When COVID-19 restrictions shut down the state in March of 2020, VisionCorps, a nonprofit organization working to empower the blind and vision impaired, stopped providing services, but not for long. "We shut down services for a couple weeks, but we quickly realized our services were still needed out in the community," said Chris Ament, vice president of rehabilitation and education with VisionCorps.

To stay within the restrictions, Ament explained that VisionCorps developed a hybrid approach to service delivery. The hybrid programming is part virtual and part in-person. "You can't safely teach someone how to cross the street over the computer," noted Ament, who added that the organization was careful to protect all involved. "Our goal is to address safety with employees and the clients we serve," he said. "For instance, a lot of our intakes are done either over the computer or the phone, but when someone needs direct attention, whether it's our occupational therapy or mobility program, (it's completed in person) with safety precautions taken."

Virtual programming in a variety of formats has been utilized by VisionCorps staff as well as associated groups that receive services. "We have a lot of small groups meeting virtually," said Ament, referring to the nearly 20 groups that discuss topics from mobility to books to service dogs. "We serve five counties, and each one has a support group and topics to discuss," shared Ament. VisionCorps covers Lancaster, Chester, York, Adams, and Lebanon counties.

VisionCorps vice president and chief development officer Megan Tomsheck said that one woman who receives services shared how the virtual connection has changed her life. "(She) said that the (situation) has improved her life because it is hard for her to get out of her home, but now she can participate virtually," recalled Tomsheck.

Ament noted that, overall, the changes have benefited clients and the organization. "The reality is that our service delivery model will be much stronger because we can do these things virtually," he said, adding that virtual connections use time more efficiently. "We have a very creative team, and I think the opportunities are endless," Ament said.

In addition to offering virtual services to clients, Tomsheck said that presentations can be made to outside groups. "Part of our marketing, awareness, and public education is that we do theme presentations to service clubs, churches, or any group that would be interested in learning how we can help them," said Tomsheck. "We realize a lot of groups are meeting online, so we have made ourselves available to do those presentations for them." Tomsheck noted that online training is available for educational purposes as well. "Chris' team can do training for a retirement community that has several residents who are blind, and (the community's) staff may not have training," she said. "We can offer that support as well."

To learn more about VisionCorps, readers may visit http://www.visioncorps.net.