GUIDE Dogs Victoria's Orientation and Mobility Service will host a three-day program in Bendigo this week.
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The program starts on Wednesday and is designed to boost self-esteem and broaden horizons for vision impaired adults.
At the conclusion of the program participants will be able to: navigate unfamiliar environments in daylight and at night; research travel options and use time management skills to plan trips; and confidently ask for assistance when required.
Participants will also be able to raise awareness about accessibility to environments and facilities for people living with blindness or vision impairment; plan for living away from home (pack luggage and prepare meals); and work effectively as part of a team to plan travel and daily living activities.
GDV believes the skills taught in the program are essential and will ensure blind and vision impaired adults feel confident, capable, safe and empowered to actively go about their daily activities in the community.
In the 2011/12 financial year the Adult Orientation and Mobility Service assisted 320 clients across Victoria, completing 474 training and support programs.
Meanwhile, GDV is experiencing an increased demand for services with demand particularly high in the Lodden Mallee region, where vision impairment is on the rise as a result of problems such as macular degeneration in combination with disease related blindness due to the growing incidence of diabetes/obesity.
For more information visit www.guidedogsvictoria.com.au or call 9854 4444.