| Orientation Career Center for the Blind |
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| A comprehensive training program |
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The Orientation and Career Center for the Blind (OCCB) is a comprehensive, residential training program designed to address individual, independent living and pre-employment skills.
Most of the OCCB's participants are people who have become blind in adulthood and must learn new methods of performing everyday activities such as reading or food preparation. The OCCB offers students in-depth training in a variety of areas and services.
Clients are referred to the OCCB by the agency's Vocational Rehabilitation Counselors, and they come to OCCB to learn the skills needed for independent living.
 The OCCB is located in Portland, so out-of-town students must pursue their training while living in a nearby apartment. Portland clients may continue to live at home and commute to the OCCB. In addition, the OCCB provides the family with training programs, support groups, blindness seminars and open houses.
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| Services Include |
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Adjustment to Blindness
Vision impairment can be a difficult adjustment, and we have found that our residential program offers our clients the advantage of peer support. The OCCB facilitates this process through Challenge Courses, support groups, recreational activities and family participation.
Braille Training
For those who are unable to effectively read print, we offer courses in reading Braille as well as using Braille equipment.
Career Exploration
This is a three-week intensive program that assists clients in identifying their vocational goals. We take into account past work experience as well as current strengths and interests. Clients also learn job-seeking skills and labor market trends.
Low Vision Assessments
We perform low-vision assessments to help determine what technology will be most useful to clients who still have partial vision. Sometimes all that is needed is a magnifier or some other technology that helps utilize remaining vision. We can then recommend and help obtain needed equipment.
Orientation & Mobility Training
Our qualified teachers instruct clients on the following: how to use a white cane for safety, how to properly work with a guide dog, how to safely and efficiently take public transportation. We will also address specific transportation needs related to employment.
Personal Management
The OCCB teaches clients how to organize their finances, deal with incoming mail, and participate in leisure activities.
Summer Work Experience Program (SWEP)
The OCCB staff coordinates this statewide youth transition program, locates funding, develops job sites, and provides independent living skills training to the students.
The OCCB also offers transition workshops for parents, teachers and transition students on the array of independent living skills the students can acquire through SWEP.
Techniques of Daily Living
Everyday tasks are restructured to accommodate those experiencing vision loss. This class instructs clients in the following: food preparation and planning, organization of kitchen items, grocery shopping and other skills necessary for independent living.
Technology Center
The Technology Center was created to help our clients determine what technology will best serve them. We then provide training and give them the tools necessary to access this opportunity-rich environment.
Services provided by the Technology Center include: individual assessments, training, job-site assessments and demonstrations.
Woodshop
Our clients develop confidence in their abilities by completing a tangible project in this program. Clients cite this service as being a crossroads where they realize they can accomplish their goals through adaptive techniques.
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