Orientation and Adjustment Center

The Orientation and Adjustment Center is a place where people who are blind can live temporarily while they learn to lead productive, self-sufficient lives. The Center's modern buildings are located on a large campus north of the Daytona Beach Community College.

Any adult client who is interested in employment or homemaking may be eligible to attend. There is no cost to the individual for training or room and board. Center students are responsible for personal expenses.

Types of services:

General Program

The core of the Center, so to speak, providing prevocational and adjustment services to include: Orientation and Mobility, Communications, Home Management, Personal Management, Adult Basic Education, Employability Skills, Braille, Computer Fundamentals, and individual and group counseling. - Contact Cynthia Slater for more information.

GED Training

Provides an opportunity for the student to earn a high school diploma via the General Education Development Program in cooperation with Daytona Beach Community College. Clients must demonstrate the potential to achieve their diploma within a four month period as determined by the GED Predictor Tests and the Wide Range Achievement Test (WRAT). The client must attain an overall score of 170 or better on the Predictor Tests. The actual test requires a score of 44 or better in each of the five areas and an overall score of at least 225. - Contact Cynthia Slater for more information.

Medical Transcription Program

A one year program conducted jointly with faculty of Daytona Beach Community College. Prerequisites include a typing score of 40 wpm, ninth grade spelling level, knowledge of sentence structure and grammar, and a high school diploma. Enrollment is generally limited to a maximum of seven students. - Contact Kati Lear and Dave Wasko for more information.

Adaptive Access Computer Training

Computer training focusing on competitive employment. Both speech access and screen enlargement training are available. Prerequisites include a 30 wpm typing speed, and 6th grade spelling and math levels. - Contact Dave Wasko for more information.

Customer Service Representative

For those who possess computer skills, including speech or low vision access as required, customer service representative positions are frequently a good source of employment. These jobs can be found in many different settings to include banks, department stores, cable companies, and many others. The training focuses on the setting in which the person will be working and the specific technology to be accessed. Effort is made to train the person on the procedures and computer screens actually utilized on the job. Upon completion of training, support is provided as needed at the job site. - Contact Dave Wasko for more information.

Food Services

The Food Service Program trains persons for employment in a variety of settings from small snack bars and restaurants, to large cafeterias and institutional food services. Heavy emphasis is placed upon food preparation, operation of typically encountered equipment, and sanitation. Introduction is also provided to such areas as: merchandising, customer service, and inventory. There is no specific educational requirement, but prospective clients must demonstrate adequate mobility, communications, and daily living skills. - Contact Dave Wasko for more information.

Business Enterprises Program (BEP)

In cooperation with the Business Enterprises Program (BEP) and Daytona Beach Community College, this program trains individuals for management of food service facilities within the Business Enterprises Program of the Division of Blind Services. This federal program authorized by the Randolph Shepherd Act, requires trainees to be U.S. citizens, and meet the legal definition of blindness. In addition, they must possess a high school diploma or GED, and demonstrate the ability to complete college level course work in the following areas: food preparation and sanitation, food and beverage cost control, business math, hospitality law, marketing, and small business management.

The program is preceded by an evaluation of the applicant's skills in the areas Orientation and Mobility, Communications, Personal Management, and Home Management. This evaluation can require up to two weeks and can be completed any time prior to the start of the next scheduled BEP class. All applicants are required to participate in a work experience in a BEP facility prior to referral. 

The on-campus portion of the training program lasts 12 weeks and is followed by a six month work experience in an actual, BEP facility. Satisfactory completion allows application for licensure and the opportunity to bid for a facility management position - Contact Dave Wasko for more information.

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