Mailing Address:
ATTENTION: JOANNE SCHEHL
OFFICE FOR THE BLIND AND VISUALLY IMPAIRED
WISCONSIN DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND
1 W WILSON STREET
MADISON, WI 53703

Telephone Numbers and Contact information
Phone #:(715) 479-1362 Joanne Schehl
Phone #:(888) 879-0017 OBVI Main Office
Phone #:
Phone #:
Phone #:
Fax Number:(715) 479-1362

Web Page:  www.dhfs.wi.gov/blind
E-mail to:   jschehl@verizon.net

Program Details:
Operating Agency: Wisconsin Dept of Health and Family Services (Governmental)
Person In Charge: Rehabilitation Specialist:Joanne Schehl
Hours: Monday-Friday; 8:00-4:30 pm
Eligibility: Blind or have a friend or family member who is blind.
Fees: None.
Intake Process: Call for more information.
Service Area: Wisconsin.

Program/Service Notes:
Services of the Office for the Blind & Visually Impaired
To meet these specific objectives, OBVI provides instruction and training to persons with blindness and visual impairment, both in group settings and in individuals' homes. Instruction covers four broad skill areas, including home and personal management tasks, communications, and mobility.

Home management tasks include such skills as cooking; making appliances functional; adaptive techniques for cleaning; and safe placement of furnishings to facilitate mobility in the home.

Personal management tasks include personal hygiene and clothing care, including techniques for organizing clothing and marking colors.

Communication skills range from the use of magnification, lighting, and talking books for reading; the writing of personal checks; keeping a ledger; and use of equipment such as large-button telephones.

Mobility skills include the safe experience of moving from one place to another either traveling indoors or outside of the home.

When a referral is made to OBVI, the first contact usually is by phone. After a brief conversation to assess the caller's situation, an appointment is made either for a home visit or for participation in an upcoming group training session. A caller who is referred to OBVI may have to wait 1-3 weeks before being seen. Callers should be prepared to describe the difficulties they are experiencing due to vision loss, as well as the formal diagnosis of their condition. It is always best if the caller has seen an eye care specialist within the last year, and shares the specialist's report with OBVI.

Visit website for additional programs and information.

This information was last updated on 05/20/2008

This information is provided as is with no guarantee as to the accuracy of the information. Information is considered to be accurate as of the date of the last update, printed above. Family Resource Connection  may not be held liable for misuse of this information.