In downtown Modesto, the nonprofit Visually Impaired Persons Support (VIPS) is working to help blind and low-vision residents in Stanislaus and Tuolumne counties gain independence. The organization, led by executive director Isaiah Siordia, provides training in daily living skills such as cooking, cleaning, personal hygiene, document filing, recreational activities, and connecting with community resources.
“We teach independent-living skills to our clients that are blind or visually impaired, and that’s a range of cooking, cleaning, daily living skills, personal hygiene — it could be filing documents to [taking part in] recreational activities or connecting to community resources,” Siordia said.
Many VIPS staff members have low vision or are blind themselves. Although the nonprofit has been active for over 20 years, its current H Street office opened two years ago. There, clients receive personalized training on assistive technologies.
“It’s especially imperative if you have had rapid deterioration of your vision, because now your home can be an unfamiliar environment and you lose the ability to navigate it, since you’ve lost one major sense,” Siordia said.
Siordia demonstrated how orientation and mobility training helps clients move around their homes safely. In larger homes, clients may use a white cane for navigation.
Patrick Spangler is a musician who recently earned his high school diploma with support from VIPS. He plans to study chemical dependency at Modesto Junior College with hopes of becoming a drug counselor.
“I had two classes left and hadn’t been able to finish them,” Spangler said about finishing high school. “Then by going through VIPs, I was able to.” Spangler said.
Spangler described how before joining VIPS he depended on others for transportation but now feels more independent using public transit. He also uses bill readers and phone apps that identify currency and read labels on pill bottles or mail for privacy protection.
In the break room at VIPS’ office, Siordia showed a talking microwave oven designed for those with visual impairments. Most VIPS clients are over 55 years old with age-related needs; however, younger adults also participate in programs like job readiness through the Department of Rehabilitation.
The facility includes a room full of assistive technology such as large-button phones, magnifiers, voice-recorded labels and devices that signal when water boils. Staff also help set up accessibility features on smartphones.
At another location nearby is a practical kitchen where clients practice household tasks like cooking and laundry. Assistive technology instructor Mauricio Molina teaches clients like Zowie Mason how to use screen readers on computers. Mason attends University of Phoenix while raising two children in Modesto.
Molina is “absolutely hilarious, and honestly he’s just amazing at what he does,” Mason said. “It just blows my mind the capabilities he has and what he’s able to teach. I really admire him for that. He’s taught me a lot.”
Mason began working with VIPS about a year ago using various tools including screen readers and magnifiers for cooking assistance.
Nevaeh Ross Burton moved from Atwater to Modesto several years ago; she trains with VIPS while attending Modesto Junior College considering careers as either a lawyer or braille instructor.
“Right now I am taking cooking training. I do it with Linda [Cervantes], she’s a really good instructor,” Burton said. “I take computer training with Mauricio; he’s a really good teacher as well. Without Mauricio I’d be struggling in college.”
VIPS also hosts support groups throughout Hughson, Turlock and Sonora along with monthly women’s meetings focused on topics like self-care or experiences related to vision loss.
Mason participates in the women’s group led by Linda Cervantes: “I absolutely love it; I kind of help run it now which is very very fun,” Mason said.
Spangler noted that making friends has been one of the program’s biggest benefits: “One of the other students graduated with me because she saw that I did it; she heard it was possible so she went back and graduated as well,” Spangler said.
Siordia reflected on his work: “I’m fortunate that I have that opportunity,” he said. “Not everyone gets the opportunity to help out in their line of work but I’m very happy I get that opportunity.”
