Our programs are divided into two areas: education and training and community-based activities. Together these programs are designed to help you live a full and successful life as you adjust to changes in your vision.
Educational Programs
January through March 2025
iPhone and iPad Instruction
We offer remote iPhone instruction in small groups, covering six levels of skills from beginner to advanced. You’ll learn essential skills like using VoiceOver and gestures to navigate your phone. Classes meet twice a week on Mondays/Thursdays, Tuesdays/Thursdays, or Tuesdays/Fridays. Before starting, you’ll have a brief evaluation to determine the right class for your current skill level. We also offer refresher courses if you’d like to brush up on specific skills. Feel free to discuss your skill level and goals with the instructor.
We’ve started offering remote iPad instruction! You can choose to learn the basics, which might be all you need for personal use, or you can progress through six levels of training to gain more in-depth knowledge and skills to use your iPad in your daily life.
iOS VoiceOver Accessible App Workshop Series
All interested VisionLink participants are welcome to attend. No iPhone experience necessary. To participate, contact us and receive the Zoom Meeting information to join any of the App Workshops on their scheduled day and time. Note: upon request, participants can receive a phone call from the instructor to join the workshops.
January 7th, 2025 thru February 13th, 2025
- Using iOS AI with SIRI: Tuesdays at 10:00 a.m. Remote
Explore the iOS AI SIRI functions and learn how this tool can simplify some of your everyday tasks. Note: this workshop’s topic is subject to change if Apple does not release iOS AI by the start of this workshop. - Participant’s choice! App Q&A: Wednesdays at 10:00 a.m. In Person and Remote
Want to learn about different apps? Looking for a quick app overview? Have iPhone app questions? Then, this workshop is for you! Reply to this email with your app overview request. - WhatsApp: Thursdays at 10:00 a.m. Remote
WhatsApp is a free, multiplatform messaging app that lets you make video calls, voice calls, and send text messages anywhere in the world with just a Wi-Fi connection.
Please Note: There will be a student app workshop break on January 28th, 29th, and 30th. All App Workshop classes will resume the following week. This break is only for the iPhone App workshops. All other Vision Link activities will continue as scheduled.
February 25th thru April 3rd, 2025
- Alexa: Tuesdays at 10:00 a.m. Remote
Alexa is a virtual personal assistant designed to listen to your voice commands and respond with contextual responses. Although it is an app on your phone, it lives inside the company’s Echo smart speaker, among other devices, and offers users the ability to dictate commands to the assistant to control products throughout their home, listen to music and more. - Participant’s choice! App Q&A: Wednesdays at 10:00 a.m. In Person and Remote
Want to learn about different apps? Looking for a quick app overview? Have iPhone app questions? Then, this workshop is for you! Reply to this email with your app overview request. - Uber/Lyft: Thursdays at 10:00 a.m. Remote
Schedule a ride anytime, to anywhere and for any reason you desire!
iPhone: Advanced App Workshops
Vision Link’s next round of iPhone Advanced App Workshops will begin on Monday, January 6th 2025 and will run through Monday, March 31st, 2025. These remote learning workshops will be held on Mondays & Fridays for 1.5 hour per day.
All interested Vision Link participants are welcome to attend. Intermediate iPhone experience is recommended. Read on to explore the workshop schedule.
- Amazon Alexa App: Amazon’s cloud-based voice service available on more than 100 million devices from Amazon. In this workshop series we will learn how to navigate the app, how to set up voice shopping for items on Amazon, how to set up your contacts and/or calendar, and much more!
Monday January 6, 3:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Friday January 10, 10:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Monday January 13, 3:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Friday January 17, 10:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Friday January 24, 10:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Monday January 27, 3:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. - Updates: iPhones periodically have updates for both the operating system and the apps that can enhance the security of your device, including access to the most recent features. Updates can also provide patches for bugs and avoid incompatibility with apps and other iDevices, in addition to improving performance.
Friday January 31, 10:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Monday February 3, 3:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Friday February 7, 10:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. - Security, Privacy, and Information: Our technology has advanced so fast and so rapidly that it is hard to know how to keep our iPhones and the personal information that you put on your iPhone safe and secure.
Monday February 10, 3:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Friday February 14, 10:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Monday February 17, 3:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Friday February 21, 10:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Monday February 24, 3:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Friday February 28, 10:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. - Storage Solutions: iCloud, Google Drive, One Drive, and DropBox are remote storage solutions that securely back up your photos, files, notes, passwords, and other data in the cloud and keep it up to date across all your devices automatically.
Monday March 3, 3:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Friday March 7, 10:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Monday March 10, 3:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. - Be My Eyes/Be My AI app: A free mobile app that connects people who are blind or have low vision with sighted volunteers and companies for visual assistance. Although this workshop will briefly review the original app; this workshop is all about the Be My AI portion.
Friday March 14, 10:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Monday March 17, 3:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Friday March 21, 10:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. - Chat GPT: An artificial intelligence program that generates human dialog created by multiple computers to provide information.
Monday March 24, 3:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Friday March 28, 10:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Monday March 31, 3:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Please Note: Upon request, participants can receive a phone call from the instructor. Call Marsha Drenth at 267-413-7845 or email marsha.drenth@visionlinkphl.org to connect with the instructor.
Orientation and Mobility
Orientation and Mobility is now providing in-person instruction. This class will teach you to travel efficiently, safely, and independently – according to the individual’s goals and ability. Lesson times, start dates, and end dates will be set directly with the instructor.
Home Management
Home management workshops are group sessions where participants can discuss strategies and learn techniques to live more independently while managing sight loss. The workshops will focus on a range of topics which will include strategies for maintaining Safety in the Home, Organization and Labeling, Assistive Technology, Medication Management, Resources for managing vision loss, and recommendations that can help with the adjustment to the Psycho-Social aspect of vision loss.
Starting January 27th 2025, the home management workshop series will be scheduled for the fourth Friday of each month, starting at 1 p.m. Dates are subject to change:
Computer Instruction
We’re pleased to announce the resumption of our computer training program starting in October. Classes will be held on Fridays, focusing on basic computer skills using JAWS screen reader software.
Please note: To participate, you need to have access to a computer at the time the class begins.
Vision Rehabilitation & Low Vision Rehabilitation Therapy
VisionLink offers Vision Rehabilitation and Low Vision Rehabilitation Therapy to help you live a safe, productive, and independent life. Through personalized instruction and practical training, you’ll learn essential skills for home and personal management, using non-visual techniques.
Our services include:
- Compensatory skills training: Learning alternative ways to complete daily tasks.
- Assistive technology instruction: Discovering helpful tools and devices.
- One-on-one tutorials: Personalized instruction to meet your unique needs.
- Participatory workshops: Learning with others in a supportive environment.
- Referrals and recommendations: Connecting you to additional resources and support.
With our individualized approach and focus on practical skills, you’ll gain the confidence and independence to thrive in your daily life.
- Safe & Independent Kitchen Skills: Master meal preparation techniques adapted for your needs.
- Strategies for Medication Management: Organize and manage medications safely and effectively.
- Organization & Cleaning: Learn techniques for maintaining a clean and accessible living space.
- Basic Orientation & Mobility: Navigate your home environment with confidence using basic techniques.
- Labeling Systems: Develop personalized labeling strategies for easier identification of items.
- Personal Grooming: Adapt personal care routines for greater independence.
- Communication Skills: Learn to use Braille or smartphone apps for effective communication.
- Lighting & Magnification: Optimize lighting and contrast for reading and hobbies.
- Assistive Technology: Discover devices that can enhance your daily life and independence.
VisionLink participants are welcome to join us in any of the programs listed on this page.
Clients can email Lee Cannady, our Manager, Enrollment and Referral, or call us at (215) 627-0600 to participate in our Educational Programs.
New to VisionLink? Visit our Get Started page.
Community-Based Programs
Mondays
- New Participant Orientation (meets in person third and fourth Monday of every month) from 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.: This group requires registration in advance. The group meets four times over the course of two weeks, with a new group forming every month.
- A Matter of Balance: Fall Prevention (meets in person Mondays from March 31st to May 19th) from 1:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.: An eight-week program that teaches practical strategies to reduce the fear of falling and increase activity levels. This group is for older adults who are concerned about falling, have fallen in the past, or restrict their activities due to fear of falling.
Tuesdays
- Peer Support Group (meets last Tuesday of every month) from 3:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. This group is designed for individuals experiencing sight loss in need of peer support, peer networking and information related to the field of vision loss. Topics discussed in this group will range from support, relationships, self-talk, safety issues, health, working, family, parenting, physical appearance, traveling, socializing, mental health, activities of daily living and coping skills.
Wednesdays
- New Participant Orientation (meets in person third and fourth Wednesday of each month) from 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.: The group meets four times over the course of two weeks, with a new group forming every other month.
- Men’s Peer Support Group (meets in person bi-weekly) from 1:30 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.: Having difficulty talking with friends and family about vision loss? Join this weekly group to share your thoughts and experiences with peers, discussing issues facing men who are blind or visually impaired.
Thursdays
- Women’s Peer Support Group (meets in person bi-weekly) from 10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.: Having difficulty talking with friends and family about your loss of vision? Join this weekly group and share thoughts and ideas with peers, discussing issues facing women who are blind or visually impaired.
Fridays
- Speaker Series (meets fourth Friday of every month) from 10:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.: VisionLink welcomes professionals from health and other fields to speak to our participants about topics that are important to health and wellness, finance, legal assistance, and more.
- Resource Sharing Call (meets first Friday of every month) from 2:00 – 3:30 p.m.: Join VisionLink staff to learn about new programs, resources available and special announcements. Bring any new resources you have learned about to the call as well to share with other participants.
Saturdays
- Twelve Gates Audio Described Art Exhibition (meets February 15th, March 15th, April 26th, June 7th) 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.: Led by Aisha Khan (President & CEO of Twelve Gates) and Nicole Sardella (Audio Describer), this monthly group explore different pieces of art, the creators, and the thought process behind the work.
“This is such a gift. Without vision, it’s very hard to find opportunities for joining other people in a class.”
Clients can email Lee Cannady, our Manager, Enrollment and Referral, or call us at (215) 627-0600 ext. 824 to participate in our Community Programs.
New to VisionLink? Visit our Get Started page.
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