Welcome to LINC Inc’s

Living Well with Vision Loss

As we age, many may experience deteriorating vision. This can be a truly frustrating and traumatic experience. You are not alone. LINC, Inc’s Living Well with Vision Loss program is designed to assist so you can still experience a rich, fully active life.

The Living Well with Vision Loss program is designed to help those 55 or older who are experiencing vision loss. There is no income limit or vocational goal required. This program offers FREE assessment, training, and assistive devices to those who are experiencing vision loss.

The Living Well with Vision Loss staff has a wealth of resources and knowledge about the types of assistive devices that will be helpful based on each consumer’s individual needs and wants. We are constantly looking for new resources to help our Blind/ Low Vision community to obtain the best services available. If this is something that you or a loved one could use, feel free to call us to set up an appointment today!

How do you qualify?

* Experience Vision Loss
* Age 55 or older
* Live in: St. Clair, Randolph, or Monroe County in Illinois

LINC does not provide specialized medical services. If you wish to see an Eye Doctor, we can provide resources in your area.

For those who are under age 55

If you are under age 55, there are also other services you can benefit from. Even though our funding does not provide assistance technology for those who are under 55, we can still offer a wide range of resources and services that can be helpful. You may also want to look into contacting the Department of Rehabilitation Services (DRS) to learn about how they can help you with your employment related goals. Once you are out of High School, you can sign up for this program and they can also help you with Independent skills. (Do they help with IL skills??) Please call: (618) 235-5302 and ask for Patrick Rhein or Marc Joplin for more information.

About the Staff

Daniel Hawkins

Jane Rieso.

New Seekers Information Group

Everyone with a Vision Loss is welcome to come to our monthly group for information and socialization. Drivers are welcome too! Here in this group, you will meet others who have the same struggles as you do, and you get to make friends as we all learn how to be independent and do the things we love. We have everything from show and tell, book club, topic of the month and even a movie night. Feel free to come, no reservations are required.

When: 2nd Thursday every Month.
(Currently by zoom due to the pandemic)
Time: 1:00p.m. to 3:00p.m.
Where: LINC Inc. Swansea Office
15 Emerald Terrace
Swansea, IL 62226
Call (618) 235-9988 for questions.
Free conference line if you are unable to attend:

Social Hour

Since we had so much fun with our New Seekers meeting, we have opened a Zoom room conference line to have a Social Hour every week at the same time as the above new Seekers meeting. This is where anyone can come in and just chat and meet others. You can ask questions, or learn new things. Everyone is welcome. Call (618) 235-9988 to get the details on how to connect.

When: Every Thursday (except 2nd Thursday)
Time: 1:00p.m. to 3:00p.m.
(This meeting is currently being held via zoom)
Call (618) 235-9988 for questions.

Talking Apple

Do you have an i-Phone, or i-Pad? Did you know that these Apple products have a wide range of accessibility features for those with vision loss? Come to our Talking Apple class to learn everything from magnification to using Voice Over to navigate your Apple product like a pro!

Do you have an Apple Device? Regardless if it is a phone or tablet? These devices have accessibility options that can help those with vision loss. We can teach you everything from magnification to using talk back.

When: Every other Thursday
Time: 10:00a.m. to 12:00p.m.
(This meeting is currently being held via zoom)
Call (618) 235-9988 for questions.

Droid Speak

Do you have an Android device? Regardless if it is a phone or tablet? These devices have accessibility options that can help those with vision loss. We can teach you everything from magnification to using talk back.

When: Every other Thursday.
Time: 10:00a.m. to 12:00p.m.
Where: LINC Inc. Swansea Office
15 Emerald Terrance
Swansea, IL 62226
Call (618) 235-9988 for questions.

Join our Facebook group

We have a great Facebook group that you are welcome to join. Receive weekly news, updates and get your questions answered. Meet great people too! Click on the following link to join, Living Well with Vision Loss Facebook group

Vision Loss resources

Here you will find a large list of various resources for anything related to Vision Loss.
Minds Eye radio – A local 24/7 reading service for the Blind radio Station that a blind person can get for free. They also do Audio described shows and Plays in the area.
Illinois Department of rehab Blind and Low Vision Services– If you have a disability, you can apply at this office to help you to be more competitive in the workforce and get training to reach your goals.
IMPACT Low Vision Service – Similar to our service we do here, in Madison IMPACT is our sister angen that offers the same great service.

Local resources

Minds Eye radio – A local 24/7 reading Service for the Blind radio Station that a Blind person can get for free. They also do Audio described shows and Plays in the area.

https://mindseyeradio.org/

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Arts & Culture Accessibility Cooperative / Minds Eye’s Arts and Culture Accessibility Cooperative (ACAC) believes that public spaces should be inclusive, regardless of ability. Art is for everyone. Culture is meant to be shared.

Our ACAC provides a space for museums, theaters, circuses, and more to learn how to make sure everyone can access their offerings.

https://mindseyeradio.org/programs/arts-culture-accessibility-cooperative/

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Illinois Department of rehab Blind and Low Vision Services– If you have a disability, you can apply at this office to help you to be more competitive in the workforce and get training to reach your goals.

https://www.dhs.state.il.us/page.aspx?item=29974

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IMPACT Low Vision Service – Similar to our service we do here, in Madison IMPACT is our sister agency that offers the same great service.

https://impactcil.org/

St. Louis Society for the Blind / For Missouri residents to go to for resources for Eyesight loss and Low Vision needs.

Can be found here.

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St. Louis Lighthouse for the Blind / For Missouri residents to get resources and services for the Blind.

https://lhbindustries.com/

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Illinois Statewide resources

Illinois Braille and talking Book Library / This is a good free Library that Blind audio book listeners can get a player and books delivered to their door. They even have an option to download books online too. Visit this link to learn more.

Can be found here.

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Illinois National Federation for the Blind / Statewide Blind support group that advocates for the Blind

https://nfb.org/about-us/state-affiliates/illinois

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Illinois Council for the Blind / Statewide Blind support group under the American Council for the Blind. With many resources.

https://acb.org/affiliate-illinois

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Nationwide resources

National Federation for the Blind / Nationwide group for the Blind on resources and Advocacy.

https://nfb.org/

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American Council for the Blind / Nationwide group for the Blind with resources and Advocacy.

https://acb.org/