Rehab specialist helps vision impaired remain independent

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  • Rehabilitation of the Blind Specialist Debra Mendez demonstrates how a handheld magnifier works. This products is one of many the department of rehabilitation services may use to equip their visually impaired clients. Leanna Cook/WDN
  • Pictured is a braille watch which allows the user to flip the top open and feel the time. Leanna Cook/WDN
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The Oklahoma Department of Rehabilitation Services is a state agency which helps those with disabilities get training, find employment and remain employed.

The agency has two divisions: Services for the Blind and Visually Impaired and Vocational Rehabilitation for those with disabilities which are not visual.

Debra Mendez works as the rehabilitation of the blind specialist at the Weatherford office. Her job is working with people who are blind and visually impaired providing adaptive equipment and training so they can remain independent in their workplace, home and community.

Mendez began working with DRS about 10 years ago after she and her husband sold their medical equipment business. Mendez started as a rehab technician who assisted the other specialists with case work.

During this time, she worked closely with Dennis Williams, a visually impaired man who served as the local blind rehab specialist.

“I didn’t even know that kind of job existed because I don’t have anyone in my family who is legally blind,” Mendez said. “I thought it was the neatest job.”

Mendez fell in love with the job, looked at the requirements and returned to schools. When Williams retired in 2019, she applied for the job.

“In our agency, we really know we help people and we have this feeling of pride because we are making a difference in people’s lives,” she said.

Mendez works closely with those who are considered legally blind with corrective lenses or have even worse eyesight. Legally blind is 20/200 vision, which means the person can see at 20 feet what most people can see at 200 feet.

For those who qualify, DRS will pay for clients to get training at a vocations school or college to meet their employment goals. The agency also will help them find a job and work with the employer to ensure the workplace is accessible.

She said the Americans with Disabilities Act does not directly say what employers need to do to make the workplace accessible, which can be overwhelming. Rehab specialists like Mendez will enter the workplace and assess the situation. She said sometimes solutions are as simple as buying a larger monitor or investing in text-to-speech software.

For someone in a wheelchair, it could mean raising the desk by putting blocks underneath. Employers also get tax breaks for hiring those with disabilities.

Mendez also intervenes for those who are in danger of losing employment due to their visual impairment. This is more common for those who develop a disease which affects their eyes. DRS also will train the client with the equipment.

Mendez also does in-home assessments, especially for older blind people who wish to remain independent. Clients will tell her what they can and cannot do or what they just need assistance with. Once she has an idea of their needs, Mendez can help her clients decide on equipment.

DRS offers a range of equipment to help those at different levels of blindness.

Closed Circuit Television magnifiers allow the user to blow-up pictures or text onto a large screen. The moveable tray makes it easy to read across the page. Hand-held electronic magnifiers allow the user to take pictures of what they are reading. Clients also can get a simpler lighted magnifier.

Mendez said talking watches are popular because they speak the date and time. They also come in a variety of styles. Braille watches also are an option. The glass on front opens, allowing the user to feel for the time. Another popular item is talking alarm clocks, which work similarly to the talking watch.

Colorinos scan items and tell the user what color it is. It also can distinguish between light and dark as well as color combinations such as bluegreen and gray-brown.

Bump dots come in various sizes and help clients identity certain settings or buttons on their microwave, remote, washing machine or other items.

Apps such as Seeing AI can read text, describe the landscape and even learn to identify certain people or objects.

Once the client has their equipment, Mendez will help train them and ensure they are able to get around comfortably.

“We don’t just drop it off at their house and say ‘here your go,’” Mendez said. “We actually teach them how to use it, make sure they are comfortable.”

Those who qualify for DRS assistance also can benefit from the Oklahoma Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped. The library will send recorded books and other publications to clients, with hours of listening material on a single device.

Clients can tell the service what type of material they want and can call to change their preferences at any time.

“I have a client who served in World War II,” Mendez said. “He can’t see anything and he can hardly walk. He sits there and listens to books about WWII, and when I go see him, he’ll point out when the books mention places where he served or fought.”

The library also offers the Oklahoma Telephone Reader Program. Volunteers record local newspapers, grocery ads and tips for daily living. Mendez said she works with the service and recently recorded instructions on how to make heart-shaped rice crispy treats.

During the beginning of the pandemic, Mendez said she did not see her clients unless absolutely necessary. However, with those who are unable to see well, most things are necessary.

“I would hand the items to them and do the training through their glass door,” she said. “We had to get really creative about how we provided our services. At first, we put things off when we could, but with visual services, everything is important.”

Now, Mendez is back to seeing most of her clients with precautions. She said those who still are uncomfortable seeing her have family able to help them out.

For more information about DRS, contact Mendez at (580) 816-4103 or dmendez@okdrs.com.