Seeing Hand Association For The Blind Hosts WV Disabilities Resource Fair

WHEELING - The Seeing Hand Association For The Blind served as the host site for the West Virginia Regional Disability Resource Fair on Wednesday in Wheeling.

The fair allowed people to visit the Seeing Hand, located at 750 Main St., and meet with a variety of vendors and learn about their offerings including Easterseals, the Coordinating Council for Independent Living, West Virginia Association of Rehabilitation Facilities, Hansel Union Consulting, Coordinating Council for Independent Living, West Virginia University and more.

Karen Haught, executive director of the Seeing Hand Association, said the fair brought together people with disabilities, their caretakers, case managers and families to get resources.

"This is a resource fair for many things to help disabled people," Haught said. "The Seeing Hand has been advocating for the blind and visually impaired for 80 years. As a matter of fact, it's our 80th anniversary this year. We strive daily to give them the same opportunities as their sighted peers. So that mission also extends to other disabled people. Even though we're not serving all aspects of disabilities, we felt it was important to host and get the information about services out to folks."

Resources can include jobs, rehabilitation services and programs. For example, the Seeing Hand employs people who work on recaning chairs, making mops, refurbishing fire extinguishers and more.

During the event, vendors shared what services and programs they have available for people with disabilities.

Betsy Bethel-McFarland, marketing director for Easterseals Rehabilitation Center in Wheeling, said Easterseals serves children with disabilities including autism.

"We provide occupational, physical and speech therapy for children ages zero to 17," she said, adding a doctor's referral is needed to get started.

She said children are given therapy to learn how to walk, talk, feed and dress themselves, ride a bike and more.

"The important thing for people to know is that early intervention is the key. If you think your child is not meeting the developmental milestones, talk to the doctor and ask for Easterseals," Bethel-McFarland said.

Megan Stout, a licensed occupational therapist with Hansel Union Consulting, said her company provides physical therapy, occupational and speech therapy services for children and adults with developmental, intellectual and neurological disabilities.

"We have a main office in Fairmont, West Virginia, but we travel all over the state," she said. "We see people in their homes. ... There are so many people in West Virginia who are on wait lists for all of these services, and it's so hard because most of the time they are restricted by county. But we're able to go to any county in West Virginia."

Maria Bittenger, case management supervisor for the Coordinating Council for Independent Living in Morgantown, said her company offers case management and in-home direct-care services for people who qualify for the Intellectual/Developmental Disabilities Waiver program.

"We're always accepting new clients, so send all your referrals our way," she said.

At the Seeing Hand table, Marvin Whiteman said he was born blind and works teaching people to read braille at the association.

Haught said the Seeing Hand is scheduled to celebrate its 80th anniversary by hosting "Jazz In The Garden" from 5:30-9 p.m. Aug. 21 at its Edelman Garden, 37 S. Broadway St., Wheeling Island. Tickets cost $40 per person or $75 per couple and can be purchased by calling 304-232-4810, at the event or by visiting the Seeing Hand Facebook page.

The evening will include live smooth jazz music by Matt Hill & Friends, heavy hors d’oeuvres by Mountaineer Custom Catering and photo opportunities with Smiley Ann's Photo Van.

The garden is part of the Seeing Hand's health and wellness program.

"The Edelman Garden was donated to us by the Edelman family back in 2014," she said. "We grow produce and we give 100 percent of the produce away. Last year we gave away 1,252 pounds of produce."

She added Seeing Hand employees take produce home and the vegetables are also donated to the House of the Carpenter on Wheeling Island and on the steps of the Seeing Hand in North Wheeling for people to take.

"One in five people in West Virginia face food scarcity, so we just try to do our little part," Haught said. "We donate mops we make to flood victims. We try to do our part to make the community a better place."

The Seeing Hand has 12 employees; eight are blind or visually impaired and four are sighted.

"I always say we're small but mighty," she said.

Wheeling's event and a similar event in Charleston was organized by the West Virginia Association for Disability Employment and the West Virginia Association of Rehabilitation Facilities.