Overview of Orientation Center

The Adult Orientation and Adjustment Center is a residential pre-vocational training program located in downtown Des Moines. Here, blind and visually impaired men and women spend an average of six to nine months taking classes in Braille, computer, home and personal management, travel with the long white cane, industrial arts and a discussion group called the Business of Blindness. During this training, they develop self-confidence and a positive attitude about themselves and their blindness.

The skills and attitudinal training the Center provides to blind adults is unique. It is based upon the fact that the real problem of blindness is not the physical loss of eyesight but the misconceptions held about blindness by the general public and by many blind people themselves. With the appropriate training and the opportunity to put that training into practice, blind and visually impaired people can live independently and work competitively. This positive approach to blindness works.

Center students learn the skills and develop the self-confidence they need to come to realize that it's OK to be blind. As a result, they can enjoy the same opportunities as their sighted peers at work, at school, at home, and in their communities.

Listen to the "Dishwashing Tape" about the Department's positive philosophy on blindness.