Training Center

The Training Center, located on SCCB’s Columbia Campus, serves consumers statewide, providing training that can lead to job readiness and independence. In addition, the Training Center includes a residential facility for consumers who might benefit from staying on campus Monday through Friday. We also offer a day program for consumers who prefer to commute.

To attend the Training Center, you must be a consumer and referred by your VR Counselor for employment readiness, vocational rehabilitation, and disability related skills training.

Instructional Programs

Training Center classes are designed to help you achieve your employment goals and meet your independence needs. We offer instruction to help develop job-related skills, increase self-confidence, and improve your independence and quality of life. We also offer support for any concerns you may have about adjustment to blindness and your employment journey.

Orientation and Mobility

Our orientation and mobility training can equip you with the skills needed to travel safely and independently throughout your home and community by using a long cane.

  • Orientation is the process of using your senses to establish your position in the environment relative to other significant objects around you.
  • Mobility is the skill of navigating safely from your present position to your desired position in another part of your environment.

Your instruction will begin indoors. When you have mastered proper cane techniques, you will begin to work outside in nearby residential and downtown areas. After successfully navigating both residential and highly traveled areas, you may advance to independent travel on foot and on public transportation. Your training is designed to be applicable in your home community and other places you visit frequently.

Our goal is for you to be able to enter any environment, familiar or unfamiliar, and function safely, efficiently, and confidently within it.

Braille Instruction

We assist you in gaining an understanding and appreciation of Braille. Our instructors will help you become proficient in both reading and writing.

Home and Personal Management

You may learn personal care skills that support employment and independence, such as balanced meal planning, table manners and etiquette, laundry and clothing care, cleanliness and home care, personal finance, and hygiene and grooming.

Counseling Services

The Training Center has a counselor on staff who may assist with your adjustment to blindness and any other issues and concerns that arise during your training. The counselor will provide information to support you through the adjustment process.

Training Center Features

Residential Facility

The residential facility may accommodate up to 36 people and has the following features:

  • Rooms that include a mini-fridge, desk and chair, dresser, nightstand, and bed (rooms may have double occupancy and all rooms are nonsmoking).
  • Three dayrooms, one in the men’s wing, one in the women’s wing, and one co-ed lounge in the center of the facility.
  • An accessible resource room equipped with Internet-capable computers.

Staff are available 24 hours a day while consumers are present at the Training Center.

Transportation

SCCB may provide transportation to and from your permanent address and the Training Center. A driver will pick you up on Monday morning to bring you to the Center for the week and will take you home on Friday afternoon. Our transportation services are not available on holidays.

Recreation

A weight room is available for recreational use. Other activities may be offered.

Medical Services

Medical professionals are on duty 24 hours a day while consumers are present at the Training Center. If you need emergency medical attention, staff will call 911 and may attempt to stabilize your condition until emergency medical personnel arrive.