Serving the Visually Impaired of Lake and Sumter Counties, Florida Including The Villages Call 352-435-5040 if you or someone you know has a visual impairment

Information and Referral:  Students are also assisted in obtaining numerous community resources including free telephone directory assistance, handicapped parking permits, property and income tax exemptions, Talking Books, and ID cards, as needed.

Independent Living Skills Training:  includes instruction in techniques that will enable students to dial a telephone, reconcile a check book, issue checks, identify money, travel, cook, manage medications, and accomplish many more skills so important to daily living.

Braille Instruction:  New Vision's Braille instructors offer an alternative to visually looking up a phone number, reading a favorite recipe, and reading books and magazines. Call to discuss these individualized classes.

Access Technology and Computer Instruction:  New Vision's computer instructors have been trained in the operation of low vision and speech output programs that will enable a student to use the Internet, send and receive e-mail, write letters, etc. Computer programs include ZoomText - a screen magnification program for those with some usable vision - and JAWS - for those students without sight.

Instruction can also be provided in OpenBook, Quicken, Window Eyes, Keyboarding.

Orientation and Mobility Training:  New Vision's certified Mobility Specialist offers training that will enable the visually impaired to travel safely, efficiently, and with dignity in their own home, in their community, or around the world.

Instruction is provided indoors and outside, in homes, residential neighborhoods, small business areas, vehicular traffic areas, and other environments where visually impaired and blind individuals need to learn to cross streets and walk safely from one destination to another.

Adjustment to Blindness:  classes include group discussion and presentations to help with adjusting to vision loss.  Topics include anatomy of the eye and common eye conditions.

Low Vision Aids and Appliances:  The use of various low vision aids and appliances are demonstrated and discussed in the Independent Living Skills classes.  The Leesburg office has a small store with new and used adaptive aids.

Family Workshops:  offer information, visual simulations, and experiential activities for students, their family members, and friends. At New Vision, we are aware that visual impairment or blindness has an effect on the whole family. It is our hope that we can assist the entire family to better understand what the visually impaired person is experiencing.

Support Groups:  Nine groups meet in locations throughout Lake and Sumter Counties. Ongoing assistance, educational support, speakers, activities, and peer support provided monthly.

Public Education:  speakers are available at no cost to schools, churches, health fairs, community service groups, etc.

All services are provided at no cost to the visually impaired participant.

Sponsored by:

        DOE/DBS and the State of Florida

        Lake County Human Services

        Community Foundation of South Lake

        2010 US Census

9501 US Hwy 441

Leesburg, FL  34788