What is Project Insight?
Designed to promote independence for the visually impaired, Project Insight
is an 800 number designed as an outreach of the Florida Council of the Blind.
A long-held dream of many who work and live in the blind community was that
there would someday be easy access to information about services, locations
of peer support groups, and other assistance for people who are blind and visually
impaired. It seemed impossible to obtain information about what was out there
and where to find it. It was obvious that one of the most difficult challenges
about losing one's sight was the feeling of isolation and the lack of basic
knowledge about where to find assistance; indeed, knowledge that assistance
was available at all.
What was needed was a comprehensive list and a viable way to distribute it.
In addition, however, was the need for people experiencing sight loss to communicate
with others who had faced and successfully dealt with the challenge.
In the early 1990's, a group of members of The Florida Council of The Blind
decided to "do something" and began assembling a list of all kinds of services
and opportunities available to people who are blind and visually impaired.
Our motto, "You have lost
your sight, not your vision" exemplifies our basic belief that everyone with
vision problems can live an active and productive life if they can acquire the
tools they need to do this.
Committees were formed and the name Project Insight was chosen. FCB members
from around the state volunteered as "peer counselors", ready to be trained
and eager to participate. An office was selected in Tallahassee and a special
person was employed. Equipment was purchased and telephone lines were installed.
The telephone number 1-800-26-SIGHT (1-800-267-4448) was chosen.
In addition to being available to callers, volunteers are asked to help publicize
the toll-free number through distributing brochures, writing letters and articles,
and "getting that number out" to the public.
Have we really helped these callers? The answer to that question is reflected
in the final verse of a poem written by one of the people whom we were privileged
to serve. It is only one of hundreds of positive responses we have received.
"I learned invaluable information about my plight.
That helped through the transition of losing my sight.
Project Insight became to me, The lifeline I needed to set me free."
A PROJECT INSIGHT ANNOUNCEMENT
Training tapes and manuals are available in
all accessible formats via the Project Coordinator.
Project Insight brochures are available for the asking, just call the 800 number
and help promote this wonderful outreach program!
1-800-26-SIGHT
1-800-267-4448
Project Insight's main page
Back to the FCB home page