U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs: Western Blind Rehabilitation Center ((WBRC))

Government Agency Low Vision Center/Clinic Rehabilitation Agency Research Organization Senior Services Center

VA Palo Alto HCS (124)

3801 Miranda Avenue

Palo Alto, CA 94304

http://www.palo-alto.med.va.gov/

elizabeth.jessen@va.gov

Phone #1: (650) 858-3921 (Local)

Phone #2: (650) 852-3472 (Fax)

Elizabeth L Jessen, Director, (650) 858-3921, elizabeth.jessen@va.gov

Patrick Finan, Visual Impairment Service Team Coordinator, (650) 493-5000 Ext. #64368, Patrick.finan@va.gov

General Information

Established: 1967.

Mission: To address the expressed needs of blinded veterans so they may successfully reintegrate back into the community and family environment. To accomplish this mission, the WBRC offers a comprehensive, individualized adjustment training program along with those services deemed necessary for a person to achieve a realistic level of independence. .

Auspices of organization: Public: Federal.

County/District where located: Santa Clara County

Geographic area served: California, Montana, Utah, Wyoming, Nevada, Hawaii.

Eligibility requirements: Legally blind veterans who meet eligibility requirement to receive service through the VA.

Ages served: 18 and above.

Hours of operation: Mon.-Fri. 7:30 AM-4:00 PM.

Accessibility: Wheelchair ramps and van. Accessible rooms, some braille signage, large-print items. Transportation available to and from facility.

Clients served annually: 260

# of Staff: 37.

Staff description: Optometrist, optometry students and residents, low vision specialist, social worker, O&M instructor, rehabilitation teachers, psychologist, manual skills instructor, rehabilitation counselors, audiologist, computer access training instructors and specialist, recreation therapist.

Fee structure: Depending on eligibility, either no fee or nominal co-payment.

Services Offered

Assessment

Conducts full assessment of rehabilitation needs of blind individuals.

Computer Training Computer operating systems Optical character recognition systems Screen magnification systems Speech output systems Video magnifier/CCTV Word processing

Individualized Computer Access Training.

Counseling

Offers counseling by clinical psychologist and social worker.

Health/Medical

Offers health education and training in self-medication.

Low Vision Services

Provides low vision evaluation and follow-up. Prescribes and supplies low vision devices.

Recreation Services

Provides services of a recreation therapist.

Rehabilitation Services

Provides blind rehabilitation tailored to individual physical and mental capabilities and needs.

Services for Seniors Assistive technology training Braille instruction Counseling services Daily living skills training Famly/caregiver services Independent travel training Low vision device prescription/training Low vision evaluation/eye examinations Referrals to aging programs Support groups

The Blind Rehabilitation Services at the VA Palo Alto Health Care system offers both residential Blind Rehabilitation Services through the WBRC and outpatient services through our Blind Rehabilitation Outpatient Specialist (BROS) and G-VICTORS programs.

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