BOSMA INDUSTRIES FOR THE BLIND INC

Bosma, through its center for visionary solutions, is indiana's largest provider of comprehensive vision rehabilitation programs. These programs provide skills needed for an individual to live independently. These programs served over 900 hoosiers last year. Bosma provides in-home community-based services served over 600 seniors teaching them skills to be independent in their home from safely cooking to managing household items like medications and bills. The program is also expanding to serve more individuals through virtual and group training at senior centers and other community organizations. Employment is a major challenge for people who are blind or visually impaired. In fact, 70% are not employed. Bosma's community employment services helped 141 people with skills needed to find gainful employment from resume writing and interviewing to ensuring a workspace is accessible with tools like software. Bosma's center-based services is a 3-5 month residential comprehensive training programs that served 150 people. Clients come to bosma's rehabilitation center located in northwest indianapolis to learn how to live life as someone with vision loss. They learn skills like how to cook and clean, using text-to-speech software, navigating an environment safely with tools like a white cane. Bosma's center also serves as a clearing house for people to call to find out more information about available resources through bosma and other agencies. Last year, the team responded to nearly 1,700 requests.