The application period is now open for all who wish to participate in the ASPECT (Advocacy, Support, Perspective, Empowerment, Communication, and Training) Patient Engagement Program at Prevent Blindness.
We are recruiting individuals with vision impairment or blindness as well as allies (i.e. parents or guardians, care partners, nonprofit representatives, multidisciplinary clinicians, eye care providers, and researchers). The program aims to equip participants with knowledge, skills, and confidence to become advocates for vision and eye health- at the individual and interpersonal, community, and societal levels.
Who is eligible to apply?
Individuals of all ages (including family members of children younger than age 18), with any eye disease or condition, residing anywhere across the nation and globally. Classes are free and held virtually every other week for 10 sessions total, spanning February to June 2024. Specific dates and times to be determined based on the needs of the group. Participants will receive an honorarium for participation.
ASPECT participants will:
- Partake in ten, two-hour virtual educational sessions designed to build advocacy and communication skills and knowledge.
- Learn about a wide variety of eye conditions and increase awareness of eye conditions other than your own.
- Build knowledge and skills around the use of story and personal narrative for advocacy.
- Learn about avenues for patient-engagement (i.e. research, advisory boards, technology).
- Discover a sense of community through listening to the stories of your peers, sharing, and supporting one another through the challenges and triumphs associated with visual impairment and blindness.
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Build leadership capacity by having the opportunity to co-facilitate sessions and present on various topics to your fellow participants.
- Be invited to join the in-person ASPECT Summit, as well as the annual Focus on Eye Health National Summit, and Eyes on Capitol Hill legislative Advocacy Day.
To learn more, follow this link.If you or someone you know is interested in participating, please have them complete an applicationfound here, or call Julie Grutzmacher at 312-363-6032 if unable to complete the application online.The deadline to apply is Friday, February 9, 2024.