Suggestions

Permission for Use

Low Vision Assessment and Rehabilitation

Residential Vocational Training

Dr. Cole's considerable visual and vocational rehabilitation requirements suggested that a period of full-time residential training was appropriate. This was contracted by Missouri Rehabilitation Services for the Blind (RSB) to:

Alphapointe Center for Blindness and Low Vision
2801 Wyandotte, 3rd Floor
Kansas City, MO 64108

Dr. Cole attended full-time residential training on four alternate weeks in the spring of 1999, with the goal of comprehensive personal vocational adjustment in the following areas:

activities of daily living,
braille,
communications,
computers,
orientation and mobility,
vocational skills,
counseling, and
diabetic management.

Each consumer at Alphapointe is assigned to a team of vision rehabilitation specialists under the direction of a case manager who devises a coordinated and integrated program to accomplish the goals specified in an individual case plan. Weekly team meetings are held with the visually impaired consumer in attendance. Progress is discussed and program plans are reviewed. Direct lines of communication are maintained between Alphapointe Center staff, the state sponsoring agency (RSB), the person served, and the family.

Vocational Assessment

Several psychometric assessments were made, including the Myers Briggs and the Holland Self-Directed-Search. The results suggested that Dr. Cole's vocation was suitable, and that his reflective personality type was structured and geared to problem solving, useful faculties in the rehabilitation process. The purpose of the Alphapointe vocational examination is to evaluate current skills related to the individual's vocational interest area.

His major vocational difficulty was related to patient data and billing data access, and difficulties with accessing his computer business functions.