Published: October 09, 2007 03:32 pm         

Blind Industries starts Senior Support Group

CUMBERLAND — The Senior Services Division of Blind Industries and Services of Maryland has established a Senior Support Group for blind and visually impaired seniors.

The support group will meet the second Friday of each month from 10 a.m. to noon at BISM’s Cumberland facility at 322 Paca St. The first meeting will be this month.

The nonprofit organization provides training and employment opportunities for blind citizens of all ages. The new support group is designed to help seniors find positive solutions to vision loss, while developing relationships with other seniors who are experiencing vision loss.

Members will learn about skills training programs offered at BISM, participate in group discussions and activities that boost self-esteem, learn about adaptive technology, and receive information about services beneficial to the blind and visually impaired.

The Senior Support Group is an extension of the Seniors Taking Active Roles in Society training program that meets every Monday and Wednesday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the same location.

STARS is a training-based program designed to develop skills necessary to function as a productive, independent, blind senior citizen. Classes include computer technology, independent living, cane travel and Braille. The curriculum also includes seminars, adaptive technology and product demonstrations, and community outings and activities.

For more information, contact Roger Williamson, rwilliamson@bism.org, or Anita Adkins, aadkins@bism.org, at (301) 724-4111 or (888) 267-4111. To discover more about Blind Industries and Services of Maryland, log on to www.bism.org.