This training restores the previous and assists in acquiring new day-to-day skills in conditions of severely impaired or lacking vision.
The aim of the training is to overcome mental barriers, to restore previous skills and to acquire new ones, helping to cope with altered living conditions in conditions of impaired or lacking vision. Acquired specific practical skills facilitate activities from the everyday life of visually impaired people. The topics included in it are optional. Training in the basic cognitive skills is intended for clients who have lost sight in early childhood or are blind by birth, who must form adequate ideas about the objects of the surrounding reality, acquainting themselves with models of objects from different spheres of life. Diagnosing the level of different types of daily living skills is done through check-lists, interviews, observations and practical research. The lessons are conducted individually. Group lessons take place when some topics require forming of positive motivation. Basic methods in group classes are discussion, interviewing and counseling.
By acquiring these skills, visually impaired people manage to cope with their everyday needs. The daily living skills include the following groups:
Basic cognitive skills: Acquisition, formation of concepts about objects, measures, environment, quantities, shapes, directions (left, right, up, down, forward, back, above, below, etc), figures, different types of fabrics, complex objects and handwritten signature.
Every day skills: Cleaning, laundry, clothes care, personal hygiene, eating, shopping (banknote and coin recognition) and other things needed in everyday life. Provide up-to-date information on appropriate support tools. Training for the proper use and maintenance of these aids.
Social skills: Understanding institutions and organizations working for the benefit of visually impaired people. Acquiring communication skills, removal of mannerrisms (uncontrollable movements), orientation of the body towards the sound, acquiring habits for attitude towards others.
