Support and Information for Visually Impaired Veterans
Sight Loss Services, Inc. (508) 394-3904 and (800) 427-6842 (MA) 87 School Street, P.O. Box 414
Sight Loss Services, Inc. Sight Loss Services, Inc., is a non profit, human service organization offering peer support, information and referral, and home independence training to people on Cape Cod, Martha’s Vineyard, and Nantucket who are learning to cope and function safely and independently with the loss of sight. We do so by offering eleven Self Help Support Groups, an extensive and up to date Information and Referral Network, Outreach and Home Independence training, Educational presentations and distributions, and Adaptive Aids that assist the visually impaired in carrying out everyday tasks with minimal interference from vision loss. In addition, we offer an Eye Care Project which pays for eye exams and/or glasses for those who cannot otherwise afford the cost of such service. Founded 26 years ago as a chapter and 20 years ago autonomously by a visually impaired woman seeking assistance, it is the goal of our organization to improve the quality of life for those who have lost their vision. Based on a “peer support and self help” philosophy, our programs are geared toward helping to reduce the fears and isolation caused by the onset of vision loss and toward helping to simplify the mechanics of everyday living. Ours is the only agency providing these services to residents of our Cape and Islands area, and we do not charge a fee for our services because we service people in crisis, many of whom are low income elders and young adults. On average, our agency provides roughly 9,000 units of services to over 2,000 unduplicated individuals annually. A large number of those to whom we provide service are visually impaired veterans who, whether they be blinded during service or after, have unique emotional concerns to which only fellow veterans can relate. They can benefit immeasurably from detailed information regarding government services, options, adaptive equipment, rehabilitation, and financial benefits. Being visually impaired, they often miss out on the opportunity to avail themselves to these worthwhile services to which they are entitled because of the visual impairment that prevents them from researching their available options. More often than not the information is in print format which is difficult or impossible for them to read, or transportation is needed to communicate with an official at a local or regional office location. In our capacity as an agency that provides information and support to the visually impaired, we have been instrumental in assisting visually impaired veterans obtain many useful resources; however, our knowledge is limited. We have networked very closely with the Veterans Administration staff and volunteers who service this area and have determined that there is a vital need for specialized services available to those veterans who are visually impaired. With the assistance of the Veterans Administration Visually Impaired Service Team, we have developed a program that will take a three pronged approach to offer the visually impaired veterans of Cape Cod and the Islands useful, comprehensive services. It is our goal to offer semi annual support sessions; one in June and one in December; that will provide visually impaired veterans with: a) an opportunity to share their unique feelings and emotions; Transportation will be provided by our volunteers for those who need it to the accessible location offered to us by the Hyannis Veterans of Foreign Wars. Guest speakers with relevant information for visually impaired veterans will be invited to speak at each session, and a nutritious meal will be provided at little to no cost. This will be an opportunity for support, information, socialization, and self esteem development to be shared and exchanged as new ideas and friendships begin to develop and enhance the lives of those who have served our country. More information can be obtained by calling: Sight Loss Services
V.A. New England Healthcare
Att: Adele Geringer
Veterans Administration 508-771-3190 145 Falmouth Road
Mass. Veterans Service Agents
Mail to: P.O. Box 429 (508) 778-8740 Also: Assisting Veterans, Dependents, and Widows with benefits and services. Home Visits are available.
Post 8074 Frank V. Iannello Post 2578 Dennis F. Thomas Post 9917 Brewster Post 8607 Brown James Buck Post 5489 Mashpee Memorial Post 2569 Edward Hooper Gardiner Post 5988 Aptucxet Post 2091 Thaddeus Kosciuszko Post 9261 Martha’s Vineyard Post 8608 Sidney&Robert Henderson Post 3152 Lewis A. Young
Post 488 Dennis Post 287 John R. McKay Post 197 West Yarmouth Post 206 Barnstable Post 82 Byron L. Sylvaro Post 257 Gen. George W. Goethals Post 188 Clark-Haddad Post 253 Chatham Post 262 Mashpee Post 308 Orleans Post 231 Stephen H. Meuse Post 71 Morris-Light Post 186 Martha’s Vineyard
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