Great Falls to Host Annual Orientation Program for Sight Impaired

There are certain instances where my internet browsing of various websites and through social media suddenly collide with something that I probably never would have known existed within our city.  And it works out wonderfully.

via GIPHY

In some instances, they are big things, like a Comic-Con coming to our state, or special gatherings for honoring service members.  But they also can be smaller things that make a big impact in the city, and an even bigger difference for those that come to Great Falls for them.

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Great Falls to Host Annual Orientation Program for Sight Impaired

Great Falls, Montana is home to the Montana School for the Deaf and Blind, an incredible school preparing hearing and sight impaired students for life beyond academics.  But what about adults that may experience sight impairment later in life?

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The Montana Association for the Blind (MAB) holds an annual Summer Orientation Program (SOP) that is aimed at doing just that for adults.  The MAB program is a "one-of-a-kind opportunity in the state for adults who have recently lost or are losing their sight to get concentrated training in independent living skills".

Vision Impaired Adults from Across Montana Invited to Annual SOP in Great Falls

The SOP event will be held in Great Falls beginning on June 15, 2026, with graduation day of the program to be held on July 10, 2026.  Skills that are taught during the month-long program include:

• Safe travel in-home and community
• Use of adaptive equipment for home and work
• Alternative methods of writing including Braille and writing guides
• Computer programs for the blind and visually impaired
• Methods of marking appliances and equipment
• Use of assistive technology
• Adaptive recreation
• Essential Apps for the Blind

The Summer Orientation Program with MAB will be held at the Ursaline Center in Great Falls, where the organization "rent(s) facilities for participants and staff to live and take classes. The MAB pays for the costs of room, board, and tuition for participants."  To learn more about the program, visit their website here.