U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs: American Lake Blind Rehabilitation Center (VAPSHCS-American Lake BRC)

Low Vision Center/Clinic Rehabilitation Agency

VA Puget Sound Health Care System

9600 Veterans Drive, SW

Building 5 (A-112-BRC)

Tacoma, WA 98493

Phone #1: (253) 583-1299 (Local)

Phone #2: (253) 589-4112 (Fax)

Phone #3: (800) 329-8387 (Toll-Free)

Tim Sniffen, Director, (253) 583-1299, timothy.sniffen2@va.gov

Page Howard, Social Worker, (253) 583-1299

Idella Whitfield-Stith, Nurse Manager, (253) 583-1299

General Information

Established: 1971.

Mission: To provide in-patient and out-patient blind rehabilitation services to eligible U.S. veterans. In-patient and out-patient services are located in Tacoma, WA, and out-patient services are available in Seattle, WA..

Auspices of organization: Public: Federal.

County/District where located: Pierce County

Geographic area served: Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Washington, and Wyoming.

Eligibility requirements: Honorable discharge from US military and legal blindness or visual impairment. Enrollment in VA system.

Ages served: 19 and above.

Hours of operation: Instructional hours: 7:30 AM-4:00 PM.

Accessibility: Accessible. Wheelchair ramps, braille signage..

# of Staff: 25.

Staff description: Blind rehabilitation specialists, including O&M, rehabilitation teaching, computer access technology, low vision and manual skills instructors; optometrist, social worker, 24/7 nursing staff.

Fee structure: Dependent upon VA eligibility.

Services Offered

Assessment

Blind rehabilitation assessment provided.

Community Outreach Programs

Blind Rehabilitation Outreach Service.

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

Counseling

Offers group and individual counseling.

Health/Medical

Offers general medical and related services such as eye evaluations, medical treatments as related to blind rehabilitation.

Orientation and Mobility

Provides orientation and mobility training.

Rehabilitation Services

Offers full program of blind rehabilitation including orientation and mobility, activities of daily living, low vision training, manual skills. Serves referral applicants from VA centers and clinics in service area. Provides rehabilitation services for elderly veterans.

Services for Seniors Counseling services Daily living skills training Independent travel training

AFB Directory of Services, Copyright © 2009 American Foundation for the Blind. All rights reserved.

Advanced Search | How To | About the Directory | Overview | Glossary | Quick Links | Federal Programs

If you would like to give us feedback on the data in the Directory of Services, or if you know about new organizations, please contact us at afbdirectory@afb.net.