Center sets sights on teaching skills

Non-profit organization guides visually impaired students to autonomy

by Marilen Bugarin
Opinion Editor

           A beacon of lights shines in San Pablo for blind and visually impaired students.
            Dubbed as “a new vision for those without sight,” the Living Skills Center for the Visually Impaired provides blind adults with instruction on living independently in a real life atmosphere.
            “We’re the only program like this in the world.  We teach (students) about every aspect of independent living,” program director and orientation and mobility instructor Patti Maffei said.  “Students are actually living in the community and spending their own money.”
            Upon admission into the program, students are issued customized curricula that address their individual wants and needs.  Many learn to cook, clean, communicate in Braille, use public transportation and manage finances for the first time.
            After graduating from the program, many students move on to a life of autonomy previously thought to be out of reach.
            “(The program) changed my life in a good way,” Contra Costa College sociology major and LSC graduate Carla Alvarez said.
            Prior to attending the Living Skills Center and graduating two years ago, Alvarez had internalized the hopelessness her family held in regards to her disability and was ashamed to even walk with a cane.
            “They would tell me I can’t do it or call me useless,” she said.  “Now, I’m like, ‘Yeah, I’m blind.  And?’”
            Alvarez is now a full-time student and lives in an apartment with a roommate, independent from her family.  She credited the center for her transformation.
            “That’s the purpose of the program:  to get you out in the street, to get you independent,” she said.     
            The transition into college is another aspect students learn.
            Immediate enrollment in college is not encouraged for students who need to focus on learning the basic things first.  However, as students progress, they are encouraged to take a few non-academic classes.
            “It’s a whole different thing in college.  Students need to know how to advocate for themselves,” Maffei said.  “We try to encourage them to go to CCC to (learn how to) work the college system and access DSPS.”
            College transition can be difficult and counselors sometimes have to intercede on a student’s behalf.  However, Maffei stressed the importance of giving the students a chance to feel autonomous and not getting too involved.
            “Our roles are to be facilitators.  It’s not our job to do things for them,” she said.
            Executive director Patricia Williams pointed out the adaptive technology lab as an important feature of the program.  It offers cutting-edge screen magnification software, Braille display screens and speak software.
            “Having this lab gives our students full accessibility to technology and helps ensure success for the visually-impaired,” she said.
            The center has proven its success in preparing the blind for independent life.
            After graduation, 72 to 80 percent of graduates move on to living independently.  It has even received interest from out-of-state and international prospective students.
            “We’re just trying to make the world a little more accessible for the blind,” Maffei said.