Blind man visiting the park

iKan-RCIL

Map showing the 32 counties served by iKan-RCIL.

Effective July 1, 2024 RCIL is no longer a provider for the Older Blind Program. Consumers seeking blind and low-vision services are encouraged to call RCIL to learn about their options. The program provided orientation and mobility as well as independent living skills training for individuals who are blind or have low vision and are 55 years of age or older in 32 counties throughout eastern Kansas. RCIL served the following counties: Allen, Anderson, Bourbon, Brown, Chase, Chautauqua, Cherokee, Clay, Coffey, Crawford, Dickinson, Doniphan, Elk, Geary, Greenwood, Jackson, Labette, Lyon, Marion, Marshall, Montgomery, Morris, Nemaha, Neosho, Osage, Pottawatomie, Riley, Shawnee, Wabaunsee, Washington, Wilson, and Woodson

Orientation and Mobility

A large part of services for individuals who are blind or visually impaired is orientation and mobility training (O&M), which helps a blind or visually impaired person know where they are in space and where they want to go (orientation). It also helps the person be able to carry out a plan to get there safely and efficiently (mobility). This service is usually provided by a certified O&M Specialist who can provide a variety of O&M services.

The O&M program may focus on areas of training such as:

  • Sensory Awareness – Gaining information about the world through hearing, smell, and touch.
  • Spatial Concepts – Realizing that objects exist even if they are not hear or felt, and understanding the relationships that exist between objects and the environment.
  • Searching Skills – Locating items or places efficiently.
  • Independent Movement – Crawling, rolling, walking, etc.
  • Sighted Guide – Using another person to aid in travel.
  • Protective Techniques – Specific skills that provide added protection in unfamiliar areas.
  • Cane Skills – Use of carious cane techniques to clear one’s path or to locate objects along the ay.

Independent Living Skills

RCIL Independent Living Specialists (ILS) have received some basic training on providing our five core services of advocacy, independent skills training, deinstitutionalization, information and referral and peer counseling, specifically focused on blindness and low vision, to individuals who are blind or visually impaired.

For more information contact the Osage City office.

As a continued resource for consumer, the iKan Manual remains available below to assist with teaching skills to those with vision loss

iKan-Manual-2019Download