The Adult Living Skills (ALS) Program at The Chicago Lighthouse teaches independent living and pre-vocational skills to adults (21 and older) who are blind or visually impaired and have developmental disabilities.

The ALS Program activities are designed to

• meet each individual's needs and skill sets
• offer the tools necessary for self-sufficiency
• increase independence

Instructions in tasks assist the participants in actively participating in today's society and provide opportunities for recreational and social activities, as well as, economic opportunities.

An Individual Service Plan is developed for each student to outline short-term and long-term goals.

Skills include:

Self-help: In the studio apartment constructed on-site, students are trained in skills to increase their independence, such as dish washing, dusting, sweeping, cleaning, and basic cooking. The students also operate a coffee sale and aluminum can recycling program to develop working skills and responsibility.

Orientation and mobility: These classes teach spatial awareness, the detection of auditory cues from the environment and independent travel inside the facility.

Pre-vocational Skills: These classes concentrate on simple assembly tasks, such as folding, stuffing, sorting and collating. Performing these tasks improves ones dexterity. As prevocational skills are mastered, students become eligible for other vocational training programs at The Chicago Lighthouse or elsewhere.

Functional academics: Students learn to read and write in Braille and large print, communicate, perform basic math, use a telephone and manage money.

Community awareness: Students gain social skills through community outings, which include recreation and eating in restaurants. Students also travel to a neighboring facility for exercise and basketball twice a week.

For more information, please contact:
Bob Mantsh
Phone: (312) 997-3676
E-mail: Robert.Mantsh@chicagolighthouse.org