Fort Worth, Texas (February 2020) – Exciting changes are coming this summer to Lighthouse for the Blind of Fort Worth, putting them on the map for people who are blind or sight impaired across North Texas. Lighthouse was recently awarded a contract by the State of Texas to be a provider for Assistive Technology Evaluations. This will be the 4th Assistive Technology Evaluation Center (A.T.E.C.) in the state and the first in North Texas. The center is designed to specifically give Texans who are blind or visually impaired the ability to learn what types and brands of technology will best benefit and aid in helping them return to college, obtain, retain or advance their employment. “Instead of folks having to make arrangements for an overnight trip to South Texas, they will now be able to visit our center – saving both time and money. We are thrilled to have this addition and will continue to provide exceptional training to our community” – Platt L. Allen, III.
Lighthouse is expecting the center to open early summer 2020 and will be performing numerous Assistive Technology Evaluations, by trained A.T. professionals. These evaluations will be useful for individuals who are blind or sight impaired in knowing what types of adaptive equipment will be most helpful to them. Lighthouse plans to provide evaluations on several categories including: video magnifiers, screen magnification software, braille notetakers, refreshable braille displays and other state-of-the-art equipment.
“Technology opens up a whole new world for sight impaired individuals and everyone at Lighthouse is ready to be a part of empowering people to reach for and obtain their goals.” – Leslie Ware, Head of Client Services. For more information on the Assistive Technology Evaluation Center at Lighthouse for the Blind of Fort Worth, contact Client Services at (817) 332-3341.
The contract was awarded by the Texas Workforce Commission, Vocational Rehabilitation Program in November 2019.
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Since 1935, Lighthouse for the Blind of Fort Worth has made a life-changing difference in the lives of individuals who are significantly visually impaired by providing skills enhancement, training and employment that empowers them to achieve their highest level of personal, economic self-sufficiency. In addition to Client Services, Lighthouse’s Industrial Division employs individuals who are legally blind to manufacture and package products such as fast pack shipping containers, spiral wound shipping tubes, drug testing devices, targets, optical lenses, and copy paper. Products are available for sale to commercial businesses as well as to local, state and federal government agencies. For more information about Lighthouse for the Blind of Fort Worth or to take a tour of the 80,000 square foot facility located at 912 W. Broadway Ave, contact the Community Development department at 817-332-3341.
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The mission of the Lighthouse for the Blind of Fort Worth is to encourage and empower blind and significantly visually impaired children, youth, adults and seniors to achieve their highest level of independence through competitive employment, specialized training and client services.