Ho‘opono provides specialized services designed to help people who are blind or visually impaired achieve greater independence and success in employment and everyday life.
About
Ho‘opono Services for the Blind is the Services for the Blind Branch of the Hawaii Department of Human Services Division of Vocational Rehabilitation.
Ho‘opono provides comprehensive and specialized services for people throughout Hawaii who are blind, DeafBlind, or visually impaired.
The program’s goal is to help people who are blind or visually impaired achieve maximum vocational and functional independence.
A person does not need to be totally blind to receive Ho‘opono services.
People who are experiencing difficulty completing tasks at work or at home because of vision loss may be eligible for assistance.
Services May Include
Vocational rehabilitation
Job-placement assistance
Job-maintenance support
Orientation and mobility training
Braille instruction
Computer assistive-technology training
Personal and home-management skills
Low-vision services
Additional programs include transition services for youth, services for older individuals who are blind, and the Business Enterprise Program.
Who They Serve
Ho‘opono serves people throughout Hawaii who are blind, DeafBlind, or visually impaired.
Eligibility depends on the particular program or service being requested.
Ho‘opono is one of Hawaii’s most important resources for people who are blind or visually impaired because it provides specialized blindness services rather than general disability services alone.
Its programs can address employment, Braille, orientation and mobility, assistive technology, independent-living skills, low vision, adjustment to blindness, and other skills necessary for independence.