Training center for blindness skills

Our training center offers daily, on-site classes on blindness skills to help you at home and in the workplace. Find out if this program is right for you.
 

About the Orientation and Training Center

Located in Seattle’s Columbia City neighborhood, the Orientation and Training Center (OTC) provides intensive training for people with vision loss. This includes full- and part-time programs to help build the skills and confidence you need for employment.

Whether you're new to learning adaptive skills or need a refresher, the Orientation and Training Center can help you achieve your career goals.

Benefits of the training center

The Orientation and Training Center is a highly interactive and intensive program that offers training, recreation, and community involvement. Learn more about the program benefits in the sections below.

Adaptive skills training

We teach adaptive skills to help you be independent and successful at home, in school, on the job, and in your community. These skills include:

Social and recreational activities

Throughout the program, you will have opportunities to:

  • Meet, interact with, and learn from other students who are blind or have low vision
  • Work with teachers and other employed people who are blind or have low vision in career and seminar classes
  • Share your talents, volunteer in the community, and tutor fellow students
  • Participate in challenge and recreational activities like cycling, rock climbing, and kayaking
  • Stay healthy with yoga and fitness classes

Apply for the training center

To join the Orientation and Training Center, you need to be a participant in our vocational rehabilitation program. Learn about vocational rehabilitation for more information about our career services.

Once you have joined the vocational rehabilitation program, ask your counselor about the Orientation and Training Center. They can decide if the program is right for you and help you apply.

Requirements for students

During your time at the Orientation and Training Center, you need to:

  • Take care of your own medical needs
  • Dress, groom, bathe, eat, and use the bathroom on your own (unless another disability prevents this)
  • Have a permanent place to live while attending the program
  • Pass a background check before starting the program

Living on site

If you live too far to commute daily, you can live in one of our apartments near the Orientation and Training Center. We cover the cost of rent and basic utilities during full-time training. You will also receive $125 every week for food and other personal expenses.

As a student living on-site, you need to:

  • Bring your personal items such as clothing, hangers, hygiene products, bedding, and bath towels
  • Buy cleaning supplies and keep your apartment, furniture, and fixtures in good condition

Part-time students cannot stay at our apartments and need to commute daily.

Length of the program

Terms at the Orientation and Training Center last six weeks. You usually need to take two to five terms, depending on the skills you need and the classes you take.

Classes we offer

Learn more about our classes in the sections below.

Regular classes

We offer the following classes each term. Each class typically lasts one to two hours per day, depending on the topic and the student’s needs.

Braille

Learn to read and write United English Braille (UEB) code, including:

  • Uncontracted Braille for personal use
  • Contracted Braille for reading published materials

Career class

Explore potential careers by:

  • Finding jobs that match your interests and personality
  • Connecting with employed people who are blind to learn about their jobs
  • Learning how the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) applies to looking for jobs and preventing discrimination

Computers

Learn Microsoft programs such as Outlook, Word, and Excel. Discover how to navigate the internet using speech, Braille, and large-print access technology.

Health and wellness

Attend group and individual sessions that can help you feel healthy and engaged. Group classes include:

  • Yoga
  • Learning about the apartment gym
  • A guided class with Rainier Health and Fitness

Home economics

Learn how to manage your home and meet your personal and family needs with adaptive skills in:

  • Cleaning
  • Clothing care
  • Preparing meals

Home maintenance and management

Learn skills for using tools safely and maintaining your home.

Orientation and mobility (O&M)

Learn to travel safely and independently by using:

  • Non-visual skills
  • The long white cane

Seminar

Discuss issues related to blindness, listen to guest speakers, and plan and lead group discussions on topics that students and staff coordinate.

Additional classes

We offer the following classes as needed or on a rotating basis.

Braille Distance Course

If you cannot attend the regular six-week term or have limited resources, we offer Braille classes. These classes meet weekly for two hours via toll-free phone calls.

Dependable strengths

The dependable strengths class teaches how to show your unique talents to potential employers. Through group discussion and individual work, the class helps you identify and express your strengths verbally and in writing.

Intensive Workshops

If you cannot attend the regular six-week term, we offer week-long intensive workshops twice per year in spring and fall. Workshop topics depend on the participants’ needs.

Other classes

We may schedule classes or workshops throughout the year based on students’ needs or goals. These classes include:

  • Diabetic health and education
  • Food safety and nutrition
  • Self-defense
  • First aid
  • CPR

Work experience and internships

Based on your career interests, skills, and strengths, you may complete an internship during your final term. We work with businesses in the Seattle area to provide unpaid internships that offer work experience.

Eligibility for internships

Before offering you an internship, we will:

  • Determine if you are qualified
  • Ensure you have the skills to be on time and ready to work
  • Provide tools you need, such as talking computer programs or Braille displays

Benefits for businesses

Through the internship program, businesses get temporary employees with a variety of skills and talents for little or no cost. Our interns can help businesses succeed while receiving job experience.

Business responsibilities

Businesses will provide the same workplace training, equipment, and support that they would for any volunteer or intern. They do not need to provide special equipment, such as talking computer programs.

Life in Action Days

We encourage students to participate in and help organize recreational and community activities called Life in Action Days. These happen four to six times per year and provide opportunities to:

  • Explore recreational activities
  • Learn more about education and career planning
  • Interact with the public
  • Build self-esteem
  • Gain self-confidence

Examples of Life in Action Day activities

  • Career activities like attending job fairs or visiting local WorkSource centers
  • Cultural activities like visiting museums, libraries, and educational centers or volunteering in the community
  • Physical activities like bicycle riding, rock climbing, kayaking and canoeing

Contact us

For more information about the Orientation and Training Center, contact us using one of the methods below: