1. TAP stands for Training Adults Program February 23-25, 2016 Tulsa, OK

2. OBJECTIVE To jump-start client skill acquisition, by presenting sequentially challenging experiences in a supportive environment with a tight-knit peer group to provide feedback, reinforcement and role modeling. Goal Clients will gain both competence in crucial blindness skill areas and in turn the necessary confidence to continue personal development toward their ultimate vocational goals.

3. The first TAP series served seven client participants from the Muskogee area. TAP is a 3 month intensive blindness skill training approach utilizing a combination of group and individual sessions. Our participants are job seekers, clients in Homemaker status, and clients from our Older Blind Program as well. Thus far, a majority of our participants are persons who are job seekers. Each month for 3 months, clients get together for 3 days. During this training, skill areas such as travel, braille, technology, daily living skills, cooking, blindness resources and advocacy are covered. Each 3 day session is progressively structured to provide more challenges to our participants. During the four week intervals between each session, our Rehabilitation Teachers and O&M instructors make home visits for follow-up work on the skills we covered in the previous session.

4. Our second training series is taking place in Tulsa. The first session was held February 23, 24 and 25, 2016. The second session will be held March 22, 23 and 24, 2016. The final session of 3 part series will take place April 26, 27, and 28, 2016 We are planning another series this summer in Ponca City. We are hoping to partner with our tribal counterpart services. Fatos Floyd MA, CRC, CVRCB Field Coordinator, Oklahoma Department of Rehabilitation Services, Division of Visual Services Mobile: (918) 230-7156

5. Hi I’m Kevin Hanson. It’s been a long three days, but I would say I’ve picked up on my mobility. That’s one good thing. It’s been an over all success. Good thing, I liked it, worth while. Cheryl McCarroll, O & M Specialist

6. Patsy Mauch (VS FC Fatos Floyd) Braille is the best thing that I have learned Also, how to fold bills so you don’t give away more than you want to, and I learned something from everyone. Everyone has something that they can tell you that you didn’t know.

7. Barbara Berry (Rehab Teacher, Karen Mascho) Hello. Just like you said I’m Barbara, and I really enjoy the mobility that I’m learning. I was stuck on the braille, but I am enjoying the mobility, because I didn’t think I could do it. I just appreciate my teachers for teaching me, because I don’t think I would’ve ever learned it.

8. Cindy Forkner: We had a really good atmosphere here. Very welcoming, very friendly. I learned a lot about cane travel. I have been introduced to how to use braille. It’s something I really want to learn to use. It’s been great down here. Learning a lot, even things you don’t even realize you’re learning, you’re learning because everything has just been good. Really good.

9. Clients prepare their own lunch

10. Rehab Teacher Charles Gant providing instructions to client Cindy Forkner and Patsy Mauch while preparing lunch for the group

11. Rehab Teacher Karen Mascho, who is providing cooking instructions.

12. Client, Kevin Hanson and others preparing their plates for lunch.

13. Rehab Technician, Brooke Anderson demonstrating IPhone/Andriod phone applications to Barbara Berry

14. This is Felicia Jones, and the last three days of the TAP program was very productive for me. I think I get more out of learning from people who are blind like me than I do from sighted people. I have nothing against sighted guidance, but I think you learn more from people who are blind like you. So I Learned a lot this week.

15. Tanya Diggs (Rehab Teacher Charley Tipps) For the last three days they’ve helped me with using my cane. They helped me with cooking. They helped me with braille. It felt different, because I’ve never learned braille, and I didn’t want to learn braille but now I do. Also it felt good being around a group.

16. Netta Johnson: Ok. This has been educational for me, because hearing the experiences of other people and what they’ve gone through… I am in the position where I haven’t lost all of my sight yet, and to hear what the other people, and to “see” what it is they can do has been really good for me. The braille was really interesting. Even though right now I don’t feel like I’ll use it a lot. Just knowing braille is a good thing and of course using a cane is the hard part for me. This is well worth anybody’s time.

17. Former DRS Rehab Teacher, Kay Shelton was invited to TAP as a speaker. Thank you Kay!