Support Group for People with Visual Impairments Plans One-Year Anniversary Celebration Sept 16 at Claremore Community Center

CLAREMORE, Okla. − The Claremore Support Group for People with Visual Impairments will celebrate the organization’s one-year anniversary beginning at 10 a.m. on Wed., Sept. 16, at the Claremore Community Center, 2301 N. Sioux.

Charley Tipps, a rehabilitation vocational teacher for Visual Services who moonlights as a honky-tonk piano player and gospel singer, will entertain. Door prizes, a “Name That Tune” game and free lunch are also planned. There is no charge to attend.

Visual Services, which is a division of the Oklahoma Department of Rehabilitation Services (DRS), sponsors monthly meetings, which are regularly held on the third Wednesday at the same time and location.

Families, those who work with people who have vision impairments and guest speakers who made presentations to the support group during the past year are also invited to attend.

“One of the great things about this support group, is that it mixes education with fun,” Charley Tipps, who is blind himself, said. “As a result, our crowd just keeps growing each month.

“We have had educational presentations on adaptive low vision technology, adaptive cooking and kitchen techniques for people who are blind, personal care skills training, and orientation and mobility. We have also had fun and games, music and laughter.

“But, the most valuable thing, at least, according to the legally blind folks that attend, is the fellowship with people who all are also visually impaired or blind,” according to Tipps. “Discovering that you are not alone is invaluable and therapeutic."

Visual Services provides vocational rehabilitation, employment assistance and services that enable Oklahomans with vision loss to regain or maintain maximum independence and self-sufficiency. The division also operates the Oklahoma Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped, which provides free audio books to individuals who are not able to use standard print.

For more information about the Bartlesville Support Group for the Visually Impaired or Visual Services programs, contact Charley Tipps or rehabilitation technician Melissa Partee at 918-551-4900.

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