Vision impairment is associated with poor level of functioning especially in carrying out activities of daily living. Depressive symptoms, feelings of anxiety, reduced life satisfaction, and poor quality of life are all strongly affected by vision impairment. The purpose of vision rehabilitation is to help people with low vision make the most of their residual vision by utilizing a variety of interventions that improve their quality of life by increasing their participation in everyday activities.

 

GJU's Vision Rehabilitation Center (VRC) was launched in 2012 as a non-profit institution to meet the country's shortage of vision rehabilitation services. The center illustrates the university's pioneering role in community service. VRC strives to be a model that serves the community holistically.

 

To enable persons with vision impairment to be productive and active in the community, the VRC provides comprehensive reachable rehabilitation services. By offering free and low-cost devices and services, the project breaks the cycle between poverty and disability. A second complementary role of the VRC is the provision of training courses for specialists interested in improving their knowledge in the field of vision rehabilitation.

 

Creating an integrated and inclusive community where persons with vision impairment can feel fully accepted and welcomed is another goal of VRC. It is therefore extremely important to raise awareness about vision impairment among different community members.

 

In light of the lack of data on vision impairment and the availability of low vision rehabilitation services in developing countries such as Jordan, the VRC looks forward to promoting scientific research that will aid decision makers in planning and developing low vision rehabilitation services in the future.

 

The VRC and other local and international partners have great potential to collaborate, thereby supporting the center's mission to provide sustainable multidisciplinary services, raise awareness, continue education, and promote collaboration and experience exchange among other partners.

 

I am excited to join the GJU/hardworking VRC team, and looking forward to genuine collaboration with our local and international partners to better serve local and regional communities.