Services Update
Page 20
Dunedin pilot
New members of the Foundation who have been on waiting lists for assessment and rehabilitation services can take heart that alternative ways to cut down the waiting time are being trialled.
The first pilot of the "Seeing the Possibilities" programme took place in Dunedin in March, with five members attending the centre on a weekly basis to learn essential rehabilitation skills. The programme has a strong peer support focus, bringing in volunteer members as role models and hosts.
Topics covered during the centre-based training included options for independence, such as the use of techniques and equipment, reading and writing with sight loss, low vision techniques, and orientation and mobility around the home.
Divisional manager of Quality Assurance, Adrienne Henderson, is co-ordinating the pilot project. Waiting lists have been growing, she says, as our population ages and the charity dollar and government funding levels remain static. Involving members in service delivery programmes is good for everyone.
"The support provided, feelings discussed and hints shared between members is as valuable as that provided through more formal one-on-one skill training from professional staff," she says. "The volunteers learned a lot too."
For participant Sylvia Pulley, knowing that other people are in a similar situation was helpful.
"It was good to see that others were in the same boat. It was also interesting finding out about all the things that would be there when you need them," she says.
The first pilot programme is being evaluated by Massey University Professor Steve La Grow. A second, centre-based pilot is set to take place in Christchurch and the third pilot is scheduled for South Auckland, to include more Māori and Pacific members.
Pearson Fund
The Sir Arthur Pearson Memorial Fund, administered by the RNZFB, assists Foundation members with the additional costs of blindness. Examples of these costs may include spectacles, adaptive technology including closed circuit televisions and items from the Foundation's Equipment Services.
The Pearson Fund acts as a funder of last resort and will not normally approve applications for items that are funded by other agencies such as Workbridge, Work and Income New Zealand or ACC.
For further information contact the Pearson Fund Administrator on 0800 24 33 33 or 09 355 6861, or email: pf