BOSMA INDUSTRIES FOR THE BLIND INC

BOSMA, THROUGH ITS CENTER FOR VISIONARY SOLUTIONS, IS INDIANA'S LARGEST PROVIDER OF COMPREHENSIVE VISION REHABILITATION PROGRAMS, SERVING NEARLY 1,000 CLIENTS EACH YEAR. THESE PROGRAMS TEACH SKILLS NEEDED FOR AN INDIVIDUAL TO LIVE INDEPENDENTLY. THEY SERVED OVER 900 HOOSIERS LAST YEAR. BOSMA PROVIDES IN-HOME COMMUNITY-BASED SERVICES, TEACHING CLIENTS THE SKILLS TO BE INDEPENDENT IN THEIR HOME, FROM SAFELY COOKING TO MANAGING HOUSEHOLD ITEMS LIKE MEDICATIONS AND BILLS. THE PROGRAM IS ALSO EXPANDING TO SERVE MORE INDIVIDUALS THROUGH VIRTUAL AND GROUP TRAINING AT SENIOR CENTERS AND OTHER COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS. BOSMA'S CENTER-BASED SERVICES IS A 3 - 5 MONTH RESIDENTIAL, COMPREHENSIVE TRAINING PROGRAM. CLIENTS FROM ALL OVER INDIANA COME TO BOSMA'S REHABILITATION CENTER IN NORTHWEST INDIANAPOLIS TO LEARN HOW TO ADAPT TO LIVING WITH VISION LOSS. THEY LEARN SKILLS LIKE COOKING, CLEANING, USING A COMPUTER, AND NAVIGATING THEIR ENVIRONMENT SAFELY WITH TOOLS LIKE A WHITE CANE. EMPLOYMENT PRESENTS A MAJOR CHALLENGE FOR PEOPLE WHO ARE BLIND OR VISUALLY IMPAIRED. IN FACT, THEY FACE AN UNEMPLOYMENT RATE THAT IS 10 TIMES HIGHER THAN THE NATIONAL RATE. BOSMA'S COMMUNITY EMPLOYMENT SERVICES CLIENTS FIND MEANINGFUL EMPLOYMENT THROUGH ACTIVITIES LIKE RESUME WRITING, INTERVIEW PREPARATION, AND MAKING SURE WORKSPACES ARE ACCESSIBLE WITH TOOLS SUCH AS SOFTWARE. BOSMA'S CENTER ALSO ACTS AS A HUB WHERE PEOPLE CAN CALL TO GET MORE INFORMATION ABOUT RESOURCES AVAILABLE THROUGH BOSMA AND OTHER AGENCIES. LAST YEAR, THE TEAM HANDLED OVER 1,400 CALLS.