPhone Level 1/Level 2
• Orientation and Mobility

5:00 – 7:00 p.m.         

• Home Management (Home Safety and Emergency Preparedness)

Friday, January 20

8:30 – 10:00 a.m.       

• iPad Level 1/Level 2
• Orientation and Mobility

10:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.     

• iPhone Level 3/Level 4
• Workshop: iPhone Cameras & Pictures APP
• Orientation and Mobility

12:30 – 2:00 p.m.       

• iPad Level 3/Level 4
• Orientation and Mobility

2:30 – 4:00 p.m.         

• iPhone Level 1/Level 2
• Workshop: iPhone Weather APP
• Orientation and Mobility

Monday, January 23

8:30 – 10:00 a.m.       

• iPhone Level 2
• Orientation and Mobility

10:30 a.m. – 12:00 noon   

• Workshop: Podcasts APP
• Orientation and Mobility

12:30 – 2:00 p.m.       

• Workshop: Maps and GPS APP
• Orientation and Mobility

2:30 – 4:00 p.m.         

• iPhone Level 3
• Orientation and Mobility

5:00 – 7:00 p.m.         

• Home Management (Labeling and Organizing)

Tuesday, January 24

8:30 – 10:00 a.m.       

• iPhone Level 1/Level 2
• iPad Level 1/Level 2
• Orientation and Mobility

10:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.     

• iPhone Level 3
• Workshop: iPhone Cameras & Pictures APP
• Orientation and Mobility

12:30 – 2:00 p.m.       

• iPad Level 3/Level 4
• Orientation and Mobility

2:30 – 4:00 p.m.         

• iPhone Level 1/Level 2
• Orientation and Mobility

5:00 – 7:00 p.m.         

• Home Management (Housekeeping Skills)

Wednesday, January 25

10:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.     

• iPhone Level 3
• Orientation and Mobility

12:30 – 2:00 p.m.       

• Workshop: iPhone Cameras and Picture APP
• iPad Level 3/Level 4
• Orientation and Mobility

2:30 – 4:00 p.m.         

• iPhone Level 1/Level 2
• Orientation and Mobility

5:00 – 7:00 p.m.         

• Home Management (Medicine Management)

Thursday, January 26

8:30 – 10:00 a.m.       

• iPhone Level 1/Level 2
• iPad Level 1/Level 2
• Orientation and Mobility

10:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.     

• iPhone Level 3
• Orientation and Mobility

12:30 – 2:00 p.m.       

• Workshop: Maps & GPS
• iPad Level 3/Level 4
• Orientation and Mobility

2:30 – 4:00 p.m.         

• iPhone Level 1/Level 2
• Orientation and Mobility

5:00 – 7:00 p.m.         

• Home Management (Home Safety and Emergency Preparedness)

Friday, January 27

8:30 – 10:00 a.m.       

• iPad Level 1/Level 2
• Orientation and Mobility

10:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.     

• iPhone Level 3
• Workshop: iPhone Cameras & Pictures APP
• Orientation and Mobility

12:30 – 2:00 p.m.       

• iPad Level 3/Level 4
• Orientation and Mobility

2:30 – 4:00 p.m.         

• iPhone Level 1/Level 2
• Workshop: iPhone Weather APP
• Orientation and Mobility

Monday, January 30, 2023

8:30 – 10:00 a.m.       

• iPhone Level 1
• Orientation and Mobility

10:30 a.m. – 12:00 noon   

• iPad Level 2/Level 3
• Orientation and Mobility

12:30 – 2:00 p.m.       

• Workshop: Maps and GPS APP
• Orientation and Mobility

2:30 – 4:00 p.m.         

• Workshop: iPhone Clock APP
• Orientation and Mobility

5:00 – 7:00 p.m.         

• Home Management (Labeling and Organizing)

Tuesday, January 31

8:30 – 10:00 a.m.       

• iPhone Level 1/Level 2
• iPad Level 1/Level 2
• Orientation and Mobility

10:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.     

• iPhone Level 3
• Workshop: iPhone Cameras & Pictures APP
• Orientation and Mobility

12:30 – 2:00 p.m.       

• Workshop: Newsline
• iPad Level 3/Level 4
• Orientation and Mobility

2:30 – 4:00 p.m.         

• iPhone Level 1/Level 2
• Orientation and Mobility

5:00 – 7:00 p.m.         

• Home Management (Housekeeping Skills)

Wednesday, February 1

10:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.     

• iPhone Level 3
• Orientation and Mobility

12:30 – 2:00 p.m.       

• Workshop: Participants Choice – APP Q&A
• Workshop: iPhone Cameras and Picture APP
• iPad Level 3/Level 4
• Orientation and Mobility

2:30 – 4:00 p.m.         

• iPhone Level 1/Level 2
• Orientation and Mobility

4:00 – 5:00 p.m.         

• Computer Instruction

5:00 – 7:00 p.m.         

• Home Management (Medicine Management)

Thursday, February 2

8:30 – 10:00 a.m.       

• iPhone Level 1/Level 2
• iPad Level 1/Level 2
• Orientation and Mobility

10:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.     

• iPhone Level 3
• Orientation and Mobility

12:30 – 2:00 p.m.       

• Workshop: Instacart
• iPad Level 3/Level 4
• Orientation and Mobility

2:30 – 4:00 p.m.         

• iPhone Level 1/Level 2
• Orientation and Mobility

4:00 – 5:00 p.m.         

• Computer Instruction

5:00 – 7:00 p.m.         

• Home Management (Home Safety and Emergency Preparedness)

6:00 – 7:00 p.m.         

• Computer Instruction

Friday, February 3

8:30 – 10:00 a.m.       

• iPad Level 1/Level 2
• Orientation and Mobility

10:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.     

• iPhone Level 3
• Workshop: iPhone Cameras & Pictures APP
• Orientation and Mobility

12:30 – 2:00 p.m.       

• iPad Level 3/Level 4
• Orientation and Mobility

2:30 – 4:00 p.m.         

• iPhone Level 1/Level 2
• Workshop: iPhone Weather APP
• Orientation and Mobility

4:00 – 5:00 p.m.         

• Computer Instruction

6:00 – 7:00 p.m.         

• Computer Instruction

Community-Based Programming

Please call 215-627-0600 and dial extension 824 to sign up for Community-Baed Programming groups.

Mondays

• New Participant Orientation (requires registration in advance) from 1:30 – 2:30 p.m.: The group meets four times over the course of two weeks, with a new group forming every other month. The group will not be held in October 2022.

Tuesdays

• Movement with Karen from the PA Ballet (meets weekly from Feb. 7 – March 28) from 10:30 – 11:30 a.m.: Join this remote group to get your body moving and your heart pumping, standing, or seated. Karen leads the group in exercises that the dancers at the Philadelphia Ballet use during training with upbeat music and her own style. Grab your water and prepare for an hour of movement and good times!
• Diabetes Information and Support Group (meets weekly from Jan. 24 – Apr. 25) 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.
• Intro to Opera (meets on the third Tuesday of every month) from 5:00 – 6:00 p.m.: 
  • Jan. 17 – Opera Philadelphia’s series concludes with a presentation on “TakTakShoo,” a 12-minute operatic short developed during the COVID-19 pandemic that fuses opera and K-pop, marimba, electronics, and dance, to create an eclectic sound and movement world. Learn about the production and its amazing creators before watching the audio-described performance as a group.

Wednesdays

• Gentle Yoga (Coming in April) from 10:45 – 11:45 a.m.: Get your body moving with this weekly program! No previous experience is required, and experienced yogis are welcome.
• New Participant Orientation (requires registration in advance) 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. The group will not be held in October 2022.
• Men’s Peer Support Group (meets weekly in small groups from Feb. 22 to April 5) from 3:30 – 4:30 p.m.: Having difficulty talking with friends and family about vision loss? Join this weekly group and share thoughts and ideas with peers.

Thursdays

• Women’s Peer Support Group (meets weekly in small groups; dates TBD) from 10:00 – 11:00 a.m.: Join this group to discuss issues facing women who are blind or experiencing vision loss.

Fridays

• Speaker Series (meets on the fourth Friday of every month) from 10:00 a.m. – 12 p.m.: VisionLink welcomes professionals from health and other fields to speak to our participants about topics such as health and welfare, finance, legal assistance, and much more!
• Resource Sharing Call (meets on the 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.

January to March Community-Based Program Calendar

Friday, January 6

2 – 3:30 p.m.

• Resource Sharing Call

Tuesday, January 17

5 – 6 p.m.

• Intro to Opera  “TakTakShoo”

Tuesday, January 24

10 a.m. – 12 p.m.

• Diabetes Information Group

Friday, January 27

10 a.m. – 12 p.m.

• Speaker Series

Tuesday, January 30

10 a.m. – 12 p.m.

• Diabetes Information Group

Friday, February 3

2 – 3:30 p.m.

• Resource Sharing Call

Tuesday, February 7

10 a.m. – 12 p.m.

• Diabetes Information Group

10:30 – 11:30

• Movement with the PA Ballet

Monday, February 13

11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.

• New Participant Orientation

Tuesday, February 14

10 a.m. – 12 p.m.

• Diabetes Information Group

10:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.

• Movement with the PA Ballet

Wednesday, February 15

11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.

• New Participant Orientation

Monday, February 20

11:30 a.m. – 12:30

• New Participant Orientation

Tuesday, February 21

10 a.m. – 12 p.m.

• Diabetes Information Group

10:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.

• Movement with the PA Ballet

Wednesday, February 22

11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.

• New Participant

Wednesday, February 22

3:30 p.m. – 4:40 p.m.

• Men’s Peer Support

Friday, February 24

10 a.m. – 12 p.m.

• Speaker Series

Tuesday, February 28

10 a.m. – 12 p.m.

• Diabetes Information Group

10:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.

• Movement with the PA Ballet

Wednesday, March 1

3:30 p.m. – 4:40 p.m.

• Men’s Peer Support

Friday, March 3

2 – 3:30 p.m.

• Resource Sharing Call

Tuesday, March 7

10 a.m. – 12 p.m.

• Diabetes Information Group

10:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.

• Movement with the PA Ballet

Wednesday, March 8

3:30 p.m. – 4:40 p.m.

• Men’s Peer Support

Tuesday, March 14

10:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.

• Movement with the PA Ballet

Wednesday, March 15

3:30 p.m. – 4:40 p.m.

• Men’s Peer Support

Tuesday, March 21

10 a.m. – 12 p.m.

• Diabetes Information Group

10:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.

• Movement with the PA Ballet

Wednesday, March 22

3:30 p.m. – 4:40 p.m.

• Men’s Peer Support

Friday, March 24

10 a.m. – 12 p.m.

• Speaker Series

Tuesday, March 28

10 a.m. – 12 p.m.

• Diabetes Information Group

10:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.

• Movement with the PA Ballet

Wednesday, March 29

3:30 p.m. – 4:40 p.m.

• Men’s Peer Support

Tuesday, April 4

10 a.m. – 12 p.m.

• Diabetes Information Group

Wednesday, April 5

3:30 p.m. – 4:40 p.m.

• Men’s Peer Support

Friday, April 7

2 – 3:30 p.m.

• Resource Sharing Call

Tuesday, April 4

10 a.m. – 12 p.m.

• Diabetes Information Group

Tuesday, April 11

10 a.m. – 12 p.m.

• Diabetes Information Group

Tuesday, April 18

10 a.m. – 12 p.m.

• Diabetes Information Group

Tuesday, April 25

10 a.m. – 12 p.m.

• Diabetes Information Group

Friday, April 28

10 a.m. – 12 p.m.

• Speaker Series