BLIND, Incorporated - Blind Wounded Warriors and Veterans Program

Blind Wounded Warriors and Veterans Program

For more than 20 years, BLIND, Incorporated has offered comprehensive adjustment-to-blindness training that empowers people who lose their sight to build the skills and confidence they need to live full and meaningful lives. However, service members who become blind in the course of duty or seek rehabilitation services through the VA system, have not had the option of choosing our proactive, wellness based model of training. Members of our armed forces are regarded as the most effective fighting force in the world today. They are well trained, well equipped, and thoroughly supported by the citizens of our country. However, blinded veterans have been limited to rehabilitation options that do not meet this level of quality. While the onset of blindness may be (especially for wounded warriors who lose their sight in combat) sudden, traumatic, and devastating, it doesn't need to be the end of a person's active life, usefulness, or aspirations.

At BLIND, we know that the people who volunteer to serve our country in the armed forces are highly motivated, self-directed, and mentally tough. The training they receive in the military enhances these characteristics. Because of this, blinded veterans are generally well-suited for adjustment to blindness training programs that have high expectations for their students and encourage the pursuit of excellence. This is why we have partnered with our sister-centers in Colorado and Louisiana, the the Professional Development and Research Institute on Blindness (PDRIB), and Blind Leaders Today to create a The Blinded Veterans and Wounded Warriors Pilot Training, Rehabilitation, and Research Program under a contract with the Department of Defense. This pilot program will enable us to enhance our existing adult comprehensive program to make it an even better fit for blinded veterans. We are creating new curricula and program modules, augmenting current curricula, and developing ways of informing veterans about their training options and possibilities for a full and active civilian life.

For more information about this program, contact Charlene Guggisberg, Blinded Veterans and Wounded Warriors Program Coordinator at 612-872-0100 extension 251 or follow this link to view our program brochure in PDF format.

This material is based upon work supported by the U.S. Army RDECOM Contracting Center, Natick Contracting Division, Natick, MA, under Contract No. W911QY-09-C-0123. Any opinions, findings and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the U.S. Army RDECOM Contracting Center, Natick Contracting Division, Natick, MA.

Home · Programs · Capital Campaign · Employment Emphasis · Audio Brochure
What's Happening · Staff, Students, & Alumni · The Twin Cities Area · Contact Us · Make a Donation