2014 At the conclusion of the federal fiscal year, providers have served 1,572 clients, exceeding last year’s total service delivery by more than 100. 87% of our closures indicate that they have greater independence and another 10% indicate that they have maintained their level of independence. More than two-thirds of ILOB clients are women; the large majority of our clients have macular degeneration; and the average age of ILOB customers is 86 years old. Most live in their home or apartment rather than in a nursing or assisted living setting. (In FFY 2014, we served 2 homeless people.) Many need recurring services because their limitations will change over time. usually span about 3 or 4 appointments of about 2-3 hours each, costing the program an average of about $530 per case. Despite an emphasis on outreach to the Asian and Hispanic minorities, these populations are being significantly underserved. 11% and 7% of Washington State’s general population identifies as being Hispanic and Asian, respectively. But, ILOB’s service delivery is only 2.2% and 1.5%. Spokane, WA Pierre Campano, an active and independent 78 year old, recently moved into an apartment where he lives alone. Mr. Campano has Usher syndrome and an American Sign Language (ASL) interpreter accompanied him at his appointments. During his O&M assessment, Mr. Campano said he occasionally suffered depression and fatigue but felt strongly that it would not hinder O&M lessons. Mr. Campano already had some long cane skills before coming to the OB Program, but he identified a few specific skills and routes he wanted to work on. Over the next 5 months, Mr. Campano had several O&M lessons, always with the assistance of an ASL interpreter. Mr. Campano and the O&M Specialist began by reviewing how to navigate stairs which he quickly mastered. After the stairs, they moved on to practicing using the crosswalk signal near his apartment. Mr. Campano learned to cross with the surge of traffic so that he had enough time to cross the street. Lastly, the O&M Specialist made sure that Mr. Campano felt comfortable walking around his new apartment complex, including going to the mailbox, the rec room, and the small patio where he likes to sit and listen to the birds during the day.
2014 At the conclusion of the federal fiscal year, providers have served 1,572 clients, exceeding last year’s total service delivery by more than 100. 87% of our closures indicate that they have greater independence and another 10% indicate that they have maintained their level of independence. More than two-thirds of ILOB clients are women; the large majority of our clients have macular degeneration; and the average age of ILOB customers is 86 years old. Most live in their home or apartment rather than in a nursing or assisted living setting. (In FFY 2014, we served 2 homeless people.) Many need recurring services because their limitations will change over time. usually span about 3 or 4 appointments of about 2-3 hours each, costing the program an average of about $530 per case. Despite an emphasis on outreach to the Asian and Hispanic minorities, these populations are being significantly underserved. 11% and 7% of Washington State’s general population identifies as being Hispanic and Asian, respectively. But, ILOB’s service delivery is only 2.2% and 1.5%. Spokane, WA Pierre Campano, an active and independent 78 year old, recently moved into an apartment where he lives alone. Mr. Campano has Usher syndrome and an American Sign Language (ASL) interpreter accompanied him at his appointments. During his O&M assessment, Mr. Campano said he occasionally suffered depression and fatigue but felt strongly that it would not hinder O&M lessons. Mr. Campano already had some long cane skills before coming to the OB Program, but he identified a few specific skills and routes he wanted to work on. Over the next 5 months, Mr. Campano had several O&M lessons, always with the assistance of an ASL interpreter. Mr. Campano and the O&M Specialist began by reviewing how to navigate stairs which he quickly mastered. After the stairs, they moved on to practicing using the crosswalk signal near his apartment. Mr. Campano learned to cross with the surge of traffic so that he had enough time to cross the street. Lastly, the O&M Specialist made sure that Mr. Campano felt comfortable walking around his new apartment complex, including going to the mailbox, the rec room, and the small patio where he likes to sit and listen to the birds during the day.
SRC%202014%20Annual%20Report.docx