• SAAVI Staff and Students Hiking Group

    A large group of SAAVI Students and Staff equipped with their canes and walking sticks, posing for a picture before they undertake a great hike outside.

  • SAAVI Students on the move

    Two photos, one showing a group of students under learning shades walking alongside a river, with a bridge in the background. The other photo shows a student under learning shade getting ready to fly down a zipline.

  • SAAVI Students Doing Great

    Two photos, one showing four students posing in front of the Community Food Bank truck after an event. The other photo shows a group of students under learning shades getting ready to light their grills and cook that nights dinner.

What We Do

Depending on your program, training classes at SAAVI Services for the Blind may include any of the services below. Interpreting can be requested for those interested in our services.

A SAAVI Student using only her keyboard and audio feedback from JAWS to use a computerAccess Technology: training on various computer software and hardware, hand held magnifiers, screen readers, screen magnifiers, CCTVs, Windows OS, Apple products, Androids, etc.

Daily Living Skills: instruction in all areas of home and personal management- cooking, cleaning, shopping, managing paperwork, home maintenance and more.

Braille:  braille literacy and proficiency training to increase reading speed and comprehension.

SAAVI Students working under learning shade on their O and M skills at an amusement parkOrientation and Mobility:  How to travel in any environment safely and efficiently learning various low tech and high tech methods to orient yourself and get where you want.

Health & Wellness:  Develop a personalized wellness plan that along with learning about healthy eating includes weight, cardio, balance, and strength training using a variety of methods (free weights, TRX/Calisthenics, community hikes, yoga etc.)

Career Services: Learn how to develop a resume, engage in volunteer opportunities, write a cover letter and other skills need to prepare for the work place. Services include:

  • Career exploration – searching for and identifying the student’s career goal based on their strengths and interests;
  • Job readiness – hard and soft skills needed to get the job as well as keep the job;
  • Job development-once a student has finished programming, we also help them find a secure employment, including assisting them with their accommodations.

Philosophy – daily and weekly discussions of how to develop and maintain a positive perception of blindness

Counseling -professional counseling services available and provided by Certified Rehabilitation Counselor

Program Advisory –Program guidance and case management is available during services to assist students in navigating the training and rehabilitation process

Residential Services: For those who qualify for our off campus housing in Tucson, the residential program allows for a practical application of skills learned during the day at a local apartment complex where students stay while they complete training.

English as a Second Language (ESL): training and hands on immersion to learn and master the English language as needed for employment or educational goals.

Students marching on White Cane day holding their canes and carrying signs "White Canes = Skilled Traveller"Advocacy: learn the components and application of the Americans with Disabilities Act, as well as learning how to advocate for yourself whether you are in a school, work or personal environment

Remedial Education: Remedial education in group and individual settings in Reading, Writing and Math to improve assessment-testing scores in order to test into college level courses.

Tutoring: Tutoring provided around class schedules utilizing various academic and technological tools to assist with homework, class projects, and quizzes/exams. Tutoring for graduate placement exams also available.