on a new FDA approved device designed to offer an additional Research for resources on affordable alternative to assistive devices used by and accessible plans was the Blind and Visually Impaired. This conducted. Currently research revealed new device promises to enhance companies such as Straight Talk, outcomes when used along with other Consumer Cellular and Walmart Family assistive devices such as the long cane Share Plan as among some of the best or guide dogs. This technology is known as the BrainPort ®V100. options for Veterans to date. Offering this additional option to Healthy Eating Initiative Veterans will ultimately enhance our The Living Skills Healthy Eating Initiative system of care in providing the latest in was enhanced to include various assistive technology for the blind. substitutions that can be used to make meals healthier. For example, did you BrainPort ®V100 is a battery-powered know you can use a banana instead of device that includes a video camera mounted on a pair of glasses, and a butter when baking? Or apple sauce small, flat intra-oral device containing a instead of oil? series of electrodes that the user holds Sewing against their tongue. Software converts Finally, even the Sewing Program was the image captured by the video camera refreshed this Summer as a result of the into electrical signals that are then sent enthusiastic Summer Intern group. to the intra-oral device and perceived as vibrations on the user’s tongue. With Benefits of sewing include enhancing training and experience, the user learns focusing skills and reducing anxiety to interpret the signals to determine the attacks. The sewing area was location, position, size and shape of reorganized and new lesson plans were objects and to determine if objects are created to enhance Veteran’s learning moving or stationary. It is a non-surgical and motivation to try this craft. A new alternative which uses other senses to supply of fabric and other sewing give users information about the size, supplies were added to the sewing shape and location of objects. By station to ensure successful projects for processing visual images with their our Veterans. tongues, it is essentially a different way to see. New Blind Rehabilitation Technology; BRAINPORT Offering this device and associated In our ongoing efforts to improve access training heighten functional to care to Blinded and Visually Impaired independence for blinded Veterans, and Veterans, the Central Blind would enhance independence in Rehabilitation Center at Edward Hines performing activities of daily living. The Jr. VA Hospital is now providing training existing blind rehabilitation program is
Research for resources on affordable and accessible plans was conducted. Currently research revealed companies such as Straight Talk, Consumer Cellular and Walmart Family Share Plan as among some of the best options for Veterans to date. Healthy Eating Initiative The Living Skills Healthy Eating Initiative was enhanced to include various substitutions that can be used to make meals healthier. For example, did you know you can use a banana instead of butter when baking? Or apple sauce instead of oil? Sewing Finally, even the Sewing Program was refreshed this Summer as a result of the enthusiastic Summer Intern group. Benefits of sewing include enhancing focusing skills and reducing anxiety attacks. The sewing area was reorganized and new lesson plans were created to enhance Veteran’s learning and motivation to try this craft. A new supply of fabric and other sewing supplies were added to the sewing station to ensure successful projects for our Veterans. New Blind Rehabilitation Technology; BRAINPORT In our ongoing efforts to improve access to care to Blinded and Visually Impaired Veterans, the Central Blind Rehabilitation Center at Edward Hines Jr. VA Hospital is now providing training on a new FDA approved device designed to offer an additional alternative to assistive devices used by the Blind and Visually Impaired. This new device promises to enhance outcomes when used along with other assistive devices such as the long cane or guide dogs. This technology is known as the BrainPort ®V100. Offering this additional option to Veterans will ultimately enhance our system of care in providing the latest in assistive technology for the blind. BrainPort ®V100 is a battery-powered device that includes a video camera mounted on a pair of glasses, and a small, flat intra-oral device containing a series of electrodes that the user holds against their tongue. Software converts the image captured by the video camera into electrical signals that are then sent to the intra-oral device and perceived as vibrations on the user’s tongue. With training and experience, the user learns to interpret the signals to determine the location, position, size and shape of objects and to determine if objects are moving or stationary. It is a non-surgical alternative which uses other senses to give users information about the size, shape and location of objects. By processing visual images with their tongues, it is essentially a different way to see. Offering this device and associated training heighten functional independence for blinded Veterans, and would enhance independence in performing activities of daily living. The existing blind rehabilitation program is
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