Our training for a blind person focuses on four major areas:



This training enables someone who is blind to orient themselves in their environment and to travel safely from point to point without assistance. The primary tool is the white mobility cane.



By making use of other senses, and by special techniques, the one who is blind will learn to do almost all of the normal activities of life without assistance. Cooking, cleaning, laundry, shopping, caring for children, etc., can all be easily mastered with training from our rehabilitation specialists.



The inability to read or write is one of the greatest disappointments for those who become blind. To make reading possible once again, we begin teaching the braille system. Created by Louis Braille in 1824, this system makes use of raised dots which are recognizable by touch. The tips of the fingers are moved across the raised dots from left to right in the same manner that an eye would scan a printed page.

With this system, the blind person can once again read and write, in either English, Filipino, or any other dialect of the Philippines. Any literature, math, music scores, or even scientific notation can be made readable in braille.



Many of the tasks that a blind person might need to do are made possible by the use of adapted equipment. For instance, talking calculators take the place of normal calculators. Talking watches take the place of regular watches. Braille typewriters substitute for regular typewriters.

Much of the specialized equipment and materials needed by blind people is not available in the Philippines. To help meet this need, we import and stock many of the items needed by blind. If necessary, we subsidize the cost of the equipment so that those who need it can afford it. The items most requested are braille writing slates, white mobility canes, talking watches, talking calculators, talking blood pressure kits, talking thermometers, braille typewriters, and special software and hardware to allow a blind person to use a computer.

	Cane and Able The single most important tool for a blind person's independence is the white mobility cane. Used properly, the cane can help the blind person, "see" any obstacles or dangers that lie in their pathway. Changes in the terrain are immediately detected. With the cane, stairs present no problem what-so-ever. Sidewalks can be followed. Drop-offs are detected. Sleeping dogs are avoided. No blind person who wants to be independent and safe in his travel can afford to be without a mobility cane. The cane of choice in the Philippines is a white, folding aluminum cane. The aluminum is light but durable, and the folding makes it easy to store when not needed, such as when on a jeepney. But it is not inexpensive at about P600. This summer, thanks to the Philadelphia Fil-Am Lions Club of Folcroft, Pennsylvania, 150 mobility canes were provided for blind teenagers attending our annual summer camp for blind children. Lessons were also provided for the children in how to use the cane correctly for safe travel. A sincere thanks to Lucy Mangabat and her fellow Fil-Am Lions Club members for their generous gift.

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