About Our Program
NEWS Posted 09/02/2014 – Project Native Americans Teaming in Visual Empowerment (NATIVE) completed the final workshop series for low vision Native Americans. During the three-year program (2012-2014), Project NATIVE held demonstrations and training on low vision devices for more than 200 participants in northeastern Oklahoma.
A support group meeting (picnic) for participants and partners will take place on Thursday, September 4, 2014 in Tahlequah. Call us at (918) 456-5581 for details.
We thank all our program participants, partners and staff for their input, good humor and support of Project NATIVE!
We encourage organizations and tribes interested in providing low vision services to contact us for training, program development, curriculum, and presentations. American Indian Resource Center consultants can be reached at (918) 456-5581.
ABOUT OUR PROGRAM
Project NATIVE (Native Americans Teaming in Visual Empowerment) serves Native Americans with low vision.
The program is working with low-vision Native Americans with a wide variety of levels of vision. The program is free and offered to individuals 18 and older. View our videos below for a quick program overview.
Participants are required to attend three workshops that provide a variety of opportunities to help low-vision individuals live independently, including:
- Life Skills – safety issues around the home safely cooking and organizing medications
- Orientation and Mobility – moving safely and efficiently around the home and in unfamiliar environments
- Self-advocacy – knowing when, how and where to get assistance, standing up for one’s self, legal issues, groups
- Assistive Reading, Low Vision Aids – utilizing the latest visual aids to watch TV, read, sew, books on tape
- Recreation – visual aids to continue to play cards or dice or make arts and crafts
Participants discuss vision aids in the Orientation and Mobility session.
Each workshop is presented by a professional trainer and assisted by a Native American Visual Outreach Workers (VOWs, see photo below).
Project NATIVE is funded by the Administration for Native Americans program, a division of the Administration for Children and Families, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
2014 Workshop Calendar
- Jay, OK (January 17, 18, 25 and February 1)
- Okmulgee, OK (March 21, 22, 29 and April 5)
- Muskogee, OK (June 7, 21 and 28)
- Call 918.456.5581 for eligibility information and an application.
Project NATIVE Downloads and Videos
Downloads
Application
Brochure
2013 Annual Report
PowerPoint Presentation
NE Oklahoma Resource List
Low Vision Fact Sheets
Chamber of Commerce Insert (First in a Series)
Chamber of Commerce Insert (Second in a Series)
Chamber of Commerce Insert (Third in a Series)
Chamber of Commerce Insert (Fourth in a Series)
Videos
Every Seven Minutes Someone Loses Their Eyesight (15 second PSA)
Low Vision Programs for Native Americans (30 second PSA)
KTUL-TV Good Morning Oklahoma
Resources for Low Vision Devices
LS&S Products for the visually impaired and hard of hearing
Nanopac, Inc.
Mattingly Low Vision
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- Dr. Young and Sammye Rusco displayed Project NATIVE activities at ANA’s annual grantee conference on June 16, 2014.
Vision Outreach Workers staff low vision workshops and deliver low vision devices to program participants.