Lighthouse for the Blind-Saint Louis Expands Low Vision Program for Children in the St. Louis Metro Area

ST. LOUIS, MO, September 24, 2012 (Press-News.org) The Lighthouse for the Blind-Saint Louis, a not-for-profit manufacturing and packaging organization with a dedicated social service mission, is expanding its Comprehensive Low Vision Project (CLVP) to serve children ages two to eight years old who are visually impaired in the St. Louis metro area.

The Lighthouse CLVP provides students who are visually impaired with clinical low vision evaluations, prescribed optical devices and training in the use of those devices. This Lighthouse CLVP, now being expanded to metro St. Louis, has traditionally hosted clinics in underserved areas in Missouri to assist children who might otherwise go without vision accessibility devices. Outside of St. Louis, the year-round Lighthouse CLVP serves children ages three to 21.

The Lighthouse CLVP clinics for children in St. Louis City and St. Louis County will take place at Delta Gamma Center for Children with Visual Impairments, 1750 S. Big Bend in Richmond Heights, Missouri 63117. CLVP program details are below. For more information contact Jennifer Coy, Program Director, at 573.579.4359 or e-mail jcoy@lhbindustries.com.

• Children will receive, at no cost to their families, a comprehensive low vision evaluation, a complete written report with recommendations for appropriate low vision devices, any devices prescribed and instruction in the use of those devices in the student's school, home or community until he or she is proficient in using the new devices. CLVP services do not take the place of regular visits to the student's primary eye care provider, such as an ophthalmologist or optometrist.

• Numerous CLVP clinics will be held during the 2012-2013 school year. Dates and times will be set in advance and published via the Lighthouse for the Blind website http://www.lhbindustries.com and via notifications sent thru list serves.

• Upon referral, the child's education team will be asked to provide current visual assessments as well as an updated eye report and any vision related IEP goals (if applicable). Students will then be scheduled for their clinical low vision evaluation. Family members, vision and/or Orientation and Mobility instructors may attend the session to better understand the proposed solutions and to subsequently assist in the best utilization of the solution.

John Thompson, president of the Lighthouse for the Blind-Saint Louis, said, "The Lighthouse Comprehensive Low Vision Project is one of many beneficial programs and services that we provide as part of our service mission. We plan to expand the CLVP in 2013, and we are very grateful to the Delta Gamma Center for Children with Visual Impairments for its involvement."

Also known as LHB Industries, Lighthouse for the Blind-Saint Louis is a non-profit entity that helps adults and children who are visually impaired maintain dignity and independence by offering Employment, Education and Support Services. The Lighthouse currently employs more than 70 people who are legally blind at its plants in the cities of Berkeley and Overland in St. Louis County.

The Lighthouse and its employees manufacture, assemble, warehouse and sell high-quality products to government and business customers nationwide including first aid kits, medical kits, catheters, aerosol and liquid paints, aerosol and liquid cleaning products, eco-friendly products and many others.

All sales revenues directly support Lighthouse Blind Community Enrichment programs including Professional Career Development; Special Technology and Adaptive Resources for Students (STARS); Summer Transition and Employment Program (STEP); Continuing Education; Arts & Entertainment Accessibility; Low Vision Aid; and many others available for individuals who are legally blind and visually impaired in Missouri and Southwestern Illinois.

For information, contact Brittney Smithers, Marketing & Sales Specialist, at toll-free 800.542.3697, or 314.423.4333, or visit the website http://www.lhbindustries.com. Media contact: Jeff Dunlap at 314.993.6925.

PowerlinePR is a full-service public relations firm.