The Dayle McIntosh Center has been providing a wide variety of independent living services to persons with disabilities in Orange County since 1977. All programs and services are rooted in the independent living movement which promotes the belief that persons with disabilities have a right to live as independently as possible within their community.
In keeping with this philosophy, our services for the blind and visually impaired have helped thousands of seniors regain independence since 1996. We’ve continually expanded our programs, now offering comprehensive independent living services to individuals aged 18 to 54 with vision loss. These services, funded by a federal grant, are provided at no cost and focus on developing skills needed for daily activities as determined by the individual seeking support.
Who is Eligible for Blindness and Low Vision Services
Any individual who lives in Orange County, is 18 years of age or older, and is experiencing difficulty with daily living tasks due to severe vision loss.
Please Note: Persons between the ages of 18 to 54 cannot be employed or actively receiving services from the California Department of Rehabilitation.
Referral Process
Individuals are referred to DMC to receive Blindness and Low Vision services through a variety of sources such as case managers from senior centers, other community-based organizations, diabetic educators, hospital discharge planners, medical personnel, and by word-of-mouth. Individuals may also be self-referred.
For more information about DMC’s Blindness and Low Vision Services (BLVS) call (714)621-3300 or complete the online form.
Blindness and Low Vision Services
How Services Are Provided
Blindness and Low Vision services are provided in a wide variety of settings e.g. consumer’s home, hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, community centers, small groups and the Dayle McIntosh Center.
Services Available
Adjustment Counseling/Peer Support: Helping individuals and their support network adjust to blindness through both individual and group support. This includes understanding and addressing emotions, attitudes, and values that can affect progress toward personal goals. It also involves accurately recognizing one’s strengths and limitations and rebuilding a sense of pride and self-esteem.
Adjusting to vision loss can be an emotionally difficult process. At DMC, our team includes members who have lived through similar experiences and are available for personalized support sessions with individuals and their families. Additionally, our low vision peer support groups offer a secure and confidential environment to share emotions, common challenges, and valuable resources related to vision loss.
Basic Orientation: Basic training on navigating the home environment through use of trailing techniques and human guide. Navigation outside the home should only be provided by a certified orientation and mobility instructor.
Communication Assistance: Basic training in low vision written communication aids, adaptive writing techniques, and communication devices including phones, digital recorders, smart devices, and computers. This training equips individuals with essential skills to effectively communicate and utilize technology, enhancing independence and accessibility in daily life.
Pictured a photo grid of people of all ages from 18-55 and older adults, the two groups DMC serves. Upper left hand corner, younger adult in the park on a path with trees with a mobility cane and a guide dog; Center top- Older adult with low-vision sitting by a window with optimum light to access her cell phone; Top right; younger adult sitting at a table with guide dog standing by, reading book in Braille; Center; Center row, left side; older adult reading Braille while seated at home in an easy-chair; Center middle: pair of hands reading Braille; Center row right: middle-aged adult adjusting a mobility cane outside in a park; Bottom row left: older adult seated at a table listening to conversation; Center photo bottom rowolderad, older adult using mobility cane at home navigating living room; Bottom row right – young adult couple walking in the park during fall/winter, person on the left has arm intertwined in the other trusting on navigational guidance, both are wearing scarves.
Information and Referral: Providing information about various community-based resources that promote greater independence and quality of life. Guidance is offered on understanding specific eligibility criteria, completing the application process, and implementing these resources.
Daily Living Skills: Learning adaptive techniques to handle daily tasks and manage personal matters independently. This training covers using appliances, maintaining personal hygiene, organizing at home, handling prescriptions, and reading mail.
Tactile markings can be placed on household appliances to provide a specific point of reference for persons with vision loss.
Assistive Technology Devices and Services (AT): Providing basic devices and training which enable persons with vision loss to build greater independence such as talking clocks, talking blood pressure monitors, and liquid level indicators. Hands on demonstration of more complex assistive technology such as video magnifiers, screen reader software, and smart phone accessibility features is also available.
Self-Advocacy: Training to improve skills in making good decisions, solving problems effectively, assessing risks and consequences, and negotiating to obtain or maintain benefits and services. Persons with vision loss can learn to self-advocate when presented with barriers related to health care, reasonable accommodations, and disability rights.
Supportive Services: Connection to services in the community such as mobility training, ACCESS, Dial-A-Ride, personal care or In Home Supportive Services (IHSS) via referrals and assistance with completing forms or applications.
Blind/Low-Vision Support Groups facilitated by DMC
Orange County Low Vision Peer Group
This group occurs every second Wednesday of the month from 1:30 PM to 3 PM.
This group is for individuals 55 and older who are a part of the OIB program. The group is held virtually via the unlimited conference line. The call information is below:
Phone Number: (800) 941-1840
Participant code: 861304#
To download the program flyer of Blind/Low-Vision Services please CLICK HERE
Program Success Stories
New Independence Equals Technicolored Possibilities
ILS Instructor for the Blind provided services to a 68-year-old consumer with vision loss resulting from a stroke, causing significant impairment and color blindness.
The consumer identified dressing and food preparation as key barriers to independence.
Initially, the consumer expressed interest in obtaining a talking color identifier due to difficulty distinguishing clothing colors.
After completing the Independent Living Skills Questionnaire, the consumer and ILS Instructor explored lighting solutions as an alternative. Motion-activated lights were installed on opposite sides of the consumer’s closet, and the consumer immediately reported a marked improvement in her ability to distinguish clothing colors.
The consumer also experienced difficulty preparing meals because her shadow blocked the kitchen light while working at the counter. Motion-activated under-cabinet lights installed to illuminate her work surface, enhancing both safety and usability. The consumer expressed gratitude for the assistive technology devices, noting that they significantly increased her independence and safety in daily activities.
Assistive Technology Gives Consumer Independence and Support
BLV ILS instructor Wendy met with a 68-year-old female OIB consumer living in the city of Anaheim. The consumer had been referred to DMC’s Blindness and Low Vision Program by Braille Institute Anaheim Occupational Therapist who relayed the consumer required support in obtaining a LyriQ Assistive Text to Speech Reader.
The consumer is on a limited income and therefore could not purchase the device herself. The device would allow the consumer to listen to her mail and other important printed material. The consumer explained she was experiencing memory loss and would often forget small details her doctor mentioned during follow up appointments, but she always requested to be sent home with a printed out visit summary.
The simplistic design of the device allowed the consumer to feel comfortable operating the device independently after just one training session. During her follow-up appointment, the consumer happily relayed she has had no issues operating the LyriQ and looks forward to continuing to integrate its use into other areas of her daily activities.
Older Adult Consumer Finds New Daily Life of Access
DMC’s Blind/Low Vision Services successfully reconnected with a former program participant who reached out after experiencing new barriers to independence. At 89 years old and living with vision loss, the participant received individualized in-home support focused on daily living skills.
Through two appointments, the participant received adaptive tools and hands-on training to support written communication, blood pressure monitoring, and household organization. As a result, she now reports being able to write and review notes, monitor her blood pressure, and organize her home independently. She also gained increased confidence in using new assistive technology, including smart glasses she recently received.
- Consumer Question: Do I need to provide medical documentation of my vision loss to receive services?
DMC Program Answer: Medical documentation of vision loss is not required. Our services are based upon self-declaration of vision loss.
- Consumer Question: Are there classes or trainings I can attend at DMC?
DMC Program Answer: Rather than providing group classes, services are generally provided one-on-one, as this approach ensures individual needs are addressed.
- Consumer Question: How long are services provided for?
DMC Program Answer: Services are generally limited to six appointments, but specific needs are evaluated on a case-by-case basis.
- Consumer Question: Can I purchase low vision aids from your organization?
DMC Program Answer: Our organization does not sell low vision aids. The Vision Loss Program provides services and available items at no cost to consumers during the time frame they are working to achieve their goals. Information and resources can be provided regarding the purchase of additional low-vision aids.
- Consumer Question: Can I benefit from your services if I live with family members who provide support or in a senior community?
DMC Program Answer: Our services can improve independence regardless of your living situation and support network.
