Urban and rural initiatives to reach Latino seniors with low vision

The Braille Institute Latino Initiative fills a critical gap in the healthcare system of prevention and management of chronic eye diseases by providing visually impaired Latino seniors in urban and rural areas with vision rehabilitation services. Braille Institute collaborates with nontraditional partners to increase awareness regarding the vision care continuum. It is anticipated that this initiative will influence the existing network of providers that work with Latino seniors who have chronic diseases by providing a rehabilitative service that has been missing in the vision care continuum; and increasing the awareness of professionals regarding the importance of rehabilitation for blindness related eye disease in Latino communities in the counties of LA, Riverside, Santa Barbara, Orange and San Diego. For Latino seniors, these initiatives break down the barriers of isolation and hopelessness and limited participation in family and community life due to the lack of adjustment skills necessary to cope with sight loss. An urban and rural initiative example will be presented where a promoter/a model is used. Promotores are community members who are well established and trusted in their communities who bridge the cultural gap in order to provide vision and rehabilitation education to Latino seniors. A certified Low Vision Educator program will be discussed to show how new approaches to training opportunities can be developed that work for grass roots leaders in Latino communities.