Orientation and Mobility

iKan-RCIL Services

By Mandy Smith | October 15, 2021

Yesterday was World Sight Day and today is White Cane Day. I feel like with both of those days this week, its a perfect time to remind everyone of RCIL’s services for those with vison loss including blindness. RCIL provides a service that we call iKan-RCIL. This service is for anyone 55 years and older…

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Low vision events coming up

By Mandy Smith | March 4, 2020

RCIL’s Mandy Smith will be hosting the following events: Low vision fair April 7th at the Parsons Public Library from 1:00-3:00pm Low vision independent living classes April 23rd and 30th at the Riley County Senior Center in Manhattan from 1:00pm-3:00pm Low vision fair May 13th at the Marion Senior Center from 12:15pm-2:15pm Please look for more…

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Older Blind Program: iKan-RCIL

By Mandy Smith | March 13, 2019

As I get ready to get in the car for today’s appointments, I thought I would take this rainy morning to remind everyone of iKan-RCIL.  iKan-RCIL is a program for those who are 55 years and older and have a vision loss caused by such conditions as Glaucoma, Age-Related Macular Degeneration, Diabetic Retinopathy, and many…

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iKan-RCIL Presentation in Chase County

By Mandy Smith | April 15, 2014

Mandy Smith, Certified Orientation and Mobility Specialist, will be presenting at the Chase County Health Department on May 1st.  The presentation will begin at 1:00pm and last approximately an hour.  Mandy will be explaining what the iKan-RCIL program does and the services it provides along with showing pieces of assistive technology.  Anyone who has a vision…

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Going Places

By Mandy Smith | October 30, 2013

I read a story by Dr. Chris Kuell this week and I pulled this quote from it… “My cane does announce to the world that I’m blind, but I’m okay with that. It only symbolizes inferiority in the hands of those who don’t have the skills and confidence to use it properly. When I’m walking…

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iKan-RCIL Older Blind Project

By Mandy Smith | April 23, 2013

RCIL was awarded part of the grant from Kansas Rehabilitation and Services (KRS) to serve individuals who are 55 years and older and are blind or have low vision.  RCIL has been serving this population since August of 2010 with the PILR/RCIL/SKIL consortium that was also funded by a grant from KRS.  This time, however,…

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AT Expo 2012 – Wichita

By Mandy Smith | September 27, 2012

RCIL is hosting a booth at the Assistive Technology Expo this year in Wichita. I am “manning” the booth to share with the participants my newly offered service, orientation and mobility.  I have spoken to approximately 30 participants this far and explained some of the services RCIL has to offer. Remember, assistive technology does  not…

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From start to finish! Pictures of Mandy achieving her COMS

By Mandy Smith | September 6, 2012

I thought what better way to celebrate achieving my orientation and mobility certification than to look at pictures over the last two years.   (Click on each picture for a more detailed description.)  A lot has changed in the last two years and I’m thankful for it all.  I’d like to thank all of my iKan…

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First week of Cane class

By Mandy Smith | June 3, 2011

  As I’ve said before I am studying to become an Orientation and Mobility Specialist.  This requires nine 3 hour courses through Texas Tech Univeristy (where I’m at right now) and two of those classes are white cane technique classes. My first class started on June 1st and we didn’t touch the canes much at…

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That’s my job

By Mandy Smith | April 6, 2011

I met with someone who was recently diagnosed with the eye condition, Age-Related Macular Degeneration.  I asked her if it was the wet or dry type.  She responded, “I don’t know.”  I explained to her that with wet macular degeneration, the macula on the back wall of your eye swells up and causes your acute,…

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I’m becoming an O & M Specialist – What is that?

By Mandy Smith | November 17, 2010

This blog was written by Mandy Smith, an RCIL Staff member, who recently became an O&M Specialist.  She has been working with RCIL since June 2009. In August of this year, I applied for a new position at RCIL.  When I found out I had the position, I was so excited I went and told…

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