[NFBMI-Talk] Your voice matters; blindness rehabilitation services.

[Sam Rau]

I received this from lion Roger boss and told him I’d pass it along.
Hello friends and colleagues!

This fall semester, Vision Rehabilitation Therapy students enrolled in
*Principles
of Vision Rehabilitation Teaching *have an assignment to interview a person
with blindness or low vision, in order to generate a hypothetical plan for
recommended independent living services. Students will be asking questions
specific to the individual's medical and eye health history, living
situation, support systems, transportation needs, educational, independent
living and/or employment goals, existing
tools/devices/equipment/technology, personal history of blind
rehabilitation services, hobbies, interests, and overall goals for
improving functioning with vision loss. We are seeking volunteers to act as
simulated "clients," so our students can practice their interviewing and
data collection skills. Volunteers will be contacted by email and/or
telephone to set up a 30-45min phone or virtual meeting, at a time that is
convenient to the Volunteer "client." Volunteers can provide pseudonyms,
remain anonymous, act as themselves, make up information, or report
whatever information they feel comfortable sharing about their personal
history and situation. It is helpful for Volunteers to act as if they are
new to blind rehabilitation services, and to imagine they do not yet have
the supports in place (training, devices, equipment, etc.) to be as
independent as they want to be.

Who:
Any person between the ages of 18-100+ who identify as having a physical or
neurological disability resulting in blindness or low vision. WMU VRT
students will be provided contact information specific to the Volunteer
they are assigned. Volunteers will need to be open to sharing email and/or
phone numbers, so a direct contact can be made.
When:
Interviews will be conducted during the week of October 5, 2026.
Arrangements will be made by telephone and/or email by VRT students from
WMU the week prior (end of September).
Time commitment:
30-45 minutes of telephone or virtual meeting time.

If you are interested and available to assist, please email Kelcie Douglas
at kelcie.s.douglas at wmich.edu, or call 269-387-3448. I appreciate your
consideration! This opportunity will help emerging Vision Rehabilitation
Therapists practice the "soft skills" necessary to develop relationships,
build rapport, and collect necessary information to support the needs of
their future clients.

Please direct any questions my way!