CLARINDA—The Iowa Department for the Blind (IDB) will collaborate with accessible technology vendors and local service providers at an event designed to reach out to Iowans who are experiencing vision loss and blindness. The Clarinda Vision Loss Resource Fair will be held on Thursday, September 22 from Noon until 2:00 p.m. at the Lied Public Library, 100 East Garfield St., in Clarinda.

Area residents will have the opportunity to learn how to perform tasks that have become frustrating or challenging because of vision loss and about the many ways the visually impaired maintain their independence. Attendees will also be able to ask questions of IDB staff and other service providers and see demonstrations of assistive technology devices in a friendly, low-pressure environment.

Information and items on display will include:

• Vocational rehabilitation services for retaining or seeking employment
• Tips on how to complete everyday tasks non-visually
• IDB’s Library service that provide large print, braille, and audio reading books by mail
• Resources to assist students with completing schoolwork
• Free newspaper reading services
• Computer screen readers, CCTV’s, and text-to-speech technology
• Aids and devices for everyday activities – talking clocks, magnifiers, and more.

The resource fair is part of an ongoing effort by the Iowa Department for the Blind to meet with Iowans in their communities to inform them and their families about the variety of services available. Officials say it’ss an excellent opportunity to learn about options and alternate techniques for performing everyday tasks that may not be immediately obvious when dealing with vision loss.

Demonstrations of devices and simple aids that can assist with those tasks, information about local transportation services, representatives from area service providers are just some of the exhibits that will be featured. The vision loss resource fair is not only for those persons experiencing vision loss. Family members, friends, service providers, and any interested area residents are encouraged to attend, too. The event is free and open to the public.

For more information about this event or the Iowa Department for the Blind, contact Rick Dressler, (515) 281-1314, rick.dressler@blind.state.ia.us.