"Focus"
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      • Support Group Leader Log in (password required)

"Focus" on Vision and Vision Loss
The “Focus"  website is a resource of the MCB/DDS Partnership Project for Orientation & Mobility/Low Vision Services, a cooperative effort between the Massachusetts Commission for the Blind (MCB) and the Massachusetts Department of Developmental Services (DDS).
Read more about MCB/DDS Services and Resources. 
illustration of eyeglasses

Train the Trainer: Human Guide and Vision Loss Sensitivity
Join us and become a Trainer on Human Guide and Vision Loss Sensitivity to then train your co-workers at the agency where you are employed.  Successful completion of this training will enable you to provide training for new staff and/or refresher training for existing supervisors and staff. This Train the Trainer Project for HGVLS is virtual and free, just an application is required!  Applications are due by April 20, 2023.
  • April 2023 Train the Trainer HGVLS application PDF (fillable)
  • April 2023 Train the Trainer HGVLS application RTF​
Save the Date! 
15th Annual
"Focus" on Vision Impairment & Blindness Conference: 
Meeting the Needs of Individuals with Intellectual Disability & Vision Loss
  • October 3, 2023
  • 8:00 am - 3:30 pm
  • Four Points by Sheraton, Norwood, MA
  • Registration opens in June. 
Do You Have a Great Idea to Share?  Create a Poster, Display, "Hands On" Demonstration, etc.    
  • Highlight your work and display on a table or easel at the "Focus" Conference on October 3rd. 
  • Opportunity to share with and inspire others working with individuals with intellectual disability who have vision loss. 
  • Only 10 spots available. Contact Lisa.DiBonaventura@mass.gov with your idea by March 31, 2023.  
Call for Posters 2023 (PDF)   /  Call for Posters 2023 (RTF)

Vision Loss Support Groups
Caregivers
  • Caregiver Support Group (VIRTUAL) 
    • We look forward to connecting with you at our next virtual Caregiver Support Group.  
      • April Caregiver Support Group (PDF)   /   April Caregiver Support Group (RTF)
  • Interested to join a Support Group?  Please complete the registration form, and send to Lisa.DiBonaventura@mass.gov
    • Support Group Registration Form (fillable PDF)   /  Support Group Registration Form (RTF)​
Individuals
  • Allston, MA - DDS/VI SUPPORT GROUP: Always Exploring, Never Lost…
    • ​DDS/VI Support Group Flyer (PDF)  / DDS/VI Support Group Flyer (RTF)​​

"Focus" Talks
​
Learn whenever the time is right for you! “Focus” Talks is an on-demand webcast series on topics related to eye care, vision and vision loss. Be sure to visit often to view new topics and sessions!

Leisure and Learning at Home
Your efforts and creativity are cheered and applauded as you continue to spend time and plan for days at home.  Knowing that it is so important to keep a daily schedule, while understanding the limits of being home, we've gathered resources for you and created “Leisure and Learning at Home" V1 – V4.  Here you'll find ideas for Cooking, Arts & Crafts, Exercise & Yoga, Music, Stories & Meditation, Travel, and more. While some sites and resources were created specifically for individuals with vision loss, others were not but can be adapted by use of description, textured materials, organization and creativity.  We encourage you to share Leisure and Learning at Home and feel free to contact Lisa DiBonaventura with other topics that would be helpful to you.  Together we can brighten each other’s days!​​
  • Leisure and Learning at Home - V4 (PDF)
  • Leisure and Learning at Home - V4 (RTF)
  • Leisure and Learning at Home - V3 (PDF)
  • Leisure and Learning at Home - V3 (RTF)
  • Leisure and Learning at Home - V2 (PDF)
  • Leisure and Learning at Home - V2 (RTF)
  • Leisure and Learning at Home – V1 (PDF)   
  • ​Leisure and Learning at Home – V1 (RTF)

COVID-19 Social Stories
Listen, read, and share each of these social stories in multiple accessible formats regarding COVID-19. Stories include: 
  • "Wearing a Mask", "COVID-19 Swab Testing", "Fallon Ambulance Mobile Testing" 
  • "Outdoor Visitation Policy" ​

Keeping Healthy and Safe: Focus on Orientation & Mobility Techniques, Glasses, Canes, Devices and More
In this busy and trying time, all of our energies and attention are on keeping our loved ones and ourselves healthy and safe.  Highlighting vision loss, we have put together three resources focusing on Keeping Healthy When Using Orientation and Mobility Techniques, COVID-19 Protocol for Use of the Human Guide Technique, and Keeping Glasses, Canes, Visual Aids, Cell Phones and Devices Spotless and Sanitized.  We hope that these three additions to our collection of downloadable resources will be a help to you.  We encourage you to send the links and/or download to share. Together we can help each other to stay healthy and safe. 
  • COVID-19 Protocol for Use of the Human Guide Technique (PDF) updated December 2020
  • COVID-19 Protocol for Use of the Human Guide Technique (RTF) updated December 2020
  • Keeping Healthy When Using Orientation and Mobility Techniques (PDF) updated December 2020
  • Keeping Healthy When Using Orientation and Mobility Techniques (RTF) updated December 2020
  • Keeping Canes, Visual Aids, Cellphones and Devices Spotless and Sanitized (PDF)
  • Keeping Canes, Visual Aids, Cellphones and Devices Spotless and Sanitized (RTF)​

Eye Surgery Preparation and Post Op Planning for Individuals with Intellectual Disability
  • Eye Surgery Prep (full brochure) PDF
  • Eye Surgery Prep (text only brochure) RTF
  • Eye Surgery Questions List PDF  /   Eye Surgery Question List RTF
Be Inspired!
by Dejan Pajevic

Hi my name is Dejan Pajevic. I am 24 years old and I am from Serbia. I am blind due to ROP. I attend MAB Community Services day program where I have orientation and mobility lessons with Bianca. We have worked together for four years.  Read more of Dejan's story. 


For more information please contact: 
Lisa DiBonaventura,  M.A.,  COMS
Statewide Director Vision & Vision Loss Services
Department of Developmental Services  (DDS)
Email: Lisa.DiBonaventura@mass.gov
About                   Contact                  FAQ
Site Accessibility & Download Policy
Please note: By posting these Web links, it is not our intention to endorse or recommend the sites. These sites are being offered only as informational resources.  
"Focus" on Vision and Vision Loss: Meeting the Needs of Individuals with Intellectual Disability
  • MCB/DDS
    • About >
      • Site Accessibility & Download Policy
      • Vision Loss Terminology
    • APH Federal Quota Account >
      • APH Activity Ideas
    • DDS Collaborative Eye Care Clinics
    • Orientation & Mobility/Low Vision Services >
      • Areas Served
      • COMS Log In
    • Let's Walk Together
    • Vision Loss Support Groups
    • EOHHS Resources
  • Eye Care
    • Find an Eye Care Provider >
      • By Town >
        • Ayer
        • Beverly
        • Boston
        • Burlington
        • Cambridge
        • Chelmsford
        • East Bridgewater
        • East Harwich
        • Fairhaven
        • Fall River
        • Falmouth
        • Fitchburg
        • Framingham
        • Franklin
        • Gardner
        • Greenfield
        • Holyoke
        • Lowell
        • Marlborough
        • Melrose
        • New Bedford
        • Newton
        • North Dartmouth
        • North Reading
        • Plymouth
        • Quincy
        • Revere
        • Sagamore
        • Salem
        • Sandwich
        • South Dennis
        • Spencer
        • Sturbridge
        • Sudbury
        • Taunton
        • Tewksbury
        • Waltham
        • Watertown
        • West Springfield
        • Worcester
    • NECO SEMA >
      • NECO Student Access
    • MCPHS Eye and Vision Center
    • DDS Vision Care Guidelines
    • Eye Health & Safety
    • Eye Conditions & Simulations >
      • A
      • B
      • C
      • D
      • E
      • F
      • G
      • H
      • I
      • K
      • L
      • M
      • N
      • O
      • P
      • R
      • S
      • T
      • U
      • V
    • In the News
  • Everyday Life
    • Strategies
    • COVID Resources
    • Deafblind Resources
    • Orientation & Mobility >
      • Movement, Safety and Fun
    • Recreation >
      • Leisure and Learning at Home
    • Local & National Organizations
  • Tech and Access
    • Apps for Vision Loss
    • Technology Equipment
    • Technology Resources
    • Products for Accessibility
    • News and Information Access
  • Students
    • Birth - 22 >
      • Team and IEP
    • Transition
  • Connect
    • Inspiring Lives >
      • Dejan
    • Focus Blog
    • FAQ
    • Contact
  • Training
    • "Focus Talks"
    • Conferences & Workshops
    • Online Courses & Webinars
    • Downloadable Resources & Videos
    • Train the Trainer: Human Guide >
      • Trainer Log In (password needed)
    • Train the Leader: Support Groups >
      • Support Group Leader Log in (password required)