Our Services
The Lighthouse of Collier provides training and rehabilitation services for babies, children, youth, adults (working and nonworking) and seniors (over 55) who are blind and visually impaired, at no charge, to help those in the community who are blind and visually impaired community.
The services provided have increased and the programs provided continue to expand based upon needs in the community. Lighthouse of Collier holds a Guidestar Platinum Status and is nationally accredited by NAC, the National Accreditation Council for Blind and Low Vision Services.
An individual must meet the following criteria in order to qualify for services: must be diagnosed with a corrected bilateral visual impairment, which constitutes a substantial impediment in their ability to live independently, or must have the presence of a progressive bilateral eye impairment that will result in a substantial impediment to the individual’s ability to live independently.
All programs are tailored to the client’s individual needs and are year round in a group and/or on an individual bases depending on the needs of the client.
Lighthouse of Collier is the only agency in Collier County providing services to individuals of all ages living with vision loss.
Inspirational Stories
Meet Joey
Joey is a 12-year-old boy with a condition affecting his central vision. When he came to the Lighthouse a year ago, he had difficulty reading his assignments at school. The Lighthouse of Collier provided him with an electronic magnifier to use at school and a large CCTV (closed circuit television) to use at home to magnify print so he could do his homework. Joey is thriving academically with his new accommodations.
In addition to academic success, Joey has an ear for music. His mother asked Lighthouse staff to recommend a piano teacher. After interviewing several teachers, the perfect candidate was identified, a pianist who had volunteered to provide a music and poetry class to the children during the Lighthouse’s summer camp program. A Lighthouse instructor accompanied Joey to a few lessons and described the strategies to help Joey compensate for his vision loss. The piano teacher emphasized to Joey that the music is in his heart and not on paper, and she proceeded to teach him to play by ear and memorization.
After only a few months of instruction, Joey played Besame Mucho at his recital, complete with a violinist and another pianist accompanying him. Collaboration between the Lighthouse and the piano teacher was instrumental in creating a successful learning environment for Joey. At the Lighthouse, understanding vision impairment, finding ways to compensate, and connecting with community resources are key to helping children experience all aspects of life.
