Arts/Culture

Audio Description

Outlook Enrichment partners with community venues to provide access to programming and events through audio description services. Audio description is provided live by a staff member to participants wearing a wireless FM system. Participants receive a verbal description of what is happening on stage or the field and receive information on visual elements such as scenery, costumes, and action.

In 2022, cultural engagement activities included audio description services for theatrical productions and audio-described tours of local venues such as the Joslyn Castle and the botanical gardens, just to name a few.

Audio Book Club

This group meets monthly through the winter via Zoom. Members select books based on the current interest and reading styles of the participants.

The audio book club always selects books that are readily available through Nebraska Talking Book & Braille Services. If a participant is not an existing library patron, we will assist the individual with applying for services.

Color Outside the Lines

For many of Outlook Enrichment’s consumers, losing vision meant eliminating many of the hobbies and crafts that they once did. Vision loss creates a significant barrier to completing hobbies such as painting, crocheting, and other artistic outlets.

Our team provides opportunities in various crafts and hobby areas to open the door for our consumers to understand if there is a will, there is a way they can still participate in activities they love.

They enjoy the arts through adaptive techniques from painting in the park to adaptive jewelry making. Participants learn different and often tactile ways to bring their artistic vision into reality.

Hobby-based activities are also a part of our Color Outside the Lines programming. Gardening and plant care are areas of interest that many of our participants continue to enjoy after their vision loss. Enrichment has offered classes on plant care, creating fairy gardens, and seed starting.

One of the most popular classes we offer lends itself to exploring other senses such as smell, touch, and texture in our adaptive soap-making classes. Participants are exposed to the world of aromatherapy and learn the elements and skills of making soaps, salts, lotion, and even perfume making.

What Our Consumers Think

Book Club
“I think reading books lets you travel to other places even when physical limitations would otherwise prevent you from doing so. Every time I read a book, I learned something about life, love, and whatever else the writer throws in. I love the opportunity to get together with other intelligent minds and discuss our take on what we read; each perspective is unique. Such a blessing to have meetings that don’t require Uber!” – Heather

“The audio book club has been fantastic for me. I became acquainted with BARD and also many types of books and authors. I have access to more audible books than the local library could provide. My wish list in BARD is quite extensive. I also enjoy the group discussions.” – Julie

Color Outside the Lines
"I had a great time making wreaths and seeing some good friends today. Thank you for all the work you put into this." - Tonya

"Yesterday was fun and relaxing building fairy gardens and learning important info about plants. Thank you!!!!" - TJ

Articles

Gardening Tips For The Visually Impaired
Here are some ways to make gardening easier for the visually impaired!

Visually Impaired Readers Connect During Virtual Book Club
Learn the impacts of virtual audiobook clubs for the visually impaired.