Social Services Department

The role of the Social Services Department is multidimensional, as its purpose is to provide a set of support services (accompanying-counseling-informing) to people with visual impairments (blind and partially sighted and of course newly blinded), with the aim of ensuring individual progress and well-being and effective (re)integration into society.

Its concern is the individualized approach to the needs of people with visual impairments, following the principles and values of the Health and Welfare professions, respecting the personality, will and self-reliance of each person. The Social Services Department acts as a link between the visually impaired person and the social environment and develops interventions at individual and family levels.

Axes of actions

  • Reception/welcoming and information to the new beneficiaries or people in their surroundings regarding the offered services and programs being implemented at the Lighthouse for the Blind of Greece.
  • Encouragement of their integration into the various programs of the association, with a greatly supportive role in the adjustment process and in the acceptance of the new data due to the blindness.
  • Information and guidance or assistance of the beneficiaries regarding social welfare benefits and ways of claiming them.
  • Accompanying Support Services in order to facilitate accessibility for visually impaired persons and settle matters related to social welfare benefits and various needs in public and private services.
  • Organization and coordination of actions in the field of prevention of health/mental health (e.g., Health and mental health seminars, Voluntary Blood Donations, Preventive Cardiovascular Examinations, Spirometry Examinations, Cooperation with Health Bodies and private medical centers for free relevant services to the association’s beneficiaries, e.t.c.).
  • Cooperation and Networking with Public and Private bodies – to communicate and meet the needs of the beneficiaries to the maximum extent.
  • Organization and participation in accessible cultural events for visually impaired people (e.g., visits to museums, theater performances, musical events accessible to visually impaired people, e.t.c.).
  • Organization and coordination of daily environmental and educational excursions.

CONSULTING SUPPORT SERVICES

  • Individual Counseling
  • Couple counseling
  • Family Counseling
  • Personal Development Group

Management of the Volunteers’ and Students’ Network

Reception and information of potential volunteers regarding the offered fields for voluntary action, training and supervision of the active volunteers (see “Become a Volunteer at the Lighthouse for the Blind of Greece“)

The Social Services Department of the Lighthouse for the Blind of Greece is officially recognized as an internship host operator for Social Work Students by the Ministry of Education through the ATLAS, Centralized Internship Support System for Greek Higher Education Students.

In this context, students are welcomed, trained and integrated into the Social Services Department as interns.

Provisions for the Blind

The following is a list of Basic Rights and Benefits to be claimed by blind people by the Greek state. Beneficiaries are considered the persons judged by the competent health committee to have a visual impairment with a disability rate of 80% or more.

  • Visual Disability Allowance (OPEKA)
  • Exemption from vehicle circulation taxes or Traffic tax exemption
  • Exemption from registration fees
  • Disabled parking ticket / Parking card
  • Disabled parking space
  • Discount on electricity bills (Social residential tariff)
  • Discount on municipal taxes
  • Long-distance card (KTEL)
  • Public transport card (Athena card)
  • Social Solidarity Income (KEA)
  • Holiday Subsidy Program (Social Tourism/Tourism for All)

For more relevant information, please contact the Social Services Department of our association (210-9415222) from Monday to Friday (9.00 to 14.00) or send an email at info@fte.org.gr.

Other Services of the Lighthouse for the Blind of Greece

PROVIDED DEPARTMENTS AND ACTIVITIES

HISTORICAL BRAILLE LIBRARY

TALKING BOOKS LIBRARY

SPECIALIZED BRAILLE PRINTING DEPARTMENT