I realise that ROVI brings up a multitude of things in a google search. This post entry however, relates to ROVi as a Rehabilitation Officer for Visually Impaired people.
A ROVI is someone (who can be blind or fully sighted – I’ve had both in my training), who work for Social Services and can be called upon to help visually impaired people remain and become more independent, in their own homes as well as out in the world.
A ROVI completes registration as a blind or partially sighted person (so if you are changing your status and filling in forms, you need a ROVI to sign off on it). (Note: a person can only register as blind if an eye specialist – an ophthalmologist – indicates that they are eligible). A ROVI is also a free service and you can call them back to help anytime. For the quick fact sheet go here.
My experiences working with a ROVI.
After my registration was changed from partially sighted to blind about two years ago. I started working with a ROVI to try and build up my confidence and independence in my home. My first one was blind himself, so I instantly felt an immediate understanding, also coming from the same difficulties he could elaborate on tips and tricks for every day activities, such as cooking, laundry and housework. My main fear was the kitchen. I used to be able to cook pasta but when I stopped being able to see if the water had bubbles on it, I stopped cooking and got out of the habit. I didn’t do anything in the kitchen, help cook or wash up after. I’ve always been afraid of hot water, steam, sharp knives and the oven. My ROVI helped me over come these fears by showing me techniques on cutting and peeling veg safely, and also gave me a really useful aid. (I now can’t be without!) I can’t remember the exact name of it, I’ve nicknamed it the ‘can lid’. You put it in the bottom of the pan, then pour the tap water on top of it and when the water is boiled and ready to have the pasta in, the lid rattles and shakes at the bottom of the pan so you can hear it and know that it’s ready. Then at the end when the pasta is cooked you just leave it in the pan to cool and then you can take it out without hurting yourself!. (I have a glass one, I use the tin can one more often).
I also have a yellow beeper that sits on the lip of a cup/mug and beeps when hot water is at the top so you don’t spill it and burn yourself. I also have talking kitchen scales, and a talking measuring jug. I have hundreds of orange tactile self adhesive blobs on the dials for the oven and hot plate, so I know which hot plate I am using and the various temperatures. The ‘tin can’, beeper and blobs were given to me free. My grandparents and parents bought me the talking kitchen scales and measuring jug as Birthday and Christmas presents, and are available here.
(Mine were from either the 09/10 catalogue so they may look different from the above 2011 catalogue).
Beeper lets you know when it’s time to stop pouring!!
‘can lid’ rattles when the waters boiled and it’s ok to pour your pasta in!
Glass version does the same, different noise, I prefer the ‘can lid’
Talking scales announce clearly in a male British voice Oz and Grams in half increment beeps and number. Make sure you press the reset button and listen for “Zero”!.
1. Push reset button and listen for “Zero”.
2. Slide button on right side to either grams or oz, it will announce which you are on.
3. Start pouring in ingredients, but slowly so the beep will acknowledge it and the scale will announce it like “half an oz”, 1 beep for every half oz/gram, 2 beeps for every full oz/gram.
The skills I learnt in the kitchen are called ILS or Independent Living Skills and these can be anything, from inside the house to out. My next set of ILS I choose to cover, was long cane training. This was done by another ROVi who was fully sighted.
It does feel rather odd when you first start using a long cane, you have to think about so many things before it just comes naturally. You can use the cane in two different techniques, usually depending on what the surface you are walking on. The two techniques are sweeping and tapping. With the sweeping motion you choose your preferred hand to hold the cane, then with your thumb on the flat edge of the handle, the rest of the handle is rounded so it’s easier to find that grip strip. You balance and work the cane with your thumb and middle finger, while directing it with your forefinger. Stretch out that arm as much as is comfortable and when you sweep, it should really just be your wrist that’s moving and then ultimately just the 2 fingers and the thumb.
It will take practise and your arm muscles will hurt for a while till they get used to the movement. It’s not particularly heavy just not a natural movement at first. The key to the cane is rhythm so as you sweep the cane right you move forward with your left foot and then when you sweep left move forward on your right foot!. The idea is that you sweep and the long cane arcs about a meter in front of where you are walking, the idea is to sweep your whole body width, so exactly in the space you would be walking and tripping over things if you didn’t have the cane getting there before you, but at first it’s more natural to sweep wider than necessary. When the cane finds something, like a wall or a lamp post, just sweep a bit further to the other side of it, side step and carry on. If it’s a person they will usually say “ow” or they should get out of the way before it happens.
The tapping technique is pretty much the same, you still use rhythm but instead of sweeping along the ground you ‘sweep’ just above the ground and then tap at each side. Ie. sweep low in the air left as far as you want then tap the ground, sweep low in the air as far right and tap it again. This is really used for un-smooth ground such as grass where it’s not easy to use the sweep technique.
The cane training really helps you become aware of space and trusting something other than a person ie a friend or family member, it also encourages you to go out and find routes and be independent. I think this is why they suggest you do cane training before thinking of getting a guide dog because you really need to build that trust and transfer it to the cane and later a Dog, also build up the mental routes to shops and houses.
I found the cane training invaluable and I really can’t explain as much as I’d like to just by talking about it. I’m planning on doing a mini series of videos to post on here and on youtube of me using my cane and my guide dog in various situations to accompany these educational posts.
I haven’t been in touch with my ROVI for over a year because I’m doing pretty well at the moment, but I know they are just a phone call away if there was something I wanted help or information about. They can access all sorts of information from how to get into local support groups, volunteering jobs and advice on benefits.
. Here are a few of my favourite pics we took today. 
