Some of these devices are not new this year but they should be mentioned to each veteran as being available at your local VA or by the Blind Rehabilitation Center (s)(Augusta, GA or Birmingham, AL). 

NOTE:  This is not a complete listing of devices offered.  Ask your VIST Coordinator, Terry Thorne, Vicki Stoughton, or Todd Turansky.  Each product is under area of interest. 

 

Area of Interest

•     Visual Skills

•      Orientation/Mobility

•      Living Skills

•      Polytrauma BROS

•      Manual Skills

Visual Skills

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Staff Members -

Laurel Tucker and Kathy Cole

 

CCTV’s -  Merlin LCD Color
 

Merlin LCD Color has
all the features of
the Merlin Color CCTV
plus a flexible light
weight LCD panel.
The panel is mounted
on an adjustable
arm that can be
easily moved to a position
convenient for your viewing pleasure.
The Merlin LCD has three screen
sizes 17", 19" and 22". Color select
comes as a no charge feature in
the LCD model. You have Color,
black and white, high contrast
positive, high contrast negative
and color select as well as
contrast control.

AcroBat LCD Video Magnifier
 

The most flexible 3-in-1 video magnifier is ideal for near, distance and self viewing. By rotating the camera, you can read, write, groom, and magnify images at any distance. The Acrobat offers a complete system for those at work, school or home.
Key Features
• 3 in 1 camera technology with memory for favorite settings
• Arm slides to the right and pivots to the front for a full inline position offering an optimal viewing experience
• Dual keypad for easy to access controls
• Detachable camera rotates 340 degrees
• 5ms high resolution 19" LCD monitor
• Auto focus
• Seven (7) viewing modes
• Up to 65x adjustable digital magnification
• Rolling carrying case for easy transport (sold separately)
• Set-up is easy - just plug and play
• Computer toggle capability
• 2 year warranty
• Line markers, object locator, remote control and more.....
 

Video Magnifiers – Not all portable video magnifiers are "handheld" devices.  The Nemo, Amigo, Opal, Quicklook, Quicklook Zoom, FarView, and Compact Plus may be managed as "handheld" with both hands.  The Traveller and Fusion are somewhat bulkier and work better at a desk or table top rather than just in the user's hands.  The Fusion, Prisma, Acrobat, and Liberty Solo have two or more components and need a desk or table top.   To evaluate all video magnifiers are numerous and depends on the individual's goals, needs, and personal capabilities.  This year we will show the Amigo:

 

(For low vision users) The Amigo, your Desktop Magnifier on the Go is simple to use-just place it directly on the material and adjust the magnification by a turn of the dial. This innovative product allows you to adjust the magnification without moving the Amigo away from the reading material. Read prices tags, restaurant menus, ingredients and directions no matter where you are with this new high powered video magnifier.

Key Features      Portable ·    Slim (less than 2") ·    3.5 to 14x Adjustable Digital Magnification ·    Light (Approximately 1 lb) ·    Tilts for Optimal Viewing Angle ·    Large Viewing Screen (6.5 inches) ·    Freeze Frame takes a temporary picture ·    Six (6) viewing modes (including 2 Color Select options) ·    Removable standard battery with internal charger (spare battery included) ·    Connects to TV for increased magnification ·    Separate External Charger Included ·    Writing Stand ·    Carrying Case ·    Two (2) year warranty

Orientation/Mobility

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Staff Members –

Chuck Genoe/Rachelle Hansen

There are several other audible devices are the Trekker Breeze and the Braille/Voice Note.

 

(To be trained at Birmingham, AL (BRC)

GPS/Trekker – Trekker helps guide the visually impaired through their environment. It complements existing aids (white canes and guide dogs). It does not replace them. Sleek and discreet, Trekker provides information in the most natural way possible and allows users to record both vocal and written notes.

 

WCIB Alum Rigid Cane Curved/Straight Handle Heavy duty, yet light, rigid aluminum canes. This model has a putter balance, rubberized grip handle. These are white canes with the standard red band at the base. They come in 2 inch increments from 36 to 60 inches.

 

 

Living Skills

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Staff Members –

Ron Worley, Jan Eagle, Holly Harris, Ava Carruth, Debbie Bower

(for both blind and low vision users)

 

TEMO talking microwave models 87106 (black) and 87108 (silver).   Both units speak out digits in English or Spanish, and announce food categories as they are selected by touch. While simply novel in most homes, this unit is being particularly well received for its usefulness in promoting independence in the blind community.

Its features, with the exception of its voice, are comparable to most microwave ovens in this category. Medium-sized, the TEMO offers 0.9 cubic feet of cooking space and produces 900 watts of quick-cooking microwave power. Eight preset functions make it easy to prepare commonly microwaved foods. Single servings can be quickly prepared using the five one-touch settings. Five custom memories allow older children to safely and easily prepare their own favorite foods.

 

Milestone 311 Voice Recorder/MP3 Player

Easy use and Accessible Voice Recorder/MP3 Player
The Milestone 311 is a tiny credit card size unit which enables you to have a Digital Voice recorder and MP3 player all in one, best of all, it is completely accessible.

Exciting features of the Milestone are:
1. Record those notes you need in a hurry
2. Play your favorite MP3 music and PodCasts
3. Easily transfer files with the provided USB cable
4. Label the folders of the unit with your voice
5. Easily play, delete and manage the files and folders on the unit
 

The Milestone is furnished with:
1. Rechargeable batteries and an AC Adapter
2. A cloth neck strap
3. Internal speaker
4. Built-in microphone
5. 3.5MM earphone/external Microphone jack
6. Only six keys for complete navigation.
Recordings are saved in MP3 format, at 192 Bit Per Second and 44.100 Hz.

The Milestone provides voice feedback while you maneuver around the unit, in a clear female voice.

The Milestone has an internal memory of 256 Megabytes, (2 hours of recording) but has the opportunity for use of a Secure Digital Card up to two (2) Gigabytes, (140 hours of recording).

  

Polytrauma Blind Rehabilitation Occupational Specialist (BROS)

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Staff Member -

Laurie Hallman  -

NEW PROGRAM - Combat in Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) and Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) has resulted in new patterns of polytraumatic injuries and disability (Brain/eye).  Recognizing the specialized clinical care needs of these individuals, VA has established a Polytrauma System of Care composed of Polytrauma Rehabilitation Centers (PRC), Polytrauma Rehabilitation Network Sites (PNS), and Polytrauma Support Clinic Teams and Polytrauma Points of Contact at selected VA facilities.  The BROS serves as a member of the interdisciplinary teams (IDT) at the PRCs and PNSs, contributing their blind rehabilitation expertise to the provision of comprehensive rehabilitation. 

     Interdisciplinary Treatment Plans.  Each patient must have a coordinated and integrated interdisciplinary plan of care that includes all required disciplines and reflects the goals of the patient and family.  The treatment plan addresses the veteran’s goals and is individualized to meet the veteran’s needs relevant to lifestyle, age, level of capability, and future plans.

     Interdisciplinary Care Delivery.  Treatment team members continually evaluate performance results during the veteran’s rehabilitation program, as they relate to expected outcomes, in order to determine the appropriateness of the treatment being provided.  Any revisions to the treatment plan are made with the veteran’s involvement.  Revisions are based on demonstrated strengths, changing needs, and expected outcomes in order to ensure that goals are achievable and meaningful to the person receiving services.  Team meetings are held when needed to monitor progress and update the care plan to reflect progress and new patient goals.

     There are 4 Polytrauma Centers (Palo Alto CA, Tampa FL, Minneapolis MN, Richmond VA). Augusta is among the 21 Polytrauma Rehabilitation Network Sites.  Augusta is different in that we have the only Active Duty Rehab Unit that integrates the VA with the MTF (Military Treatment Facility) as a part of the SERMC (Southeast Regional Medical Center) at Fort Gordon, GA. 

     As a part of the Polytrauma team, Laurie Hallman treats not only patients who have visual impairment and blindness but also the visual dysfunction that results from TBI (Traumatic Brain Injury) to include difficulties with eye movements, focusing and eye teaming (binocular) vision problems and visual processing issues. 

 

Manual Skills

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Staff Members –

Herman Jefferson, Shelley Johnson, and Doug Roebuck

This program area provides the veteran who has little or no vision with the means to develop and improve organizational skills, awareness of the environment, safe and efficient work habits, spatial relationships, and an understanding and mastery of tactual ability. The manual skills training focuses on the sequential development of skills and builds confidence. Training is generally presented to the veteran in several areas, and may include (but is not limited to) handcrafts, home mechanics, woodworking, metalworking, leatherwork, weaving and ceramics. The initial training area consists of hand crafting objects in order to develop the individual’s confidence in their non-visual senses. The home mechanics training is an introduction to the tools and organizational techniques that allows an individual to perform simple repairs and assembly. Advanced training focuses on the use of adaptive measuring devices, hand tools and power equipment typically used in woodworking. The manual skills training is not vocational, although some veterans have developed vocational interests or hobbies after participating in this training. Manual skills training may enable a veteran to resume performing home repairs or other related activities at home, further adding to the person's self-confidence and motivation. Veterans who enter blind rehabilitation with minimal abilities in manual skills or those who are slightly skilled in aspects of mechanics or woodworking find this training very beneficial.