BALANCE News
To listen to the latest Newsline, click here.
Find out more about the BALANCE Yoga Programme. Click here to listen to our own Tom Dekker pocast from the Yoga class.
Concerned about diabetes. Click here to hear Tom's podcast directly form the BALANCE "Managing Diabeted with a Vision Impairment" class.
Empowerment Through Mastering Skills
Would you take advantage of the opportunity to refine and enhance your independent living skills in a fun an informative group setting?
How can your home and personal management skills be enhanced in a way that will make you feel confident and proactive about improving your social life?
BALANCE FOR Blind Adults is pleased to introduce... "Empowerment Through Mastering Skills"...
...Get connected with resources and techniques to be better informed about improving your quality of life.
The program begins on Tuesday, January 12 at 2:00 PM, with a three-hour group session for the next ten to twelve weeks. As well, all those who choose to participate, must commit to one individual DLS lesson per week, to work on the skills covered in the group session.
For further information, contact Tom Dekker at extension 25, or email t.dekker@balancefba.org.
The H1N1 (Swine) Flu Virus
A Message from BALANCE and Facts about the H1N1 Flu Virus
In an effort to protect our Participants and the BALANCE Staff, if you experience flu symptoms, we ask that you please call the office immediately to cancel your appointments. Also we may call you to see how you are feeling before we come to see you.
Please read these facts below. If you would like further information please call 1-800-454-8302, 8:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.
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Tips to Help You and Others Stay Healthy
All flu viruses can spreads from person to person through coughing or sneezing or by touching objects or surfaces with flu viruses on them and then touching your mouth, nose or eyes. The virus can live on your hands for five minutes and on surfaces for up to two days.
Good hand hygiene is the best way to prevent the spread of all flu viruses. Wash your hands, your finger nails, between fingers, wrists and a few inches up your arms with soap and water for at least 15 seconds. When out of the house, carry disposable tissues and alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol. When you cough or sneeze cover your mouth and nose with a tissue and throw it out. Avoid large crowds of people where viruses can spread easily. Stay home when you are sick. Keep surfaces that you touch with your hands – like keyboards, countertops and telephones, clean and disinfected.
If you are pregnant, have heart or lung disease, are receiving treatments for diabetes, cancer, HIV/AIDS, or anything that may compromise your immune system and you experience flu symptoms, call your doctor.
H1N1 flu symptoms are like the regular seasonal flu with fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, headaches, chills and fatigue. If you feel sick call your health care provider or Telehealth at 1-866-797-0000. They can help you and tell you what to do.
Caring for Yourself
- drink lots of fluids, avoiding drinks with caffeine or alcohol
- avoid using tobacco
- take basic pain or fever relievers like Aspirin or ASA
- take a warm bath; apply heat for short periods of time using a hot water bottle
- gargle with a glass of warm water or suck on hard candy
- use saline drops or spray for a stuffy nose
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Emergency Preparedness Kit -- Listen to Audio file
It is recommended everyone should always have an emergency preparedness plan in place, even when there is not a risk of flu. This should include having the 72 hour emergency survival kit in your home. If you would like more information about this, please call 1-800-622-6232.
New and Current College and University Students - Important Info!
We would like to introduce you to BALANCE for Blind Adults.
Are you interested in learning how to live on your own?
Are you considering going to college or university in Toronto?
We have 23 years experience teaching young adults how to get around campus, find housing, connect to their community and find the resources needed to take advantage of a higher education or an independent living experience.
Do you have a computer?
We have specially trained instructors who can help you get a computer and learn how to use it to further your personal and career goals.
Looking for a job?
Our employment specialist can introduce you to the services you need to get started.
Do you have an income?
We can help you connect with government agencies and student resources to fund the next stage of your plan.
Leaving home and not sure how to manage it all?
Our daily living skills instructors know how! They will help you to learn the skills and develop the confidence you need to survive.
Got the latest high tech mobility tools? GPS anyone?
We have taken the training and are ready to teach you how to use it. From basic cane skills to travelling globally wherever you want to go.
We call it life building. With our teaching and support, you are the one who decides how it will happen.
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Give Doug Poirier a call at 416-236-1796 ext 24 to learn more.
We look forward to hearing from you!
BALANCE for Blind Adults
Mohawk College Student Placements
Most of BALANCE's Living Skills and Orientation and Mobility Instructors have graduated from the "Instructor of the Visually Impaired" program at Mohawk College.
As part of this training, Mohawk students are required to complete field placements where they gain guided teaching experience as part of their instructor certification.
In the second semester of the course, students spend one day per week at an agency, teaching under instructor supervision. The third semester takes place completely in the field (12 weeks for O&M, 14 weeks for Rehabilitation Teacher/Living Skills).
During this final semester, students work much more independently, with Mohawk and BALANCE staff available to conduct lesson plan and instruction evaluations. This process helps students to refine their teaching skill and strategies in preparation for employment.
We are always happy and pleased to cooperate with Mohawk College by offering placement opportunities for its students. Three Mohawk graduates are currently employed here, providing quality instruction to our participants.
Last updated December 17, 2009