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Lighthouse of Southwest Florida, Inc.

General Information

Lighthouse of Southwest Florida, Inc.
35 West Mariana Avenue
North Fort Myers, FL 33903
(239) 997 7797
jmacdonald@lighthouseswfl.org
http://www.lighthouseswfl.org/

Brief Description

Lighthouse of SWFL is the designated community resource provider of training and rehabilitation services for the blind and visually impaired that live in Lee, Hendry, and Glades counties in Florida. We provide services from birth until end of life.
Lighthouse SWFL offers rehabilitation services that help babies, children, teenagers and adults adjust and cope with vision loss. Lighthouse holds classes and provides training throughout Lee, Hendry and Glades Counties of Florida.
Lighthouse offers activities of daily living, braille, eccentric viewing training (reading), assistive technology, orientation and mobility, social services, counseling, arts and crafts classes, festive events, family education and community outreach activities.

Services Offered

  • Counseling
    • The Lighthouse of SWFL offers services addressing psychological and social issues related to vision loss to clients and family members. The agency provides weekly group and family counseling with individual counseling available by appointment. These counseling sessions focus on the adjustments to blindness from the perspective of the individual experiencing the loss. Family members are allowed to share their thoughts and concerns with others in similar situations. (Strict confidentiality is maintained.) Individual and Family counseling provides clients and family members an opportunity to explore their concerns. It also addresses advocacy, self-advocacy, and problem-solving skills development. Sessions are offered on an on-going basis. During assessments, when appropriate, referrals to outside partner agencies are given.

  • Employment/Job Training
    • Offers job development for computer students.

  • Recreation Services
    • Offers arts and crafts programs, special interest events, speakers and activities, trips, and weekend programs.

  • Daily Living Skills/Independent Living Skills Training
    • Provides training in activities of daily living, braille, typing, handwriting, remedial education, home management, sensory training. Services provided primarily at the center. Refers and provides consultation to other agencies for rehabilitation services.

  • Computer Training/Assistive Technology
    • Advances in computer and internet technology are introducing new tools for the visually impaired and the blind at a rapid pace. The Lighthouse of SWFL teaches clients how to use and access computers, tablets, iPads and iPhones, despite their visual impairment, by learning how to use and access the screen magnification program and screen reading programs that are built into the devices at no extra cost. Clients can learn how to access email, a calendar, books, video magnifiers, color identifiers, money identifiers, a talking calculator, and more. As one of the fastest growing areas in the field, the Assistive Technology Department can teach clients how to apply adaptive software and tech devices for everyday use.

  • Low Vision Services
    • Offers screening for magnification. Low vision practitioner available.

  • Health
    • Offers recreational therapy. Refers and contracts for other health services. Provides consultation to other agencies.

  • Assessment
    • Eligibility determination and needs assessment performed by trainee and qualified staff member.

  • Braille and Reading Instruction
    • Offers braille instruction by certified teacher.

  • Personnel Preparation
    • We proudly partner with colleges around the country offering soon-to-be graduates of TVI, COMS, CVRT, CLVT and CATIS programs, unpaid internships in a variety of roles across the lifespan and spectrum working with people who have vision impairments. All internships are supervised by certified and highly experienced staff and focus on empowerment and identification of best practices and development of teaching style.

  • Services for Students
    • Has a year-round Transition Program for young people between 14-22 years of age. Program includes a comprehensive range of services as determined by individual client's needs and goals.

  • Travel/Orientation and Mobility
    • Orientation & Mobility is a fancy title for learning how to get around when you can't see where you are going. Orientation is the ability to understand your body's position and location relative to other points in the environment. Where am I, and which way am I facing? Where is that hallway, and which way is it running? That’s Orientation. Mobility is the safe and effective movement of the body. Now that I know where I am, how do I get to where I want to go without falling over things, running into things and hurting myself in the process? The Lighthouse of SWFL has Internationally Certified Orientation & Mobility Specialists on staff who can teach you: How to get around your home How to walk down a street with no sidewalk How to locate what you are looking for, such as the mailbox? How to cross all kinds of streets How to get to and from stores How to shop in stores by yourself How to take public transportation