"Focus"
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COVID Resources

Top Ten Tips: Working with Individuals Who Have Vision Loss in Times of Covid
  • Top Ten Tips Presentation
  • Printable Resource: Top Ten Tips - PDF
  • Printable Resource: Top Ten Tips - 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)
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)
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
    • NECO SEMA >
      • NECO Student Access
    • MCPHS Eye and Vision Center
    • Orientation & Mobility/Low Vision Services >
      • COMS Log In
    • Let's Walk Together
    • Vision Loss Support Groups
    • EOHHS Resources
  • Eye Care
    • Find an Eye Care Provider >
      • By Town >
        • Athol
        • Ayer
        • Beverly
        • Boston
        • Burlington
        • Cambridge
        • Chelmsford
        • Chelsea
        • East Bridgewater
        • East Harwich
        • Fairhaven
        • Fall River
        • Falmouth
        • Fitchburg
        • Framingham
        • Franklin
        • Gardner
        • Greenfield
        • Groveland
        • Holyoke
        • Lexington
        • Lowell
        • Marlborough
        • Mattapan
        • Melrose
        • New Bedford
        • Newburyport
        • Newton
        • North Dartmouth
        • North Reading
        • Plymouth
        • Quincy
        • Randolph
        • Revere
        • Sagamore
        • Salem
        • Sandwich
        • Shelburne Falls
        • South Dennis
        • Spencer
        • Springfield
        • Sturbridge
        • Sudbury
        • Taunton
        • Tewksbury
        • Waltham
        • Wareham
        • Watertown
        • Wellesley
        • West Springfield
        • Winthrop
        • Worcester
    • DDS Vision Care Guidelines
    • Eye Health & Safety
    • Eye Conditions & Simulations >
      • A
      • B
      • C
      • D
      • E
      • F
      • G
      • H
      • I
      • J
      • 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 >
      • "Focus" Conference Archive
    • 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)