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Central Blind
Rehabilitation Center
Hines VA Hospital
PO Box 5000 (124)
Hines, IL 60141
Phone: 708-202-2272
Fax: 708-202-7949
hinesbrc@med.va.gov
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Screen Text Size Central Blind Rehabilitation
Center (CBRC) at Hines, Illinois
Who We Are
The Central Blind Rehabilitation Center (CBRC) is a 34-bed residential
facility at Edward Hines Jr. VA Hospital. We receive applicants from over 50 VA
hospitals in 14 Midwest states. The CBRC is one of ten VA Blind Centers located
across the US and in Puerto Rico. Hines VA Hospital is located just west of
Chicago. Our 147-acre campus provides a safe, supportive environment. Here
veterans can develop the skills and attitudes needed for dealing with vision
loss. Personnel include medical staff, teachers (blind rehabilitation
specialists), support staff and management. Altogether the group brings over 500
years of blind rehab experience to the center.
Mission Statement
The Mission of the Central Blind Rehabilitation Center is to provide the
highest quality blind rehabilitation services through a broad range of
rehabilitation, education, and research programs.
Our Primary objective is to equip the veteran to function at his/her greatest
capabilities to achieve his/her personal goals. This is accomplished through the
following:
- An interdisciplinary assessment of the veteran's needs
- An individualized rehabilitation plan to meet the holistic needs of the
veteran
- Implementation of the plan
- Evaluation of the outcomes
Our Goal
The goal of the CBRC is to help each veteran become as independent as
possible in all aspects of daily life, and to assist them in their adjustment to
blindness.
Our History
The Central Blind Rehabilitation Center (CBRC) was opened in 1948 to
provide services to veterans blinded during WWII. It was the first
comprehensive blind rehabilitation facility in the United States.
Russell Williams, a veteran blinded during WWII, was appointed as
the first service chief. The original intent for the nine-bed
facility was to treat only those men who were blinded while in the
service; however, this policy was changed in 1956. It was decided
that offering services to all veterans who were legally blind would
be more in line with VA treatment guidelines.
The CBRC has played an important role in the development of blind
rehabilitation as a profession, through research and information sharing,
since it's inception. Not only did staff at Hines train other rehabilitation
professionals and agencies in the early years, but they also played a major
role in the development of
university training programs within the
profession. Staff members from Hines were recruited by Western Michigan
University to create the first university training program for blind
rehabilitation specialists in the country. Our professional relationship
with Western Michigan University is maintained to this day. Blind
Rehabilitation affiliations have also been established with Northern
Illinois University, and Florida State University. Affiliations for
research, Optometry and Vision Rehabilitation include the University of
Illinois at Chicago and the Illinois College of Optometry.
Today the CBRC is a 34-bed facility, which combines the tried and true
techniques of the past and the technology of today to provide the highest
quality services to blinded veterans. The center maintains accreditation
from the Commission for the
Accreditation or Rehabilitation Facilities.
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