We also provide skills through training individuals wanting to enter the job market. Employers can see future employees demonstrate job duties, in a realistic work environment. This can be facilitated in many areas such as with computers, store work, cashier work, office skills, and more. The future employer can see how the prospective employee can work and perform the job
Our Full Services Provided:
Technology Items:
Adaptive Technology
Visual Aids
Technology Access
Programs:
Social Integration
Self Advocacy
Other Programs:
Vocational Training
Office Skills
Job Coaching
Aid In Job Placement
Placement
Future Help and Follow Up
Board of Directors:
Sandi Baker-Director, Co-Founder, and Chief Financial Officer
Susan Hipple-Consultant Martha Carter-Consultant
Deborah Lee Howley-Advisor
Lonnie Novak-Director of Donations, Gifts, and Charitable Contributions
About Some Of Us:
Community Involvement
Many of us go about our day to day lives without considering why we enjoy the opportunities that our communities offer to us. There are many activities to participate in. People can work and lead productive lives. However, there are numerous persons living all around us with disabilities and therefore have barriers to live the lives that most take for granted. That brings me to the point of this article.
I made a decision a long time ago to be part of my community. For me that involves many different areas but the ones that bring the most benefits are for the disabled.
There is the Mentoring Program that combines Mentors from all walks of life. These are professional such as teachers, doctors, judges, lawyers, nurses, professors, case workers, firemen, hospitality workers, athletic instructors, and many more. Then there are the Mentees. They are those with disabilities of many types who want to learn about careers, training programs, and learning opportunities. We combine the two of them so that they can share the work experience along with thoughts and ideas. The results are phenomenal as the Mentees go into training programs, colleges, and careers.
There is also One Voice for Volusia which “is a coalition that connects non-profit, governmental and community-based organizations along with local businesses to promote system and community ding and the coordination of resources, One Voice for Volusia takes a leadership role in improving the quality of life for youth and families. Our Methodology: One Voice for Volusia is using a research, planning and community mobilization framework designed by Drs. Hawkins and Catalano. This model, based on their risk and protective factor research, involves a process that includes:
Convening for the purpose of educating and providing networking opportunities among health and human services
Facilitating impartial and progressive methodologies to positively affect systemic change
Monitoring community trends affecting quality of life issues Encouraging open dialogue about key community issues
Advocating for the efficient and effective use of community resources
Fostering diverse partnerships among all sectors of the community
Mobilizing the community to support measurable outcomes and an effective evaluation of all health and human services programming
Engaging leaders and citizens by developing and implementing community improvement strategies through priority-setting and consensus building
Collecting, analyzing, interpreting, and sharing indicator data with the community
Supporting other coalitions locally and throughout the state to further the field of work. This coalition includes businesses, community groups, government agencies, and health care providers.
Community Involvement is something we should all be involved in. We live and breathe there. It is who we are. Have you though about those who need your help and support to become more independent so that they can lead more productive lives and enjoy all that you do?
Author:
Sandi Baker
Co-Founder
Visual Innovations & Solutions
My Story
Iimprovements for the benefit of youth and families in Volusia County. Through research, consensus buil also work with the Work Opportunity Network. This is a non-profit organization. Our Network consists of professional Health Care, Educational and Business Services that are dedicated to creating opportunities through collaboration. We are a community network promoting employment for people with disabilities. We talk directly with corporations and other businesses regarding their programs and how we can bring our knowledge of this subject to them. Discussing ways to find employment, overcome barriers, and aid them in their business to employ those with disabilities. We also help those with disabilities find employment. For the employee it is to them a step in the right direction to become self sufficient, build self esteem, and provides social integration. This aids in allowing independence.
(http://www.ovfv.org/about.htm)
When I was in my early thirties I was hit hard with complex seizure disorder.
Epilepsy is complex seizure disorder but most people do not have all of the types of seizures. I am one of the lucky ones to have them all. That is why mine is classified as complex seizure disorder. Speaking of luck; I am not completely controlled by medication either.
I apparently had hard to recognize signs growing up. This does happen many times, to many children. Many people do not realize that there are over 200 different kinds of seizures, even staring seizures.
There are six types of seizures:
not develop the full onset or even the episodes at all until an illness or accident.
I had a double whammy. Mine was hereditary, and I injured my head as well as having an illness. Or was that a triple whammy? Generalized Tonic Clonic
Absence
Simple Partial
Complex Partial
Atonic Seizures
Myoclonic Seizures
Ones life changes so dramatically when they become disabled. I have firsthand knowledge of this. The changes which include: physical, emotional, family related issues, relationships, lifestyle, and financial issues. Everything in your life changes!
My lifestyle changed to where I was mostly confined to my home. Have seizures I could no longer drive, work or be out at night.
One thing that opened my world was technology and the internet. I could talk to other people and explore the world. This is when I started to pursue genealogy. That was just the start for me.
I had the opportunity to accomplish more. Technology had taken me so very far. I earned several Licenses, Certifications, and Continuing Education Credits.
It opens up the world!
Sandi Baker
A Personal Story
I grew up with a Mother being visually impaired. She grew up just like any other child, just wearing very think glasses. Taunted like most kids are who wear them. Driving a car was one thing that she never had the luxury of doing. The ability to get in a car and go when you need or want to is something most people take for granted. She never had the chance to miss it. There was the one time when my father let her try on a deserted road.
When I was five years old she had to have major surgery. He had a detached retina. I remember all of the late nights seeing her specialists. Where we lived you had to travel 30 miles to see a good doctor.
Her eyesight never got better as I grew older. She was classified as legally blind. Although she could see us there were always so many difficulties for her. I never heard her complain.
Her legs carried wherever she needed to get somewhere and there was no other transportation available. She learned to manage. Not only that, she did very well. She facilitated in starting a business with my father.
Later in life she went to college and received her Masters of Science Degree. Her field was as a Mental Health Counselor for the blind.
When I reached my late thirties her vision loss had progressed. She could only see shapes. No longer able to see, neither her grandson nor what I looked like. Still she never complained.
A few years later she needed to have surgery again. This time they expected her to loose all vision completely.
We prepared. Work was done at her home so she could function in it with less risk of hazard.
The day of the surgery came. I felt like I had sat there for a week waiting for them to come to tell me that she came out of the surgery all right.
Finally the doors opened. Not only was she fine, she could see better than she was able to in my entire life!! What a miracle!!
I watched in such thankfulness as she explored her new world.
Although she will never see 20/20 and she uses technology for the visually impaired, she can see!
I claim all of my thanks to God, those medical marvel doctors, and the technology out there to help all of those out there needing it.
Sandi Baker
Located at:
875 Derbyshire Road #72
Daytona Beach, FL 32117
Phone:
Please help support us: visualinn@yahoo.com
We also now have our donations page: http://shop.visualinnovations.org
Thank you!
Visual Innovations & Solutions
501-c3
26-2164533
