General Information
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs: Central Blind Rehabilitation Center
Edward Hines, Jr. VA Hospital
Hines,
IL 60141
(708) 202 2272
https://www.hines.va.gov/services/blindrehab.asp
Staff
James Doelling, Director, james.doelling@med.va.gov, 708 202 2112
Services Offered
- Professional Training
- Intern site for graduate students in rehabilitation teaching and orientation and mobility.
- Daily Living Skills/Independent Living Skills Training
- Provides a CARF Accredited* comprehensive multidisciplinary inpatient blind rehabilitation training program for legally blind veterans from 18-98 years of age. Program services include training in orientation and mobility, activities of daily living/communications and assistive technology/computer training. Related services include employment/job training through pre-vocational counseling and testing, personal counseling by a psychologist or social worker to assist with the emotional adjustment to sight loss, a full adaptive recreation program, and an optional family training program for primary care givers and significant others’ support on return home. *Commission for Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF) since 2003
- Low Vision Services
- Low Vision evaluations for veterans with significant vision loss are available through an Outpatient Clinic. Specialty lenses or devices can be prescribed along with basic training for optimal use of these items through these services.